Average Folk

[Sheon]

After finishing first year, it has become apparent that my days at the top of the class are over. Suddenly I find myself drooling over a passing grade.

It appears that most of the advice I have seen available for residency has been advice that is applicable to the exceptional medical student. The one with the USMLE score above 220 and the class rank above the 50th percentile.

What about us mere mortals who pass medical school in walking monochrome (i.e. without the flying colors)? Are we restricted to life as a primary care physician (and struggling to get that)? I mean I ain't tryin' ta' be a plastic surgeon, but what if I don't want IM, FP, Phyc or peds? Am I doomed?

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[Winged Scapula]

Of course not. You are experiencing something I'm sure a great many of your classmates are: becoming a smaller fish in a bigger pond.

All throughout your career you will be faced with evidence or suspicions of your own inadequacy. Sometimes it is only comparative inadequacy, and other times it is a real phenomenon. Your task should be consider the reasons you aren't performing at the level you desire. Have you developed poor study habits or are you not studying wisely? Many students who struggle with the intricacies of basic sciences find that they bloom during clinical rotations and do so well that they move up a few notches in their class ranking.

It is not too late to make changes and even students without USMLE Step 1 scores 1 SD above the mean are not "destined" for primary care fields. If that were the case, I wouldn't be here. My scores were only average but I had other qualities which apparently were desirable and snared me interviews in supposedly competitive residencies.

Not to encourage you to do less than your absolute best on the exams, but it is not an absolute that other fields are out of reach to you without a 220. It makes it harder sure.

Try to assess why you're where you are and make strides to change tha Its much too early to be deciding on a career trajectory and ruling choices out.

 

[Morgus]

Hi... Please see my 3 posts under "Board Scores" at

Board Scores

Be a great scutmaster with a winning smile, and that'll get you what you want.

 

[doughboy]

Once again I agree....having connections isn't too bad either. From talking to my fellow students, some of the best rec letters they received from doctors weren't because they were the smartest pea in the pod. The doctors loved their personality, their hard work, and true dedication. If you weren't smart enough to be a physician then you wouldn't have gotten into med school in the first place. The bookworms with no social skills will drop and the average student will rise as docs and residents realize that they are competent and responsible plus good company. Some of the "best docs" and specialists in the hospitals are not always the smartest in their class and if you ask they'll tell you that. There are more things to worry about then whether or not you can take multiple choice tests. Its knowing what to do with a patient in certain situations and you'll find out most things don't present in "textbook" fashion.

 

[Mr. happy clown guy]

With regard to Morgus...I think in his previous "Board Scores" posts, he gave a very honest answer of a hard lesson learned.
Learning and admitting to mistakes is important, and Morgus owned up to his mistake. I wish we all could act a bit more humble at times...including me...the happy clown guy.

 

[apple638]

I've been told my physicians my whole life that C or avg. medical students make the best physicians

 

[platinumdoc]

Sheon,

It takes a lot of effort to make it to medical school: High Grades, High MCAT scores. It takes even more effort to survive medical school. Don't lose hope. You can still do well on the boards and you can still match in the specialty of your choice.

In the whole scheme of things, when you begin to practice the issue of boards and class rank are the last thing that people care about. It is a matter of how you treat your staff, your patients and your colleagues. Your integrity and honesty are what earn you the respect of your patients. It is your knowledge and desire to add to it that drives you in your career. Your personality and work ethic are what your colleagues are seeing.

Do not limit your career by deciding what to do based upon grades/board scores alone. Decide what you want to do based on your interests/personality. You will find through your rotations which specialty suits you. Pursue even avenue to learn about the field. Take extra time to examine both private practice as well as the academic setting. Talk to specialists and find out their happiness and frustrations. Can you see yourself doing this every single day of the rest of your life? Will it make you happy? I don't see average grades as a default for primary care. There are many 'top' students who want nothing else than primary care.

You may not get chosen for a spot in the top programs in the country but a residency slot is what you make out of it. Do your best. Do what you can to improve your application and get feedback from program directors or specialty advisors in the area of interest. Work on your strengths and those will outshine your weaknesses. What do you call the lowest ranking person in your medical school class?
Ans: Doctor....