Can a low tier MD student with average clinical grades match general surgery?

[ChordaEpiphany]

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So for this particular one we needed an 85th percentile for honors but the thing is that the distributions were so tight that you could literally only get 2-3 more questions wrong before your score automatically drops from high pass to pass. I think we need 65th percentile for high pass but on this exam the difference between 85th and 65th was a mere 2-3 questions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely my fault for being distracted and not putting 110% into the shelf but I think that it’s somewhat ridiculous that the shelf and clinical assessments aren’t averaged. Is this common at most schools?

That's a tight distribution for sure, and a high bar for honors. It's doable though for an above-average medical student who is willing to put in the work. The method above should get you to 85th percentile for most if not all shelf exams.

Importantly though, let's say you implement all of this, drive yourself crazy, and still score 50th percentile (or even lower like half of medical students). Take a step back and ask yourself if it's worth it. At the end of the day, you are in a class full of valedictorians and overachievers, and 85% of them will be below the Honors cutoff despite all of them trying very, very hard. If you're in that 85%, you're in good company. Knowing when to temper expectations for success in medicine is incredibly important, and driving yourself insane studying for an exam is unlikely to help you make good impressions on the wards regardless.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Hi everybody,

I found out yesterday that I got >93rd percentile on the surgery shelf exam. Not bragging but I just want others who may read this thread to keep working hard and maintain confidence after a bad first shelf.

 

[Some_one]

Gen surgery is not competitive so you should be fine. Even with multiple passes not a big deal

Does that also apply for IMG or just for US graduates?

 

[Some_one]

Just got my first clerkship grade back and it was a pass. I honored the evaluations part but got a pass on the shelf because I guess I didn’t study hard enough. Is general surgery off the table now without a prelim year?

But aren't STEP scores the most important factor along with clinical experiences and LORs?

 

[Doctoscope]

Does that also apply for IMG or just for US graduates?

US MD only. It's also doable as DO but you need to work harder. For IMGs it's pretty difficult.

 

[Some_one]

US MD only. It's also doable as DO but you need to work harder. For IMGs it's pretty difficult.

May I ask if you know how can I find a general surgery elective in the US? Particularly if it is possible to find one for free as an international medical student

 

[Doctoscope]

May I ask if you know how can I find a general surgery elective in the US? Particularly if it is possible to find one for free as an international medical student

I don't think I can help you with that, sorry. Are you a US citizen/PR or visa requiring? I would assume the process of finding USCE differs for the 2 groups.