clinical grades

[thetubes]

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I understand that clinical grading is inherently subjective, as far as rating a student for various competencies on a scale from 1-4 or whatever but I've noticed that clerkship directors don't even seem to be objective as far as how the math goes. I've found that I always end up with the same final clinical grade in terms of percentage no matter what the grading rubric says. For instance, I could get 3 out of 4 pts for 3 grading criteria and still get the same clinical grade as if I were to only get 3/4 for 1 grading criteria. I think this is just to show that clerkship directors already have a grade in mind for you (usually high pass) and if you're close, they'll give it to you. The real difference maker seems to be the shelf; do really well, you'll honor; do really poorly beyond salvageable: they'll give you pass.

 

[officedepot]

That's not always the case. Some clerkships have minimum grades you must meet, either overall or on the shelf, to get a certain final score. In the end though I agree, directors essentially just make your grade up. If they like you, then you get some slack and if not, then too bad.

 

[thetubes]

Yea that was more or less what I meant by doing really well; at my school there is a minimum score for honors and a minimum passing score; the shelf score range for high pass is quite broad. But in any case, I just found it interesting that essentially your grade is based on how much they director likes you; luckily for me I tend to be fairly agreeable.

 

[SlickNickMD]

According to my IM director everyone gets the same grade prior to the shelf unless you fight someone or you're utterly useless-The shelf determines who gets an A and who doesn't

I aint even mad😎

 

[SlickNickMD]

According to my IM director everyone gets the same grade prior to the shelf unless you fight someone or you're utterly useless-The shelf determines who gets an A and who doesn't

I aint even mad😎

 

[chessknt]

According to my IM director everyone gets the same grade prior to the shelf unless you fight someone or you're utterly useless-The shelf determines who gets an A and who doesn't

I aint even mad😎

Same here. So ridiculous, makes the whole concept of clinical grades worthless IMO. Just force us all to take the step 2 before applying to residency and be done with it if this is how they want to roll.

 

[2012mdc]

According to my IM director everyone gets the same grade prior to the shelf unless you fight someone or you're utterly useless-The shelf determines who gets an A and who doesn't

I aint even mad😎

Yeah man. It's the best way to do it IMO