Commendable in Derm??

[2009MD]

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I just completed a home rotation in the derm program and am worried because it looks like I'm going to get a commendable and not honors...does anybody have any experience with non-honor grades in derm?? This was my first elective in the field...

This can't be good but does anybody know how much this will hurt my application chances??

Thanks

 

[DermMatch]

do another home rotation and get a better grade

 

[dderm]

I wouldn't worry about it. Letters of recommendation are far more important. The truth is interviewers don't look that closely at transcripts to know if you got honors or commendable or an "A" or Pass or a percentage. Every school is so different in terms of how they grade I don't think anyone cares, and nobody has the time to figure out what each school is trying to say in the 30 seconds they take to look over your file. As long as your transcript doesn't say fail I don't think anyone will care. I matched at a "top 25" program and didn't honor anything third year. Only one interview out of 13 asked me about it. It just doesn't matter like people think. Showing interest and being someone people like to be around is the most important thing. A good step 1 helps but even that won't keep you out. Getting involved early with a project or something helps too but that's not necessary either. I thought it would be a problem but I don't think people really care about transcripts, they're too confusing since every school is different.

 

[N-Surge]

I just completed a home rotation in the derm program and am worried because it looks like I'm going to get a commendable and not honors...does anybody have any experience with non-honor grades in derm?? This was my first elective in the field...

This can't be good but does anybody know how much this will hurt my application chances??

Thanks

Do you know why? No need to share here. Just hoping you will be able to adjust for when you might do some away rotations for letters and such, and the "O".

 

[W5D]

did your home program know that you wanted to go into derm? if they did, this would be very uncool of them. in my mind, your home department should try to support you. not the end of the world (and i agree with dderm, i had never even heard of commendable), but i wouldn't let this slide without at least trying to get the higher grade. i have never been the type to contend grades, but in this case, i would. i would go in, talk with them, offer to write an article, etc. i would hope that they would be somewhat understanding given the competitiveness of the field. at that same time, try not to piss them off when you bring this up. also, you don't know whether you got honors or commendable yet, right?

repeating the elective does not seem like a viable option. it would look pretty strange on your transcript. i would consider doing a dermpath or dermresearch month with them though.

 

[rolling wheal]

I agree with WD5 and dderm... I've never heard of commendable either. I wouldn't worry about it. I think programs read the deans letter as a summary of the transcript... maybe quickly glance over the transcript at most. Being an enjoyable person to work with and having a genuine interest in derm is what matters most in my opinion. I was average in my class, didn't honor anything the first three years of medical school. I think some programs also look at what your undergrad major was. Obviously a biology major or someone with a graduate degree in biology should have a higher class rank than someone who was a history major like myself. That's a point about grades and such that is often forgotten about. Some places, like the place I matched at, would rather have someone with a different educational background than straight science.

 

[2009MD]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm really surprised too because the whole rotation was basically a shadowing experience, so I have no idea how grades would even be determined.

I'm trying not to sweat it but I will definitely do another rotation (probably away)...and concentrate on the other stuff I've been working on on the side and hopefully everything will work out.

 

[Dral]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm really surprised too because the whole rotation was basically a shadowing experience, so I have no idea how grades would even be determined.

I'm trying not to sweat it but I will definitely do another rotation (probably away)...and concentrate on the other stuff I've been working on on the side and hopefully everything will work out.

Hmm, I have no idea about how your rotation worked, but a lot of times attendings will just let you shadow. Especially during 4th year rotations since they know that many students aren't really interested in that field and just want to 'see' some things (shadow). It takes the interested student to speak up and ask to see patients to go the extra mile. Maybe you did that, I don't know.

Either way, don't sweat it. I'm sure you'll be perfectly fine.

 

[spartan564]

old thread, but just out of curiousity do most people receive honors on their away rotations? Assuming the usual good amount of enthusiasm, studying, and interpersonal skills. I figure its not like the general clerkships where everybody has to be graded on the curve of only 10-20% honors

 

[asmallchild]

old thread, but just out of curiousity do most people receive honors on their away rotations? Assuming the usual good amount of enthusiasm, studying, and interpersonal skills. I figure its not like the general clerkships where everybody has to be graded on the curve of only 10-20% honors

From my limited experience, yes. But the quality of the letter of recommendation you get from your derm rotations usually matters more than the actual grade itself

 

[Dral]

Yeah, to echo that, I got an excellent letter from my away. I don't remember if I got honors. I assume I did since the letter writer was in charge of the rotation.

Away letter, especially from a well known, will carry much more weight than honors.

I do think not honoring home rotation is odd. It's expected almost, so if it doesn't happen, it's like the program is trying to tell us something.

 

[dermie1985]

I just completed a home rotation in the derm program and am worried because it looks like I'm going to get a commendable and not honors...does anybody have any experience with non-honor grades in derm?? This was my first elective in the field...

This can't be good but does anybody know how much this will hurt my application chances??

Thanks

I think it might depend on how many other people are applying from your home institution (and what "grade" they got in their derm rotation). I think a lot of programs will look on a 'school-by-school' basis and try to pick off the best candidates from each institution from any information they can get.

If you....say....have 5 other home candidates and all got "honors" on their rotation and you got a "commendable"....it might be a little red flag for admissions committee to put your on the lower priority list for interview invitations.