Dismissal and Residency

[Another Chance]

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I was dismissed the first semester of first year of med school for academic reasons. I was able to appeal the decision and won the appeal. My dismissal was overturned/rescinded (one document says overturned and one says rescinded) and I was given a medical leave of absence for the remainder of the academic year and started again the next year. I remediated first semester and then continued on with the rest of the curriculum. My grades for the first two years, aside from that first semester, are all B's with one C, but my GPA never really recovered from the F's and neither did my class rank. I'm taking my boards this summer.

My question is, since my dismissal was overturned, is that something I have to state on ERAS? Would it hurt me to state it? I don't mind talking about it, but since I won my appeal, would a dismissal still tank my chances?

I'm not going for anything super competitive by the way.

 

[8215]

I'm not so sure about the ERAS process, but I'm going through something very similar to you. Could you offer me some advice on how you managed to get through the appeal process successfully?

 

[cowme]

You will definitely need to report it and your deans letter will almost certainly include it too. It will hurt, but it won't completely kill your chances. I wouldn't hold my breath for a UCSF spot though.

 

[drizzt3117]

I think it'll mention it on your mspe and your transcript will make it pretty obvious in any case. I think if you do well on the boards and in 3rd year you'll be fine. In any case it's not like you can change the past.

 

[Another Chance]

I don't think I explained what I mean very well. My transcript says LoA not dismissal since the dismissal was rescinded.

So my question is is a dismissal a dismissal if it was retracted? Does that make sense?

I wasn't going to lie about it of course. Like I said, I don't have a problem talking about it. I just don't know how it's all stated on the ERAS application and if this would classify as a dismissal since I wasn't dismissed in the end.

I guess I need to talk to my Dean. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Another Chance]

I'm not so sure about the ERAS process, but I'm going through something very similar to you. Could you offer me some advice on how you managed to get through the appeal process successfully?

Check your PM.

 

[LMarie_MD2b]

I think it'll mention it on your mspe and your transcript will make it pretty obvious in any case. I think if you do well on the boards and in 3rd year you'll be fine. In any case it's not like you can change the past.

^ This. ^

There is a Yes/No question in the standard format of the MSPE that asks if there was any extension of your time completing the MD curriculum. If the answer is 'Yes' you must explain it--whether it was time off for a research fellowship, MBA, MPH, any leave of absence, or extra time for remediation/deceleration. A one- or two-sentence explanation is sufficient in this space.

Talk to your Dean, a trusted faculty mentor in your chosen field, and potentially your home residency program director (any and all you feel comfortable with) about the best way to deal with this during the application/interview season.

Oh, and work your @$$ off to really shine as an MS3, Sub-I, and elective student. Good luck.