Does pre-med performance still matter?

[Cziffra]

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When applying for residency programs, do the program directors still care about your pre-med performance? Do they even care about your performance in med school? I heard that all you need to be competitive is stellar USMLE scores. Is it true?

Thanks!

 

[PassinGas]

The answer is "No and Yes."

Nobody cares about premed unless you did something huge like invent a new drug or have some great research that deserves to be noted. It would be like telling a college admission board about what you did in elementery school...unless it's something worth shouting about, they won't care that much.

To say that all you need are great board scores to get a residency spot would be missing the big picture. Sure it helps, but check around and you will find peole with 230+ board scores not getting a spot. If all you are is a board score, things may not work out. Board scores may get you an interview...if the rest of the application and one's personality suck, matching into a great program may be a bit harder.

But...great board scores do definitely improve your chances.

 

[Museless]

I'm applying to neurology, and have to submit my college transcripts as part of my residency application. How much weight they have I don't know, but they wouldn't ask for them if it didn't matter at all. I believe there are other (all early-match fields) that also ask for college grades.

 

[TheThroat]

I'm applying to neurology, and have to submit my college transcripts as part of my residency application. How much weight they have I don't know, but they wouldn't ask for them if it didn't matter at all. I believe there are other (all early-match fields) that also ask for college grades.

Seriously, they don't matter. You wouldn't have gotten into med school without ok grades. The only reason they ask for the transcript is to have another assurance that you aren't trying to pull a Frank Abagnale Jr on them (the guy in "Catch Me If You Can" that faked being a doc.

 

[Museless]

Seriously, they don't matter. You wouldn't have gotten into med school without ok grades. The only reason they ask for the transcript is to have another assurance that you aren't trying to pull a Frank Abagnale Jr on them (the guy in "Catch Me If You Can" that faked being a doc.

Isn't that what my medical school transcript is for? How does college assure them I'm not faking having gone to medical school?

 

[Cziffra]

and for those who entered medicine straight from high school (e.g. those from the UK, Australia, NZ, etc.) and later on decided to practise in north america, it'd be interesting to know whether they would be eligible for those residency programs that ask for college transcripts.... 🙄

 

[TommyGunn04]

Neurology, being an early match specialty, can require college transcripts if it wants, but I haven't heard of any regular match fields that ask for it. If they do, it wouldn't be done through ERAS. Maybe some uber-competitive programs in ortho or other such competitive specialties might ask for it, as an extra hoop to jump through to potentially deter some people from applying. I've actually heard of some requiring SAT scores, for this very reason! Crazy huh?!

 

[TheThroat]

Isn't that what my medical school transcript is for? How does college assure them I'm not faking having gone to medical school?

It doesn't, but it might at least make sure that you have gone to college. Its just an extra hoop to jump through. I am pretty sure that some of the other early match residencies also require it.

 

[Museless]

it'd be interesting to know whether they would be eligible for those residency programs that ask for college transcripts....

Yes they are - I'm not an IMG, but I am compulsive by nature and read the instruction manual cover to cover. 😳 It states they recognize that IMGs attend medical school from what we call "high school", and to submit that "high school" transcript if it's available.

It doesn't, but it might at least make sure that you have gone to college. Its just an extra hoop to jump through.

It's ok, I'm not sweatin' it. Just answering the OP that it'll matter at least in the sense that you have to send it off, and they do with it what they will. Odd they don't think the individual med school can't reliably determine whether or not someone went to college. I had to show the registrar my degree or a transcript with the awarding of the degree noted before they'd allow me to register for m1 classes. Ah well, they don't trust the OSCE either, now do they. 🙄

 

[BlondeCookie]

Holy Crap! I can't believe that residency programs would make you submit your undergrad transcript! This is going to suck when they see that big fat C in Organic Chemistry! What about the MCAT? Do they require that as well?! Do the res programs require the undergrad transcript when applying to the program or after being accepted into the program????? 😱

 

[TheThroat]

Holy Crap! I can't believe that residency programs would make you submit your undergrad transcript! This is going to suck when they see that big fat C in Organic Chemistry! What about the MCAT? Do they require that as well?! Do the res programs require the undergrad transcript when applying to the program or after being accepted into the program????? 😱

Chill. No one looks at the undergrad transcript. It is just another hoop. Just chill.