MD (ERAS) Surgery shelf retake - mention in PS or no?

[TheMCATWorther112]

Quick question regarding ERAS I've been confused about. Have received varying advice. Basically I had to retake the surgery shelf and passed the second time. The only place this is mentioned is the MSPE, not on the transcript - still passed surgery clerkship. NOT applying surg.

Confused about if this is significant enough to write about in my PS. Since it's not a USMLE or repeating a course/clerkship, I'm unsure if I should include it.

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[Redpancreas]

Do not highlight it in your PS unless you genuinely feel like you learnt a major lesson from it. It's not a USMLE. Just mention it if there's a section addressing academic difficulty. It will already be in enough places like your Dean's Letter, etc.

 

[operaman]

I wouldn’t, especially if you’re not applying to a surgical field.

It’s one of the hardest and most failed shelf exams out there and comes at the end of one of the more physically demanding rotations. It’s catches many off guard and most all pass the retake because they’ve finally had enough time and sleep to study well. If that’s your story, probably not worth the space to tell the story everyone assumes anyhow.

If it really does somehow fit into your broader narrative then by all means include it, but if not probably best not to draw too much attention to it.

 

[gyngyn]

This thread can be followed here: Surgery shelf retake - mention in PS or no?