Failed 2 MS1 classes and placed on probation...impact down the road

[pathophysiologist]

So I am a MS1 at a mid-tier school in the Midwest. I failed 2 classes (both ended last November) and was placed on academic probation until the end of MS2 (when our pre-clerkship ends). I will also have to make up for those failures during the summer after MS1.

My poor study technique (along with adjusting to medical school) led to those failures, and fortunately, I am doing better now. Assuming I don't fail anything else, do well in rotations, and receive a competitive STEP 1 score, will my chances for residencies be significantly impacted? I really want to do anesthesiology and later specialize within the field (go into pediatrics, etc.).

I believe the probation will be noted on my transcript, so everyone will know about it. How will this affect me down the road?

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[masaraksh]

I would guess that you would want to tackle step 1. I have yet to take it, but it is a BIG test

 

[pathophysiologist]

I would guess that you would want to tackle step 1. I have yet to take it, but it is a BIG test

Definitely. I need to do really well on the STEP 1. Fortunately, I am only a MS1, so I don't have to worry about it that much at the moment.

 

[masaraksh]

Definitely. I need to do really well on the STEP 1. Fortunately, I am only a MS1, so I don't have to worry about it that much at the moment.

No, I'd worry about it until 3rd year starts

 

[Law2Doc]

So I am a MS1 at a mid-tier school in the Midwest. I failed 2 classes (both ended last November) and was placed on academic probation until the end of MS2 (when our pre-clerkship ends). I will also have to make up for those failures during the summer after MS1.

My poor study technique (along with adjusting to medical school) led to those failures, and fortunately, I am doing better now. Assuming I don't fail anything else, do well in rotations, and receive a competitive STEP 1 score, will my chances for residencies be significantly impacted? I really want to do anesthesiology and later specialize within the field (go into pediatrics, etc.).

I believe the probation will be noted on my transcript, so everyone will know about it. How will this affect me down the road?

Will academic probation put you out of the running for most competitive things? Probably. Can you still salvage things and go on to have a productive professional career? Sure.

 

[deleted480308]

An amazing step1 is a nice thought but you go home if you fail another class so focus on the immediate until youbare out of probation

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

agree with above. i'd focus on doing well in classes, and afterwards focus on step 1/transition to clinical years. Anesthesia is doable even with probation. it goes without saying... do not fail another class

 

[pathophysiologist]

A quick update.

Today, I just received my final grades on our latest block of classes, and I did very well in all of them (I believe even good enough to receive honors - though that'll be determined later through a separate process). I spoke to someone who graduated from my medical school 2 years ago (currently an anesthesiology resident at a prestigious academic center) and basically told him about my situation and career aspirations (academic probation for failing two classes but want to go into anesthesiology eventually). He was very adamant that I petition my school and have them remove me from academic probation - he said that when it comes to applying for residencies, the deans at my school are obligated to mention any sort of probation on my MSPE, and this can hurt my chances at competitive programs. He also said that when it comes time to get my medical license, I will have to report any and all types of "probation", and that'll just create another hassle to deal with. Apparently he has some insight knowledge on the way our deans handle these matters, and according to him, it is possible that I can convince my dean to take me off probation - something that's against official university protocols.

So I have two big questions:

1) Should I make an appointment with my dean and somehow persuade him to take me off probation, especially since I did so well in my latest sequence of classes? The official policy is that I will remain on probation for the rest of the preclinical period (until the end of MS2), and that I will be taken off probation once clerkships start. However, I wonder if it is a good idea (assuming it is possible) to approach my dean right now and ask him to remove me from probation. The problem is that I can't hold any leadership positions in my medical school while I am on probation, and there are a lot of opportunities around campus where I want to get involved as a student leader. I've heard that those positions can make me more competitive, so I want to get off probation immediately and be able to hold some of these positions.

2) What's the official word on medical licensure? I understand that obviously we'll have to disclose criminal convictions and substance abuse issues, and perhaps professional violations as well. But will I really have to mention that I was placed on academic probation because I failed some classes during the first year of medical school? And even if I have to disclose that I was put on probation for failing some MS1 classes, will this in any way jeopardize my ability to get a license in any state? I've never even thought about this medical license issue (I don't think any MS1 thinks THAT far ahead) until my friend mentioned it to me, so now I am a bit worried.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Jabbed]

A quick update.

Today, I just received my final grades on our latest block of classes, and I did very well in all of them (I believe even good enough to receive honors - though that'll be determined later through a separate process). I spoke to someone who graduated from my medical school 2 years ago (currently an anesthesiology resident at a prestigious academic center) and basically told him about my situation and career aspirations (academic probation for failing two classes but want to go into anesthesiology eventually). He was very adamant that I petition my school and have them remove me from academic probation - he said that when it comes to applying for residencies, the deans at my school are obligated to mention any sort of probation on my MSPE, and this can hurt my chances at competitive programs. He also said that when it comes time to get my medical license, I will have to report any and all types of "probation", and that'll just create another hassle to deal with. Apparently he has some insight knowledge on the way our deans handle these matters, and according to him, it is possible that I can convince my dean to take me off probation - something that's against official university protocols.

So I have two big questions:

1) Should I make an appointment with my dean and somehow persuade him to take me off probation, especially since I did so well in my latest sequence of classes? The official policy is that I will remain on probation for the rest of the preclinical period (until the end of MS2), and that I will be taken off probation once clerkships start. However, I wonder if it is a good idea (assuming it is possible) to approach my dean right now and ask him to remove me from probation. The problem is that I can't hold any leadership positions in my medical school while I am on probation, and there are a lot of opportunities around campus where I want to get involved as a student leader. I've heard that those positions can make me more competitive, so I want to get off probation immediately and be able to hold some of these positions.

2) What's the official word on medical licensure? I understand that obviously we'll have to disclose criminal convictions and substance abuse issues, and perhaps professional violations as well. But will I really have to mention that I was placed on academic probation because I failed some classes during the first year of medical school? And even if I have to disclose that I was put on probation for failing some MS1 classes, will this in any way jeopardize my ability to get a license in any state? I've never even thought about this medical license issue (I don't think any MS1 thinks THAT far ahead) until my friend mentioned it to me, so now I am a bit worried.

What are your thoughts?

Definitely does not affect getting/maintaining your medical license. I'm a little confused on the specifics of what you're asking; coming off of academic probation and removing any trace of it on your transcript are two different things entirely. Getting the university to repeal an official citation sounds somewhat gray, but you might as well schedule an appointment with someone in the know, explain your situation, and see what the options are.

I would ask your adviser/dean the following two questions:

• What must I do to come off of academic probation?
• What must I do to prevent my academic probation from harming my match chances? (You can follow this up with a question on the possibility of removing it from your record entirely, although this sounds unlikely.)

 

[pathophysiologist]

Definitely does not affect getting/maintaining your medical license. I'm a little confused on the specifics of what you're asking; coming off of academic probation and removing any trace of it on your transcript are two different things entirely. Getting the university to repeal an official citation sounds somewhat gray, but you might as well schedule an appointment with someone in the know, explain your situation, and see what the options are.

I would ask your adviser/dean the following two questions:

• What must I do to come off of academic probation?
• What must I do to prevent my academic probation from harming my match chances? (You can follow this up with a question on the possibility of removing it from your record entirely, although this sounds unlikely.)

Thanks for the response. The official position of the school is that I will be removed from probation at the end of MS2, when we finish our preclinical coursework. However, this means no more failures from now until then, and I'll have to pass our school's "preclinical final" - basically an easy exam that covers basic clerkship skills that we must know heading into rotations. What I want to do is have the school remove me from probation RIGHT NOW so that I can participate in leadership activities that are available for medical students (class officers, honor representative, club/committee presidents, etc.). Since I am on probation, I cannot participate in any of the extracurricular activities that'll probably strengthen my residency application; basically I am not currently in "good-standing" because of the probation.

But like you said, I'll probably set up an appointment with my dean and see what comes of it.

 

[gracie369]

What I want to do is have the school remove me from probation RIGHT NOW so that I can participate in leadership activities that are available for medical students (class officers, honor representative, club/committee presidents, etc.). Since I am on probation, I cannot participate in any of the extracurricular activities that'll probably strengthen my residency application; basically I am not currently in "good-standing" because of the probation.

But like you said, I'll probably set up an appointment with my dean and see what comes of it.

The last thing you want to do after failing two classes is participate in student government or even be a class representative. It can be A LOT of work yet may boost your application only 2%. You need to put 100% of your time into crushing classes, board exams and rotations. Highly recommend meeting with your advisor and asking what you need to focus on for residency.

 

[GoldenFish]

Thanks for the response. The official position of the school is that I will be removed from probation at the end of MS2, when we finish our preclinical coursework. However, this means no more failures from now until then, and I'll have to pass our school's "preclinical final" - basically an easy exam that covers basic clerkship skills that we must know heading into rotations. What I want to do is have the school remove me from probation RIGHT NOW so that I can participate in leadership activities that are available for medical students (class officers, honor representative, club/committee presidents, etc.). Since I am on probation, I cannot participate in any of the extracurricular activities that'll probably strengthen my residency application; basically I am not currently in "good-standing" because of the probation.

But like you said, I'll probably set up an appointment with my dean and see what comes of it.

I agree that at this point, no matter how much you think you have improved, you've got bigger fish to fry. Your past performance has put a microscope on you. Take solace in the fact that you can definitively close the book on your grasp of MS1/2 knowledge by rocking MS2 and Step 1. Also take solace in the fact that the only ECs that really matter (or matter most by far) are those involving research, preferably that which actually gets published. You'll have plenty of time to nab a student interest group position in the respective specialty you're going for during MS3, if that floats your boat, or volunteer in a free clinic.

 

[NontradCA]

I think you should focus on one thing at a time. Like getting off SDN and studying.