Fenrezz, you bring up a good a good point

[CoolDOguy]

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Fenrezz:

In another thread you said that it was hard to get a good class rank in your school. I find it the same way at KCOM (so many gunners around here). Also, my class standing was significantly affected by my OTM grade. When I apply to allopathic Peds programs, I don't feel that my true basic science abilities will be represented. I guess my question is.... how much does class rank really matter??? I heard it matters if you are all the way at the top or at the bottom?? Is this true?

 

[Fenrezz]

Having not gone through the process I can only relay what I've been told by some people who have already done so. They basically have said that if you're going into a competitive residency, then your GPA from the first two years will mean something, but mostly it's your board scores and the grades you earn in the third and fourth year that will really make the difference.

Which makes sense, I guess, because how you're graded on your clinical years gives at least a mild indication of how well you will do on your own. I have trouble believing that one's ability to study for 10 hours a day for lecture exams will at all forcast their skill to practice medicine in the real world with real patients.

 

[DrMom]

We really won't know where we stand until we get into the clinical rotations. I agree with Fenrezz that it makes sense for residency programs to look more closely at our boards and clinical rotations grades.

Turns out that our class at OSU has the highest stats of any class ever at the school & has the highest grades of any class! I'm glad that people are doing well, but it is frustrating to do well in classes and end up with a class rank that seems incongruous!

 

[CoolDOguy]

This discussion brings up another good point; the range in class rank seems as if it splits hairs sometimes. For instance, if someone has an 89% average and another has a 92-93%, there may exist a significant number of individuals in between. Therefore, is class rank really a fair assesment? Or is it a bit nitpicky? Nevertheless, it is our reality....just trying to stimulate some thoughtful conversation.

 

[mcataz]

I know they look at class rank but they also look at your grades. If you are getting A's in your classes, that's impressive regardless of your class rank. I think if you do well on the boards, you will be fine.

Best of luck