Have I shot my Chances?

[kid_icarus]

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Hey All,

I've been a wanderer around these boards for a while, but something happened which led me to start posting here.

First of all, I'm an M1.

I'm very interested in a residency in either EM or radiology, but not really sure which one yet.

The problem was a few days ago was my behavioral science final (not midterm, which I didn't know at the time), and I had some personal issues come up in the weekend. Needless to say, that affected my studying and I failed the exam. Therefore, failing the course. My first failure in an exam in my academic history.

In any case, I'll be taking a makeup exam to get the pass. Funny thing is that I've honored anatomy and physiology. But now, after taking this re-take, my transcript will show that I failed, then passed the class.

Now this mar on my record has given me a few sleepless nights, might you that I'm still in the middle of an exam week.

I need to know if this mar would affect my competitiveness in applying for these types of residencies. I hope to do well in my boards and my 3rd year, but that horrid "failed, but later passed" point on my transcript has me worried.

God, I wish they just replace the damn thing. It's not like I wanted that bad weekend. Please someone tell me I'm overreacting.

I would love some advice/consoling.

Thanks...

🙁

 

[DrQuinn]

I do not believe you have 'shot your chances.'

Let me tell you what I think. I've reviewed applications to our residency, and when I try to look at the transcripts from each medical school, invovling M1 and M2 year grades, its like damn hieroglyphics to interpet. A F/PF/retake on an M1 class that isn't major (like anatomy, physiology) is going to have extremely little, if any impact on your application.

In fact, I can't even name the non major classes I took as an M1 year.... that's how unimportant they are in the grand scheme of applying.

Get some rest, do decent on the rest of your exams, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Q

 

[GeneralVeers]

Nothing blows your chances, although mistakes can add up to make finding a residency spot more difficult.

I know one guy in my class who failed Step 1 and got a residency spot at Kalamazoo.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Geez, its all over for you. Residency directors specifically go back in your record to check on your behavioral science grade. It is really an important course in emergency medicine, and your failure in it will let your residency director know you're really a lousy medical student who will never understand his patients. Therefore, you'll be lucky to match in the U.S., even at Kalamazoo (which incidentally puts on one of the best interview days anywhere.)

I, of course, am totally joking. I don't know what people are telling you at your school but you're wound entirely too tight. Yes, you should pass your classes, and I suspect you probably won't fail any more, but even if you do, its not the end of the world. The best-loved anesthesia resident at my hospital failed at least 4 classes during the first two years of medical school. (I know, I was in his class.) No single failure will make it impossible to match, save your EM rotation.

 

[kid_icarus]

thanks guys for the support... it's been hard concentrating with this over my head, but your comments help a lot.

It's just hard sometimes, to know something could have been avoided like this just because of a bad weekend.

Wish me luck on the rest of my exams.

 

[DrQuinn]

Wish me luck on the rest of my exams.

I wish you luck on the rest of your exams.
Q

 

[edinOH]

Agree with the above.

Some programs think it is a plus to fail behavioral science.

Who the hell gets into that **** anyway?

Don't sweat it. It may come up in an interview but just answer honestly and it won't be a big deal. The fact you honored the other courses will show it was just an aberation.

Nearly the same thing happened to a guy in my class. Except he failed biochem and had to repeat the whole year. Ended up with straight A's the rest of the way through school. Of course he matched at his number one choice in surgery.

 

[sweetfynesse]

No, you haven't shot your chances. It really makes you seem like a real person...everyone has bad moments at some point...just dont make it a habit.

You will do fine, and a couple of months/years from now you'll be giving someone else this example of how you made it despite your failing grade in behavorial science.

 

[NinerNiner999]

It sounds to me like the only difficulty you will have in the future is deciding between EM and radiology - two very different fields...

 

[kid_icarus]

appreciate all the comments guys. 😉