Help an M1 out...

[M1medhr]

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I've posted a similar thread in allopathic, but some of the people on this part of the site might be more knowledgeable.

I'm an M1 in NY and Basically I screwed up in Cells and Tissues (although I will hopefully pass Gross) and I am going to fail. I have the option of taking a year end exam to remediate, but the failure will go on my transcript. I know why I failed and I've taken steps to ensure this will not happen again. But now I'm faced with a choice. I could fail the course and go on to second year through the cumulative year end exam, but I have some telling me that the failure on my record will kill any chance I have of getting a good residency, even if I do well in everything else. I really want to match into a good EM or maybe Gen Surg program. I have others telling me things aren't quite that bad. I need someone who knows (a resident, 4th year, attending, someone) to basically give it to me straight... what are my chances of a good residency?

I have the option to drop the course before I fail and split my M1 year into 2 years, so I would be graduating in 5 years. This way a failure will never go on my record and I can finish my M1 year at a slower pace. I really don't want to do this, but if I don't have a good shot at a good residency otherwise, then what choice do I have?

 

[college!!]

It's going to be ok. One slip up in your first year isn't going to kill you.

Now, if you take a year off, you'll have to explain why it took you 5 years to finish in your application. So you really aren't getting off the hook by taking the extra year.

Honestly, your grades from the first two years are of very very little consequence. Especially if you do ok on USMLE Step 1.

So continue your education, study more, or stop smoking pot, or get over your break up, or change whatever is keeping you down, and you'll be fine.

 

[coharahawk]

Lots have people have something like this on their record early in med school. Just remember that you still have a lot of time to make up for this with improved basic science grades, Step I, clinical rotations, etc. If you do well with the rest of these things, you should have no problem matching at a good program.

 

[Tiger26]

Agree with above

 

[leviathan]

Agreed. Do well on everything else, rock the Step 1, and you are good to go. Take this as your "second chance".

 

[M1medhr]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've decided to go ahead and deal with this head on. No need to take a year off. Hopefully you'll be all yelling at me as attendings in 4 years 😀

 

[BKN]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've decided to go ahead and deal with this head on. No need to take a year off. Hopefully you'll be all yelling at me as attendings in 4 years 😀

I agree with the advice above, I would not take an extra year, that looks worse. But as a former PD, I've got to warn you that you only get one oopsie. Basic science grades do count. Pass the test and get real serious for year two.

BN