I'm an OMS-1 that goes to a grade-based DO school that also does class rank based on GPA. I just got a C for one of my courses and I'm interested in general surg. I have mostly A's and B's in everything else. Realistically speaking, is general surgery out of the question now? I just want to know if I'm chasing something that's already out of my reach.
How much do pre-clinical grades matter?
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If we look at just grades, straight C's will not keep you out of gen surg, and conversely straight A's will not get you into gen surg. Preclinical grades mean very little by themselves. (But obviously straight C's would most likely mean bottom quartile depending on the class median, and that could hurt you).
However, if you're getting C's because of a lack of fundamental understanding of important material, then that could have consequences for the truly important metrics like step 1 and step 2. Make sure you know why you got the C, but don't stress too much about individual grades.
However, if you're getting C's because of a lack of fundamental understanding of important material, then that could have consequences for the truly important metrics like step 1 and step 2. Make sure you know why you got the C, but don't stress too much about individual grades.
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PDs don't care about preclinical grades
D
deleted1067319
How unfavorable is it seen to be in 3rd quartile if preclinical and clinical are ranked separate for gen surg or other competitive specialties?
Got a C in a big block and it has really hurt my cumulative average.
I heard that audition rotations are screening by preclinical grades now is this true? Thanks!
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Did interviews this year and was voluntold to be part of the match process and ranking discussion. No one cares. We looked at board scores, research, and letters. That’s pretty much it. Grades are too variable from school to school for people to look into them with any granularity
So one C doesn’t mean crap. My class rank was like 52/100 or something like that. I still had one of the 10 best residency apps at my school because of the factors above and I matched academic general surgery ant my #1 after getting 25 interviews.
I only say that to emphasize that it doesn’t matter. Just do better next time and learn what you need to learn for the boards and wards and you’ll be just fine.
So one C doesn’t mean crap. My class rank was like 52/100 or something like that. I still had one of the 10 best residency apps at my school because of the factors above and I matched academic general surgery ant my #1 after getting 25 interviews.
I only say that to emphasize that it doesn’t matter. Just do better next time and learn what you need to learn for the boards and wards and you’ll be just fine.
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Hey there — first off, I really appreciate the vulnerability in your post. That kind of honesty takes guts, and that’s a trait that actually serves people really well in surgery and in life.
So, straight talk: one C in your first year at a DO school is not a death sentence for general surgery. Not even close. You’re still in the early game. And I say that as someone who's watched a number of people climb back from early stumbles to match into some tough residencies.
Here’s the thing — general surgery is competitive, but it’s also holistic. Programs are looking for people who’ve shown grit, improvement, and a pattern of upward momentum. So instead of asking, “Is gen surg out of reach?” a more empowering (and practical) question might be:
“What story am I writing from this point on?”
A few things to reflect on:
So don’t write your ending yet — you’re literally in Chapter 1.
Rooting for you as you keep moving forward.
So, straight talk: one C in your first year at a DO school is not a death sentence for general surgery. Not even close. You’re still in the early game. And I say that as someone who's watched a number of people climb back from early stumbles to match into some tough residencies.
Here’s the thing — general surgery is competitive, but it’s also holistic. Programs are looking for people who’ve shown grit, improvement, and a pattern of upward momentum. So instead of asking, “Is gen surg out of reach?” a more empowering (and practical) question might be:
“What story am I writing from this point on?”
A few things to reflect on:
- What led to the C? Burnout? Study strategy mismatch? Something external?
- How can you course correct and demonstrate to future programs that this was a bump, not a trend?
- What are you doing to build your clinical muscles outside the classroom — shadowing, research, service, leadership?
So don’t write your ending yet — you’re literally in Chapter 1.
Rooting for you as you keep moving forward.
