how much does your medical school transcript count

[docu]

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I have a lot of C's on my basic science transcript, at one point i failed a semester and passed it with flying colors after repeating. i did a lot better during clinicals.

with all this in mind, how much does your transcript count in getting into residency? or is it more about USMLE scores and Year of grad that count?

Thanks.

 

[Smurfette]

USMLE scores count more than overall grades.

Honestly, while all of it counts, your year of graduation will count against you heavily, as will your history of not completing multiple residency programs in the past. For people who are not current med school grads, this factor is a much bigger consideration than USMLEs and grades. Programs are highly likely to contact your former programs for information on your abilities and performances.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The honest answer is "it depends".

For US grads, USMLE and transcript grades are probably about equal. Honestly, they often track together. When I see a difference, then I look carefully at the application.

For IMG's/DO's, the quality / consistency / understandibility of grades is more complicated. Hence, USMLE is likely weighed more, sometimes to the exclusion of grades.

Failing a semester, regardless of background, will be an issue.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I have a lot of C's on my basic science transcript, at one point i failed a semester and passed it with flying colors after repeating. i did a lot better during clinicals.

with all this in mind, how much does your transcript count in getting into residency? or is it more about USMLE scores and Year of grad that count?

Thanks.

Turquoiseblue - I think it's probably more about the fact that you failed multiple rounds of the USMLEs and have been let go from multiple residencies. Your transcript from years ago certainly doesn't help, but you have bigger barriers.

 

[Mr hawkings]

The honest answer is "it depends".

For US grads, USMLE and transcript grades are probably about equal. Honestly, they often track together. When I see a difference, then I look carefully at the application.

For IMG's/DO's, the quality / consistency / understandibility of grades is more complicated. Hence, USMLE is likely weighed more, sometimes to the exclusion of grades.

Failing a semester, regardless of background, will be an issue.

Very true. Only one of my interviewers has referrenced the C's on my transcript. This one PD ignored the preclinical C's and asked me about the one C in third year and gave me an opportunity to explain the problems i had on that rotation.
None of the others have brought it up.

 

[Top Gun]

What will really count against you is the fact that you failed out of two internships, graduated 10 years ago from med school, and had multiple failures on each of the Steps. Failing a semester will definitely add fuel to the fire. As you're an IMG, the numerous C grades won't count so much.