Not the start I envisioned to 3rd Year

[discontinuebed]

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So I just completed my very first rotation in Year 3 two weeks ago and I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed. My school grades us on a scale of 1-5 (obviously 5 being the score you want) and to make matters worse, each grade counts twice as our grading system in Year 4 is currently being overhauled.

I finished my very first rotation with a 4. Not horrible by any stretch of the imagination but not the perfect success that I had grown accustomed to in my 2 previous years of medical school. (I freak out at the tiniest things…I’m quite gifted in that regard)

In the event my grades continue to remain the same all throughout my 3rd year (4 out of 5 is considered excellent at our school. I believe 5 out of 5 probably corresponds to honors. 3 out of 5 is considered to be good. 2 out of 5 is considered below average. 1 out of 5 is probably failing.), would I be in bad shape in terms of wanting to apply to a competitive residency program? (Surgery appeals to me on some level but I find myself leaning towards the R-O-A-D residencies as relatively-controllable lifestyle is something that interests me greatly)

Thanks for indulging me. I realize my score isn’t horrifically low as to start scrapping my plans for a competitive residency but I did expect to do much better. Finally, I should note that this rotation wasn’t medicine as I’ve heard from many people that medicine is usually the big rotation that residencies look at during the 3rd year.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Reads to me like you already know the answers to all your questions.

So why waste your time fishing for answers here on SDN? That Starbucks application isn't going to fill itself out.

 

[nykka3]

So I just completed my very first rotation in Year 3 two weeks ago and I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed. My school grades us on a scale of 1-5 (obviously 5 being the score you want) and to make matters worse, each grade counts twice as our grading system in Year 4 is currently being overhauled.

I finished my very first rotation with a 4. Not horrible by any stretch of the imagination but not the perfect success that I had grown accustomed to in my 2 previous years of medical school. (I freak out at the tiniest things…I’m quite gifted in that regard)

In the event my grades continue to remain the same all throughout my 3rd year (4 out of 5 is considered excellent at our school. I believe 5 out of 5 probably corresponds to honors. 3 out of 5 is considered to be good. 2 out of 5 is considered below average. 1 out of 5 is probably failing.), would I be in bad shape in terms of wanting to apply to a competitive residency program? (Surgery appeals to me on some level but I find myself leaning towards the R-O-A-D residencies as relatively-controllable lifestyle is something that interests me greatly)

Thanks for indulging me. I realize my score isn’t horrifically low as to start scrapping my plans for a competitive residency but I did expect to do much better. Finally, I should note that this rotation wasn’t medicine as I’ve heard from many people that medicine is usually the big rotation that residencies look at during the 3rd year.

your grades seem fine. just continue to get good evals and do well on step 2, and get used to the fact that grading in your clinical years is very subjective and can at times be out of your control so stress less.

 

[MrBurns10]

You're freaking out way too much. It's normal...well, at least for pre-meds and med students. First, a 4/5 seems like it would correspond to a High Pass, and that's absolutely nothing to frown at. Second, even if you had gotten a 2 or a 3, that doesn't mean you won't get into a competitive residency. You don't have to be perfect in everything to be become a ROADie. Just relax...you're doing great so far.

Though I must say, DF I actually laughed out loud at your response. Doesn't happen too often.

 

[MWillie]

If you're looking at ROAD, how did you perform on step 1?

 

[doctorp82]

Gunner

 

[discontinuebed]

your grades seem fine. just continue to get good evals and do well on step 2, and get used to the fact that grading in your clinical years is very subjective and can at times be out of your control so stress less.

Thanks. I'll try!

 

[discontinuebed]

You're freaking out way too much. It's normal...well, at least for pre-meds and med students. First, a 4/5 seems like it would correspond to a High Pass, and that's absolutely nothing to frown at. Second, even if you had gotten a 2 or a 3, that doesn't mean you won't get into a competitive residency. You don't have to be perfect in everything to be become a ROADie. Just relax...you're doing great so far.

Though I must say, DF I actually laughed out loud at your response. Doesn't happen too often.

Thanks. I have no problem admitting I'm almost always overanxious!

 

[discontinuebed]

If you're looking at ROAD, how did you perform on step 1?

262! I'm quite proud of that.

 

[discontinuebed]

Gunner

Yes, in that I want to do well. Always.

No, in that I don't believe my doing well should come with my dragging down of others.

 

[MWillie]

262! I'm quite proud of that.

Oh in that case then you're all set. ROAD on.

 

[DoctorFunk]

262! I'm quite proud of that.

No offense, but you would think that folks smart enough to completely kill Step 1 would be smart enough to know that a 4/5 on your first clinical rotation isn't going to destroy your chances at a decent residency.

Then again, I was perfectly happy with my Step 1 score and I can barely use a wrench, so who am I to talk? 😀

 

[discontinuebed]

Oh in that case then you're all set. ROAD on.

Thanks. I'm definitely trying! 😉

 

[discontinuebed]

No offense, but you would think that folks smart enough to completely kill Step 1 would be smart enough to know that a 4/5 on your first clinical rotation isn't going to destroy your chances at a decent residency.

Then again, I was perfectly happy with my Step 1 score and I can barely use a wrench, so who am I to talk? 😀

None taken. My question was if I maintained those kinds of grades throughout ALL of 3rd year. And maybe even mixing in some lower ones too. (It is quite subjective after all)

 

[domer621]

I'm surprised at how many people have responded seriously to this troll's post. 👎

 

[DoctorFunk]

I'm surprised at how many people have responded seriously to this troll's post. 👎

Fear not! DFunk is always here to call an idiot an idiot.

 

[fakin' the funk]

I'm surprised at how many people have responded seriously to this troll's post. 👎

This was actually quite a good troll post. Scarily possible...I mean, how many psychopath gunners do you know who are just like the OP's post? Bravo sir

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I'm not really sure the OP is a troll, starting M3 is pretty nerve wracking. One of my friends had a very similar experience of straight honors for the first two years and then a "P" on her first clerkship, it was very upsetting for her.

To the OP: you might look at what the criteria are for 5/5 at your school. On one of our harder rotations that grading system is a series of statements to be circled by the attending. So it's like...

1/5: student consistently demonstrates an inability to understand patient disease processes
3/5: student functions appropriately for an M3, with a strong grasp of basic pathophysiology and therapeutics
5/5: independant function, at or above level of an intern.

In this system (designed to combat the wanton circling of 5/5) it is nearly impossible for an M3 to get a 5.

When your Dean's letter goes out it shows not only your grade but how many people get that grade your year. So if you get a 5/5 and everyone gets a 4-5/5 your grade is essentially meaningless.

 

[discontinuebed]

I'm not really sure the OP is a troll, starting M3 is pretty nerve wracking. One of my friends had a very similar experience of straight honors for the first two years and then a "P" on her first clerkship, it was very upsetting for her.

To the OP: you might look at what the criteria are for 5/5 at your school. On one of our harder rotations that grading system is a series of statements to be circled by the attending. So it's like...

1/5: student consistently demonstrates an inability to understand patient disease processes
3/5: student functions appropriately for an M3, with a strong grasp of basic pathophysiology and therapeutics
5/5: independant function, at or above level of an intern.

In this system (designed to combat the wanton circling of 5/5) it is nearly impossible for an M3 to get a 5.

When your Dean's letter goes out it shows not only your grade but how many people get that grade your year. So if you get a 5/5 and everyone gets a 4-5/5 your grade is essentially meaningless.

Thanks for the kind words. My intent really isn't to troll. I realize I am being overanxious but at the same time, this is also a big transition for me.

 

[cdql]

I wouldn't get too worked up over one above-average grade.....

 

[OneBadSkwerl]

I've heard from a few directors that have told me if the applicant doesn't ace (ie - 5/5 eval) all their clinical rotations they toss their application. 🙁

 

[AlternateSome1]

I've heard from a few directors that have told me if the applicant doesn't ace (ie - 5/5 eval) all their clinical rotations they toss their application. 🙁

BS

 

[kat82]

again, why so much negativity lately on SDN? the OP was upset, he's allowed to post. if it bothers someone so much then theres no need to read the post or respond, right?

3rd year is anxiety provoking for alot of students because grades are subjective and you have very little control over how you do sometimes. i wouldnt worry about it so much. you'll see after a few rotations that its not the end of the world. my school doesnt do numbers (4/5 etc) but rather honors, high pass, pass etc. grades mean different things at different schools, so it should tell you that your 4/5 isnt necessarily so bad, it might be a really good grade where you go to school.


if you got a 262 on step 1, you are probably a smart person. i doubt your clinical skills are so lacking that you will bomb 3rd year and not get into any good residencies. as long as you are a nice, responsible 3rd year who cares about their patients and gets along well with residents/attendings (VERY IMPORTANT for good grades in my opinion) you will do great

try not to let the pressure get to you, it doesnt help AT ALL. trust me. i stressed alot 3rd year and found that it only worked against me. my best experiences were when i was relaxed and had fun while trying my best. if you can be a real team player it will reflect in your grades

just do your best. it will get you far!!

 

[Arctic Char]

you want to talk about not starting the way you wanted - try coming in on day 1 with the biggest, nastiest black eye of your life. add to this the huge bruises on my arms from my classmate practicing inserting IV's on me and i look like an IVDA who got into an MVA. i think my patients will especially respond well to my blood-stained sclera of my entire lateral left eye - that should go over well . . .

 

[lord_jeebus]

again, why so much negativity lately on SDN?

Lately? Being successful but anxious has always been a high crime on SDN.

I agree that the OP is not a troll. Depending on where you are, getting 5/5 can be close to impossible (or really easy) and everyone faces this problem in some way. Focus on getting the best narrative evaluations you can and focus on your learning, not your grades.

I only started getting 5/5 when I stopped caring about what grades I was going to get (ie. I gave up on being in the top 10-15% and only then did they start giving it me Honors for some reason).

 

[surrender903]

lexapro stat for subby.

 

[joe6102]

Is-it-a-troll checklist:

New Member: check
Replies continously to own thread: check
Openly gives details of own life: check
Ignores advice of others and keeps talking: maybe
Outlandish story filled with drama: not so much

It's a close one, but I'm going with troll.

 

[RockShox]

I've heard from a few directors that have told me if the applicant doesn't ace (ie - 5/5 eval) all their clinical rotations they toss their application. 🙁

Yeah this is total BS. Don't believe this gunner dribble that you hear.

To the OP (if you are not a troll), I don't know what the hell you are going to do when one of your patients actually dies (avoid bridges perhaps). The number one thing that residency directors look at is not grades or step I scores...no, it is that the person is stable and normal and does not freak out when they are sewing the carotid and the blood is spraying out like the Bellagio fountains. Your pride is bruised boo hoo get over it.

Second, I could really care less about the 4/5 or 3/5 and so should you. what I care about is that you actually learned what they hell you are supposed to be doing. Do you know what the signs of mag toxicity are or when you should be shoving your hand in the vagina to lift the babies head before it suffocates to death or instead just fixated on being book smart and not competent (I call it being a medical doilie, where you look pretty but are not remotely useful). Can you see a patients labs and know if they need D5W NS, 3%NS, free water, K, insulin, beer given through a feeding tube or only know it if the buzzwords are given in a question thread? Can you tell the difference from a person who is stumbling around because they are drunk from one who is about to go into a diabetic crisis. After all your classes and all your tests, in the end if you kill my damn mother I don't care if your grades were perfect during school.

I know this may be a bit forward but some diseases are treated with spoonfuls of sugar and others with a swift kick in the butt. As you go through your clerkships remember the real reason why you are there and make your goal to be competent, if you do this everything else will fall into place.

 

[surrender903]

this reminded me of the "like takes visa" commericals.

 

[OneBadSkwerl]

BS

Truth!

 

[njbmd]

So I just completed my very first rotation in Year 3 two weeks ago and I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed. My school grades us on a scale of 1-5 (obviously 5 being the score you want) and to make matters worse, each grade counts twice as our grading system in Year 4 is currently being overhauled.

I finished my very first rotation with a 4. Not horrible by any stretch of the imagination but not the perfect success that I had grown accustomed to in my 2 previous years of medical school. (I freak out at the tiniest things…I’m quite gifted in that regard)

In the event my grades continue to remain the same all throughout my 3rd year (4 out of 5 is considered excellent at our school. I believe 5 out of 5 probably corresponds to honors. 3 out of 5 is considered to be good. 2 out of 5 is considered below average. 1 out of 5 is probably failing.), would I be in bad shape in terms of wanting to apply to a competitive residency program? (Surgery appeals to me on some level but I find myself leaning towards the R-O-A-D residencies as relatively-controllable lifestyle is something that interests me greatly)

Thanks for indulging me. I realize my score isn’t horrifically low as to start scrapping my plans for a competitive residency but I did expect to do much better. Finally, I should note that this rotation wasn’t medicine as I’ve heard from many people that medicine is usually the big rotation that residencies look at during the 3rd year.

Chill at this point. If you are 4/5, then you have something to shoot for. It's the challenges that make medical school fun. You have some experience now, so you can put it to good use getting up to those 5s. Good luck!

 

[ForbiddenComma]

To the OP, I gotta say... you made me wonder if I was in the pre-allo forums.

"Hello all, I currently have a 4.0 at Stanford, scored a 43 on the MCAT, have numerous research pubs and have a LOR from the United States Surgeon General. However, today I showed up *FIVE MINUTES LATE* to biochem lecture!!! Is there any way I can still get into med school??? 🙁 "

Chill, dude... and just admit it... you only posted to boast about your stats 😉

 

[discontinuebed]

To the OP, I gotta say... you made me wonder if I was in the pre-allo forums.

"Hello all, I currently have a 4.0 at Stanford, scored a 43 on the MCAT, have numerous research pubs and have a LOR from the United States Surgeon General. However, today I showed up *FIVE MINUTES LATE* to biochem lecture!!! Is there any way I can still get into med school??? 🙁 "

Chill, dude... and just admit it... you only posted to boast about your stats 😉

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll try and tone it down. And as for the boasting, I'm certainly proud of what I've done but you'll notice it wasn't mentioned anywhere in my original post.

 

[Final]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll try and tone it down. And as for the boasting, I'm certainly proud of what I've done but you'll notice it wasn't mentioned anywhere in my original post.

hope you fail a rotation. that would teach you something about life, putz.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

262! I'm quite proud of that.

Gunner. 😀

 

[cdql]

hope you fail a rotation. that would teach you something about life, putz.

You should give speeches to cancer patients

 

[LoveDoc]

Reads to me like you already know the answers to all your questions.

So why waste your time fishing for answers here on SDN? That Starbucks application isn't going to fill itself out.

lmao