Panicking..

[greatwall11]

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I could really use some advice. 1st year med school is not at all going how I thought it would. I have gotten pretty much straight C's this year, and, well, this kind of academic performance is pretty unprecedented for me to say the least. I'm not here to ask for study tips or advice, bc I feel like I've tried pretty much everything and now I've just run out of steam. I just want to pass the rest of this year and be done with it. At this point, I'm just really concerned that I've blown my shot at a halfway decent residency. I'm not looking at any competitive specialties - I'm pretty sure I want to do internal medicine, pediatrics, or family med. But I'd rather not do it in middle-of-nowhere, South Dakota... Will I even get a residency with this kind of GPA? And will I have any flexibility in choosing where I do my residency, for example, if I want to go to the same city as my fiancee? This is all presuming that I don't do spectacularly on my boards (maybe average-below average)... which is realistically what will happen.

 

[psipsina]

The good news is that first year grades are not really a big deal to all but the most competitive residencies. I passed everything but gross (high pass) first year and have interviewed at some really great gensurg programs in awesome locations. The bad news is that step 1 is a huge deal and you do have to know this information pretty solidly by the time you take it. 2nd year is more strongly represented on the exam but you need to figure out what your doing wrong and fix it, not give up on your performance in pre-clinical years.

 

[IlDestriero]

Don't sweat it. Try to find ways to study more effectively. Plan to study HARD for the USMLE. That score is more important. I was horrified to see my first exam grades at a highly ranked medical school. I was used to putting in minimal effort and still killing it. For me, I would go to class and review in the afternoon to commit it to memory. Evening exercise, a couple drinks, repeat. By the end I was killing it again, and the man to beat.
Everyone has their own method. My roommate rarely went to class and studied in the mornings instead.
In the end C=MD, and you will likely pass your boards.

 

[welcometomedsch]

Its all about the boards.

C is the new A for you.

Welcome.

You can get any of those residencies. Just pass and study hard for the boards.

P=MD
C=MD

 

[da8s0859q]

1st year med school is not at all going how I thought it would. I have gotten pretty much straight C's this year, and, well, this kind of academic performance is pretty unprecedented for me to say the least.

Something like this has also happened to many of your classmates, whether you know about it or not. I graduated at the top of my class in high school, summa in college, and then was kicked in the stomach by medical school. I suspect it was going for the family jewels, but I barely managed to avoid that. You just have to find your groove... I did, and my numbers improved substantially.

The previous posters have it down. Preclinical grades don't mean nearly as much as a lot of us think they do -- and like Destriero and countless others have said, Step 1 >>> M1/M2 transcript. Luckily for us, traditional M2 material is the majority of Step 1.

Did you knock yourself out of the running of that one dermatology residency where the staff are all "angels" from Victoria's Secret (or a bunch of Brad Pitt lookalikes, whatever floats your boat) and drinks are mandatory at exactly 5pm and not a minute later? Yeah, probably.

Most everything else? No worries. Just gotta lean into the wind and figure out what works vs. what doesn't.

 

[greatwall11]

But here's the thing..I simply don't see my classmates struggling like I am. They seem to make B's with the same amount of work, or even less. It makes me continually wonder what's wrong with me if I can study endlessly for a test and still crash and burn on it. If I was premed with these kind of grades, they would've told me to just give up and move on because realistically there is no future. I'm wondering if that's what I should be doing here, but no one has told me that quitting is in my best interests since I technically haven't failed out yet.

 

[Jorski]

But here's the thing..I simply don't see my classmates struggling like I am.

Did you think a bunch of type A medical students were going to let you see them struggle? 🙂

Here is the thing. Every medical student class has those people that are just phenomenal at the coursework. All around superstars. But, I'd be willing to bet my student loan debt that there are many, many of your classmates feeling the same way as you.

It will make your life a lot easier if you adopt a non-competitive attitude and just ride the storm out doing the best you can. Tune out your classmates when it comes to school (but not socially) and call it good. I'd be willing to be your scores would improve at least a little bit if you could just relax.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

But here's the thing..I simply don't see my classmates struggling like I am. They seem to make B's with the same amount of work, or even less. It makes me continually wonder what's wrong with me if I can study endlessly for a test and still crash and burn on it. If I was premed with these kind of grades, they would've told me to just give up and move on because realistically there is no future. I'm wondering if that's what I should be doing here, but no one has told me that quitting is in my best interests since I technically haven't failed out yet.

I feel like I'm in the same boat some days. I have a good friend (i.e. not a "frenemy") who jokes about the little amount of work he puts into school. I don't know if he's got a photographic memory or what, but he's got me beat. I put in solid hours and still get below-average test scores.

On the exact opposite point, I have a classmate who I thought was top-of-the-world. MD/PhD, generally getting honors, about to do ortho research, etc. He confided in me that he's hating life right now and is just getting really apathetic about everything.

The point is, you gotta stop comparing yourself to your classmates.

The good news is that you're at an American med school, and you're passing. Go speak with your adviser or your education councelor. If you've found strategies that have seemed to work some better, focus on those. Even failing a course isn't the end of the world. A lot of schools will let you remediate, and it will have no permanent mark on your transcript.

Concentrate on passing Step I with a decent score. If you're not shooting for derm, rad-onc, or some uber-competitive specialty, you'll definitely get in a residency. And even if it's in SD, it's only for 3 years, right?

If you see flashes of stuff you like (like your PE class or patient visits or whatever), stick with it. The first 2 years are nothing like the last 2, and they're nothing like being a doctor.

 

[greatwall11]

Also..I'm looking at the AMA FREIDA database of residencies, and frankly I just don't understand how practically every med student gets a residency. The numbers don't seem to add up to me. It looks like a lot of states (save ones like Cali, NY, etc) only have a handful of programs, and each program accepts maybe 15-20 people per year for a given specialty. This is from my search for pediatrics, which is supposed to be one of the easiest specialties to match into.

So suppose I wanted to do my residency in North Carolina. Looks like there are only 5 residency programs in the state, each taking <20 students. So is it safe to conclude that the chances of being placed in NC for a pediatric residency are slim to none? If you're competing against every aspiring pediatrician in the nation for a meager 100 spots... And of those aspiring pediatricians, there are certainly lots that DIDNT get straight Cs first year.

 

[da8s0859q]

And of those aspiring pediatricians, there are certainly lots that DIDNT get straight Cs first year.

Yeah, true. But you're making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be.

 

[greatwall11]

Yeah, true. But you're making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be.

I don't mean to exaggerate the importance of location. But I feel like, for me anyways and probably for a lot of others too, location for residency matters much more than location for med school, because there are other factors to consider, like location of spouse, where you're going to be starting a family, etc. So I foresee this being an issue in the future.

 

[nogolfinsnow]

Also..I'm looking at the AMA FREIDA database of residencies, and frankly I just don't understand how practically every med student gets a residency. The numbers don't seem to add up to me. It looks like a lot of states (save ones like Cali, NY, etc) only have a handful of programs, and each program accepts maybe 15-20 people per year for a given specialty. This is from my search for pediatrics, which is supposed to be one of the easiest specialties to match into.

So suppose I wanted to do my residency in North Carolina. Looks like there are only 5 residency programs in the state, each taking <20 students. So is it safe to conclude that the chances of being placed in NC for a pediatric residency are slim to none? If you're competing against every aspiring pediatrician in the nation for a meager 100 spots... And of those aspiring pediatricians, there are certainly lots that DIDNT get straight Cs first year.

Most aspiring pediatricians are not going to apply to ANY North Carolina programs. Is there anything wrong with Duke or UNC? Not at all, but I'm not from NC, I have no connection to NC, my family all live 3,000 miles away, so those programs are not even on my radar. As you go through med school you develop your priorities for residency. For many, many people geography will be at the very top of the list of factors to consider. Then within your geographical guidelines you develop your actual list of programs. Even at the tip top programs in a specialty like peds you're not competing against the entire pool of future pediatricians, you're competing against those who want to do peds in that part of the country. Yes the most desired programs are more competitive, but don't count yourself out yet based on 7 months of med school.

 

[da8s0859q]

I don't mean to exaggerate the importance of location. But I feel like, for me anyways and probably for a lot of others too, location for residency matters much more than location for med school, because there are other factors to consider, like location of spouse, where you're going to be starting a family, etc. So I foresee this being an issue in the future.

No no, I understand, I'm just saying that I think you're worrying about this C streak a little more than is warranted.

And besides, for me, I felt like our M2 material was much better suited to my tastes -- which is partially why I'm doing much better now. May very well be true for you too.

 

[willen101383]

OP...granted I am not in your exact position because I am mostly a B+ student at this point...I am 100 percent getting a C in this course I am taking now (cell and molecular basis of medicine). The averages on our exams havent gotten past 81%. Which means way more than half the class is getting a C most likely. We dont get median/SD or anything so thats all I have to work with.

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE. Trust me. Look up the post match program director survey. It might put you at ease a little!

 

[da8s0859q]

OP...granted I am not in your exact position because I am mostly a B+ student at this point...I am 100 percent getting a C in this course I am taking now (cell and molecular basis of medicine). The averages on our exams havent gotten past 81%. Which means way more than half the class is getting a C most likely. We dont get median/SD or anything so thats all I have to work with.

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE. Trust me. Look up the post match program director survey. It might put you at ease a little!

The PD survey to which Willen is referring can be found here (PDF, ~23 mb off a slow server). Makes for some interesting reading.

Other useful reports from the NRMP are here.

 

[Lil Mick]

Not every specialty is included in the Match. Additionally, some medical schools take their own students at high rates for residency (not sure about yours, but ours usually will take students who don't match--maybe not in one's preferred field, but still a general residency). Step 1 is a lot more important than grades, though. Some schools only do pass/fail the first two years, and, thus, students can't be compared (almost everyone passes a unit)...

On a personal note, I'm definitely not at the top of my class on most exams (usually around average), but the people who are scoring so high generally aren't doing much outside of studying (volunteering, research, sports...). For me, I'll pass on AOA and dermatology to be happy and balanced. We've also had students from our class flunk out of first year so far, and they're being given a second chance next year (and our advisors think they can still obtain a residency). If you're passing at an American MD program, you'll get a residency (maybe of your choosing if you're doing primary care) as long as you apply intelligently 🙂

 

[greatwall11]

Thank you all for your support. It really means a lot to me because I feel like I haven't been getting a lot of it lately.

I know what I'm about to say is going to make it sound like I'm not listening to your advice... But I'm just an emotional wreck right now and sadly don't feel like I have anyone to turn to other than an online forum.

I'm seriously considering dropping out. We just had an exam where the average was an A and I literally failed. I might pass first year, but the emotional toll it's taking on me is destroying me. I end up crying several times a week now. I feel so defeated and inferior constantly that I'm beginning to see this is a losing battle. I'm at the bottom of my class, and it's obviously not going to get any better - and even if actual grades don't matter, class ranking certainly does.

It hurts because I worked so hard to get here. Just don't know what to do anymore.

 

[hithere3387]

Thank you all for your support. It really means a lot to me because I feel like I haven't been getting a lot of it lately.

I know what I'm about to say is going to make it sound like I'm not listening to your advice... But I'm just an emotional wreck right now and sadly don't feel like I have anyone to turn to other than an online forum.

I'm seriously considering dropping out. We just had an exam where the average was an A and I literally failed. I might pass first year, but the emotional toll it's taking on me is destroying me. I end up crying several times a week now. I feel so defeated and inferior constantly that I'm beginning to see this is a losing battle. I'm at the bottom of my class, and it's obviously not going to get any better - and even if actual grades don't matter, class ranking certainly does.

It hurts because I worked so hard to get here. Just don't know what to do anymore.

You need to get in contact with someone at your institution. It's clear from your posts that you want to reach out. In fact, you are reaching out; but, to the wrong source. You have the right idea. You need to be talking with someone who understands what you're going through. My medical school has a program for students who are being emotionally defeated where those students can contact another individual medical student (access to all classes) and discuss what is troubling them. Often times, we all just need a sounding board. While your problems are clearly discouraging you, they aren't unique. Find an outlet. And, do it immediately; before you dig yourself into a hole that you cannot escape.

The worst thing you could do would be to drop out because you aren't satisfied with your grades. You've worked very hard to gain admittance to this profession. If you can't realistically see yourself working in another field (as so many of us can't) then force them to take it away from you sooner than you'd ever consider giving it up.

 

[willen101383]

Thank you all for your support. It really means a lot to me because I feel like I haven't been getting a lot of it lately.

I know what I'm about to say is going to make it sound like I'm not listening to your advice... But I'm just an emotional wreck right now and sadly don't feel like I have anyone to turn to other than an online forum.

I'm seriously considering dropping out. We just had an exam where the average was an A and I literally failed. I might pass first year, but the emotional toll it's taking on me is destroying me. I end up crying several times a week now. I feel so defeated and inferior constantly that I'm beginning to see this is a losing battle. I'm at the bottom of my class, and it's obviously not going to get any better - and even if actual grades don't matter, class ranking certainly does.

It hurts because I worked so hard to get here. Just don't know what to do anymore.

OP...as the person above me posted..YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE AT YOUR SCHOOL NOWWWWWW. You are clearly depressed and need to seek out someone at your school. My school has a "Center for Brief Therapy" which is run by the PsyD program...and I am sure you guys have something similar. You have too much on the line to consider dropping out. You have worked so hard to get here...and at the very least you will be stuck with a ton of loans. You are not the only person who is getting Cs in classes. Even if the average is an A a ton of your class is still getting in the C/D range on exams! I will say it again YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!