QUOTED: OB/GYN Hopeful

[NotAProgDirector]

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I am wondering if a grade melt down at the end of 3rd year will severely hurt my chances of matching in OB/GYN. I ended up with a 'C' in surgery and psychiatry (my last two rotations). I had some personal things going on and I should have taken a leave but didnt. In my OB/GYN and ER rotations I received 'A/honors'. Family and Med/Peds rotations I received 'B+'. My 1st and 2nd year grades were solid. My step 1 is average. I have yet to take step 2. My LORs will be great (OB/GYN dept chair, head of Urogyn, Intenal med have all agreed to write strong letters). I have plenty of leadership, volunteering, and a few published case reports that are OB/GYN specific.

Will this melt down in surgery specifically hurt me? Is this something that I could explain? Should I discuss this meltdown ahead of time with my mentor (the dept chair of OB/GYN)? I dont want this individual to be caught off guard or to feel like I was not truthful about my academic record. I'm really freaking out.

Will it hurt you? I think it would be fair to say that low clinical grades will hurt you no matter what field you plan on applying to. The real question is what can you do about it?

The best thing to do is to develop a track record of improved grades. PD's will want to see at least one sub I, and perhaps two, with good grades. If your "personal things" are not resolved, then take an LOA now and get them addressed.

I think you will need to address it in your application -- either in your PS, or in your Dean's letter.

 

[error404]

I agree with APD (as usual.)

It will hurt you... but you can overcome it by strengthening the remaining variables.

Rock step 2. Rock your subIs, including something that contains operative skills. Make sure one of your letter writers is willing to attest to your awesome OR powers. Do well on MS4 overall. And never forget the value in getting to know the folks at the program you want to be at. Networking can overcome a couple crappy grades.

 

[gschl1234]

Is a "C" really bad at your medical school? My school had "honors", "pass" and "fail". I assumed that corresponds to "A", "C" and "F". Depending on the rotation, as few as 5% got "honors" and the rest got "pass". A "C" sounds like a "pass" to me so I don't see why it would hurt that much.

 

[pjs]

It goes without saying that you want to strenghthen your application between now and the day that rank lists are due. That being said we are essentially talking about you receiving two "passes" in clerkships (albeit one was surgery) and I don't think it is going to have an extraordinary impact on your application. One of the things that I would focus on is what your clerkship evaluations said from these clerkships -- as they tend to be copied verbatim into your dean's letter -- if there is nothing negative in them -- I wouldn't worry too much or go overboard in trying to explain the grade of "pass" away. Many people get grades of "pass" in clerkships and match just fine.