MD & DO Remediation as red flag to PDs

[kazekage2016]

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I've gotten through my first semester of medical school but I had to remediate a course in the first block. This means I ended up failing (even though it was by a point) and so had to take an exam to replace the F grade. I ended up passing this and now my transcript notes a "Pass" with a note that I had remediated it.

My question is how do PDs view failures versus remediations. Are failures considered "F's" that end up on your transcript (meaning that you failed remediation) or are they considered just as bad as having to remediate even though there are technically no F's on your transcript?

 

[NeurologyHopeful2018]

I had to remediate 2 courses in my MS-1 and 2 year - and I have a tons of good interviews without anyone bringing them up. No one cares about your pre-clinical years - just don't repeat a whole year. Even if you do - not a big deal unless applying to Derm/ortho/plastics.

 

[Crayola227]

It's pretty much all the same, in that if you are in good standing at your school such that you applying to residency in the first place, it's pretty much understood no matter what you call it, that you didn't pass the first time around and had to do something to make good on it, and that you did as far as the school is concerned.

So I wouldn't worry myself about those details.

PDs know this.

As far as how they look at it, it depends on a huge number of factors. I would need to ask @aProgDirector to know if the ERAS software can be set to auto-filter out apps with any fails, no passes, or remediaton marks on a transcript.

Aside from that, it will depend on the competitiveness of the specialty and the particular program, the rest of your app's details such as other grades, Step 1 scores, any other red flags, etc etc, for how much this will matter.

I can say for sure that otherwise average medical students who had hiccups in the didactic years leading to one remediated class, I have personally seen interview in very highly regarded programs, in medium or low competition specialties (and recently), and match well (one of their top 3 choices).

I don't know how this bodes for your neurosurgery career at Hopkins, anything is possible, I guess.

I do know that you can move on from this and be successful. One day even look back on it as a hiccup.

Focus on coming back from this strong. Do well in your classes. Do well on Step 1. Network. Do well on clerkships. Get good LORs. Apply strategically, broadly, and with safeties. You'll become a successful doctor.

Best of luck to you!

 

[medgunner888]

I would just give up and drop out of medical school. No residency program will even consider you with that type of record. However, nursing is still a viable option afterwards since they get these types of applicants all the time!!!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

There is no way to filter on this. The most competitive programs and fields might care quite a bit. Less competitive programs/fields will care less. Doing well on S1 would help alleviate concerns. Try to ensure it doesn't happen again, review your study techniques. Do as well as you can on S1. This is not the end of your career.

 

[Perfect Hair Day]

Trust me, where there's a will, you can overcome almost anything (unless you're going into something super, super competitive). I was dismissed from medical school in my first year. Here I am about to graduate residency. You'll be fine.

Wow, would you consider making a separate thread about that journey?