Repeating first year

[Doublej's]

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I don't think there's been any recent posts on this and I'd like advice on it. I'm going to be repeating first year largely because of personal issues that resulted in poor grades. However ,I've gotten the issue figured out and know how to proceed from here in terms of studying and the likes.

I'm interested in going into EM, and aside from a really good Step score, would like to know how to increase my chances and what things I should look into doing. Any advice given would be helpful.

I'd also like to know how badly this would appear on my personal academic records.

Thanks.

 

[Chir0nex]

Did you take a leave of absence? Or were you required to repeat becasue of poor grades? If the the former, I think it will be fine. You have to anser a question or two about it, but stuff happens and people have to take year off for one reason or another. However, if you were forced to repeat due to academic issues, that may appear on transcripts. The best thing to do would be talk to your dean and see what there policy is. At this point I don't think there is much you can do either way except do your best in your classes and on step.

 

[ChrisGriffen]

I dont get why people always ask this question. Not about repeating a year specifically, but everyone asks for advice on how to be a competitive applicant for x specialty. The answer is ALWAYS very simple and very obvious.

Ready?




... Go Study.

 

[DermViser]

I dont get why people always ask this question. Not about repeating a year specifically, but everyone asks for advice on how to be a competitive applicant for x specialty. The answer is ALWAYS very simple and very obvious.

Ready?

... Go Study.

100% agree with you, although he may be asking for change in study strategy?

 

[operaman]

I think he is looking for reassurance that repeating won't nix his chances. It won't. Unless it becomes part of a larger pattern in which case it still won't, the larger pattern will. Everyone loves a story about someone who overcame some sort of adversity and succeeded. Just make sure your story bears this out. Individual grades/boards/whatever don't matter nearly as much as the overall picture they will paint. Kill it next year, do well on the boards, be a rockstar on your rotations, do some aways and prove yourself 4th year, etc.

Before all of that though, I would advise some intense personal reflection about why you failed and how you plan to do things differently going forward. First year is far and away the easiest part of med school academically speaking, and many people are able to do well and at least pass despite some pretty incredible personal issues. I would encourage you to reflect and seek counsel from people you trust as to how you can improve and do better so this never happens again.

 

[tdram]

Kill it next year, do well on the boards, be a rockstar on your rotations, do some aways and prove yourself 4th year, etc.

Keep in mind this is incredibly hard. I kept telling myself this to comfort myself, but when it came time to actually kill it, I wasn't even close to prepared. I still had the same issues. So don't just tell yourself I'll kill it, you actually have to come up with a plan and work on improving yourself NOW!

 

[ChrisGriffen]

.......go study

 

[Kaustikos]

Warning - pessimistic comment

It won't look good. If, god forbid, you decide to do Surgery or something competitive... it'll make it a steeper incline. You need to focus on Step 1 to offset what happened. A strong Step 1 score makes a very convincing argument to the contrary of your inability to succeed. But EM is in such high demand that you won't have issues.

 

[Microshaft]

I'm sure double J's will do quite well ;-)

 

[DermViser]

Warning - pessimistic comment

I predict people vehemently disagreeing with you and saying that you're being mean and negative.

 

[starstarie]

Warning - pessimistic comment

It won't look good. If, god forbid, you decide to do Surgery or something competitive... it'll make it a steeper incline. You need to focus on Step 1 to offset what happened. A strong Step 1 score makes a very convincing argument to the contrary of your inability to succeed. But EM is in such high demand that you won't have issues.

Urgh you are so mean and negative