Residencies and "bad" grades.

[mndt87]

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I know that we have all heard the same thing about grades being really important to get a residency... has anyone else heard otherwise? My grades are not that great but I think I have excellent people skills among other important traits that would make me a good candidate... should I be worried about not getting one? HELP!!!😕

 

[bacillus1]

I know that we have all heard the same thing about grades being really important to get a residency... has anyone else heard otherwise? My grades are not that great but I think I have excellent people skills among other important traits that would make me a good candidate... should I be worried about not getting one? HELP!!!😕

Depends on how bad.
Sub 2.5 it'll be near impossible to get one. Sub 3.0 it'll be quite improbable that you'll get one, unless you have lots of other redeeming qualities (lots of work experience and publications and leadership and etc...). Over 3.0, it doesn't matter as much for some programs that aren't super-competitive.

 

[desklamp]

I know that we have all heard the same thing about grades being really important to get a residency... has anyone else heard otherwise? My grades are not that great but I think I have excellent people skills among other important traits that would make me a good candidate... should I be worried about not getting one? HELP!!!😕

From what I've been hearing, I concur with what bacillus says.

However I've had literally 0 experience outside of participating in residency seminars in the matter. I'm starting to realize that it basically comes down to what type of people facilitate the app process at your residency of interest. People tend to hire those that they relate to/find to be similar to themselves, and their own standards. Pharmacy seems to be a bunch that cares less about academic excellence (again, this is based on like... n = 5).

I've also heard by mouth of one residency that won't even look at your app if you're sub 3.2.

In a nutshell, the most important thing is probably who you know, as long as you have an average to decent CV. Crawl up someone's butthole and you'll be golden. Either that or be really good at acting or being charismatic during your interview (because that is the most important!) I mean apparently 8 hours with someone and a first impression gives you an in depth look into a candidate's personality, and if you're super fun you'll be a good pharmacist.

Sorry if that sounds jaded and cynical.

 

[joetrisman]

From what I've been hearing, I concur with what bacillus says.

However I've had literally 0 experience outside of participating in residency seminars in the matter. I'm starting to realize that it basically comes down to what type of people facilitate the app process at your residency of interest. People tend to hire those that they relate to/find to be similar to themselves, and their own standards. Pharmacy seems to be a bunch that cares less about academic excellence (again, this is based on like... n = 5).

I've also heard by mouth of one residency that won't even look at your app if you're sub 3.2.

In a nutshell, the most important thing is probably who you know, as long as you have an average to decent CV. Crawl up someone's butthole and you'll be golden. Either that or be really good at acting or being charismatic during your interview (because that is the most important!) I mean apparently 8 hours with someone and a first impression gives you an in depth look into a candidate's personality, and if you're super fun you'll be a good pharmacist.

Sorry if that sounds jaded and cynical.

I concur about getting picked by people similar to yourself. Just be passionate about what you love and be honest with yourself and your programs.

 

[mndt87]

Thanks guys, yeah I will try to get my GPA up but it is difficult to raise and easy to drop. I am somewhat on the eccentric side, that is not too much like how most pharmacists are :/ I will get there.