returning to school need advice

[kitty5]

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Hello everyone,
I deferred my first year of medical school last year due to academic difficulties and some family issues. I am returning this year and I'm really worried about getting into a decent residency. Do you guys think if I kick butt the rest of the the time in school that residency directors will overlook my first year problems? Thanks in advance guys!

 

[imtiaz]

did you defer after you started or did you defer without matriculating at all?

 

[Back34]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the residency programs necessarily have to know that you started the previous year.

 

[Jim Picotte]

I took a year off AFTER my first year of medical school. It made studying for Step 1 a pain, but other than that it was no problem. I was asked about it a couple of times at interviews, but I don't think it's that big of a deal and I got a residency. Really, the first 2 years of medical school (as long as you don't fail everything) really don't matter much for the residency application. At all my interviews, no one once commented on any honors in my first 2 years, but they certainly talked about honors in the 3rd, 4th year and the Step I and II scores. You'll be fine.

 

[kitty5]

Thanks for the replies. I actually deferred after my first semester. Unfortunately my first semester grades are on record now. But since I am retaking the classes I can get new grades residency directors can compare them to. I hope that everything will work out.