send transcript with app or wait until Nov w/Dean's letter?

[artificialtears]

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My grade for my ophtho sub-i isn't out yet. I've emailed the education coordinator multiple times to try to get my grade submitted in time for my application. But there has been new turnover in people and obviously it's a bit unorganized and they have to go through training to get on par with what to do...and they haven't responded to my follow-up emails recently.

I am not sure if I should send in my transcript now with my application WITHOUT my sub-i grade...or should I wait until November when my school mails out the dean's letter and transcript then. Thoughts?? I have no idea on what I should do!

 

[Kashf Oyoun]

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding, but an application is not complete until the transcripts are in. I wouldn't wait for a sub-I grade to submit. I mean, I didn't even think twice about submitting my application without my sub-I grade; I thought a program would need to know my third year performance before sending me an interview offer. By November, a handful of programs have already interviewed some candidates (Baylor, UTSW, Wisconsin, Hopkins), and others would have started extending interview offers.

 

[artificialtears]

but wouldn't the ophtho subi grade be important to have? especially if the number of honors grades from previous rotations are limited, so I would think it would help in terms of having more honors? Also, does anyone know that if the ophtho grade isn't on there, would it affect the possible interview offers then?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

but wouldn't the ophtho subi grade be important to have? especially if the number of honors grades from previous rotations are limited, so I would think it would help in terms of having more honors? Also, does anyone know that if the ophtho grade isn't on there, would it affect the possible interview offers then?

I don't know if fourth year honors are the same as third year honors.

 

[amandil]

I'm only an MS4 currently applying, but my impression is that you submit your transcript now as is, and then send an updated version with the Dean's letter in November.

Regarding honors in sub-i -- our dept chair only said not getting honors in your ophtho sub-i would be a "kiss of death." He didn't say if getting honors would be an actual advantage. I'm guessing most people applying will have gotten honors in their ophtho rotation.

 

[cubsrule4e]

I had a little issue with this last year. My school didnt finalize any 3rd year grades until the end of the year, so the transcript i sent out with my app (trying to be as early as possible) didnt have any of my 3rd/4th year grades. I didnt even think anything of it until i was on an away in October and they mentioned they needed those grades from me. At that point i had only received 1 interview and was wondering how many other programs were waiting on the grades. It was still somewhat early (early-mid october), so i cant tell you for sure that it made a difference, but as soon as i sent in an updated transcript to all my programs, the interviews started piling up. So id send in what you have now, and as soon as you get the grades in, send an updated transcript. It also seemed like a good way to make further contact with the programs, and might have implied to them that i was showing interest in their particular program....ahh, the mind games of match season. 🙄

 

[thalia44]

I'm not sure if this has been addressed, but you absolutely cannot wait until November to submit your first transcript copy. Your application will not be complete and you will miss many program deadlines.

That being said, if you think the grade will be entered in the next few days, you could wait to get the transcript and complete your application in ~ 1 week. But if it's going to take more than a week, I would just submit your current transcript so that programs start looking at your file.

Besides - can't you list your clerkship under ophtho-related activities? You can mention there that you got an honors grade.

 

[cataract55]

my situation is a little different...my grades for my 3 ophtho sub-i's are on my tscpt (received honors in all of them), however, on my transcript, my school only records it as "satisfactory." I JUST mailed in my cas last week (not yet processed) and I'm now realizing i could've put the honors grades on my cas any advice on whether i should ask sfmatch to hold my app so i can send them an updated/corrected app with the honors grades? not sure if it'll make a big difference or not. I know one of my letter writers include dmy actual grade, but not sure about the others. Is it worth holding up my app or am I better off sending emails to individual programs about my sub-i grades? I also have 1 more sub-i to complete...any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Kashf Oyoun]

my situation is a little different...my grades for my 3 ophtho sub-i's are on my tscpt (received honors in all of them), however, on my transcript, my school only records it as "satisfactory." I JUST mailed in my cas last week (not yet processed) and I'm now realizing i could've put the honors grades on my cas any advice on whether i should ask sfmatch to hold my app so i can send them an updated/corrected app with the honors grades? not sure if it'll make a big difference or not. I know one of my letter writers include dmy actual grade, but not sure about the others. Is it worth holding up my app or am I better off sending emails to individual programs about my sub-i grades? I also have 1 more sub-i to complete...any advice would be much appreciated!

From a fellow fourth year, I think getting a satisfactory in three ophtho sub-i's versus honors is a huge difference! This could alter how people perceive your application. It's really unfortunate that your school doesn't report your actual grade. How much of a delay would this have on your application, 10 days? I would print off a new application, send it off early Monday via FedEx same day delivery and get on the phone with SF match to make sure they don't submit the application as is. If you're too late, you tried your best, and you could go ahead with plan B of updating individual programs. You could also speak to your dean about emphasizing the honors you received in your Sub-I's in your dean's letter. Either way, three honors in your sub-i's is a great accomplishment, and I'm sure it will get recognized one way or another.