Transcripts

[ChocolateKiss]

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So my school just sent out our transcripts for us to review before they submit them to ERAS. On the transcript, it's not obvious which courses are P/F and which are H/HP/P/F, and which are H/P/F. They do use a little symbol next to P/F courses, but there's no legend explaining which this symbol means.

I was wondering if it is difficult for programs who are reviewing our applications to interpret transcripts given the wide variety of grading systems at different schools and the not-so-clear grading documentation.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

So my school just sent out our transcripts for us to review before they submit them to ERAS. On the transcript, it's not obvious which courses are P/F and which are H/HP/P/F, and which are H/P/F. They do use a little symbol next to P/F courses, but there's no legend explaining which this symbol means.

I was wondering if it is difficult for programs who are reviewing our applications to interpret transcripts given the wide variety of grading systems at different schools and the not-so-clear grading documentation.

I bet there is a second page to the transcript which is a key, which they didn't bother to give you to review. Most transcripts have some sort of key that clearly identifies which courses are P/F. Even if not, I've seen so many of these I'll know that the * means P/F.

 

[Man In White]

I just confirmed with my school that the transcripts we send to ERAS do not include any key/legend, and has no explanations for courses - simply the course name and the grade. Similarly to the OP our school uses S/F for satisfactory/fail and H/HP/P/F for core courses.

It's a subtle difference between an S and a P, but important nonetheless. I just hope that the selection committees don't mistake some of our S/F grades for courses that were graded H/HP/P/F.

On a similar note, how do committees determine which rotations on our transcripts were "core clerkships". For instance, some schools include radiology and neurology as such core clerkships graded as H/HP/P/F, but our school only has the 6 standard clerkships of IM, Surg, Psych, OB/Gyn, FM, and Peds - rads and neuro were electives and/or selectives also taken during 3rd year, but not for a grade.

I've heard that some committees filter based on the # of honors and such, and this could cause quite a disparity.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I just confirmed with my school that the transcripts we send to ERAS do not include any key/legend, and has no explanations for courses - simply the course name and the grade. Similarly to the OP our school uses S/F for satisfactory/fail and H/HP/P/F for core courses.

It's a subtle difference between an S and a P, but important nonetheless. I just hope that the selection committees don't mistake some of our S/F grades for courses that were graded H/HP/P/F.

Don't be silly. We review applications for a living. We know exactly what we are looking for.

On a similar note, how do committees determine which rotations on our transcripts were "core clerkships". For instance, some schools include radiology and neurology as such core clerkships graded as H/HP/P/F, but our school only has the 6 standard clerkships of IM, Surg, Psych, OB/Gyn, FM, and Peds - rads and neuro were electives and/or selectives also taken during 3rd year, but not for a grade.

This is well described in the MSPE. Since most medical schools don't change from year to year, we know what to expect.

I've heard that some committees filter based on the # of honors and such, and this could cause quite a disparity.

You are worried about nothing. Have a beer. Or three.