UTSW - Southwestern Grading Policy change - AFFECTING INCOMING CLASS!

[CrazyWoofDog]

This news just came out today...


"The new grading system will be effective beginning in July 2009 as is
as follows:

The first half of the first year will be Pass/Fail. Students will be
provided detailed feedback about their relative performance on
examinations so that each student can be aware of how well he/she is
mastering the material, but the final grade will be either Pass or Fail.
This will allow students to make the transition into the new
environment of medical school more gracefully.

Beginning with the second half of the first year and continuing through
the clinical rotations of the third year, students will be graded using
a letter grade system (A, B+, B, C, & F). The numeric cutoffs for
grades will be publicized at the beginning of each course. Having
grades awarded in this manner rather than a “normative” basis
(grading curve) should eliminate any perception among students that they
are competing with each other for grades. This should encourage
students to focus on the mastery of material and the collegiality
essential in the care of patients.

The fourth year will continue to be graded on a Pass/Fail system."

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[CrazyWoofDog]

oh by the way - the first semester classes are...Anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, embryology

does this influence anyones thinking about going here/not going here?

 

[dog366]

Definitely makes UTSW a much better choice. I loved it there when I interviewed.

 

[TheElement]

Yeah, we were discussing this on the Texas thread. It appears Mr. Norred sent out the email yesterday afternoon for incoming students.

 

[ami1983]

oh by the way - the first semester classes are...Anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, embryology

does this influence anyones thinking about going here/not going here?

yes. i wish they had announced this before jan 15th.

 

[htownpremie]

ditto. i think they're taking steps to address their reputation for being really competitive/cut throat. not too shabby. might've affected my pre-match decision too, but oh well.