Very Important Question for 3rd and 4th years

[MedStudent1985]

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Hey all,

I rarely post around here but I really need some advice. I go to a good state school in the midwest, certainly not top tier, but not near the bottom by any means. My class is supposedly the most competitive class in the school's history. In fact, averages are 10% higher than the classes above us.

That being said, I am in a quandary. I came into medical school as a history major. I did not fail anything first year, but did well below the mean. In fact, I am in the lowest quartile of my class.

I am currently in the beginning of my 2nd year, and wish to pursue a residency at this point in some surgical field- either urology or general surgery. I am making good contacts and hope to be published soon.

My question is for me and people who read this forum like me: Is it possible to enter a surgical residency if one is in the lowest quartile of the class? Granted, board scores determine alot, etc and I will try my best, yet stellar performance on the boards aside, do I still have a chance or am I out of the game already?

Thanks
Elizabeth

 

[triangles]

keep hope alive!

 

[Gut Shot]

Hey all,

I rarely post around here but I really need some advice. I go to a good state school in the midwest, certainly not top tier, but not near the bottom by any means. My class is supposedly the most competitive class in the school's history. In fact, averages are 10% higher than the classes above us.

That being said, I am in a quandary. I came into medical school as a history major. I did not fail anything first year, but did well below the mean. In fact, I am in the lowest quartile of my class.

I am currently in the beginning of my 2nd year, and wish to pursue a residency at this point in some surgical field- either urology or general surgery. I am making good contacts and hope to be published soon.

My question is for me and people who read this forum like me: Is it possible to enter a surgical residency if one is in the lowest quartile of the class? Granted, board scores determine alot, etc and I will try my best, yet stellar performance on the boards aside, do I still have a chance or am I out of the game already?

Thanks
Elizabeth

Your work ethic during 3rd year will be very important. Plenty of superstar bookworms will not thrive on the wards. I have a good friend (ex-girlfriend, actually) who was in the bottom quartile after M2 year. Barely passed Step I, too. She turned it around and worked her ass off M3 year. Got tons of honors. Her Step 2 CK score increased 46 points compared to Step 1. She matched well.

The bottom line is that there's still hope, but your actions from here on have greater importance than they would if you were flying high in your classes.

Good luck!

 

[Blade28]

In addition to the advice already given, if you're considering Urology or a similarly competitive surgical subspeciality, I'd recommend getting involved in research of some kind.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Class rank can be important, but just as an example our Gen Surg clerkship is weighted almost as much as our first semester of M1 year.

That said, if you let low class rank turn into low Step scores the competitive surgical subspecialties are going to be a reach.

That said, IMHO matching is 50% performance, 25% "fit," and 25% good advising. If you end up being lower on the competitive scale, apply to more programs.

 

[mules05]

I was in the same position as you were a year ago...I had trouble getting used to the amount of studying needed in med school, and while I passed everything, it was by a very small margin. At the time, I also thought I wanted to go into orthopedics, so I was worried that I was pretty much screwed.

The key for me was learning how to study and incorporating concepts from 1st year during 2nd year. All of path and pharm builds on anatomy/physio/histo (and some biochem), so I just reviewed what I hadn't learned 1st year when the subjects came up 2nd year. I did much better 2nd year and set myself up for a great board score, and also managed to get an article published in a big ortho journal.

Of course after all that, I've realized I have no interest in ortho and really want to go into OB/Gyn. Go figure.

My advice is to work hard 2nd year, set yourself up to do well on the boards and in 3rd year, and you'll be fine. Nothing you do in 1st or 2nd year, with the exceptions of your step 1 score or failing a course, will shut you out from any specialty. And keep in mind that what you like now may not be what you like when it actually comes time to decide.