What exactly happens when you get a "M" grade?

[PS2summerdays]

x

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Psai]

Extended honors, excellent, good, mediocre, unsatisfactory?

 

[Azete]

I think every school has a similar scale, and while we don't have "M" our comparable grade ends with a similar circumstance to what you're describing. Basically, for us, you just have a chat with your adviser about study methods and what you can do to improve moving forward -- it's designed to catch you and help before you actually fail something.

 

[PS2summerdays]

Extended honors, excellent, good, mediocre, unsatisfactory?

Close! Excellent with Honors, Excellent, Good, Marginal (now is this a marginal pass, or marginal fail? THE BIG QUESTION), and Unsatisfactory. By the way. I love your icon picture. I can tell you're a fun doctor. Cheers!

I think every school has a similar scale, and while we don't have "M" our comparable grade ends with a similar circumstance to what you're describing. Basically, for us, you just have a chat with your adviser about study methods and what you can do to improve moving forward -- it's designed to catch you and help before you actually fail something.

Hm, thanks. So do you think I'd have to re-take the test? Do they make you re-mediate in your school? I would mention what school I attend, but I am not sure if that is against forum policies or something.

 

[Warderino92]

Is that just a straight ABCDF grading scale with different letters?

 

[PS2summerdays]

Is that just a straight ABCDF grading scale with different letters?

Seems like it! The bulk of the class gets a G and a few outliers get E, EH+, etc.

 

[Doctor-S]

Marginal (now is this a marginal pass, or marginal fail? THE BIG QUESTION), and Unsatisfactory.

M = Marginal ... which should be considered a "marginal passing" grade at your school - although I don't know the name of your school and you don't need to identify your school. Otherwise, you would have received a U grade (failing).

For instance, at Stanford Medical School:

Marginal Pass (MP) indicates that a student has fallen short of meeting minimal performance standards for a pass but has done better than a fail at the end of the academic quarter, and that additional work or remediation is necessary to achieve a pass.

In general, an M grade reduces the number of students who fail a particular course. Depending on your school, a certain number of M grades might lead to academic probation. Thus far, you have received one M grade. So, when you meet with your advisor to discuss your sole M grade, it is advisable to take responsibility for yourself and discuss methods/techniques/solutions to help you improve/remediate your performance in medical school. Then, try to shake off the anxiety ... regroup, study, and do well in the rest of your classes; and you should be okay.

 

[IlDestriero]

I suspect you'll have to retake a test or take a comprehensive reexamination to confirm that you know enough of the material to be able to pass and move on. I doubt it's just some handholding with the associate dean and a slap on the wrist. It's like getting a D. Though you probably won't have to repeat the class somewhere over the summer, assuming you do well on the reexamination. You don't want to go to some summer school class. My friend did and I think he had to go to Iowa for 6 or 8 weeks. These repeat summer classes are only offered in a handful of places. You don't want to be that guy, and of course it's one step closer to being expelled or repeating the year if you can convince them that you're not a lost cause.


--
Il Destriero

 

[PS2summerdays]

M = Marginal ... which should be considered a "marginal passing" grade at your school - although I don't know the name of your school and you don't need to identify your school. Otherwise, you would have received a U grade (failing).

For instance, at Stanford Medical School:

Marginal Pass (MP) indicates that a student has fallen short of meeting minimal performance standards for a pass but has done better than a fail at the end of the academic quarter, and that additional work or remediation is necessary to achieve a pass.

In general, an M grade reduces the number of students who fail a particular course. Depending on your school, a certain number of M grades might lead to academic probation. Thus far, you have received one M grade. So, when you meet with your advisor to discuss your sole M grade, it is advisable to take responsibility for yourself and discuss methods/techniques/solutions to help you improve/remediate your performance in medical school. Then, try to shake off the anxiety ... regroup, study, and do well in the rest of your classes; and you should be okay.

Thanks, this clarifies things. I think the policy is similar in my school. I just wish they would be clearer on what "additional work or remediation" is necessary.

I suspect you'll have to retake a test or take a comprehensive reexamination to confirm that you know enough of the material to be able to pass and move on. I doubt it's just some handholding with the associate dean and a slap on the wrist. It's like getting a D. Though you probably won't have to repeat the class somewhere over the summer, assuming you do well on the reexamination. You don't want to go to some summer school class. My friend did and I think he had to go to Iowa for 6 or 8 weeks. These repeat summer classes are only offered in a handful of places. You don't want to be that guy, and of course it's one step closer to being expelled or repeating the year if you can convince them that you're not a lost cause.


--
Il Destriero

Thanks for the answer. I'm going to assume I'd take the exam again after the school year if it comes to that...And yeah, I want to avoid taking a summer class in some foreign place as well.

 

[Milotic]

I know where you go to school. The equivalent is more like EH (2-3 people per block) is like an A+. E is like an A (10 people). G is A-/B+ (everyone else), M is like a D (where a few of you passed but were significantly below the average by over a standard deviation) and U is F. So not exactly an ABCDF system.

An M isn't a fail and from what I know with people getting M's in the past it depends on the # of units the theme is. Given the fact that you're an M1 at this particular school I won't name that just started their next block I'll say I don't think you will have to repeat the theme unless you get a U.

Unfortunately, this school does have an internal ranking system. They keep this from students because they like to make the stress as low as possible, however getting M's and U's is the point where you have to start to stress.

Competitive residencies and specialties will care because it's a marginal pass in a block that is a lot of units. If you are going for something not as competitive, they won't care as much as long as that is your one and only M. I would suggest finding a way to contact the Anatomy prof and ask how you can improve in Anatomy since it will be on the rest of your exams throughout first year.

Thanks, this clarifies things. I think the policy is similar in my school. I just wish they would be clearer on what "additional work or remediation" is necessary.



Thanks for the answer. I'm going to assume I'd take the exam again after the school year if it comes to that...And yeah, I want to avoid taking a summer class in some foreign place as well.

 

[PS2summerdays]

I know where you go to school. The equivalent is more like EH (2-3 people per block) is like an A+. E is like an A (10 people). G is A-/B+ (everyone else), M is like a D (where a few of you passed but were significantly below the average by over a standard deviation) and U is F. So not exactly an ABCDF system.

An M isn't a fail and from what I know with people getting M's in the past it depends on the # of units the theme is. Given the fact that you're an M1 at this particular school I won't name that just started their next block I'll say I don't think you will have to repeat the theme unless you get a U.

Unfortunately, this school does have an internal ranking system. They keep this from students because they like to make the stress as low as possible, however getting M's and U's is the point where you have to start to stress.

Competitive residencies and specialties will care because it's a marginal pass in a block that is a lot of units. If you are going for something not as competitive, they won't care as much as long as that is your one and only M. I would suggest finding a way to contact the Anatomy prof and ask how you can improve in Anatomy since it will be on the rest of your exams throughout first year.

Thanks for your thorough explanation. Even though I won't have to repeat the class, will I have to re-take the test or something along those lines? Is some type of remediation required over the summer?

I also heard about the internal ranking. I mean, it feels horrible to do poorly and I obviously need to make major improvements, but I'm not trying for any competitive specialties/residencies as far as I know (I think IM/Peds/Family Med is relatively easier to get into?). Thanks for your recommendation on contacting the anatomy professor as well. I will be sure to do so.

 

[Goro]

This info will be in your student handbook.

Thanks for your thorough explanation. Even though I won't have to repeat the class, will I have to re-take the test or something along those lines? Is some type of remediation required over the summer?

I also heard about the internal ranking. I mean, it feels horrible to do poorly and I obviously need to make major improvements, but I'm not trying for any competitive specialties/residencies as far as I know (I think IM/Peds/Family Med is relatively easier to get into?). Thanks for your recommendation on contacting the anatomy professor as well. I will be sure to do so.

 

[Mad Jack]

Preclinical grades don't matter much.

 

[PS2summerdays]

This info will be in your student handbook.

Thanks Goro. I checked after I got over my initial depression, but it gave a vague answer.

 

[Goro]

Go speak to your advisor, STAT!

Thanks Goro. I checked after I got over my initial depression, but it gave a vague answer.