Pre-clinical grades?

[Prime2000]

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For those who have matched and those currently applying, what were your pre-clinical grades like? Are all of you 4.0, walk on water people or is there hope for those who make less than 4.0"s?

 

[Dral]

I haven't matched yet, but my pre-clinical grade was a 'P'. 😉

 

[Cheebs09]

No 4.0 here - my preclinical grades were for the most part, average.
If you end up in the same shoes, I suggest crushing the boards, research, clinical projects, away rotations, etc. You will want the rest of your application to shine!

 

[sore eye asses]

seems there's no secret formula. All 4.00 preclinical for me, step 1 >250, research, advanced degree, 5/6 clinical honors, strong letters from top programs, AOA.

all good for zero interviews.

getting jaded and depressed.

 

[Prime2000]

seems there's no secret formula. All 4.00 preclinical for me, step 1 >250, research, advanced degree, 5/6 clinical honors, strong letters from top programs, AOA.

all good for zero interviews.

getting jaded and depressed.

Dude, you're an awesome applicant. I fully expect to see you posting here in a few months that you got into your top choice.

 

[xyzyx]

seems there's no secret formula. All 4.00 preclinical for me, step 1 >250, research, advanced degree, 5/6 clinical honors, strong letters from top programs, AOA.

all good for zero interviews.

getting jaded and depressed.

Uh... I only have one of the things you listed above, so I'm in a much worse position. You sound like an amazing candidate. There will be lots of interviews rolling in for you. No matter, how bad you feel, just know there are are people out there who are much worse off. Take a step back and see what an amazing candidate you are. This whole thing is a crapshoot. You're bound to get rejections from random places. Good luck and keep up your spirits!

 

[chef]

seems there's no secret formula. All 4.00 preclinical for me, step 1 >250, research, advanced degree, 5/6 clinical honors, strong letters from top programs, AOA.

all good for zero interviews.

getting jaded and depressed.

omg, another "superstar". in a month you'll be boasting 28+ interviews! please don't go to all of them and give us mere mortals a chance .. 😱

 

[chef]

For those who have matched and those currently applying, what were your pre-clinical grades like? Are all of you 4.0, walk on water people or is there hope for those who make less than 4.0"s?

iirc half of US medschools dont even have grades in the first 2 yrs. so: chill & relax!

 

[sore eye asses]

omg, another "superstar". in a month you'll be boasting 28+ interviews! please don't go to all of them and give us mere mortals a chance .. 😱

I sure don't feel like a superstar. I did all I could to bust my ass and do as well as I possibly could.

Two more rejects today, arizona TY (my top choice) and Oklahoma derm.

The sadness continues...

 

[MrEd]

If you don't mind me asking, what state are you from?

I am in your shoes, but you are a much better applicant than I am.

I am from Oregon.

 

[Prime2000]

iirc half of US medschools dont even have grades in the first 2 yrs. so: chill & relax!

I go to a school WITH grades and insanely high class averages of tests. How much chillin' can I actually do?

 

[sore eye asses]

If you don't mind me asking, what state are you from?

I am in your shoes, but you are a much better applicant than I am.

I am from Oregon.

first, Oregon has OHSU, which is insanely good. if you go there, then you're way ahead of me.

second, i'm not gonna reveal my location because it would reveal my identity instantly. sorry. no hard feelings.

 

[MrEd]

Yes, I go there. I think everyone knows who I am, so that's cool.

While this place is awesome, everyone wants to come here and I still dont have a single interview. So that kind of sucks.

I am glad to hear that Mayo decided to interview - good luck

 

[sore eye asses]

Yes, I go there. I think everyone knows who I am, so that's cool.

While this place is awesome, everyone wants to come here and I still dont have a single interview. So that kind of sucks.

I am glad to hear that Mayo decided to interview - good luck

thanks. you're braver than I. if you have even remotely decent stats, you'll definitely land some western spots. keep in mind that only uc irvine has offered from the west.

 

[rolling wheal]

preclinical grades don't matter that much since all schools have different grading systems. It's too confusing to try and compare. Being AOA does mean something because that is a fairly standard demarcation that someone did very academically. I wasn't AOA and matched regardless. During one of my interviews the well known attending was fumbling through my dean's letter for the first time trying to make sense of our grading system and what it all means. He didn't seem all too concerned that it didn't look like I was at the top. He then saw my descent but not spectacular Step one and said "ok." I just sat there quietly and didn't make excuses for not being AOA. Then we talked about research and personal interest. I'm fairly confident I would have matched there if I put them number one. Bottom line, it's the total picture that counts and I would say being an average student grade wise isn't going to shut the door if you have something else to offer, even if only very strong LOR's.

 

[Dermguy]

preclinical grades don't matter that much since all schools have different grading systems. It's too confusing to try and compare. Being AOA does mean something because that is a fairly standard demarcation that someone did very academically. I wasn't AOA and matched regardless. During one of my interviews the well known attending was fumbling through my dean's letter for the first time trying to make sense of our grading system and what it all means. He didn't seem all too concerned that it didn't look like I was at the top. He then saw my descent but not spectacular Step one and said "ok." I just sat there quietly and didn't make excuses for not being AOA. Then we talked about research and personal interest. I'm fairly confident I would have matched there if I put them number one. Bottom line, it's the total picture that counts and I would say being an average student grade wise isn't going to shut the door if you have something else to offer, even if only very strong LOR's.

I think how you handle being AOA or not being AOA matters more than anything. If you look defensive or abrasive in any way that is a huge red flag and will get you dropped to the bottom. I see it now during interviews. If a resident says, "That person struck me as being a bit abrasive," that counts against them big time.

Also interesting is that our residency coordinator sits in on ranking meetings and gives a bit of feedback too on whether people were polite or not. I guess it really is important to be nice to EVERYONE.