Failed a pre-clinical. Have I redeemed myself? Chances?

By Guest on Monday, 16 May 2011

Posted in Match Center

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First off sorry for being "that guy". But I have not really seen any similar cases for comparison. Stats:

Med school: middle of the road midwest school
Step 1: 249
Pre-clinicals: MS1: 1H, 2 P, 1 fail (anatomy; successfully remediated)
MS2: 4/4 honors
Clinicals: 5/5 honors so far, only psych remaining/currently in progress
Research: 2 years of stem cell transplant surgery research prior to medical school at a major research institution. Ortho: Chart review and case report

I realize that my my transcript appears unlikely, but it is the complete truth. I plan to address the reasons for my failure in my personal statement. I know that my step score and clinical grades are up to snuff, and possibly enough research at this point as well. But that fail in anatomy (first block of med school) continues to haunt me. I know that pre-clinicals matter less than clinicals, but how monsterous of a red flag will it be on my application? Do I have any realistic shot at matching ortho?

I think you will be just fine. Like you said, people don't look at preclinicals at all. But just to make things right, mention it on your PS and explain what happened. For a reason, unknown to me, PD want to know everything about you. They are especially nosy in terms of your red flags and other issues. I personally asked a surgery PD why they want to know what happened if you for example have a gap in your academics, when in 99.9% on cases there is a simple and quite innocent explanation, like volunteering in africa, etc. He said, they just like to know. And he also said" you don't have to tell us. You can say it is my private life and I won't share with you; but then we won't take you." Kinda weird, I think. But it's the reality.
So don't sweat it. Just explain it.
You should be fine.

Guest

15 years ago

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#57435

I would respectfully disagree with the suggestion to put it on your personal statement. You have an absolutely stellar paper application otherwise and if someone wants to discuss your failure of anatomy during your pre-clinical years they can certainly bring it up during the interviews.

I wouldn't hide anything or be defensive if it is brought up during your interviews, of course, but don't see a reason to advertise it as a potential red flag on your personal statement when your paper application looks as strong as it is.

Good luck --

wnl

Guest

15 years ago

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#57436

I agree with WNL.

Don't waste PS space with making excuses about the only flaw in your application. People will spend 1-2 minutes reading your PS and you only have 1 page to give them an idea of who you are. This is very hard to do even when you aren't wasting space on making excuses. Honestly if I started reading a PS that started explaining a low point in my application I would probably just put it down and move on.

Just be prepared to address the fail in your interviews. As WNL said, do NOT be defensive about it and maybe try of think of something your learned or how you grew from it.

You have obviously recovered well and I would not consider that a red flag in the context of 249 step 1 and 5/5 H clinicals. Just don't be a tool on your interviews and you will be more than fine.

Guest

15 years ago

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#57437

You had one setback very early in med school and it's pretty obvious that it is an aberrationn judging by the rest of your record.

Don't worry about it. and like above, certainly don't mention it in your ps. Makes you look insecure.

Guest

15 years ago

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#57438