Question From an MS1

Take 2 steps back off the bridge. Relax. Get the best grades that you can get. Work as hard as you can. At this point in your MS1 year, we should not be throwing your chances at Ortho out the window. Whatever you get in anatomy, you still need to maximize your preclinical grades in every other course to come, maximize your Step I/II scores, ace your clinical years, yada yada yada. Just take care of business the best you can, and then figure things out later.

You need to take it easy. At this pace you are gonna burn yourself out. You made a bad grade, but that's life so learn from it and move on. Focus on using your time wisely, studying hard, make time for family and friends and don't lose sight of the big picture. Med school is a marathon; a solid and steady pace will serve you well.

Thanks for the advice. I posted primarily because I'm new to this and I have seen so much about clinicals/step 1 but nothing about preclinical grades. I guess I was trying to get a gauge on the importance of these first two years in relation to an ortho residency app. Thanks again.

It's hard to say whether specific pre clinical grades make much of a difference but keep in mind that step I is based on the material you learn during first and second year. If you study hard for two years and learn the material really well the first time around it will make it easier to do better on step I. It depends on the school, but pre clinical grades can also have an impact on both junior and senior AOA. I agree with everyone else who has said that it's way too early for you to get nervous. Just keep at it and study as much as you can.