Class Rank

One unfortunate aspect of medical school is the fact that we have to be graded. Along with the grading, goes the ranking. Class ranking. It is a hateful way to determine who is the best, and who is the... not so best.

At the end of first and second years of school, I was ranked at 46 (I think? 40-something anyway) of 104. I was totally okay with that. Not thrilled - we all want to be number one, right? - but not at all bothered.

Today, we just got our ranks for third year. I did okay during third year. I passed everything. No honors, no low passes. I did almost always get honors in the sub-categories "Health Care team rapport," "Patient rapport/Professionalism," and "Motivation/Attitude toward learning." (See - I'm nice and I'm interested. Not always the brightest bulb in the package, but at least people like having me around.) I don't know what I was expecting my new rank to be, but I find myself a tad disappointed. My rank is now 71 of 98. Again - not horrible (not in the bottom quartile anyway...barely) - but this time, I am... not happy.

Though, I did just go back and look and saw that this was JUST my third year rank, so hopefully the 46 of 104 will bring me back up a little bit in the ranks. Not that residency programs see that, though. They'll see the 71.

In the end, though, I am more proud of the things that I do excel in. I'd rather have my patients like me than have the correct answer 100% of the time. I am less likely to get sued that way for one; plus it will just be a better experience overall. And as far as residencies go - I just have to get my foot in the door and get an interview. Once I get that far, I should be fine.

On a separate, scary note - I will apparently be getting my Step 2 scores any day now. Keep your fingers crossed for me!