Keep in mind that if you barely pass all your classes in Semester 1-4 the odds are greatly stacked against you that you won't pass Step 1. Don't mean to scare you, but its reality. Step 1 is a COMPREHENSIVE test covering everything learned in Semester 1-4; if you don't do well now you will undoubtedly fail Step 1. Maybe after multiple attempts, repeated Kaplan board prep classes, etc.... you'll pass Step 1, but the reality is that the odds aren't in your favor to pass Step 1.

If you know your not studying as hard as you can right now, maybe it might be a good idea to repeat. But if your busting balls right now, another career path might be the best thing for you. Semesters 2-4 are a lot tougher than semester 1. If you can't pass right now you will undoubtedly fail later. No shame in quiting medicine; its not for everyone and the important thing is that you tried.

I must say that there was a older Ross grad on the old Ross forum who had to repeat 1st semester- now he's a practicing anesthesiologist on Long Island. So it can be done.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Ok, lets not wave the "step 1 red flag" on scared first semester students. What you are looking for are solutions. Generally, I have heard several other Ross posters say they have not done well on one or more mini's in a semester and still came out OK for the semester. The difference at Ross vs other schools is the mini exams. I have talked with folks who did a semester at Ross then transfered. Several cited the mini's as test they never could get a good handle on and a reason they left.

My suggestion - stay calm - look at your study habits and attempt to get help on adapting them to Ross's mini system of testing. Also have hope it is not over until it is over...

__________________
PreMed Forum Moderator

I call it like I see it. I am not paid by ValueMD or any school. Nor do I recruit for any school.

I read your entire post, and have come to the conclusion that you are not considering every possible situation that the OP may be in. Now, neither of us know the OP personally anyway, so let me tell my story:

When I did 1st semester, i came out of it having not done so great. I thought I would fail some of the classes. I was pleasently surprised that I didn't just pass, but I made a B in one of the classes I thought I would fail, probably due to the fact that so many did poorly and the curve was huge (this goes along with what others were saying regarding, "you may walk out having done well and only thought you did poorly").

Anyhow, the whole reason I was doing so poorly throughout 1st sem was the fact that I was simply not interested in the material. I ended up doing much better in the later semesters once interesting things like anatomy and physio came along, and things evened out too because the people left in those semesters scored higher. I felt like I answered more questions correctly compared to the 1st semester exams, even though my grades were similar, which showed the curve was not as huge as 1st sem.

So, to the OP, perhaps you are just struggling with material you don't care about and are not enthusiastic to learn. If you've went through the trouble of relocating to Dominica, applying to Ross and getting in, etc etc, might as well take another shot at 1st sem to see if you pass. If you find you are doing poorly in semester 2, you may be a borderline student or you may just not be fit for completing med school. All-in-all, don't make that decision so soon (after only 1 semester), try to repeat and re-assess. GOod luck.

__________________
Good luck.

Everyone I have talked to is scared.

I have heard Ross doesn't let too many people repeat once they are called in front of the committee.

Can any upperclassmen cite examples of curves in previous semesters? Dr. M personally told some of us that over 70% of students were failing biochem prior to mini 3. Then there are those struggling with other classes or multiple classes. Without probabation, it seems like an enormous amount of students are repeating. I also know plenty of people hovering near MPS in 1 or 2 classes who think they are already repeating. Are significant curves a common occurrence that really aren't spoken about?

The standard answer is there is no curve. But, the MPS, as I'm sure you're aware, does fluctuate from between 55-65 although I've never seen it above 60. It is possible that MPS will be as low as 55. That doesn't mean that if you have a 50% average along with half of the rest your class, they will curve your grades. As far as I know, your grade is your grade. If you get above MPS, you pass. If you don't get above MPS, you don't pass.

I'm usually a "glass half full" kind of guy. I do believe that those doing poorly in 1st semester can make up for it in second semester. I was even in that position to some degree. I had a 63 in Physio going in to 2nd semester and came out with a 71. However, as with all the classes that you're taking in 1st semester, the stuff you're learning in biochem will come back in pharm and path especially. If you don't get it now, you may have issues in 3rd semester. Also, DO NOT count on the final to bring your grade up. More often than not, the final hurts your grade, it doesn't help it.

Good luck. I hope you make it.

I am really scared right now about tomorrow's final, I don't want to get dismissed. I don't care about repeating the semester, I just don't want to get kicked out.

being scared will do you know good. Just do the best you can. If you do that, you should have no regrets. Again, good luck!

I won't have any regrets about doing the best I can - until I get expelled.