Hello everyone,

I am a first semester. I know there is no probation at Ross anymore, so if you fail any class, even by one percent, you have to repeat the entire semester. There are plenty of people repeating because they failed 1-2 classes, so this is not something to be ashamed of, but you must be very careful the second time around and make sure that you will not fail anything again because it is your last chance. Out of your 5 classes, if you fail 3 or more classes, you are recommended for dismissal but you can appeal this decision and ask if you can repeat the semester when you are in front of the promotions committee. Does anyone know what percentage of people who appeal the decision are dismissed? I have heard you are likely to get thrown out if you have to face the committee. Can some of you upperclassmen elaborate on this? Such as, do you personally know people who were thrown out and what their cases were? Thank you.

Oh yeah, if you or someone you know was dismissed and you don't want to put the details on a public forum, I totally understand, so feel free to PM me. By the way, this isn't to poke fun or belittle people, I'm just curious.

Hi everyone,

Well I'm a first semester and looking at my stats I think I might be repeating this semester. For example MPS for biochem I think is 57 and I'm 45 and also I am barely passing all my other classes. I do study A LOT but I guess my study technique is not working as well as others.

One of my question is whether it is really worth it to repeat semesters considering everyone has been saying first semester is the easiest and everyone does well in it.

Have you heard of any students who end up repeating first semester then does well and eventually graduate? Because if there is hope I might repeat the semester but also I am considering taking time off and take a few courses and then reapplying to another carribean school/osteopathic school, anyone know someone who did this as well?

Thanks in advance

You are not alone. Everyone is scared.

Look if you are failing MOST of your classes you need to re-evaluate your medical career. Personally I don't think repeating is a good idea. This simple thinking got me through my basic sciences with 4.0. I am studying for my future patients not myself. Good luck, everyone has their own special ability find yours.

Well...some people just get off on a rocky start. Med school is a completely different ballgame and an adjustment period is needed for some people...basically I think we should be given one chance to repeat the semester, and then after that if you keep on failing, yes it's time to find a new career or transfer to another caribbean school, but if you give up this easily just because of one setback you'll never make it in ANY career.

I agree with emt2md - if you fail your first semester here in more than one course, you should really re-evaluate what you want to do. Maybe the sciences isn't for you? It is true, however, that some people find it difficult to adjust to life on the Rock, being far away from family and getting inundated with materials and information... but to fail all of them would be cause for concern. That's what I would do anyway.

I have actually thought about quitting and just heading back home after my mini 1 scores came back... but then I beat the crap out of mini 2 (all except biochem... *shakes fist*)... and I did decent in mini 3. I'm still at a risk for failing if I don't get at least 55-60% of my final exam correct, but I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it (yes, I know it's "cross that bridge" but I like it better this way ).

Point is, if you think you can do a complete 180 and do well the second time around, please don't give up just because you messed up first semester. If it's been your dream and you deem it to be worth the extra four months, why give it up? On the other hand if you don't have faith that you'll pass second semester even if you pass first semester the second time around, then re-evaluate your path and choose one that's more suited to what you're good at because pursuing something that you may no longer want isn't worth the extra 12-13K in debt.

Hope this helps.

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mi r med st00dunt

Give it another chance, and go all hell mary at it. If you fail again, and you haven't been goofing off, then yes it's time for a new career or a new school, but other than that you should give it one more chance before you just give up permanently.

they got rid of the probation part? wow i did not know that

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If you want to do something, then you will find a way.
If you want to do nothing, then you will find an excuse.

Good luck- I really hope everything works out for you.

Keep in mind though- if you fail 3 classes, how the heck are you ever going to pass Step 1? Step 1 is a comprehensive test covering EVERYTHING you learn in Semesters 1-4. If you don't learn everything well now, you will be at GREAT RISK for failing Step 1.

I don't mean to scare you, but this is reality. If someone barely passes all his/her classes the first four semester, the odds are greatly stacked against them passing Step 1. Maybe they will after multiple attempts, repeated Kaplan board prep classes, etc.... but the odds are great that they might never pass Step 1.