like at ross, if one fails, s/he has to repeat the entire semester. And s/he can't even drop a class if s/he even wants to.

so anyone can tell me about your school's fail policy?

if you fail a class that is less than 4 units, u get to take a make-up final. If you fail a big class you have to retake it the next term and they will decel you. Which means you will take some of the next terms classes with the class u are retaking. For example if 1st term you failed biochem but passed everything else you would retake biochem and take immuno and genetics, instead of neuro, physio, genetics, parasit and immuno.

that is very reasonable. ross is being ridiculous, asking us to repeat the whole semester, we can't even drop any class.

You can also choose to drop classes if you feel overwhelmed or think you might fail, you become an alternate student which is pretty much the same as decelling if I understand it correctly. But it doesn't look good b/c it will be on your transcript that it took you longer to finish school than the usual academis schedule. They may ask you about it when applying for a residency. You shouldn't think about failing especially if you haven't even started yet. I remember asking about failing rules of schools when I applied, but maybe I should have. Thank God I am not failing though.

__________________
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the statue"

-Scott Adams

From the Student Manual... (and apparently from all the rumors flying around at midterm time, not enough people read...)

The Alternate Academic Program, aka deceling, is basically taking one term and splitting it in two, so that you only take half the classes and take 2 semesters to complete 1 semester of coursework.

If you fail any class other than embryo during the midterms you get a very nice letter in the mail that says that your performance is not up to par after the midterms. you are then given the option to decel up to the time when 66% of the class time has gone by. At this time you either drop Biochem and Embryo or anatomy and histo. If you fail biochem or anatomy you are sent home with a dismissal letter which would be the end of your medical carreer. You can appeal but you better have a very good excuse such as I broke my leg (with doctors notice) or two family members died at the same time etc. If the appeal is accepted then you retake the class you failed in plus a few classes from second term. but the 0 grade stays on your transcript!!
So its a risk. If you fail a midterm and you know you could have done better then study more for the final. if you are over your head then decel.

This is Med School--it's not supposed to be easy! Work hard and don't waste a lot time--you'll do fine. If you set yourself up for a failure or having to decel and you probably will. Remain positive. Good luck!