It was probably the day of I made my last post or immediately after when I brought up a lot of the same concerns to some of the people around me in class. At the time, after a little arm wrestling, they convinced me to stick it out and see what happens. Two of them in particular brought up examples of other friends they had who had some amazing come-back stories where they dug themselves into a hole on the first 1 or 2 exams and just focused and got all the grades they needed.
The hole that I'm in is deeper than the hole their friends were in. Still, they had a convincing argument.
It's 2 weeks later and anything can happen on an exam, but it comes down to these questions:
- Do I feel so much more prepared for Mini 3 than I did for Minis 1 & 2?
- Do I feel like I own the material as much as I think I should have for those previous exams?
- Do I feel leaps and bounds more in command of every learning objective for every lecture for every class? Because that's what it's going to take.
- I'm not attended or watching another single Biochemistry or Neuroscience lecture.
- I'm not going to participate in the Mock Neuro Practical this Friday.
- I'm not going to take the Neuro Practical next week.
- And I'm not going to worry about either subject during finals week.
I'm not sad or mad or anything like that at this time. I might be a little frustrated, but that's not saying it correctly either. The truth is that I'm overwhelmingly disappointed in myself and it's completely my own doing.
It's time to focus solely on Anatomy, Histology, and Physiology and the practicals and finals that are coming up in the next few weeks.
EDIT: I just sent an email to the dean's office a few minutes ago with questions about attendance for exams and repeating (and it's a good thing I did). I already got a response and it turns out you're required to sit for all exams in all subjects you're registered for. The person who responded followed up by saying that I could just show up and bubble any letter if I choose to concentrate on other subjects.
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Ross has a serious reputation about failing tons of students and trying to get the class size down so that they can actually fit students in the classes/labs of the last few semesters.
I have a feeling this school was not the best fit for you.
If you are serious about becoming a doctor, I would try to transfer. I think you should look into AUC.
Much better reputation there, federal loans available, class sizes are much smaller, accredited by all 50 states, and the island is much much better.
I hope you get through this bump Jonathan and do what's best for you. Good luck
Hi Andrea,
Now that's an option that I haven't given much thought into, but it's worth thinking about now.
You're right in saying that the time to make that decision is now because I don't think AUC accepts dismissed Ross students (?). I've heard of many Ross, SGU, and AUC students who have been dismissed, ending up in other schools like MUA or SMU, but never between the 3 of them.
So to transfer to AUC now or return to Ross with the possibility of failing and never being able to transfer to either SGU or AUC... it's worth thinking about.
-Jonathan
Hey Jonathan,
It's sad to hear that things aren't going great but I hope you keep at it and some how pull through. Your a great inspiration to all who read this blog. Just wanted to know, what part of med school is most overwhelming? Is it just the course load? How much times more is the course load compared to undergrad? If you say the course load is like 5 times harder than I may reconsider medical school lol.
Anyways, good luck and can't wait to see your post stating your graduation date!
i'd definitely recommend MUA. but i'm also very biased. good luck! :)
I've been reading your stuff pretty much since the beginning and i'm sorry to hear how it continues to go. I'm an AUC student and I must say, from what you have said on here, AUC seems like it would have been a MUCH better fit. I've felt nothing but support here. I think you'd have trouble transferring with any real blemish or red flag to any other big 3/4 school, however I know we have a Ross transfer in my class and Saba transfers in other classes. Good luck
Sorry to hear that things aren't going well on your medical school journey. I definitely agree that it seems like Ross and you aren't a compatible fit, maybe it just doesn't suit your learning style.
Good luck for your push towards finals. Will be thinking of you and hoping and wishing that it goes well.
So I've been following your blog(s) for the last few months ... since May, at least, and I just wanted to say first of all that I've found them interesting and insightful.
Secondly, and I hope I don't come across as a complete tool by saying this, but I've recently found myself in a similar, albeit scaled down (ie: I'm not in anything nearly as difficult as med school, haha), situation in which I, despite my best efforts, find myself failing courses and thus delaying my education. Your posts tend to cheer me up slightly since I have faith that you'll pull through and it makes me think I might stand a chance too :)
Dude, email me ASAP. Your battle plan of skipping lectures and exams is going to get you into more trouble! I was in your boat back at the end of 2nd and was petrified that I wasn't going to pass. In fact, I was so stressed I actually ended up losing 15 pounds in 2 weeks because I couldn't keep my food down. Luckily I pulled through.
Unless you've already determined that it's mathematically impossible to pass this semester, email me and let me know things like what your grades are and how you go about prepping for exam. Even if you're out, email me anyways! Unless the policy has changed, Ross allows you to fail up to 2 times and I believe that gives you one more chance if you fail this semester.
Again, email me, maybe I can help you going forward.
sincerely Ross Grad,
Chris
ps my email is Chrisjacobi227@gmail.com
Good luck!
Hope you pull through. Have the exams at Ross seemed "fairer" (compared to your initial first semester when you came in with a huge entering class) now that the class size is much smaller? That is, does it seem like Ross isn't trying to weed people out?
I'm on leave of absence from Ross (for personal health reasons) after having successfully completed first semester and am now deciding whether to come back to Ross or transfer somewhere else. Also, are NBME Subject Shelf exams being administrated? I know when I left that huge barn was being outfitted with computers so the computerized Shelf exams could be administrated. If so, are students required to pass the Shelf exam to pass the course or is it just a replacement for the local final exam? Thanks.
Hi Jonathan,
I've been following your blog since the beginning and I am very sorry things aren't going great. I'll be starting in January and I'm already at the island. Would love to buy you a cup of coffee or something. Are you available?
cooper.cindy@hotmail.com
Sounds like you are a good student just overwhelmed by the curriculum at Ross. I have 3 Ross transfer students in my class and 1 AUC transfer. They are all doing well at my school, from what I gather. I attend UMHS at St. Kitt's. It is a shitty little island, but my school is the second school the Ross family started like two years ago after selling your current school to DeVry. The best island in the Caribbean is St.Maartin, which AUC is at.
At any rate, Jonathan, move on man to another smaller school. You have been irrationally hung up on the Ross reputation--I guess their marketing got to your head. At any rate, you need to try a different flavor of ice cream because Ross is making you sick. It is not about quitting, it is about being smart and choosing a school that better fits your learning style. Just keep in mind all Caribbean schools are a little "stale" to continue to ice cream analogy.
If you want I can get you in touch with the Ross transfers in my class. They are real smart, cool guys and can give you a real inside "scoop" to explain what it "tastes" like to be at another school.
All the best.
Frank
Hey man I hope finals are going well, Im in the same boat as you, literally. I feel your pain. Im another carribean med student in St. Lucia, we have the same shelf exams coming up this monday Dec 12 and 13. I have some good notes, maybe we can trade and help eachother out. My name is Patrick, and just like you Im looking for help but dont know where to turn.
email me back if you can.
Pcacd001@gmail.com
holla jonathan...
ive just your post..
dont give up ok..
im a medical student as well..ive just completed my premed.
hope we can be friends john.
regards..lana.
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