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Ah, the old "What do they call the person who graduates last in medical school?"

Aren't most medical schools just pass/fail these days? They don't actually give grades or rank students, do they?

I can't speak for all medical schools, but at my ex's school they have Honors/High Pass/Pass/Low Pass/Fail; so basically (ABCDF).

Other than being required to get at least Pass in order to remain in good academic standing, I'm not certain what effect these grades have.

As I understand it (from friends in med school), the grades in the pre-clinical classes are important as they affect the Dean's letter, the primary letter of recommendation for residency applications.

However, the grades from the time they spend in the clinic are much more important than the pre-clinical coursework.

And what do they call a soldier who graduates last in BUD/S class? Graduating is itself a big feat.

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