Advice for Future Plans

[deleted600623]

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I'm planning on applying during the 2017-2018 cycle and currently have TX residency. However, I've been offered a MA/Scribe position at my uncle's pulmonology practice which is in GA. I want to apply this next cycle but ultimately want to practice in the state of GA where most of my family lives so it makes sense to try to get into a school in GA. If I took this position which pays well and would give incredible experience on top of my current ECs, it would delay my application until the 2018-2019 cycle because of having to gain residency before I applied to the in state schools. I still have to take my MCAT and my stats are 3.73 cGPA/ 3.48sGPA.

Thanks for the help!

 

[candbgirl]

So what is your question?


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[deleted600623]

@candbgirl Sorry thought the question was in there. Should I go with the scribe job and delay my app (which would give me more time to do a DIY postbac) or should I just stay in TX , apply and hope for the best?

 

[gyngyn]

33% of TX applicants matriculate IS compared to 27% in GA. On the other hand, the average MCAT for a successful GA applicant is almost a full point less than TX (30.3 and 31.2, respectively). If we knew your MCAT it would be easier to parse this out.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321502/data/factstablea20.pdf
https://www.aamc.org/download/321466/data/factstablea5.pdf

 

[deleted600623]

@gyngyn Wouldn't being a resident in TX limit my OOS options unless they were DO because of the theory that I wouldn't go OOS due to low tuition in TX?

 

[LizzyM]

@gyngyn Wouldn't being a resident in TX limit my OOS options unless they were DO because of the theory that I wouldn't go OOS due to low tuition in TX?

The other theory is that as big as the great state of Texas is, it is not big enough for all the qualified applicants who want to go there. There is also the theory that some people will choose a big private school outside of TX over one of the less prestigious Texas schools if they are given the chance.

 

[deleted600623]

@LizzyM Well based on the AAMC pdf that gyngyn posted, only 5% of applicants matriculated OOS as TX residents compared to GA which was 11%. I would assume some people who choose a big private school have higher stats that I do.

 

[LizzyM]

@LizzyM Well based on the AAMC pdf that Goro posted, only 5% of applicants matriculated OOS as TX residents compared to GA which was 11%. I would assume some people who choose a big private school have higher stats that I do.

Just keep in mind that the Georgia schools are, IIRC, very OOS unfriendly while the TX schools are moderately unfriendly and required by law to have at least 90% Texans. You might have a better chance of getting into TX from Georgia than to get into Georgia from TX.

 

[deleted600623]

@LizzyM Well I wouldn't be applying OOS from TX because of ADCOMs not believing TX residents would actually come to their school. If I went to GA, I would delay my app until 2018-2019 so that I could gain residency and then apply to other schools outside of GA. I'm wondering if I should take the job and the experience in exchange for waiting another application cycle to expand my MD school list.

 

[ed*26]

If you delay your app, you will have the chance to live closer to your family and make a bunch of money. You may also increase your chances on getting into medical school by getting a ton of relevant experience and having more time to study for your MCAT, and also will have a much higher chance of getting into a school in a state that you ultimately want to practice in. What's the benefit of applying earlier?

 

[deleted600623]

@ed*26 Well when you put it that way...lol Very good point. I guess I'm getting kind of "trigger happy", wanting to get into the process. But I also don't want to jump the gun and then have to apply again.

 

[ed*26]

You're a fairly strong applicant so I don't think you're necessarily jumping the gun. If you're fine with going to medical school in Texas and don't particularly want to work as a scribe in your uncle's practice, then sure, applying in 2017 is a perfectly fine option. But given your long term goals, it may be wiser to wait a year. Pretty much everyone I know who took a gap year said it was the best decision of their lives -- this including the people who just worked in animal shelters, waiting tables, etc, because it gave them the chance to destress before diving into medicine.