Hey everyone!
Although I like to consider myself extremely busy I cannot help but think / feel that I am not doing enough when it comes to preparing for medical school.
To give you guys a brief summary (not so brief):
Immediately after high school I enlisted in the Army as a 68w (Healthcare specialist / medic). Over the course of those four years I found myself serving as a platoon medic where I was responsible for both routine and emergency medical care of roughly 30 individual service members. Once I became a non-commissioned officer I began serving as the senior medic, which essentially means that I was now responsible for the medical care of roughly 120 individuals, medical logistics, medical training of both medical / non-medical soldiers and various other leadership / lower level management roles. During this time I was also operating nearly at the level of an EMT-P / RN due to the fact that the PA-C I worked under was X amount of miles away. I also maintained an EMT-B (and still do maintain) throughout these four years and went two 30 day ER Rotations at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
In July of 2016 I decided to leave active duty and pursue a new chapter in my life. This new chapter consisted of me transitioning to the US Army Reserve, Working as a personal trainer (20-30 hours per week) and becoming a full time student.
Now, my role in the Reserves is very similar to what I was doing on active duty. The only differences that are worth noting are that I work in a higher leadership position, and provide nutritional counseling to the percentage of soldiers that do not meet the standard.
When it comes to academics, I currently have a 3.9 GPA and am finishing up one more semester of pre-req's at a local CC before transferring to a four year university. The university that I will be transferring to (University of Kansas) has a smaller campus in Kansas City Missouri that only offers upper division courses. So classes such as ochem, physics I & II must be taken at the local CC. I will take ochem in the fall, as well as begin my physics sequence, then take biochem in the spring at the four year university.
My work as a personal trainer has been nothing short of amazing. Over the course of this past year I have been able to work with 50+ individuals to help them meet their health / exercise related goals. This line of work offers a extremely flexible schedule, a lucrative income and an opportunity to interact with individuals on a day to day basis (which I think is a huge benefit) I have also just been accepted for a research opportunity through a local hospital that is studying the effects of exercise on individuals that may be predisposed to diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, etc. The university conducting the research study has stated that the trainers working with the patients are welcome to list themselves as "research assistants working for / taking part in a federally funded clinical trial"
I plan to apply to medical school / take the MCAT next summer.
Besides shadowing (which I have begun) what else can I do to make myself a more competitive applicant?
I am open to any and all suggestions
Thank you for your time!
Jordan
Although I like to consider myself extremely busy I cannot help but think / feel that I am not doing enough when it comes to preparing for medical school.
To give you guys a brief summary (not so brief):
Immediately after high school I enlisted in the Army as a 68w (Healthcare specialist / medic). Over the course of those four years I found myself serving as a platoon medic where I was responsible for both routine and emergency medical care of roughly 30 individual service members. Once I became a non-commissioned officer I began serving as the senior medic, which essentially means that I was now responsible for the medical care of roughly 120 individuals, medical logistics, medical training of both medical / non-medical soldiers and various other leadership / lower level management roles. During this time I was also operating nearly at the level of an EMT-P / RN due to the fact that the PA-C I worked under was X amount of miles away. I also maintained an EMT-B (and still do maintain) throughout these four years and went two 30 day ER Rotations at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.
In July of 2016 I decided to leave active duty and pursue a new chapter in my life. This new chapter consisted of me transitioning to the US Army Reserve, Working as a personal trainer (20-30 hours per week) and becoming a full time student.
Now, my role in the Reserves is very similar to what I was doing on active duty. The only differences that are worth noting are that I work in a higher leadership position, and provide nutritional counseling to the percentage of soldiers that do not meet the standard.
When it comes to academics, I currently have a 3.9 GPA and am finishing up one more semester of pre-req's at a local CC before transferring to a four year university. The university that I will be transferring to (University of Kansas) has a smaller campus in Kansas City Missouri that only offers upper division courses. So classes such as ochem, physics I & II must be taken at the local CC. I will take ochem in the fall, as well as begin my physics sequence, then take biochem in the spring at the four year university.
My work as a personal trainer has been nothing short of amazing. Over the course of this past year I have been able to work with 50+ individuals to help them meet their health / exercise related goals. This line of work offers a extremely flexible schedule, a lucrative income and an opportunity to interact with individuals on a day to day basis (which I think is a huge benefit) I have also just been accepted for a research opportunity through a local hospital that is studying the effects of exercise on individuals that may be predisposed to diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, etc. The university conducting the research study has stated that the trainers working with the patients are welcome to list themselves as "research assistants working for / taking part in a federally funded clinical trial"
I plan to apply to medical school / take the MCAT next summer.
Besides shadowing (which I have begun) what else can I do to make myself a more competitive applicant?
I am open to any and all suggestions
Thank you for your time!
Jordan
