Am I doing this Right? Insight needed please.

[jgad1]

Hello SDN. I am a pre-med biology major at the University of Central Arkansas. I am going into my second year of pre-med and would just like to run some stuff by all of you. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.


1. I had a lot of dual credit in high school, so I decided to take a semester to acquire various certifications that would allow me to work in a clinical setting. During one semester I received a CNA, Patient Care Technician, EKG Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician certifications. I have used these certifications to work in a hospital emergency room, where I have gained 500+ clinical experience hours. Even if I do not get into medical school, I still value this experience greatly. It has really shaped me. However, I was wondering if these certifications and experience with these certifications would help set me apart from other applicants in any way?


2. I took a lot of dual credit in high school, and to make a long story short, I was under my impression that my dual credit GPA would just go away once I graduated. I now know this is not the case, but it hurt my GPA a bit. I expect to graduate with a GPA in the 3.45-3.65 area. Will this be a major issue?


3. I plan to get my Masters of Public Health (MPH) before attending medical school. I see it as my way of understanding as much of the health care system as I can. I have worked at the bottom of the clinical staff, and getting this MPH will allow me to gain another look at the system from a different perspective. I think that for me to do the most good that I can as a physician one day, a very adept understanding of the system as a whole will certainly help. Is this reasoning flawed? Is getting the MPH a waste of time? Does an MPH look good on a medical school application?


4. I am coming from a very mediocre school. I grew up in a town that has less that 2,000 people in it, and then I am going to a possibly subpar university for my undergraduate. Will this be thought of negatively on a medical school application.


5. I have yet to take the MCAT, and I do understand that that will be a big deciding factor in my future, and I do plan on doing some research in the near future. However, for right now I have put together a list of schools I plan on applying to. Could someone tell me if it is reasonable or not? I know that is difficult without an MCAT score, but just in concept. Here is my list in no particular order:


Tulane

Drexel

Tufts

New York Medical College

Dartmouth

Rutgers

University of Arizona

UT HSC San Antonio

USC Keck


I have also picked out several DO schools I will apply to as well. Some of the schools on my list are more hopeful and less probable than others, but is overall reasonable? Also, I am a Texas resident.


I thank anyone who responds and provides insight for their time.

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[jgad1]

I also have 70+ volunteer hours, which will go up greatly as I go on.

 

[Cardboard101]

1. Yes, from some.
2. No
3. MPH won't help as much as you think. If you really want to you can do a MPH/MD or MPH/DO program. Or just do it when you graduate.
4. Doesn't matter.
5. No point making a list without a MCAT.

 

[jgad1]

1. Yes, from some.
2. No
3. MPH won't help as much as you think. If you really want to you can do a MPH/MD or MPH/DO program. Or just do it when you graduate.
4. Doesn't matter.
5. No point making a list without a MCAT.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[jgad1]

1. Yes, from some.
2. No
3. MPH won't help as much as you think. If you really want to you can do a MPH/MD or MPH/DO program. Or just do it when you graduate.
4. Doesn't matter.
5. No point making a list without a MCAT.

However, suppose my MCAT was on par with those schools averages, do you think my additional factors help stand out? I know I still have some things to add, like research, but I am just trying to make sure I am going the right way. Thank you.

 

[Cardboard101]

I have no idea how schools would view the certifications. @Goro would know better.
But the consensus I have from SDN is that certifications are only pluses if you use them. Real clinical hours > technician certs.

I would say, get a few hundred clinical hours, ~40-80 shadowing hours and a few non-clinical community volunteering.

If you get the MCAT averages of those schools you'd have a good shot but this is easier said than done. USC for example has a matriculant average of 516.

 

[jgad1]

I have no idea how schools would view the certifications. @Goro would know better.
But the consensus I have from SDN is that certifications are only pluses if you use them. Real clinical hours > technician certs.

I would say, get a few hundred clinical hours, ~40-80 shadowing hours and a few non-clinical community volunteering.

If you get the MCAT averages of those schools you'd have a good shot but this is easier said than done. USC for example has a matriculant average of 516.

Right. I do use my certifications very avidly. I get to do a little of everything in the ER. And as far as the MCAT goes, a 516 might be pushing it for me. If I get lucky MAYBE. But realistically, I could see myself ending up around the 510-512 range. Anyway, thank you for your input. I really do appreciate it.