Application year: Scribe or teach with AmeriCorps?

[motz]

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Some people told me all the terminology you learn from scribing is learned later, so it's not a big deal. Obviously working with physicians would be awesome, but it'll be way into the cycle for me to get a good letter. It pays $10 an hour.

Teaching or health research through AmeriCorps might be cool, and it's a way to stand out and have your last non-medical job before medical school. Are too many other pre-meds scribing? It pays 12k + 5k for finishing.

Which would you do?

 

[mehc012]

Some people told me all the terminology you learn from scribing is learned later, so it's not a big deal. Obviously working with physicians would be awesome, but it'll be way into the cycle for me to get a good letter. It pays $10 an hour.

Teaching or health research through AmeriCorps might be cool, and it's a way to stand out and have your last non-medical job before medical school. Are too many other pre-meds scribing? It pays 12k + 5k for finishing.

Which would you do?

The friends I've had in AmeriCorps pretty much convinced me to never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever EVER do it. Ever.
I've never understood the 'you can learn it later' thing...if it interests you, why not learn what you can now? Get used to looking at CXRs and CT scans, know to write an HPI - what is relevant for chest pain, SOB, HA? Etc.

 

[NYCdude]

The friends I've had in AmeriCorps pretty much convinced me to never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever EVER do it. Ever.
I've never understood the 'you can learn it later' thing...if it interests you, why not learn what you can now? Get used to looking at CXRs and CT scans, know to write an HPI - what is relevant for chest pain, SOB, HA? Etc.

Why?

 

[Planes2Doc]

If you're doing AmeriCorps, wouldn't it be hard to find time to go on interviews? And also how long is the commitment? It's seems like it might be tough to fit it in.

 

[ace12345]

Some people told me all the terminology you learn from scribing is learned later, so it's not a big deal. Obviously working with physicians would be awesome, but it'll be way into the cycle for me to get a good letter. It pays $10 an hour.

Teaching or health research through AmeriCorps might be cool, and it's a way to stand out and have your last non-medical job before medical school. Are too many other pre-meds scribing? It pays 12k + 5k for finishing.

Which would you do?

Are you referencing Teach for America or Americorps generally? Big difference

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Being a scribe allows for schedule flexibility. The admins know your goal is to get into medical school, so they will allow you to leave for interviews as long as you get other scribes to cover for you when you're gone. Plus, most of the ER physicians are more than happy to share their experiences with you and give you advice, provided you adequately do your job of charting.

From my understanding, TFA, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps are all 1-2 year commitments that won't allow you to leave your job to do interviews. You'd pretty much have to complete the 1-2 years and then apply.

 

[Big_Burd]

As someone currently in an AmeriCorps program, I can tell you that you absolutely need to be in it for the right reasons (i.e. your passion goes deeper than looking for something to put on the application that looks good). However, Lizzy M did list some AmeriCorps/Peace Corps experiences as "insane ECs" that stand out in large applicant pools (link).

Go with your gut, and not just what looks better! It will make the experience you choose much more enjoyable. Good luck!

 

[mehc012]

Are you referencing Teach for America or Americorps generally? Big difference

As someone currently in an AmeriCorps program, I can tell you that you absolutely need to be in it for the right reasons (i.e. your passion goes deeper than looking for something to put on the application that looks good). However, Lizzy M did list some AmeriCorps/Peace Corps experiences as "insane ECs" that stand out in large applicant pools (link).

Go with your gut, and not just what looks better! It will make the experience you choose much more enjoyable. Good luck!

Sorry to everyone, I was unclear when I responded...I was speaking specifically of Teach for America. Those I have known in it have essentially said that it is not wonderfully run and is kind of brutal. They ended up not really feeling like they were helping, but were sacrificing a lot anyway. Do exactly as you're told and don't deviate 'n all that.

Plus, as pointed out above, no flexibility for travel, interviews, what have you.

 

[SN12357]

Some people told me all the terminology you learn from scribing is learned later, so it's not a big deal. Obviously working with physicians would be awesome, but it'll be way into the cycle for me to get a good letter. It pays $10 an hour.

Teaching or health research through AmeriCorps might be cool, and it's a way to stand out and have your last non-medical job before medical school. Are too many other pre-meds scribing? It pays 12k + 5k for finishing.

Which would you do?

Depends on the Americorps program. They're as varied as the organizations involved, which is A LOT. Try to talk to some alums of the specific program you're contemplating.

A good (note: not the same as easy) Americorps experience >> scribing >> a crappy, poorly organized, unsupported Americorps experience.

 

[motz]

Depends on the Americorps program. They're as varied as the organizations involved, which is A LOT. Try to talk to some alums of the specific program you're contemplating.

A good (note: not the same as easy) Americorps experience >> scribing >> a crappy, poorly organized, unsupported Americorps experience.

Deciding between resolving conflicts at a high needs school working with kids who have just been suspended for violent behavior and doing clinical healthcare research (no biology, just healthcare delivery) with patients at a primary care clinic. They're just so different, I don't know how to decide! One has a social justice component but has very vague goals and is in the Bay Area, the other is clinical, empirical without being biology-related. What would you pick?

 

[mehc012]

Deciding between resolving conflicts at a high needs school working with kids who have just been suspended for violent behavior and doing clinical healthcare research (no biology, just healthcare delivery) with patients at a primary care clinic. They're just so different, I don't know how to decide! One has a social justice component but has very vague goals and is in the Bay Area, the other is clinical, empirical without being biology-related. What would you pick?

Bay area is mad expensive, and you will probably have next to zero money. Plus, CA is a terrible state to apply from. Don't go to the Bay area.

 

[SN12357]

Deciding between resolving conflicts at a high needs school working with kids who have just been suspended for violent behavior and doing clinical healthcare research (no biology, just healthcare delivery) with patients at a primary care clinic. They're just so different, I don't know how to decide! One has a social justice component but has very vague goals and is in the Bay Area, the other is clinical, empirical without being biology-related. What would you pick?

No you don't understand what I mean. I'm not talking about the content of program--either sounds good, depending on your interest. I'm talking about the organizational structure of the program. Does the administration understand what Americorps members are (volunteers) and are not (employees?). Will you be supported, but by your direct supervisor and by the local Americorps organization? What is the relationship between Americorps at your location and the paid employees? Is the nonprofit org you'll be working with financially healthy, or are they horribly dysfunctional and about to go bankrupt? What is the schedule and structure of the program, and is the schedule flexible enough to make interviewing possible? How practical is it to live in the area on the (essentially nonexistent) Americorps salary, or will you be able to lean on family/friends etc? Etc.

No one knows the answers to these questions except people who have done or are doing the program, and then you have to consider what you know about yourself to decide what is best for you.

 

[motz]

Bay area is mad expensive, and you will probably have next to zero money. Plus, CA is a terrible state to apply from. Don't go to the Bay area.

Already a CA resident, but maybe you mean flying to all those schools from LAX/SFO costs more and has more time changes than a Midwest airport?

No you don't understand what I mean. I'm not talking about the content of program--either sounds good, depending on your interest. I'm talking about the organizational structure of the program. Does the administration understand what Americorps members are (volunteers) and are not (employees?). Will you be supported, but by your direct supervisor and by the local Americorps organization? What is the relationship between Americorps at your location and the paid employees? Is the nonprofit org you'll be working with financially healthy, or are they horribly dysfunctional and about to go bankrupt? What is the schedule and structure of the program, and is the schedule flexible enough to make interviewing possible? How practical is it to live in the area on the (essentially nonexistent) Americorps salary, or will you be able to lean on family/friends etc? Etc.

No one knows the answers to these questions except people who have done or are doing the program, and then you have to consider what you know about yourself to decide what is best for you.

I haven't had the balls to ask the people interviewing me, but the people won't give out current interns' information so I can get the juicy scoop! Thank you. Those are really relevant questions. It may seem sad, but after a year of clinical volunteering and expecting to do an SMP costing $50k, dipping into my savings a bit doesn't seem that bad.

 

[SN12357]

I haven't had the balls to ask the people interviewing me, but the people won't give out current interns' information so I can get the juicy scoop! Thank you. Those are really relevant questions. It may seem sad, but after a year of clinical volunteering and expecting to do an SMP costing $50k, dipping into my savings a bit doesn't seem that bad.

Honestly if they won't let you talk to any former or current corps members I'd consider that a bit of a red flag. Obviously several of the questions I raised can't be asked plainly in interviews, but you should be able to politely ask about things like what your exact responsibilities will be, who else you'll be working with, etc. These questions shouldn't have vague answers.

 

[mehc012]

Already a CA resident, but maybe you mean flying to all those schools from LAX/SFO costs more and has more time changes than a Midwest airport?



I haven't had the balls to ask the people interviewing me, but the people won't give out current interns' information so I can get the juicy scoop! Thank you. Those are really relevant questions. It may seem sad, but after a year of clinical volunteering and expecting to do an SMP costing $50k, dipping into my savings a bit doesn't seem that bad.

No, I mean that being a CA resident is a terrible thing for an application year (you are IS nowhere useful) so if you're going to get to live somewhere to do this, you'd be better off somewhere NOT CA. Also, it's super expensive to live here (Bay area) and these programs often don't give a huge stipend.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

The friends I've had in AmeriCorps pretty much convinced me to never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever EVER do it. Ever.
I've never understood the 'you can learn it later' thing...if it interests you, why not learn what you can now? Get used to looking at CXRs and CT scans, know to write an HPI - what is relevant for chest pain, SOB, HA? Etc.

Ever?! LOL

 

[SN12357]

No, I mean that being a CA resident is a terrible thing for an application year (you are IS nowhere useful) so if you're going to get to live somewhere to do this, you'd be better off somewhere NOT CA. Also, it's super expensive to live here (Bay area) and these programs often don't give a huge stipend.

OP said they are already a CA resident. Relocating somewhere just for a single glide year is unlikely to give them any advantage as it will be too short a move to establish residency elsewhere so overall that concern is probably moot. I agree that trying to live off an Americorps stipend in the Bay area would be awful.

 

[mehc012]

OP said they are already a CA resident. Relocating somewhere just for a single glide year is unlikely to give them any advantage as it will be too short a move to establish residency elsewhere so overall that concern is probably moot. I agree that trying to live off an Americorps stipend in the Bay area would be awful.

That is definitely not true. There are several states where 1yr of residency is sufficient. It just can't be a year you are going to school. Texas, for example...1yr.
Just don't try MA.
And yeah, the only reason I can live here at all (or ever would, I dislike this state) is free rent/some groceries from my mom.

 

[ace12345]

Sorry to everyone, I was unclear when I responded...I was speaking specifically of Teach for America. Those I have known in it have essentially said that it is not wonderfully run and is kind of brutal. They ended up not really feeling like they were helping, but were sacrificing a lot anyway. Do exactly as you're told and don't deviate 'n all that.

Plus, as pointed out above, no flexibility for travel, interviews, what have you.

Really depends on a lot of things. TFA is sort of what you make of it, very difficult but I would say very rewarding as well. Depending on the applicant, it can be a tremendous experience. But yes I would say it's going to be hard sometimes no matter what (Not necessarily a bad work ethic thing before med school though). Of course this is only my opinion.

Anyway doesn't seem the OP is referring to that. I would suggest OP you do either, but make sure the time is productive. Otherwise it's probably not going to help much

 

[kaprincess247]

Be clear TFA and Americorps are two separate programs, although americorps does partner with TFA to give educational awards to TFA who complete the program. With TFA you are hired by a school district and paid a normal teacher's salary by the school district. You are NOT living on a small stipend given by americorps. Typically a first years teacher salary is enough to support yourself. TFA also has a long application process, are you accepted in the program?

@rfenzo is absolutely right- it is what you make of it. I saw some people who wanted to do it to build their resumes and they were the first ones who quit and/or were absolutely miserable the entire two years. It is NOT something to do as a resume builder, there are easier avenues for that.

I had a challenging but rewarding experience, and I would make the same decision to join TFA in hindsight. In addition, I only applied to one medical school early decision last application cycle partially because it is very difficult to take time off for interviews/travel. It's not impossible, but you have to balance your professional responsibilities with the application process. You're a lead teacher in a classroom, being paid to teach, and every single day is important to your students. I was willing to work for another year in a more flexible job after TFA to do the application process.

Message me if you have any questions about TFA!

 

[teambert]

Deciding between resolving conflicts at a high needs school working with kids who have just been suspended for violent behavior

If this is your first exposure to high needs youth, not passionate about the same, or don't feel like living off food stamps, don't do it, you'll be miserable. Americorps is moving more and more to a focus on working in schools.