Artist to Premed - Help

[nontradnola]

Hi all - I used to be a jazz singer and now I am a premed. Long story. Any tips on how to evaluate how "competitive" of an applicant I will be? I feel like my path is so different from the standard premed path with time off and a completely different major. I don't know if I should be applying to just like in state, or what? help!

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[FluffyCat1212]

Don't stress it. As long as you knock out the prereqs and do well, then you're fine. I have a friend who majored in music, did a post-bacc, and is now an M1 at an MD school. Your unique story can help you stand out in admissions, but your major isn't going to make or break you.

 

[operaman]

I’m also a professional singer turned physician and know quite a few other working musicians who made the same journey.

Essentially, your competitiveness is determined by the same things as everyone else: gpa, mcat, shadowing, ECs, etc. The music background won’t really offset severe deficiencies in the core requirements, but it’s a nice cherry on top of an otherwise good application. The reality is that Med school has a certain level of rigor and no school wants yo admit someone who can’t handle the workload, so you do need numbers that show you can do it.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Echo what others have said. If you have the stats to get into medical school, the singing will be a great conversation piece and something to say “this person is different than everyone else.”

 

[DocJanItor]

I’m also a professional singer turned physician and know quite a few other working musicians who made the same journey.

Essentially, your competitiveness is determined by the same things as everyone else: gpa, mcat, shadowing, ECs, etc. The music background won’t really offset severe deficiencies in the core requirements, but it’s a nice cherry on top of an otherwise good application. The reality is that Med school has a certain level of rigor and no school wants yo admit someone who can’t handle the workload, so you do need numbers that show you can do it.

Heavy metal?

 

[EmilKraepelin55]

Just here to add that I am a musician who did a bass performance degree before pursuing medicine. Now I am about to be an M4. I honestly think that my life as a musician has been endlessly valuable to my ability to empathize and interact with patients, and believe your musicianship is something you should take great pride in when developing your application for medical school. To echo what others have said: do well on your MCAT and pre-reqs. In addition if music is a passion of yours then continue to do it through your pre-med coursework. I still perform when I can as a medical student, but I do so at a much lower frequency than I used to. Definitely miss that. Best of luck to you!

 

[operaman]

Heavy metal?

Kinda. Just with an orchestra and without a microphone. Similar hair though.

 

[Goro]

Hi all - I used to be a jazz singer and now I am a premed. Long story. Any tips on how to evaluate how "competitive" of an applicant I will be? I feel like my path is so different from the standard premed path with time off and a completely different major. I don't know if I should be applying to just like in state, or what? help!

Your background is extremely novel and gives you a leg up.

The Adcoms will remember you as "the singer" as opposed to "yet another pre-med".

You apply where your stats are competitive and your ECs match the mission of the school. Usually, people apply to between 20-30 schools.