athletic training major - helpful?

[pitt_AT]

I am a pitt undergrad and selected AT for my major. This was before I decided to pursue med school. Going into the program my science gpa (all but ochems and calc) is a 3.67. Will the 2 full years of division 1 clinicals as a student AT, in addition to to the program's curriculum of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, evaluating injuries, therapeautic modalities and exercise, issues in health care, etc etc etc, be helpful to my candidacy as a med school applicant?

I do have other ECs like research and volunteer work, so assume for these purposes that I have ECs of an average, competitive applicant.

is the AT program a benefit? i mean its not traditional and am hoping may stand out a little esp. because of the intensive clinical experience.

Thanks!

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[87138]

The physician I work closely with was a bio major, but was a student athletic trainer at his school (AT wasn't offered as a major at his school, but I believe he would've picked bio anyway). He had research and the typical pre-med EC's, but he said at interviews, schools were most often impressed with the fact that he had 4 years of continuous "patient contact." Not only was he dedicated to the activity for four years, but he was able to see the same "patients" over and over sometimes, and I guess that was something attractive to ADCOMS.

 

[pitt_AT]

yeah, i figure that it will show the med admissions people that I have gained the ability to interact with a "patient" and how to give a good phys. exam and history along with good documentation.

anyone else have anything to add about athletic training as an undergrad, or even having the experience from being an EMT?? (i dont run with a service now but i might run next summer)

 

[thinknofu3]

I was a student athletic trainer at my school (DI - Big Ten) for all four years. My school doesn't offer an athletic training major, rather sports med is a program/job you have where you are paid - although not much if you're not work study - and by the end of 4 years you're doing pretty much everything an athletic training major would do. I'd say that it helps your application in the sense that you're having patient contact almost every day you work - I would definitely stress the communication/interaction aspects of it rather than the "medical" part, since that's what you're ultimately going to learn in med school anyway. Also, I think it helps adcoms to see that a training staff has given you the responsibilty to travel and cover teams on your own, since it shows them you are mature and can handle yourself under pressure. So, all in all, I'd say it can help you or hurt you on your application the same way EMT can - if you emphasize the right parts of it in an interview/EC description/essay, it'll help.

 

[premed4christ]

I plan on studying pre-osteopathic medical school in Kean University where they just build a brand new science building and there athletic training facilities are amazing (although a division 3) best in the state and they offer a great program. I plan on majoring in athletic training, and applying to preferrably an osteopathic medical school. Would an undergraduate degree in athletic training seem, to much of a vocational major for admission in med school in general ? Or would an osteopathic school appreciate a degree in AT more then allopathic?

 

[Web MD]

I think overall your AT experience will help you out - probably a little on paper but more so during your interview by giving you something to talk about. I'd talk about patient interaction, maybe insight into how the allied health professions interact in delivering complete medical care. Really the only way I think it could hurt you is if you play it up too much like you fell in love with what you were doing and they say "well then just do AT". Basically it was a great experience that made you realize you want the leadership role of a physician or something

Edit: Nevermind OP, this probably isn't too helpful 4.5 years after the fact

 

[235788]

Ehh It shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Elpenor]

I would think it would hurt more than help, but that's just me.

 

[jkm07]

Definitely supplement this with hospital/physician exposure. AT is a great way to get some clinical experience though.

 

[premed4christ]

How would a background/undergrad degree in athletic training in at hurt more than help an application towards medical school ?

 

[STAT EKG]

How would a background/undergrad degree in athletic training in at hurt more than help an application towards medical school ?

I can maybe see what he's getting at, but it's negligible with a solid MCAT. Either way, that's something to worry about later. (All of this is contingent upon me correctly interpreting what he means)