athletic training?

[autodf06]

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I'm a volunteer football coach at a local high school and along with coaching I am the designated assistant trainer. With all the injuries that come along with football (sprains, breaks, over-heating, etc.) I was wondering if this was relevant at all to medical school apps. Could this possibly be considered a somewhat 'unique' clinical experience or is that a bit of a stretch.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I'm a volunteer football coach at a local high school and along with coaching I am the designated assistant trainer. With all the injuries that come along with football (sprains, breaks, over-heating, etc.) I was wondering if this was relevant at all to medical school apps. Could this possibly be considered a somewhat 'unique' clinical experience or is that a bit of a stretch.

That is not clinical experience, in my opinion. Lizzy might think otherwise but I doubt it.

 

[chief illiniwek]

I'm a volunteer football coach at a local high school and along with coaching I am the designated assistant trainer. With all the injuries that come along with football (sprains, breaks, over-heating, etc.) I was wondering if this was relevant at all to medical school apps. Could this possibly be considered a somewhat 'unique' clinical experience or is that a bit of a stretch.

i wouldn't consider this clinical experience, but is definitely something useful for you to put on apps and discuss in interviews. also, it sounds like you are doing some leadership with the coaching, which is a plus, as well.

and just in case you were confused by tiedye's post, LizzyM is basically SDNs resident admissions committee member. if she does not catch this thread, you might even try PMing her - she's nice and usually pretty helpful.

 

[searun]

The year after I graduated from college, I coached the JV soccer team at my high school. It was a paid position, not volunteer, but I don't think that matters. It demonstrated leadership, and the ability to be a role model for high school kids,....I think it helped my application. It was commented upon in several interviews. So I definitely would mention this on AMCAS.

Good luck. Athletics is a plus.

 

[RySerr21]

i think he is referring to the athletic training as "clinical expereince" and not the coaching. Ive worked as a student athletic trainer for 2 years and i definitely put it on my app and was asked about it in a few of my interviews.

 

[tiedyeddog]

i think he is referring to the athletic training as "clinical expereince" and not the coaching. Ive worked as a student athletic trainer for 2 years and i definitely put it on my app and was asked about it in a few of my interviews.

Yeah, I think it would be a great experience to list but don't chalk it up as clinical experience. Maybe it would be if a team doctor (D.O. or M.D.) was around when you helped.

So list it as an experience.

 

[M41]

I spent over 2 years volunteering for the department of athletic medicine at my school, I definitely counted it clinical experience and it was discussed in my interviews. It may have been slightly different than what the OP was talking about though because it also involved working in the training room and helping with physician clinics, not just working on the field during practice.

 

[RySerr21]

Yeah, I think it would be a great experience to list but don't chalk it up as clinical experience. Maybe it would be if a team doctor (D.O. or M.D.) was around when you helped.

So list it as an experience.

For major athletic events, there will be a physician there... in fact there will be mutliple physicians there (in my case, the attending and his fellows). But whether they are there or not, you are still seeing athletes in a clinical setting (the athletic training room), rehabing them, diagnosing them (to the best of your ability), taking care of them etc etc.

 

[LizzyM]

Treating sprains, strains, overheating and the like is as much a clinical experience as being an EMT-B or other first responder. Frankly, unless you've got no other clinical exposure (which I hope is not the case), I'd categorize this as "leadership", describe the responsibilities - including the "clinical" aspects. Most adcom members I know would give props to an applicant who does this sort of thing.... and most people who do this do it because they love the game, not because it will impress the adcom.

 

[Marcus Brody]

Athletic trainers = glorified waterboys. (it had to be said).

 

[Pedsbro]

Athletic trainers = glorified waterboys. (it had to be said).

Ouch. Clearly you were in the Chess Club and not out there sweating...😀

 

[tiedyeddog]

Athletic trainers = glorified waterboys. (it had to be said).

I agree and I was out there sweating.

 

[RySerr21]

Athletic trainers = glorified waterboys. (it had to be said).

You're an idiot (it had to be said).

 

[dani042]

You're an idiot (it had to be said).

Agreed

 

[rpadilla]

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