Boosting my EC's?

[Norzy]

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Hi everyone!

Just wanted some opinions of my situation. I just graduated with my Pharm D last year and plan on apply for the 2012 cycle. I wanted to take this upcoming year to pad my credentials a little.

For my Pharm D, we do one year of rotations in different settings, so I have worked with a lot of physicians in a lot of settings, but mostly in the context of pharmaceutical care. Should I still find a physician to "shadow", even though I have a pretty good idea of what they do, for my applications?

Also, I don't have any formal research experience from UG, and am looking on doing some volunteer research with a physician and some former faculty members on medication safety starting now to when I apply next - is that sufficient or even worthwhile??

Aside from that, I have done a lot of pharmacy-related community service, like health fairs and flu shot clinics with school-related organizations, and received pharmacy-related clinical exposure while in school, but, of course, couldn't do a lot of non-medical community service during school due to the weight of school and my parttime job.

Since graduation, I've been a mentor for Big Brother Big Sister for 1 year (not solely for my med school apps) as well as helped organized recruiting medical volunteers for our major annual city-wide health fair this spring. I'm also beginning to tutor middle school/high school kids from the underprivileged area of my community.

What do you think about the shadowing and research situations?
How can I improve my application??

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[OneTyme]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted some opinions of my situation. I just graduated with my Pharm D last year and plan on apply for the 2012 cycle. I wanted to take this upcoming year to pad my credentials a little.

For my Pharm D, we do one year of rotations in different settings, so I have worked with a lot of physicians in a lot of settings, but mostly in the context of pharmaceutical care. Should I still find a physician to "shadow", even though I have a pretty good idea of what they do, for my applications?

Also, I don't have any formal research experience from UG, and am looking on doing some volunteer research with a physician and some former faculty members on medication safety starting now to when I apply next - is that sufficient or even worthwhile??

Aside from that, I have done a lot of pharmacy-related community service, like health fairs and flu shot clinics with school-related organizations, and received pharmacy-related clinical exposure while in school, but, of course, couldn't do a lot of non-medical community service during school due to the weight of school and my parttime job.

Since graduation, I've been a mentor for Big Brother Big Sister for 1 year (not solely for my med school apps) as well as helped organized recruiting medical volunteers for our major annual city-wide health fair this spring. I'm also beginning to tutor middle school/high school kids from the underprivileged area of my community.

What do you think about the shadowing and research situations?
How can I improve my application??

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

I would recommend shadowing. I have had lots of medical experience from all different aspects but NOTHING replaces shadowing. At least I know if I was on an admission committee I would wonder about an applicant that didn't have any shadowing.

Good luck to you.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I would say shadowing would be a help as well, I have found my few hours to be a benefit. I have also heard that people who don't do it aren't seen as favorably... Maybe some medical volunteering, or something that is more clinical in a medical sense...