Course pacing while working full-time

[jbess]

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I got a little reassurance on this in another thread, but I wanted to make a separate post so I can get a broader cross-section of perspectives.

I'm a nontraditional student, and will be working full-time as a medical assistant while I'm taking my pre-requisites for medical school. I already have a BA in anthropology, and am no longer eligible for financial aid (because I'm maxed out, not because I already have a degree). As such, I'll have to pay my own way through school for the pre-requisites, in addition to having to pay for living expenses.

My question is: if I'm working full-time in a clinical setting, plus volunteering a few hours a week, shadowing when I can and then only taking 6-7 credits a term, would that reflect poorly on me?

Thanks everyone!

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

It won't reflect poorly on you. You're clearly staying busy and presumably getting good grades. I had a two below full-time semesters where I worked, volunteered, and did research. Not a single interviewer mentioned those two semesters.

 

[Inbutanxious]

On most of the secondaries I received, there was a question that allow you to elaborate on anything else about your academic that you would want adcoms to know. I think you can use that space to explain your circumstances!

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

I'm not sure I would elaborate on and draw attention to something that would otherwise go unnoticed.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Unless you need the money, it would be better to focus on school while doing clinical volunteering to get the experience you need for admissions. I knew someone that did this as a traditional premed, and it did not work out well for her. Not that this hasn't been done. But grades are the most important, and it's not something easily fixable if you don't do well. A protracted course may work well, but then you're losing out on potential earnings as a physician by drawing this out longer. Good luck!