Dealing with weak experience in postbac interviews?

[Anonimus.Maximus]

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Hi all,

I have interviews in the next three weeks at four very selective postbac programs (I don't want to give identifying details, but all of them have extremely high medical school acceptance rates). The catch is that I don't have any clinical volunteer experience, yet. I applied to these schools at a time when it just was not logistically possible to take on a new time commitment (I had a senior thesis to finish; I graduated in 4.5 years, which might be a weakness in its own right, but I had a varsity sport). I am currently about to start volunteering, but I won't have hours under my belt yet when I speak to these schools.

I spoke to an admissions advisor, and she told me that I must have had a very strong personal statement to get offered so many interviews (I'm 4 for 4 so far) with so little experience. I have done research work overseas in trying circumstances, and I do think I presented the story well. I also have a high undergraduate GPA in the social sciences, and a slightly higher math/science GPA. But I'm still worried about how to address the lack of experience. Could it be evidence enough of my commitment to medicine that I have volunteer positions lined up? What, besides volunteer hours, might an applicant point to as evidence of commitment? Thanks!

 

[ridethecliche]

Shadowing and volunteer are pretty much a necessity for med school acceptances. If you haven't done those by the time you apply, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[Chansey]

....Wow, do they really expect shadowing for *postbac* applications?

I think you'll be fine for postbac interviews - you aren't interviewing for medical school yet, you're interviewing to take classes!

 

[Quik]

No need to make excuses for a lack of experience, especially in this stage. Accumulate the necessary experience for med school while doing a post-bacc. If addressed at this stage of interviews, acknowledge the lack clinical experience and present your plan to gather that.

 

[Gurby]

....Wow, do they really expect shadowing for *postbac* applications?

I think you'll be fine for postbac interviews - you aren't interviewing for medical school yet, you're interviewing to take classes!

I would think so, yes... The point of shadowing is to determine if medicine is something you want to do, right? If you're already committed to an expensive post-bac program, you're much more likely to lie to yourself about what you see and carry through with it despite evidence that says it's not a good fit for you.

 

[MD89]

Unfortunately, I think you might run into some issues with the top programs with your lack of clinical experience. Not to say your chances are nil, but you should expect to be grilled. Do you have some shadowing experience at least?

 

[Anonimus.Maximus]

Unfortunately, I think you might run into some issues with the top programs with your lack of clinical experience. Not to say your chances are nil, but you should expect to be grilled. Do you have some shadowing experience at least?

I have starting dates for volunteer work, and I'm probably (fingers crossed) going to get a lab tech job for a research MD. But all of this would start while I'm still interviewing.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'm also unsure why you're doing a postbacc instead of just taking the few classes that you need on your own at a reputable university. Doing the latter might take a little longer, but will allow you to grow your excurrics for 2-3 years and make you way more competitive.

I said no shadowing and limited clinical experience were limiting earlier since the OP probably isn't going to be able to fix that on their app for next year if they apply during the postbacc. Then again, if the OP is going to take 2-3 years to apply anyway, I don't really see the point of a post bacc over working 30-40 hrs a week, taking 2 classes a semester and over summers, and building up excurrics.

 

[Anonimus.Maximus]

I'm also unsure why you're doing a postbacc instead of just taking the few classes that you need on your own at a reputable university. Doing the latter might take a little longer, but will allow you to grow your excurrics for 2-3 years and make you way more competitive.

I said no shadowing and limited clinical experience were limiting earlier since the OP probably isn't going to be able to fix that on their app for next year if they apply during the postbacc. Then again, if the OP is going to take 2-3 years to apply anyway, I don't really see the point of a post bacc over working 30-40 hrs a week, taking 2 classes a semester and over summers, and building up excurrics.

The ones I've applied to all emphasize how much support they give to students for a strong glide year. I'm not set on doing the linkages, so I don't mind taking 2-3 years. Anyway, I'd like the structure and advising of a formal program. For the postbac interviews themselves, I think I'm going to identify the core themes of my personal statements and really emphasize those. If they worked on paper, they should work in person if I'm sincere.