Does Experience Count?

[chadsurgtech]

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I am researching the idea of going to DO school. I am currently doing a surgical tech program on top of my biomed degree. I am just wondering if the health care experience hours I will gain as a surgical technician be beneficial when it comes to applying to DO school. I know grades and MCAT scores are heavily weighted, but what about experience?

 

[DOpride]

Absolutely, I was out of school for several years and worked in the healthcare field also. DO schools love to talk about things other than grades in the interview. Their admissions committees love experiences in addition to mcat's and grades.

 

[medic170]

I am researching the idea of going to DO school. I am currently doing a surgical tech program on top of my biomed degree. I am just wondering if the health care experience hours I will gain as a surgical technician be beneficial when it comes to applying to DO school. I know grades and MCAT scores are heavily weighted, but what about experience?

Yes, of course health care experience is good.

 

[dr.z]

They will ask for health care experiences at the interviews.

 

[EL CAPeeeTAN]

DO schools in particular look very favorably at life experience in different areas of health care. In all of my interviews so far, my real world health care experience were a main source of discussion. One of my interviewers even said that they are looking for students who have been working in health care and have already gained the knowledge of what it is all about. At another interview the dean said that the realy like the "non traditional" applicants who have worked in health care as a nurse or physician assistant, etc. You should focus your personal statement around your experiences working in health care. Good Luck!

 

[Gentle]

Yes, of course health care experience is good.

Definitely. Experience counts. The premed advisor at my school is a former director of admissions at a reputable med. school. She was saying that the numbers and MCAT counts in getting you an interview. She emphasized that an upward trend is quite important even more than the numbers especially if you're seeing above a 3.2 with an upward trend. From the interview on wards, it's everything else that counts i.e experience and the rest.

I've some experience in Nsg.(licensed) and have been working with docs and direct contact with lots of pts. while @ school. That counts like some clinical experience...

Goodluck as you do the research and decide where to apply.

 

[chadsurgtech]

Thanks everyone. That makes me feel a lot better about taking the time to do the surg. tech program knowing that the experience hours I will gain will be a big plus for my admission if that is the route I choose to take. Thanks again!

 

[jkhamlin]

I am researching the idea of going to DO school. I am currently doing a surgical tech program on top of my biomed degree. I am just wondering if the health care experience hours I will gain as a surgical technician be beneficial when it comes to applying to DO school. I know grades and MCAT scores are heavily weighted, but what about experience?

I am going through the application and interview process right now. I am finding:
1. It certainly doesn't hurt.
2. It will probably give you a lot of hands on knowledge that will be useful in med school.
3. Adcomms won't be impressed by your health care experience.
4. They will, however, expect you to have health care experience.

 

[docbill]

To OP.

YES

 

[CA2008DO]

Absolutely it will be an asset. I had five years experience as a surgical assistant. My grades and MCAT scores were pretty average. I know that my work experience was the deciding factor. As another plus, your clinical knowledge will be all the better as well.

 

[DRLEWISDO]

I am researching the idea of going to DO school. I am currently doing a surgical tech program on top of my biomed degree. I am just wondering if the health care experience hours I will gain as a surgical technician be beneficial when it comes to applying to DO school. I know grades and MCAT scores are heavily weighted, but what about experience?

Experience will help. There is no doubt about that. Please understand though that we on the admissions committee can not overlook subpar acadmic performance in leiu of experience. Please rememebr that.