Does music minor show anything to adcom?

[pinay58]

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[AlteredScale]

I graduated with a BS in Medical Laboratory Scientist and am currently as one. Since ADCOMs like the thought of a well rounded applicant, would my music minor show my interest in liberal arts? I actually do play instruments and enjoy learning about music. It's not like I did this to make myself more appealing to adcoms. I was just wondering if it actually helps. Thanks!

It shows that you have interests outside of the hard sciences and yes, does show that you are well rounded. Will it help in the sense that you'll be chosen over another applicant? Probably not. You'll get the same "advantage" as someone who had a minor in ethnic studies or communications or visual arts.



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[mathnerd88]

What adcoms care about first and foremost is your GPA, MCAT, and your dedication to serving the community.

You can use music to stand out in your application (like you being as a music minor and how you like to connect with others through your music in your PS,) may give a good impression and a refreshing new essay to read.

Use anything you can at your advantage and how you stand out amongst other applicants. Just because you're a music minor won't do anything unless you make it stand out in your application.

 

[j4pac]

Most interviewers are dying to talk about something other than medicine. It could be a talking point for your interviews...which could help you.

 

[Halcyon45]

Doesn't matter what you "show" to adcoms, only matters how you reflect on it and are able to articulate why you are passionate about it.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I've never understood the thought behind trying to appear well rounded. ADCOMS aren't looking for well rounded people they are trying to put together a well-rounded class. That is a big difference. If you like music do it because you like music, don't just do something to put it on your app.

 

[sylvanthus]

Won't make a difference, do what interests you.

 

[deleted610572]

Stay with MLS. It's a good career and you don't have to put yourself through this torment

 

[Goro]

Minor? No.
That you can play music? Absolutely yes.

We don't' care about majors or minors, only that you do well.

I graduated with a BS in Medical Laboratory Scientist and am currently as one. Since ADCOMs like the thought of a well rounded applicant, would my music minor show my interest in liberal arts? I actually do play instruments and enjoy learning about music. It's not like I did this to make myself more appealing to adcoms. I was just wondering if it actually helps. Thanks!

 

[pinay58]

Stay with MLS. It's a good career and you don't have to put yourself through this torment

Haha. Well, if I don't get into med school, I have a decent backup career. The lab just gets so tedious. Plus, it gets worrisome when doctors don't know what to do with lab results and order extra tests all the time.

 

[deleted610572]

Haha. Well, if I don't get into med school, I have a decent backup career. The lab just gets so tedious. Plus, it gets worrisome when doctors don't know what to do with lab results and order extra tests all the time.

My SO is a MLS and I must say they definitely have a sweet deal. The funny thing is she complains about the extra orders too. I found it funny because although that is true sometimes they're order tests to rule out more serious stuff on their diff dx. She was like ya but its blah blah blah and I see it all the time and they order all these extra tests, but what if it isn't the common thing that time. Physicians are taught to catch the zebras.

 

[pinay58]

My SO is a MLS and I must say they definitely have a sweet deal. The funny thing is she complains about the extra orders too. I found it funny because although that is true sometimes they're order tests to rule out more serious stuff on their diff dx. She was like ya but its blah blah blah and I see it all the time and they order all these extra tests, but what if it isn't the common thing that time. Physicians are taught to catch the zebras.

I understand. But I just wonder why some doctors can't settle for the usual CBC and BMP/CMP first then work from there. Like if the results are normal, but the patient is still not getting any better, then start ordering the crazy tests.
Also, I get irritated when sed rates are ordered for like every patient in the ED but then a CRP is also ordered. Oh well. I'm just glad I have something to discuss if/when I have med school interviews. Would you at least say that an MLS background be beneficial? I just want to put a face to all the numbers and slides I see everyday. Like, sure, I can assume a patient must be responding well to treatment because their WBC was 0.1 last week and now it's 3.3, but I don't know how their feeling. I'd like to connect everything together.
Sorry for rambling on haha

 

[austintr]

I'm just glad I have something to discuss if/when I have med school interviews. Would you at least say that an MLS background be beneficial? I just want to put a face to all the numbers and slides I see everyday. Like, sure, I can assume a patient must be responding well to treatment because their WBC was 0.1 last week and now it's 3.3, but I don't know how their feeling. I'd like to connect everything together.
Sorry for rambling on haha

Sure it would be beneficial! You're seeing medicine from a viewpoint that many applicants don't get to experience. As long as you radiate an attitude more like "My MLS background could help me become a better, more well-rounded physician with a deeper understanding of lab values, implications, etc" and stay far, far away from "I know more about this stuff than the doctors in my hospital" (even if you feel that is the case), I can imagine adcoms will see your experience favorably. Make sure you let them see how enthusiastic you are about getting to know and understand patients versus getting to know and understand a chart, and they'll eat it up! 😉

 

[deleted564680]

Medical Laboratory Science? Where do colleges come up with these things...

In all seriousness, minors don't matter as stated above but it's always cool to play an instrument. Being "well-rounded" is a nebulous term that no one understands but everyone wants to be. Are you going to be a better doctor because you play an instrument? Probably not. But, it does show that you have interest in things outside of medicine which makes you seem like a real person (a good thing). At the end of the day though, it's way down on the list after GPA, MCAT, and skin color.

Unfortunately, we have a crappy system where GPA is used heavily even though it varies widely by school and major. MCAT is the only true objective measure that equates all students unless you believe it has a "white male bias" as some people like to state. Lots of places think it's neat if you have a doctor in the family and they'll throw you a bone or two for that. Others think it's wicked cool to correlate your chances of getting in to how many days you spent in Africa.

Just apply to lots of places and pray to whatever god it is you prefer for the time being. Something will stick (hopefully).

 

[pinay58]

Medical Laboratory Science? Where do colleges come up with these things...

Medical Laboratory science was previously Medical Technology - a major required for the monkeys that do all the tests doctors order everyday. It's not some made up major.

 

[costales]

Can you dance?

 

[deleted610572]

Medical Laboratory Science? Where do colleges come up with these things...

In all seriousness, minors don't matter as stated above but it's always cool to play an instrument. Being "well-rounded" is a nebulous term that no one understands but everyone wants to be. Are you going to be a better doctor because you play an instrument? Probably not. But, it does show that you have interest in things outside of medicine which makes you seem like a real person (a good thing). At the end of the day though, it's way down on the list after GPA, MCAT, and skin color.

Unfortunately, we have a crappy system where GPA is used heavily even though it varies widely by school and major. MCAT is the only true objective measure that equates all students unless you believe it has a "white male bias" as some people like to state. Lots of places think it's neat if you have a doctor in the family and they'll throw you a bone or two for that. Others think it's wicked cool to correlate your chances of getting in to how many days you spent in Africa.

Just apply to lots of places and pray to whatever god it is you prefer for the time being. Something will stick (hopefully).

MLS is a 1 year internship and national board certified to run a hospital lab