Dog trainer to MD?

[TechToDoc]

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Hi all,

I am going to be a non-traditional applicant. I have scoured the internet for advice, and I have not been able to find very much information that I feel is applicable to my situation. I want to be a Pathologist. Here is the short summary of my life.

-Graduated with High Honors from Michigan State in 2008, major Zoology, GPA 3.86
-Worked as a lab aide in Ornithology for one semester
-Worked as an aide for ornithology research for one semester
-Volunteered as a preparator of bird study skins for the MSU Museum of Natural History for one year (loved it!)


I have worked full time since 2007, including while I was a full time student, so I don't have any significant volunteer experience.
I suppose my major "ECs" since have been competition in dog sports such as obedience and water rescue. I did run cross country my first semester of college.

Once I graduated, I got a job at a pet store and worked as a dog trainer until the last year when I was promoted to management.
I am currently enrolled in a NAACLS-accredited lab tech program at my local community college (President's List/4.0/Phi Theta Kappa if that matters...). I will be a lab tech certified through ASCP next spring after completing two semesters of clinical rotations. Upon entering this program, I fell in love with medicine. I enjoy working in the lab, but I want to go beyond that. I've spent about 10 hours shadowing a pathologist and I am in love with the profession.

Considering my work and school schedule, hundreds of hours of shadowing/volunteering is just not realistic. I will continue to shadow my pathologist for a few hours here and there as I have been, but I am not going to be able to log what seems to be the expected number of hours.

I just took my MCAT last week. My e-mcat practice tests (4 of them) were all 33's under simulated test conditions.

Assuming my real MCAT score is similar, is it even reasonable for me to apply to medical school? I live in North Carolina, so I was considering UNC and Wake Forest. I'm from Michigan and my husband would love to move back there, so I started looking at UofM, back at MSU, and Oakland. Applying broadly is not an option as we don't have the money for it, but we make too much to be exempted from the fees.

-What would be the best schools considering my interest in Pathology?
-Do I stand a chance at entering any of these schools?
-If it is realistic to apply, who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation? I have three teachers at the community college. My professor who oversaw my volunteer work at MSU would probably write one, but I doubt it would be very strong since I haven't seen or spoken with her in 5 years. Beyond that, I'm at a loss.

Thank you for any advice.
Alex

 

[TechToDoc]

One addendum: I was reading more into DO schools and there doesn't seen to be much of an appreciable difference. Michigan State is in an ideal location for my family. Would it be a bad idea to apply to both the MSU MD and DO schools?

I would love some input on my situation. I'm psyching myself out with my lack of volunteer work. My lab tech program has patient contact with the phlebotomy training. That's appropriate, is it not?

Thank you for any advice.
Alex

 

[climbouthole]

I think things are looking pretty good, best of luck with your MCAT scores coming back, the wait is brutal. I can't speak very much to those specific schools, but I do not think it will be bad to apply to both the MD and DO programs at MSU, I'd imagine a lot of people do that.

Also, you don't need hundreds of hours of volunteering/shadowing, just enough to satisfy their questions of "does this applicant have a realistic perception of what they're applying for?"

As far as LORs go, does Michigan State undergraduate have a Pre-Med office that does committee letters? You might contact that type of office if it exists and let them know your situation, they may be able to still put together a letter packet for you based on past/current grades and activities and what not.

 

[TechToDoc]

Thank you for the encouragement!

 

[TechToDoc]

I didn't know that was an option! I will find it, thank you!

 

[TechToDoc]

How about the lack of community service? Do I stand any chance without that? Or may that be somewhat excused given I work full time and go to school full time? I have done small volunteer things for causes I support, but no traditional community service since high school. Would it be better to postpone applying until next year and gain more service work? Or do I stand a chance with what I have? I think MSUCOM is a top choice right now. I will (hopefully) be paying for school with the military HSPS scholarship, just waiting for my MCAT score.