EMT vs. MS?

[brodaiga]

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Hey guys. I'm a premed right now and will be graduating next summer (2004). I will be applying in 2004. I will have a year off before med school and I am considering two options to fill it up, Which would look better for med school apps or be the better choice? please help me decide, thanks!

Option #1

Use this summer to get certified as an EMT-I (one level before paramedic) and aftergraduation work for a year as an EMT/paramedic before entering med school.

Option #2

After talking to a teacher in chem dep, she said an MS in Chem could be done in about 10 months. So in that year's time, complete an MS in chem before entering Med School.

Advantages of EMT-work in a medical environment, and have this on teh transcript for application.

Advantages of MS-if for some reason I don't get in, next year I will be applying with an MS under my belt and be better prepared for med school.

Commments?

 

[PluckyDuk8]

I am assuming you'd be working as an EMT-I and not an EMT-P correct? Unfortunately we don't have EMT-I's in upstate Illinois, I wish we did. Anyway, I am currently working as an EMT-B for a year in between my undergrad and med school. The most important thing is to do what you enjoy, because this is your year to chill and to treat yourself. What kinds of more specific questions do you have?

 

[brodaiga]

thanks for the reply, I would most likely enjoy the EMT better, but am more concerned about what would look better to med schools and what would be the better option under that criteria? Thanks.

 

[dr. deez]

if you do not have a genuine interest in research don't go for the MS. Of course it looks good to have graduate level classes but if you won't be able to back up why you went into an MS program med schools won't be impressed. If you like the clinical aspect of being an EMT better i say go for it!

 

[PluckyDuk8]

Um, I really don't know. What I can tell you that I have been asked about it in my interviews. I had my open interview @ Loyola with the Director of Admissions, and she asked me if I think my EMT experience will help me in med school/will put me at a greater advantage than people with less of a medical background. I answered that becasue EMT-B's cannot do much medically, it makes you really concentrate on your communication between you and your patient. I have been with patients from all types cultures, races, and religions all over Chicago (and I also volunteered abroad). If asked this questions again, I would say this but add that it also has taught me teamwork and working under a chain of command. Where I worked abroad there were 3-4 workers in one ambulance, at least one of them being an EMT-I or paramedic (I have EMT-I status there 🙂 ). Each of us knew what our job was, what we were supposed to do and when. I also learned how to take instructions, act upon them very quickly, which I think will be a valuable skill.

 

[Deuce 007 MD]

I did the EMT thing, in my years off. It was the only clincial experience I had(no volunteer work at all), so it helped me out alot getting in this year. I say do the EMT thing, I hated doing research.

 

[brodaiga]

thanks for all the replies, but I think I may be leaning toward the MS because if for some reason I don't get in this year, the MS will help me more when I reapply or if I apply to dental or pharmacy school. ( you gotta think of the plan B's). Comments?

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Originally posted by brodaiga
thanks for all the replies, but I think I may be leaning toward the MS because if for some reason I don't get in this year, the MS will help me more when I reapply or if I apply to dental or pharmacy school. ( you gotta think of the plan B's). Comments?

I think that this argument depends on your application as a whole. If your science and overall GPA is good, then getting an MS really won't work to your advantage, unless you adore chemistry.

If it were my choice, I would choose the EMT route for several reasons. 1) You get paid for EMT. 2) You can have a life for the next year. I am sure that a 1 year masters degree will be very rigorous. 3) The clinical experience will be terrific. 4) I don't particularly like research.

This reasoning assumes that you have a solid GPA.

 

[burs0028]

I'd go for the MS. I think the benefits of an advanced degree far outweigh those of getting your EMT-I. Medical schools want to see that you are capable of advanced coursework. The first major benefit of the MS is just that--you will have shown that you can handle more intense and focused study than that of a typical undergraduate work load. The MS in chem would also be a big plus if you ever decided to pursue academic medicine. With so much interest in the chemical mechanisms behind medicinal treatments, a background in advanced chem. might come in handy that way too. I have taken both EMT-B and EMT-I courses and I can state wholeheartedly that the coursework is small beans compared to what you will soon be experiencing in medical school, and you can get the same exposure to patients by merely volunteering in a local ER. Notice I said exposure and not experience. As an EMT you will of course be expected to see patients. However, when I worked in a large metropolitan ER, I befriended many of the nurses and EMTs, and was invited to speak with and observe the treatments by the EMTs, nurses, and physicians. In my case, being a volunteer allowed my to leave the room of a simple procedure when a more interesting case came in. If I were the EMT doing the procedure, I would get the experience of doing that simple procedure, but I would not have seen nearly as many different cases as I did when I was allowed to "roam" as I pleased. I realize I was very lucky, but I think with a friendly and interested attitude it is easily accomplished.

Lastly, with a MS, you will have a more marketable resum? than your BS/BA, EMT competitors. You should take the tight job market very seriously right now. I don't know the medical needs of your particular community, but I can say that overall it is very difficult for most recent grads to get a job these days. Companies want individuals with experience, and most of us recent grads just don't have it. I would consider you to be very lucky if you could take your ~110? hour EMT-B course, then take the EMT-I, and then get a job right away. I may be speaking out of my ass on that one though.

Good luck in your decision, and whatever you choose to do, make sure you enjoy doing it.

 

[burs0028]

brodaiga, I realize now that I didn't read your original post too thoroughly. On second thought, I'd do both. Do the EMT thing this summer, and try to work (or most likely volunteer) as an EMT-B during your senior year. I'm assuming an ambulance service will want you to have experience before they will hire you on as an EMT-I. Then try to get into the MS program. As always, keeping your GPA up comes first, but if you can handle it, you'll get a lot of medical exposure in the EMT training itself, let alone the work...

 

[PluckyDuk8]

On that note, here's the tips I have given to other potential EMT's...RESEARCH your job market before deciding what to do. I am working for private and there are various companies that all have different flavors to them. Where I work pays the most out of alll of the companies, is known to be more relaxed, and is small so everyone knows everybody else. The job market for EMT's for private in Chicago is very very fluid, so it's easy to get a job, but that may not be the case in the Atlanta area. What I love about my job for this year (as JMJ was saying) was that I have a lot of extra free time. I work 3x a week 12 hours a day. I was originally going to get a second job very part time but that isn't working out (may still try though). I can sometimes get overtime when I have nothing else to do, but I have been filling my days with things and enjoying them. It also makes going away for interviews and other things very easy. Check out how places in your area arrange their schedule, and if it fits what you want. One other thing you may want to consider is that it may be important to give your brain a break. It's very healty to take learning hiatuses (and it's fun).

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Originally posted by burs0028
I'd go for the MS. I think the benefits of an advanced degree far outweigh those of getting your EMT-I. Medical schools want to see that you are capable of advanced coursework. The first major benefit of the MS is just that--you will have shown that you can handle more intense and focused study than that of a typical undergraduate work load. The MS in chem would also be a big plus if you ever decided to pursue academic medicine. With so much interest in the chemical mechanisms behind medicinal treatments, a background in advanced chem. might come in handy that way too. I have taken both EMT-B and EMT-I courses and I can state wholeheartedly that the coursework is small beans compared to what you will soon be experiencing in medical school, and you can get the same exposure to patients by merely volunteering in a local ER. Notice I said exposure and not experience. As an EMT you will of course be expected to see patients. However, when I worked in a large metropolitan ER, I befriended many of the nurses and EMTs, and was invited to speak with and observe the treatments by the EMTs, nurses, and physicians. In my case, being a volunteer allowed my to leave the room of a simple procedure when a more interesting case came in. If I were the EMT doing the procedure, I would get the experience of doing that simple procedure, but I would not have seen nearly as many different cases as I did when I was allowed to "roam" as I pleased. I realize I was very lucky, but I think with a friendly and interested attitude it is easily accomplished.

Lastly, with a MS, you will have a more marketable resum? than your BS/BA, EMT competitors. You should take the tight job market very seriously right now. I don't know the medical needs of your particular community, but I can say that overall it is very difficult for most recent grads to get a job these days. Companies want individuals with experience, and most of us recent grads just don't have it. I would consider you to be very lucky if you could take your ~110? hour EMT-B course, then take the EMT-I, and then get a job right away. I may be speaking out of my ass on that one though.

Good luck in your decision, and whatever you choose to do, make sure you enjoy doing it.

With all due respect, I disagree most of this post.

No doctor really cares about the mechanisms of drug interaction, unless s/he is an academic physician.

Applying to medical school is time consuming and emotionally draining. Getting an intensive MS will take up much of your time. If you want to take a year off, you should try to enjoy that year. Otherwise, why don't you go directly to medical school, and skip the year off?

 

[Lebesgue]

Do both.

🙂

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by JBJ


No doctor really cares about the mechanisms of drug interaction, unless s/he is an academic physician.

😕

 

[MeowMix]

At most schools, it's the consolation prize you get if you flunk out of a PhD program. Believe me, I have a PhD in chemistry. Most jobs for chemists are either BS or PhD; no one looks for a MS in chem. (The same is not true for engineers, teachers, etc.) If you don't go to med school, the MS is useless unless you plan to go on to a PhD at the same place. And I would seriously wonder why someone went to get an MS in chem if they wanted to be a doctor.

You should only enter an MS program if you are really keen on grad work in chemistry. I can't think of many places you could get an MS in a year; it would take you that long just to do the course work. Why spend the money and time? Go have yourself a nice pleasant experience that generates some money and some different life experiences. Learn to speak another language fluently. That will probably make you much more attractive as a future physician.

In our area, there is a surplus of EMTs looking for work. There is no possibility of volunteering in the ER as a non-clinical professional. You need to figure out your local situation and what an EMT will get you.

 

[streetdoc]

I know for a fact that Atlanta is hurting for EMTs. i get mail from EMS all the time trying to get me to move to atlanta and work for them (i'm a paramedic in SC). and the pay is NICE, but the work is TOUGH. i'd look at a private transport service first, then check into the surrounding counties EMS systems. there are plenty of jobs in this area. If you work for a transport service, the work is mundane and you rarely use your skills, but it is relaxed. 911 can sometimes kill you (maybe even literally), but always something new.

I took 2 years off after college and got my EMT-B, then my paramedic (it just happened that way, i never really wanted to be a paramedic). but i love it. the pay is fine and the hours are great (working 3 days a week is great when you have to fill out AMCAS and secondaries and then go to interviews!!).
I think my experience in the field has greatly helped me get interviews and acceptances.

My opinion is that you have to work too hard to get the MS and your application may suffer, not to mention your mental health. why not get experience, have some fun, learn a lot, and make some money? i say get the intermediate certification and help out your community.
streetdoc

 

[brodaiga]

thanks for the overwhelming replies and insight. I think I will most likely do the EMT and maybe some Post Bacc (high level bio) to get some practice for med school and to show my desire for med school. My situation is kind of unique and trajic on it's own. Was a stellar student in HS, went to a Top tier University for freshman semester, made a dumb mistake and got written up for dishonesty which I'll have to claim on my AMCAS. Because of the problems there, my GPA was ruined (recieved an F) causing me to lose my scholarship. Picked myself up from the floor, transferred to a state University, and raised my GPA to about 3.7 overall and 3.5 science. (I will be taking the MCATs in April 2004) I have plently of volunteer work, am a TA at school, tought at another school, research, made good friends with a surgeon by shadowing him, you name it, I did it. (I also have a seperate minor misdemeanor charge that is taken off my record, but most med schools don't even ask). You can see it has been a rocky road, from what I understand, the most important thing is to prove my integrity because of the bad decision I made a freshman. Since I do not signifigantly don't need to raise my GPA, I think the EMT/parademic will show me to be in a position of integrity/leadership. (plus it will be much cheaper, I will be earning money) I might also take some post bac to show my determination and to boost my science GPA a bit. It's hard for me to talk of my mistakes, as it is quite shameful to me that I put myself in such a position. From everything I learned about Admissions though, this fault will not hurt me too badly and might even make me stand out because of the huge turn around I made. Now, that I've shared my life story, lol, any comments of EMT vs. MS with this new light of information?

P.S. Your comments thusfar have been helpful and are greatly appreciated.

 

[MeowMix]

the admissions dean from our state school recently told us that all guys have a bad semester as undergrads, and that's what keeps them entertained in the admissions office. Girls do not. Your situation is a little more extreme, but at least you can know that many other people blow a semester.

 

[Deuce 007 MD]

Hell I have a whole bunch of Ws on my transcirpt I even had to withdrawl a whole quarter from school. You just have to be ready to explain these things.

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

It takes a certain type of individual to sit in a lab and conduct chemistry research, you have to decide if that is for you. Look around the graduate students in them Chemistry department and imagine spending 8-12 hours per day for the next year with those people.

The EMT-I coursework is like 20 semester hours of coursework spread over a year in NE and an 'A' in the course would boost your GPA nicely.

I would go with the EMT-I option just because I would be happier (I had a great time getting my EMT) doing that than sitting in a lab but ultimately the choice is up to you. Peace.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
It takes a certain type of individual to sit in a lab and conduct chemistry research, you have to decide if that is for you. Look around the graduate students in them Chemistry department and imagine spending 8-12 hours per day for the next year with those people.

I have an MS in Chemistry and I hate to admit it, but NE has a good point. BUT, I did my thesis research in the department of pharmacology where the students were a lot more helpful, friendly and fun!

Vicarious people don't "fit in" all that well with a group of chemists so if you choose this route, focus on this being part of the process of getting into med school. Also know that you'll be in class with more than a few medical school rejects so keep your plans to yourself. TRUST ME on this one!

Oh, and I think getting the MS is cool too😉

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

PathDr2B - Thanks for not tearing me apart. I had friend get stuck in a crappy lab for a summer (the professor had lost most all of his funding). She's in a better lab now. Some of the personalities and tendencies (bathing habits included) of your classmates can at best be trying and tiring. Peace.