Emt's applying this year

[jammin06]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

how many EMT's are applying this year and where are you applying. Are we a dime a dozen, or is our clinical experience really something unique? i'm workin on my EMT-I, so that's a little btter than basic, but overall, how prevalent are we in the application pool? if you don't mind, can u put some other info about urself(gpa,major, mcat) if u don't mind.

 

[LionKing]

Hey jammin!

Been an EMT for 8 years... Am applying to a bunch of schools in Md, Pa, and Va. I know of a few that are applying, though a lot of them dont have the years I do, and more than a few don't have any experience but the certificate under their belt. Yeah its unique, but there are a lot of other applicants with likewise unique clinical experiences. V-10, P-11, B-10, majored in science, but am finishing up a master's in Physio. Good luck, brother.

 

[jammin06]

Hey jammin!

Been an EMT for 8 years... Am applying to a bunch of schools in Md, Pa, and Va. I know of a few that are applying, though a lot of them dont have the years I do, and more than a few don't have any experience but the certificate under their belt. Yeah its unique, but there are a lot of other applicants with likewise unique clinical experiences. V-10, P-11, B-10, majored in science, but am finishing up a master's in Physio. Good luck, brother.

thanks man, i'm sure with your 8 years of experience, you're gonna do great in med school and as a doctor. unfortunatley, i am only a junior in ugrad right now, but i love my rotations and shifts. Working on my EMT-I this semester, not sure if i'll go all the way to paramedic. Totally thinkin about emergency medicine after my past few rotations. Such a rush. anyhow, good luck in the app process man, lemme know how things go.

 

[LionKing]

Just some meandering advice- if an ER doctor is what you truly want to become, good grades and a great MCAT are way more hepful than becoming a paramedic. ie- dont sacrifice studying to work and take calls.

 

[ASDIC]

EMT for 2 years...applying

 

[jammin06]

Just some meandering advice- if an ER doctor is what you truly want to become, good grades and a great MCAT are way more hepful than becoming a paramedic. ie- dont sacrifice studying to work and take calls.

totally agree, not sure if i fit the bill for good grades (only 3.5 in engineering) nad great mcat (30q) though...

 

[bkmonkey]

sorry, but emt's are a dime a dozen...it's good experience, but there are lots and lots of us that apply to school every year...

 

[jammin06]

sorry, but emt's are a dime a dozen...it's good experience, but there are lots and lots of us that apply to school every year...

yea, thas what i was figuring. but, just curious, but how much clinical experience do most med school applicant EMT's get after they receive their certification. i ask because my campus has an EMS service run by students for students. sorry for all the questions, but just trying to find something that might set me apart from every other 3.5/30 app out there.

 

[oldman]

when i applied i was an emt

 

[uptoolate]

I was an EMT for a couple of years in undergrad- worked for a professional company that held city and institutional contracts. That was TEN years ago, tho'

 

[ShyRem]

I was a firefighter for five years, EMT for 3, paramedic for 10. Went back to school, double majored in chemistry and math (in three years), MCAT 29. Applying this year.

Yes, there are TONS of EMTs applying - but not quite as many paramedics with years of experience (lucky for me).

 

[jammin06]

are most EMT's that apply basic's or paramedics?

 

[CoverMe]

are most EMT's that apply basic's or paramedics?

EMT-I here. I don't know about the benefits, I'm not "in" anywhere (yet)!! I think there are many of us. I decided not to go on and get my EMT-P because of the time investment and the fact that it would delay applying by a year.

Basically, I can't see spending a year to do something solely for the purpose of buffing up my app... because I sure won't be using it once i get in.

I've had a lot of "my kids" (i teach labs) ask me about getting their EMT. I tell them that it takes a lot of time, and if you're not going to use it, then the training itself isn't exactly high-yield. The classes are dumbed down to within an inch of their lives and getting a really great mentor and some time on the floors of a busy hospital would do them just as much good for the amount of time they'll spend.

Of course, in my system, you won't touch a patient unless you're an Intermediate, and anything "good" is going to get handled by the Paramedic, so the thing you'll learn the best, is how to drive code-3 in metropolitan grid-lock.

OTOH - If you've already got it, and you're outgoing and energetic, it's an awesome way to make some friends at the ER's and Trauma Center... which you can parlay into mentoring relationships and get into some great vollie spots... observing surgeries and all sorts of neat stuff. Basically what I did.

 

[boilerbeast]

I got certified as an EMT-B because I wanted to go to football games for free (via Stadium Rescue Squad). There nothing altruistic about it, but at least I'm honest. I did EMT-I just for fun. It helped my application a lot...we may be a dime a dozen, but I can start an IV and draw blood with the best of them...and take a mean set of vitals. I think the experience was more worthwhile than making beds/delivering flowers. Even if you're just working as a drunk taxi, learning how to interact with patients and becoming comfortable touching them is really important.

2 other girls in my interview group (IU has like 40-50 at a time) were also EMTs, so I think it is pretty common. It did give me something to talk about in my interview and I'm holding an acceptance, so...all in all, two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

 

[beanbean]

EMTs are quite common in the premed pool - EMTs with experience are not as commom.

If you have the cert and just got it to put on your app, it won't help you. However, if you have used your cert to work or volunteer in EMS or an ER and have obtained lots of experience, it is a great extracurricular to have.

 

[MadameLULU]

EMT-I here as well. My undergrad has a first responder unit and I voluntered weekly during the school year and was on call twice a week during the summer

 

[seethrew]

EMT-Intermediate. Volunteered and worked professionally for a few years before doing a post bac. Definately have had positive responses at interviews w/r/t my experience. My numbers are good.

 

[jammin06]

EMT-I here as well. My undergrad has a first responder unit and I voluntered weekly during the school year and was on call twice a week during the summer

just curious, but where did you go for undergrad? I ask because I go to rice and we have the exact first responder EMS system set up on campus

 

[MadameLULU]

just curious, but where did you go for undergrad? I ask because I go to rice and we have the exact first responder EMS system set up on campus

ding ding

 

[oldman]

i think most of the emt are basics cause a lot of them just did it during their college time, volunteered a little without making further commitment towards getting more certification. unless you take time off, it's not worth you time to get more and more certifications when you could be in med school getting the md

 

[45408]

EMTs are quite common in the premed pool - EMTs with experience are not as commom.

If you have the cert and just got it to put on your app, it won't help you. However, if you have used your cert to work or volunteer in EMS or an ER and have obtained lots of experience, it is a great extracurricular to have.

I've got my EMT-B, and I don't even know if I'd tell an adcom I was certified if I hadn't gotten any use out of it. I'm just beginning my junior year now, but I just got a job with an ambulance company. w00t! I don't think they do much nursing home shuffling around either, because it's in the inner city. We'll see how it goes.....