Extra schooling during undergrade training as a PCT, good idea?

[UT8305]

I'm really sorry i posted this thread in the Re-applicants forum, I apologize to those who get annoyed by it.I'm a student at the University of Tampa, an Exercise Science/Allied Health major, with a 3.16 gpa and a 3.28 science gpa (bio, chem, ochem and physics) I messed around a bit in my first 2 year because i'm stupid and ended up getting B's in gen chem and a C and B/C in bio I and II (but i not nothing less then an A/B in ochem and physics, I was thinking about doing a patient care technician (PCT) program at a nearby career college, Heres what the description of the program says:

Students learn phlebotomy and advanced procedures like EKG, along with the day-to-day responsibility of monitoring patients' conditions, updating medical charts and communicating with hospital staff. The program includes real-world experience at an area health care facility. Training covers primary hospital departments including pediatrics, intensive care, critical care and rehabilitation. The program also includes fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, equipment and safety. Student also do an externship of 290 hours (soo i'll be working with doctors in a hospital for that long)

I'll be getting alot of certifications from this and i can actually work as a PCT after this if i want, and I'm also doing about 16 credits at my school to finish up my degree (I'm a senior now) and I've done a bit of volunteering in the hospital but no research, I can handle it, but is this a good scheme to impress medical college adcom's insite of my gpa, too show them that i can handle such a strenous schedule and that i'm dedicated to pursuing a career in medicine and that i'm doing whatever it takes. plus i'll have the hand-on experience by the end of it (December), I know i can pull it off so please don't reply by saying "i don't think its a good idea because you might not be able to handle the work", i know i can, BUT will it make a difference when adcoms look at my application, will it make them say "wow, look at this guy" or not because I don't want to pay for and go through the program if not. i'm i'm taking the mcat in august, and I'm not to sure what i'm going to get on it, let hope for the best. Please be brutely honest .

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[neuro1617]

It sounds like you may have already made up your mind. If you can handle the schedule (and get the kind of grades to bring up the gpa), it sounds like a great way to get clinical experience, especially if you actually work as one for awhile after. If you already have a lot of clinical exp, I might suggest getting more of something you are maybe lacking in, be it volunteer or leadership. You want to do it b/c you'll enjoy it, which will come across during interviews and impress adcoms, but that may not be the case if you're only doing it to check off a list of what you think they'll like.

Also the MCAT can help to balance out a low GPA more than any experience can so be sure to prepare adequately for that. At any rate, you sound committed to doing whatever it takes to pursue your dream so good luck!

 

[nu2004]

sounds like a great opportunity. just remember, the MCAT comes first, especially with a low GPA.

this is not a joke. you need to do well on the MCAT.