Failed to get a PCNA job... now what?

[Premed:)]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,
I'm new here 🙂. I'm entering my sophomore year of college this fall and I haven't started any ECS. To start off, I have a 3.55 GPA (4.0 science GPA) and will hopefully be applying to medical school this upcoming October. The med school I am applying to has a partnership program with my university that allows up to 35 premed students to have a guaranteed spot in med school.

My question is, what can I do ASAP to stand out when it comes time to start applying. I held off volunteering this summer because I tried all summer to get a job as a PCNA (Patient care nursing assistant) at Cleveland Clinic but failed miserably and have wasted 3 months trying to get this job. The only EC that I am guaranteed is volunteering at the hospital this August.

Sorry if your having a hard time reading this, I sometimes struggle with trying to say what I mean, know what I mean 😛.

But any help would be appreciated thanks 🙂

 

[GrapesofRath]

You aren't going to build up any meaningful EC experience in 2 months. See how important this is to the program you are applying to or if it is mostly numbers based. But there's nothing you can just cram in to two months and magically enhance your resume with. Nothing that is meaningful or will make a difference that is.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I feel like applying late with a 3.55 and limited EC's (and to one school?) is just asking for problems..

 

[GrapesofRath]

I feel like applying late with a 3.55 and limited EC's (and to one school?) is just asking for problems..

OP's a sophmore this is some linkage program in their school.

 

[Premed:)]

You aren't going to build up any meaningful EC experience in 2 months. See how important this is to the program you are applying to or if it is mostly numbers based. But there's nothing you can just cram in to two months and magically enhance your resume with. Nothing that is meaningful or will make a difference that is.

The application process starts in October and the Panel Interview is in January. Do you think if I volunteered and gained clinical experience for 4 months and then tried to get the PCNA job again would boost my chances into getting into the program? But I definitely will look into how important ECs are to this program thnx

 

[Doctor Dream]

OP's a sophmore this is some linkage program in their school.

I see. The "I'm applying to med school this upcoming October" bit threw me off.

 

[Premed:)]

Actually these are the important dates

October: NEOMED application available
January 15: NEOMED application due
January 15: Supplemental items postmark deadline
Winter: Interviews
July: Acceptance into the Bacc/M.D. program notification scheduled

Anything in particular in terms of ECs that I can do to stand out before Jan 15?

 

[GrapesofRath]

Actually these are the important dates

October: NEOMED application available
January 15: NEOMED application due
January 15: Supplemental items postmark deadline
Winter: Interviews
July: Acceptance into the Bacc/M.D. program notification scheduled

Anything in particular in terms of ECs that I can do to stand out before Jan 15?

Your best bet is to get your highest grades possible. Have something on your resume to show such as volunteering, a little leadership if you have it, and maybe get exposed to research enough where you MIGHT be able to get a PI letter for this. But all in all there's nothing really to do to stand out; maybe try and rely on stuff from your HS accomplishments(if applicable).