Finishing Bio degree vs. Medical assistant

[metalgirl14]

Hi,

I couldn't find a similar thread about this so I thought I'd ask.

I'm currently a Senior at Northwestern University. I have already finished my psychology major but I am only 3 classes short of completing a biology major (with a concentration in physiology or neurobiology). I'm taking a couple of years off before I apply to medical school and I was originally going to finish up my bio major in the fall (since it's only 3 classes).

Just the other day, I got called for an interview for a medical assistant job. The place that offered the interview is a clinic in the city. The job would allow me to have direct patient contact experience and learn about many aspects of medicine (history taking, pulmonary function testing, ekg, etc).

Assuming that I am offered the medical assistant job, would medical schools value my second major or the direct patient contact more?

I'm thinking the medical assistant job might be more valuable but I wanted to see what others thought about this situation.

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[AdmiralChz]

Hi,

I couldn't find a similar thread about this so I thought I'd ask.

I'm currently a Senior at Northwestern University. I have already finished my psychology major but I am only 3 classes short of completing a biology major (with a concentration in physiology or neurobiology). I'm taking a couple of years off before I apply to medical school and I was originally going to finish up my bio major in the fall (since it's only 3 classes).

Just the other day, I got called for an interview for a medical assistant job. The place that offered the interview is a clinic in the city. The job would allow me to have direct patient contact experience and learn about many aspects of medicine (history taking, pulmonary function testing, ekg, etc).

Assuming that I am offered the medical assistant job, would medical schools value my second major or the direct patient contact more?

I'm thinking the medical assistant job might be more valuable but I wanted to see what others thought about this situation.

Yeah, I would agree with you on that. Don't know what others would think... maybe you can convert the bio classes you have taken into a minor so you can at least get something for your work?

 

[metalgirl14]

I thought about that, but unfortunately my school doesn't offer a Biology minor. :-/

 

[AdmiralChz]

Well that sucks! If there isn't anything you can convert to, I still would take this opportunity you have. As it's said tons around here, major doesn't matter as long as you have a good GPA, and this clinical assistant job sounds like a great talking point during interviews - so I would so go for it!

 

[Siverhideo1985]

You said you have 2 years before you apply. Is it possible to take a leave of absence from Northwestern for a year, take the job, do that for a year, and then go back to school to finish your second degree while applying to medical schools?

Personally, I would have rather applied while in some sort of school rather than have to leave work so often for interviews.

 

[unsung]

Hi,

I couldn't find a similar thread about this so I thought I'd ask.

I'm currently a Senior at Northwestern University. I have already finished my psychology major but I am only 3 classes short of completing a biology major (with a concentration in physiology or neurobiology). I'm taking a couple of years off before I apply to medical school and I was originally going to finish up my bio major in the fall (since it's only 3 classes).

Just the other day, I got called for an interview for a medical assistant job. The place that offered the interview is a clinic in the city. The job would allow me to have direct patient contact experience and learn about many aspects of medicine (history taking, pulmonary function testing, ekg, etc).

Assuming that I am offered the medical assistant job, would medical schools value my second major or the direct patient contact more?

I'm thinking the medical assistant job might be more valuable but I wanted to see what others thought about this situation.

Those kinds of jobs are, imo, a dime a dozen... otoh, the difference between having a degree and NOT having that degree is huge. While I agree with those who say that it doesn't really matter what your degree is in (i.e. psych is fine), if you are SO close to getting that 2nd degree in bio, why not go for it?

I mean, yes in your app it would list all those bio classes that you've taken... but it's not going to be immediately apparent to a reviewer exactly how MUCH bio knowledge you have. If otoh, you have a BA in psych and a BS in bio, a reviewer doing a cursory review of your background would still automatically catch that and be left with the positive impression that you have a strong background in both natural science and social science.

 

[metalgirl14]

The job requires a full-time 2 year minimum commitment. Could I take a 2 year absence rather than a 1 yr absence? Would doing so reflect poorly on my medical school application (as compared to just getting my psychology degree this June)?

 

[metalgirl14]

I should have clarified this. The biology wouldn't be a second degree, it'd be a second major as part of my 1st degree. So basically, my school would issue me a BA in Psych and Biology (with whichever concentration I go into).

 

[Siverhideo1985]

no job in this economy is a dime a dozen. I have plenty of friends with excellent grades and dual degrees under their belt who are out of a job. I would think twice before turning down any job these days.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

The job requires a full-time 2 year minimum commitment. Could I take a 2 year absence rather than a 1 yr absence? Would doing so reflect poorly on my medical school application (as compared to just getting my psychology degree this June)?

That I don't know. But if you aren't getting a second degree, then whats the point? I mean, yea, you'll have 3 more bio classes but I doubt a name change in your major will have a huge effect on your application.

I would go with the 2 year job...if you don't take it, I know 10 other people who are licking their fingers for an opportunity like this.

 

[AdmiralChz]

That I don't know. But if you aren't getting a second degree, then whats the point? I mean, yea, you'll have 3 more bio classes but I doubt a name change in your major will have a huge effect on your application.

I would go with the 2 year job...if you don't take it, I know 10 other people who are licking their fingers for an opportunity like this.

👍 I agree - having another major probably will have very little impact. This 2-year job experience, especially in this economic climate, will absolutely have an impact.

 

[DNM]

I think the job would be more beneficial for you. However if you only need three more classes, is there any way you could take them online or at night?

 

[metalgirl14]

Nope. The classes are only offered during the day. :-/

 

[AMEHigh]

Definitely take the job.
1. The economy sucks. I had a hard enough time finding a job when I graduated a few years ago from college with little real world experience. I'm sure it's a million times harder now.

2. The job will set you apart more than another degree. "Everyone" is a bio major, so I don't think it will really distinguish you from other applicants. Your job experiences will be something that is different that you can talk about in your application and during interviews. I got asked about my full time job during my interviews and I think it helped. You'll still have all the classes, just not the degree associated with those classes.

 

[cpants]

Take the job. It would be cool to have the bio major too, but its impact on your application will be minimal. Schools will still see that you've taken and had success in many upper level bios. Explore options with your school to finish the major at night or on weekends at another institution. If that fails, the clinical experience and the money will still serve you better than one more word next to your degree on your application.