How am I doing?

[Reddle]

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Hi All!

I'd like a little feedback on how my application is looking so far.
I know there are quite a few areas I need to beef up. I'd just like to get some opinions on specifically what I need to work on if I want to apply next year:

A little background about myself:

Education:
-Graduated 2010 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing in Health and Religious Studies. (all pre-reqs done)
overall GPA 3.5
science GPA 3.8
-Originally wanted to go into naturopathic medicine -accepted to NCNM, then declined due to major change of heart over natural medicine efficacy in general.

-Took July 6, 2012 MCAT- no scores yet but hoping for a 29-30.

-Work:
Licensed Massage Therapist for 4 years.
-Just got a full-time job as a medical assistant in a reproductive care clinic.

ECs
-college outdoor adventure program leader (2 yrs)- led climbing, rafting, hiking trips
-volunteered with hospice (9 mos)- massage therapy to patients.
-volunteered about 60 hours in reproductive clinic before getting hired
-only 2 shadowing experiences-both half-days -1 DO, 1 ER doc

LORs:
I don't feel like I can ask my undergrad profs because they don't know me and it's been too long- but I'm taking biochem and anatomy this fall to try to get some LORs.

Now that I'm working full time doing medical assisting, I assume I'll have one year of experience with direct patient contact. Downside is that there are no MDs in the clinic, only NPs. What else should I be doing?
MANY THANKS!

 

[MaenadsDance]

Can I ask you what changed your mind about naturopathy? That is going to make the world's most interesting personal statement!

 

[Reddle]

I think I just had an idealized view of natural medicine. I did have a wild experience where I used a Chinese herb to stop bleeding in a friend's hand after a nasty fall-(bones were out) . Aside from that, I believe that lifestyle has a huge impact on preventing and reversing some diseases but naturopathic medicine includes herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy etc. Which I found out first hand (by almost getting a kidney infection) cannot be counted on to cure real deal medical issues. I can't put my health or future patients health in the care of medicines that might not work! So dangerous.

 

[MaenadsDance]

Beyond awesome. I'm a big skeptic of CAM, so I'm biased, but I think it's fascinating that you've returned to traditional western medicine, since most people I know have moved in the other direction.

 

[Chanandler Bong]

I had a coworker tell me something similar -- her naturopath told her to take garlic for a kidney infection, and when she finally saw a MD, she was told that if she'd kept just taking garlic she would've ended up in the ER. There's so much more enthusiasm for naturopathy here on the west coast than I saw living in the south and midwest... it's a little unsettling in certain ways. Anyway, cool that you've decided to take a truly holistic path instead.

Maybe shadow more? That's all I can think of... you seem to have done a lot of exploring in the health field already, though, and the volunteer work getting turned into an actual job position seems exceptionally good. But this is coming from someone in the early pre-med stages. What are you planning to specialize in?

 

[Reddle]

I used to live in Santa Fe, NM so I know all about the crazy holistic people, maybe I used to be one of them... I'm really interested in doing DO since I like working hands-on with the body- being able to do adjustments would be fun. I'm going to apply MD and DO though. I'm think family medicine will be my focus but I don't know which direction med school might pull me in.

 

[MaenadsDance]

Haha, one of my mother's old friends from college tried to cure my UTIs as a kid when we visited him in New Mexico, with Pasque Flower and cranberry juice.

 

[jl lin]

Haha, one of my mother's old friends from college tried to cure my UTIs as a kid when we visited him in New Mexico, with Pasque Flower and cranberry juice.

Curing an UTI with cranberries and such is less likely than doing so with the appropriate antibiotics, like Bactrim DS, etc.


OTOH, however, there is some evidence-based research that supports taking substances like cranberries and other nutrients/supplements as being beneficial for prevention of UTIs.

That's really the key for CAM and integrative medicine-->prevention and maintenance.

 

[sindadel]

You look like you'll have a really solid app, depending on your MCAT coming back where you expect it and good references. You should have a good one from your current job as well, I'd imagine - non trads typically have fewer professor rec letters, of course. When you get your MCAT score, sit down with the spreadsheet that's lurking around the site here which uses the MSAR ratings and figure out where to apply out of state, if anywhere interests you, download the secondary prompts for the schools, and be ready to start applying next June (is it June? Been so long I forget...) !

I don't know that you _need_ more shadowing opportunity, but it never hurts to ask around and see if some doors open.