How much does experience count for?

[FireMed]

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Hey there,

I'm just new here. I am a Fire Fighter/EMT/Army Medic in Canada. I have been doing the Fire/EMT thing for 3 years and the Army Reserve thing for almost 11 yrs (first 9 were in the Infantry, just switched over to the Med Corps). I am looking to step up into medicine because I just can't seem to do enough as an EMT (scope of practice).

I have a BSc from St. Mary's in Halifax (from which my GPA is not stellar...not by a long shot B's, C's, and yes even a few D's - I hate microeconomics!!!!!!!). I've done some part-time courses at the University level and did much better on them (A's and B's). I have matured significantly since being in Univeristy. On my Fire and Med courses I graduated top of my class.

I'm getting to write the MCAT in a couple days for the first time. As an EMT and Fire Fighter I have done some really cool things and have a raft of experience (same with being in the Reserves). I was wondering if anyone could tell me how much experience counts for getting into Irish Med Schools. I have set my life's career goal on going into medicine and will probably keep trying until I die of frustration.

Any advice out there?

 

[Sage880]

We had an EMT in our class first year but she left. I'd say it helps for sure. Just so you know, my school (UCC) requires the MCAT and puts emphasis on it. UCD will look at the MCAT if you have it and Trinity won't look at it.

The good news for you is some schools, (ie. UCC) seem to put more emphasis on recent grades and MCAT. So if you're somewhere in the 30's MCAT wise and have your recent university success then I think you're getting in somewhere for sure.

Good luck with your MCAT and the application process!

-Sage

 

[Mr. McDuck]

I think he was asking how much the experience will count towards admissions, not towards doing well in school. I'm curious about this too, since I've been a PA for 2 years.

 

[leorl]

I would imagine that it would only help your application. Not only are you sure of your decision (after working in a health prof field), your experiences would be unique when compared to the rest of your fellow applicants. Also, it could help diversify and educate your fellow students. I'd say find creative and very interesting ways to use your experiences to strengthen your personal statement.

 

[FireMed]

Yes I was asking more for admissions based reasons rather than how I will do in the program reasons.

My main goal is to achieve entrance into a medical program either here in Canada (highly doubtful without devine intervention) or there in Ireland.

I don't see any Canadian schools being very sympathetic to mature students with relevant medically-related experience only the cold hard numbers, which sucks big-time for people like me.

Someone somewhere has to be willing to go with experience over pure academics......hopefully.....

 

[ocularphd]

I think you'll have a good chance.
I went to UCC and a guy in my class was in his 50s
He was always in top 5
Anything is possible.
Good luck!