In my gap year, am I doing it wrong?

[JohnFe]

Hello fellow pre-meds and medical students!

I just want to ask if I'm doing what I am supposed to do during my gap year (possibly 2 years). I graduated spring 2012. Awe, I'm old The school admission said that it is advisable to be in an academic setting...but I just can't do that because I have to work.

I'm currently working full time as a QC Microbiologist at a medical/pharmaceutical company. I really need this job to pay the bills. It's quite interesting how they make the IV admixtures, TPNs, NaCl and dextrose bags.

Also, I might start my clinical training as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist trainee this July 2013 to July 2014. This is really significant to me because I'm interested in infectious diseases and I will be exposed to laboratory testing and first hand diagnosis with physicians and pathologist. Note: This is a paid training position. $25+ per hour.

Other activities:
I volunteer every weekend at a hospital and hospice care.
I'm doing a lot of shadowing.
When I have time, I volunteer at a youth leadership thing at elementary/high school.

Past activities:
Hospital Externship in a pharmacy 330 hours
Pharmacy Tech experience 600 hours
^ I was pre-pharmacy before.
HIV/AIDS Clinic 50+ Hours (I may do more of these if I can squeeze in more time but I don't want to burn myself out)
Microbial Genetics Research 1.5 years (500 hours)
Associated Students 1 year
Eco Club 1 year
Phi Theta Kappa 1 year
Honors Program 2 years


Is this a reasonable amount of ECs? Does this work experience (microbiologist and/or Clinical Lab Scientist) worth it?

Thanks for the advice and insight!

PS: I'm still debating whether or not to apply for Fall 2014 or delay it to Fall 2015. Thoughts? Do I have what it takes? 3.4 cGPA / 3.55sGPA. No MCAT yet but scheduled for June. Yay!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[484511]

.

 

[galaxyx]

It's all good experience as long as your GPA and MCAT within a reasonable range.

 

[aspiring20]

Hello fellow pre-meds and medical students!

I just want to ask if I'm doing what I am supposed to do during my gap year (possibly 2 years). I graduated spring 2012. Awe, I'm old The school admission said that it is advisable to be in an academic setting...but I just can't do that because I have to work.

I'm currently working full time as a QC Microbiologist at a medical/pharmaceutical company. I really need this job to pay the bills. It's quite interesting how they make the IV admixtures, TPNs, NaCl and dextrose bags.

Also, I might start my clinical training as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist trainee this July 2013 to July 2014. This is really significant to me because I'm interested in infectious diseases and I will be exposed to laboratory testing and first hand diagnosis with physicians and pathologist. Note: This is a paid training position. $25+ per hour.

Other activities:
I volunteer every weekend at a hospital and hospice care.
I'm doing a lot of shadowing.
When I have time, I volunteer at a youth leadership thing at elementary/high school.

Past activities:
Hospital Externship in a pharmacy 330 hours
Pharmacy Tech experience 600 hours
^ I was pre-pharmacy before.
HIV/AIDS Clinic 50+ Hours (I may do more of these if I can squeeze in more time but I don't want to burn myself out)


Is this a reasonable amount of ECs? Does this work experience (microbiologist and/or Clinical Lab Scientist) worth it?

Thanks for the advice and insight!

PS: I'm still debating whether or not to apply for Fall 2014 or delay it to Fall 2015. Thoughts? Do I have what it takes? 3.4 cGPA / 3.55sGPA. No MCAT yet but scheduled for June. Yay!

which school said that? you can do whatever the hell you want in your gap years as long as it isn't sitting on your couch playing video games, eating slim jims, and drinking mountain dews. well, you can certainly do those things, as long as you are also staying productive, which you most definitely are.

and your gap year employment is EXCELLENT. it is science/medicine-ish related, even though you do not have to do medicine related activities during your time off.

 

[ilovebiology]

I agree with everyone, your job (both current and future) as well as your EC's are great! Your GPA is good and I'm sure you'll do well on the MCAT!

I am currently an ER scribe, also interested in specialized in infectious diseases! Woo hoo!!! Before I became a scribe, I was looking for jobs/research in the microbiology/infectious disease fields, but didn't have any luck. I LOVE my job; however, they are cutting our hours from being able to be full time to part time soon. Once I apply, I can't afford to be living off of and saving money from a part time job! Anyways, what I am getting at is how does one become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist? Do you have to start at your position now and then move up? Or is it something entirely different with different training involved. I am extremely interested so if you could give me all the info you have that would be AWESOME! Thanks!

 

[earf]

You make my gap year look like a vacation.

 

[1cor1311]

Hello fellow pre-meds and medical students!

I just want to ask if I'm doing what I am supposed to do during my gap year (possibly 2 years). I graduated spring 2012. Awe, I'm old The school admission said that it is advisable to be in an academic setting...but I just can't do that because I have to work.

I'm currently working full time as a QC Microbiologist at a medical/pharmaceutical company. I really need this job to pay the bills. It's quite interesting how they make the IV admixtures, TPNs, NaCl and dextrose bags.

Also, I might start my clinical training as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist trainee this July 2013 to July 2014. This is really significant to me because I'm interested in infectious diseases and I will be exposed to laboratory testing and first hand diagnosis with physicians and pathologist. Note: This is a paid training position. $25+ per hour.

Other activities:
I volunteer every weekend at a hospital and hospice care.
I'm doing a lot of shadowing.
When I have time, I volunteer at a youth leadership thing at elementary/high school.

Past activities:
Hospital Externship in a pharmacy 330 hours
Pharmacy Tech experience 600 hours
^ I was pre-pharmacy before.
HIV/AIDS Clinic 50+ Hours (I may do more of these if I can squeeze in more time but I don't want to burn myself out)


Is this a reasonable amount of ECs? Does this work experience (microbiologist and/or Clinical Lab Scientist) worth it?

Thanks for the advice and insight!

PS: I'm still debating whether or not to apply for Fall 2014 or delay it to Fall 2015. Thoughts? Do I have what it takes? 3.4 cGPA / 3.55sGPA. No MCAT yet but scheduled for June. Yay!

This looks excellent, long term commitments usually look much better than crammed hours in a single week trying to boost the extra curricular portion of applications. Keep at it, make sure you do well on the MCAT.
Congrats on the promotion.

 

[JohnFe]

I agree with everyone, your job (both current and future) as well as your EC's are great! Your GPA is good and I'm sure you'll do well on the MCAT!

I am currently an ER scribe, also interested in specialized in infectious diseases! Woo hoo!!! Before I became a scribe, I was looking for jobs/research in the microbiology/infectious disease fields, but didn't have any luck. I LOVE my job; however, they are cutting our hours from being able to be full time to part time soon. Once I apply, I can't afford to be living off of and saving money from a part time job! Anyways, what I am getting at is how does one become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist? Do you have to start at your position now and then move up? Or is it something entirely different with different training involved. I am extremely interested so if you could give me all the info you have that would be AWESOME! Thanks!

Yea, not to brag or anything but MCAT seems easy. I've been taking the practice tests with minimal review/study and I pull off 28~30. By the time I finished reviewing/studying, I'm hoping to get a high score.

WOoooo! Infectious Diseases are really fascinating! I'm looking at that or pathologist for my future. But that sucks that they are cutting your hours. I was looking at ER scribe but the hours are just not for me.

What did you major in? And when are you applying for medical schools? Here in California, there is a HUGE shortage of CLS so there is an incentive to train. I think you have to complete a BS degree in biology, 20+ units Bio classes, 20+ units chemistry. Also, you have to complete, Hematology, Medical Microbiology (intro is fine I think?), quantitative chemistry and Immunology to obtain a trainee license. If you are in California, here is the list of training facilities: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...F3O9eULRbLutUz1F4TJdiLQ&bvm=bv.44697112,d.cGE

For the CLS, it is a year long training. You will be rotated in 4 different departments: Blood Bank, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology. In your first year, you are called a trainee or an apprentice. After your training, you will be eligible for board certification. IF you pass, you are now a licensed CLS. Here is the website of various ways to get licensed: http://www.ascp.org/certification There are specialized sections for CLS. For example, Clinical Microbiologist Scientist, Clinical Chemists. Again, you have to go through a year of training. Take note that CLS is generalist license, meaning you can work all around and in any department. If you have the specialist license, you can only work at that specified specialty.

I hope that gave you some overview.

which school said that? you can do whatever the hell you want in your gap years as long as it isn't sitting on your couch playing video games, eating slim jims, and drinking mountain dews. well, you can certainly do those things, as long as you are also staying productive, which you most definitely are.

and your gap year employment is EXCELLENT. it is science/medicine-ish related, even though you do not have to do medicine related activities during your time off.

Yes. I've been quite busy and can't really be unproductive ie play video games and be fat. I'm always on the go and doing something. I hope I don't get burn out! I saw it in UCLA/USC admission websites when I was browsing. I felt scared because I already graduated! I'm dubious if QC Microbiologist count as clinical or non clinical employment? We are testing medical/pharmaceutical products...My guess is, it's not.

This looks excellent, long term commitments usually look much better than crammed hours in a single week trying to boost the extra curricular portion of applications. Keep at it, make sure you do well on the MCAT.
Congrats on the promotion.

Wooo, that's a relief. I feel that I'm squeezing in a lot of time on my weekend doing all these volunteering and shadowing (should I focus to 1 or 2 activities instead of a lot of stuff?).

I lack shadowing hours! (Is that bad? What is the ideal hours? I have about ~30 for now). It is actually not a promotion. I'm quitting my QC micro job to pursue CLS.

You make my gap year look like a vacation.

I'm just trying to increase my chances of getting accepted to outweigh my below average GPA. What did you do during your gap year? and where did you decide to go for med school?

 

[sinombre]

which school said that? you can do whatever the hell you want in your gap years as long as it isn't sitting on your couch playing video games, eating slim jims, and drinking mountain dews. well, you can certainly do those things, as long as you are also staying productive, which you most definitely are.

and your gap year employment is EXCELLENT. it is science/medicine-ish related, even though you do not have to do medicine related activities during your time off.

But you can do as much of this as you want once you're accepted

 

[ilovebiology]

Dang, good for you for thinking the MCAT is easy. I'm really struggling and worried (taking it May 23rd)

Yes, ID is definitely fascinating and I think specialists will be needed as there are more resistant bacteria evolving and new viruses! I love parasites and anything to do with microbiology nerd alert! Pathology is also interesting, but I want to interact with patients more...

I did get my BS in Bio and have taken most of those courses minus the Hematology and Immunology. That sounds like such an amazing job that I wish I would've known about before I became a scribe; however, I wouldn't change my experience as scribe for anything! I am going to be applying this coming round in late June 2013 (start 2014) so since it takes an entire year to train, I won't be able to even apply my training because I'll be starting med school! If I don't get in (which would suck), I will definitely be pursuing this!

Thanks so much for all of your info! I wish you luck in your training process and hope you pass the exam for it!!

 

[aspiring20]

But you can do as much of this as you want once you're accepted

lol of course!

 

[JohnFe]

Dang, good for you for thinking the MCAT is easy. I'm really struggling and worried (taking it May 23rd)

Yes, ID is definitely fascinating and I think specialists will be needed as there are more resistant bacteria evolving and new viruses! I love parasites and anything to do with microbiology nerd alert! Pathology is also interesting, but I want to interact with patients more...

I did get my BS in Bio and have taken most of those courses minus the Hematology and Immunology. That sounds like such an amazing job that I wish I would've known about before I became a scribe; however, I wouldn't change my experience as scribe for anything! I am going to be applying this coming round in late June 2013 (start 2014) so since it takes an entire year to train, I won't be able to even apply my training because I'll be starting med school! If I don't get in (which would suck), I will definitely be pursuing this!

Thanks so much for all of your info! I wish you luck in your training process and hope you pass the exam for it!!

LOL! That's exactly why I am interested in infectious diseases! I initially wanted to do pharmacy but I felt that it wasn't for me. I want to be more involve in patient care.
PS: I actually got rejected by a pharmacy school this year. But its ehh, things happen for a reason