Is Scribing Worth It?

[sunflower18]

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Little background about myself:

I'm a sophomore pre-med student. My cGPA is currently >3.95, sGPA 4.00, and I'm on track to get straight As this semester (including an A or A- in Organic Chemistry -- knock on wood!).
I'm currently involved with ~20 hours/wk of ECs:
- job running pre-health department
- teaching science to middle schoolers
- teaching swim lessons to preschoolers
- campus emergency medical service (member and leader)
- tour guide
- research
I also have about 550 hours of clinical volunteering at a hospital (cumulative since 9th grade), and did full time research over this past summer. Things I did last year: published poetry in national literary magazines, on staff of campus literary magazine.

I have an opportunity to start scribing (16-24 hours a week) in the middle or end of next semester. This sounds like an awesome opportunity, but I think I'd have to drop the majority of my ECs in order to accommodate it. Granted, I'll probably have to do that anyway to properly study for the MCAT -- but scribing might get in the way of THAT, also. Also, I wouldn't be able to participate in a summer research internship. Which is a bummer because I love research (but I love hospitals / clinical experience more).

So, basically, here are my options:

1) Don't scribe. Do research and volunteer over the summer. Take physics junior year. Study for MCAT along with physics 2 second semester. Take MCAT in May, apply in June.

2) Scribe. Take physics over summer. Study for MCAT along with scribing junior year. Take MCAT probably January or February, apply in June.

3) Don't scribe. Take physics over the summer. Study for MCAT first semester junior year. Take MCAT January or February, apply in June.

4) Scribe. Do research and volunteer over the summer. Take physics junior year. Have massive nervous breakdown.

I think scribing would be awesome, but I can't decide if it's worth it. I'm not exactly lacking for clinical experience, but it sounds like such an amazing opportunity. At the same time, I want to study for the MCAT properly (not sure the right way to do it!) and stay involved with research.

Help would be so so super great. This isn't exactly a "what are my chances" thread, but if you want to let me know how I'm doing with ECs and grades and life plan, that would be super (and relevant!) as well!

THANKS 🙂

 

[CodeBlu]

Scribing is worth it. Just saying.

 

[sunflower18]

Scribing is worth it. Just saying.

Depending on the company you're with, it's quite possibly the best pre-med job out there. Talked about it a ton in my interviews so far and got good feedback.

That's some strong praise!! Would you suggest I follow option 2, then? Or, option 5..

5) Take Physics 1 next semester. Study for the MCAT all summer, including self-studying Physics 2. Take MCAT in August. Start scribing in August. Scribe free of worry!

 

[1cor1311]

Can anyone point me in the direction of what one needs to do to begin scribing? My gf is seeking a scribing position and is highly qualified. She applied, and followed up, yet nothing came through. From so-cal if that matters. Thank you in advance.

 

[deleted451730]

I'm currently a scribe. Most valuable experience ever.

 

[ArseneWengered]

5) Scribe. Take physics, supplementing physics with TPR books. Chill out. Obtain personality. Take MCAT in APRIL/MAY so you have time fully dedicated to the bastard. Do it.

 

[sunflower18]

Can anyone point me in the direction of what one needs to do to begin scribing? My gf is seeking a scribing position and is highly qualified. She applied, and followed up, yet nothing came through. From so-cal if that matters. Thank you in advance.

Hopefully someone else can help you with this one -- the company that I will scribe for is only in my region (which isn't SoCal). Good luck to her!!

I'm currently a scribe. Most valuable experience ever.

That's what I keep hearing, which is making me more and more excited 👍 Thanks!

5) Scribe. Take physics, supplementing physics with TPR books. Chill out. Obtain personality. Take MCAT in APRIL/MAY so you have time fully dedicated to the bastard. Do it.

Thanks for your input!! I am not quite sure how you decided that I don't have a personality based on like, three posts, but that's okay. I'm pretty confident in saying that I have never once been accused of being personality-less by people who know me, and I guess that's what matters. But, putting your hasty conclusions aside, your advice is solid and I appreciate that. Just to clarify, though -- why take it in April / May instead of studying all summer and taking it in August? I've heard from most people that it's better to study a lot for a span of a few months rather than study slowly over a year. Have you had another experience?

 

[ArseneWengered]

Hopefully someone else can help you with this one -- the company that I will scribe for is only in my region (which isn't SoCal). Good luck to her!!



That's what I keep hearing, which is making me more and more excited 👍 Thanks!



Thanks for your input!! I am not quite sure how you decided that I don't have a personality based on like, three posts, but that's okay. I'm pretty confident in saying that I have never once been accused of being personality-less by people who know me, and I guess that's what matters. But, putting your hasty conclusions aside, your advice is solid and I appreciate that. Just to clarify, though -- why take it in April / May instead of studying all summer and taking it in August? I've heard from most people that it's better to study a lot for a span of a few months rather than study slowly over a year. Have you had another experience?

Lol I said gain personality because you become a robot during the cat year. I needed to refresh on my sciences since I took them over a long timespan. I also took physics at a very mediocre university. It helps to study things for a long time and really grasp concepts and usage without having to really think about them. The problem with studying over a long period of time is that it may not be consistent and you might burn out. I ended up taking the MCAT twice, but because I did a lot of PS studying, it became my best section. Taking after the semesters are over will help give you optimal time to prepare since that's all you'd be focusing on. It helps a lot, especially if you are like me and didn't blow money on the class. I was happy with my scores because my reading ability was really my downfall so verbal reasoning ruined me. My strategy for that: pray a lot. I scored 4s at times and managed an 8 once and then somehow got an 8 on my actual so praying might've helped.

 

[sunflower18]

Lol I said gain personality because you become a robot during the cat year. I needed to refresh on my sciences since I took them over a long timespan. I also took physics at a very mediocre university. It helps to study things for a long time and really grasp concepts and usage without having to really think about them. The problem with studying over a long period of time is that it may not be consistent and you might burn out. I ended up taking the MCAT twice, but because I did a lot of PS studying, it became my best section. Taking after the semesters are over will help give you optimal time to prepare since that's all you'd be focusing on. It helps a lot, especially if you are like me and didn't blow money on the class. I was happy with my scores because my reading ability was really my downfall so verbal reasoning ruined me. My strategy for that: pray a lot. I scored 4s at times and managed an 8 once and then somehow got an 8 on my actual so praying might've helped.

Oh, I understand! Sorry for jumping to conclusions, there -- my bad 😳 I will keep that in mind, for sure, and try not to become a robot. But if it means getting a good score, then I guess being robotic for three months isn't too high of a price to pay...

That makes sense. Most of my pre-reqs will be really fresh in my head, so I'm not super concerned about that part; I'm just worried about only taking Phyics 1 before I take the MCAT. But I really think it's my best option, so I'll just have to work harder to make it happen.

Congratulations on getting your high score on your actual exam!! That's awesome. I might be in for a rude awakening, but I'm not suuuper concerned about VR at this point -- I am actually currently an English major, so hopefully that will be advantageous. But who knows, maybe it'll crush me too. Thanks for the advice!!

I really appreciate your words of wisdom 🙂 Good luck this cycle!!

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

June.

4) Scribe. Do research and volunteer over the summer. Take physics junior year. Have massive nervous breakdown.

I think scribing would be awesome, but I can't decide if it's worth it. I'm not exactly lacking for clinical experience, but it sounds like such an amazing opportunity. At the same time, I want to study for the MCAT properly (not sure the right way to do it!) and stay involved with research.

I can't tell you what to do, but I can describe my situation. I am 35 yo, finishing a very rigorous MS degree in molecular biology / bioinformatics with a likely publication. I did well on the MCAT (33) and very well in the master's program (3.9+) but did very poorly in many aspects of my undergrad (many yrs ago) because I was very young and lacked direction. I am intending to apply June 2013.

I have been working as an ER scribe for the last 6 months, and it has been fantastic! The hours suck, but I would probably do it for free. My entire shifts are spent one-on-one with the physicians (md=do in the ER) and I see every patient that they see.

Being in a position to spend entire shifts with the physicians, when they are GLAD YOU ARE THERE, is priceless. I am suddenly able to articulate an answer to the old question: "How do you *know* you want to be a doctor?"

Where else do you get to spend every hour on a shift right next to a practicing physician who is usually thrilled to talk. IMHO, physicians are very willing to teach future physicians.

I would VERY highly recommend scribing. In addition to the LOCs and overall experience, it has already made me much more confidant that medicine is indeed my field.


~Ted

ps. sorry for the late reply... I haven't been on sdn lately

 

[cheechootrain]

I can't tell you what to do, but I can describe my situation. I am 35 yo, finishing a very rigorous MS degree in molecular biology / bioinformatics with a likely publication. I did well on the MCAT (33) and very well in the master's program (3.9+) but did very poorly in many aspects of my undergrad (many yrs ago) because I was very young and lacked direction. I am intending to apply June 2013.

I have been working as an ER scribe for the last 6 months, and it has been fantastic! The hours suck, but I would probably do it for free. My entire shifts are spent one-on-one with the physicians (md=do in the ER) and I see every patient that they see.

Being in a position to spend entire shifts with the physicians, when they are GLAD YOU ARE THERE, is priceless. I am suddenly able to articulate an answer to the old question: "How do you *know* you want to be a doctor?"

Where else do you get to spend every hour on a shift right next to a practicing physician who is usually thrilled to talk. IMHO, physicians are very willing to teach future physicians.

I would VERY highly recommend scribing. In addition to the LOCs and overall experience, it has already made me much more confidant that medicine is indeed my field.


~Ted

ps. sorry for the late reply... I haven't been on sdn lately

+1

Great experience and you learn a lot.

 

[Cipher9422]

I'm currently an ER scribe and have been doing it for a little over a year and a half. Invaluable experience that only a fool would pass up.

 

[sunflower18]

You all have convinced me!! I plan to start scribing in April, and study for the MCAT this summer. Thanks for your opinions!!! I am super excited.

 

[muibee22]

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[Anathema]

What if I were to scribe during a gap year but would start after I sent my application in? What should I do in that case?

 

[Sooner1]

What if I were to scribe during a gap year but would start after I sent my application in? What should I do in that case?

Update letter

 

[sherevs]

I'm a current scribe; the experience is first-hand in the medical field, and is probably the best you can get as a pre-med student. Just make sure you're comfortable working quite a bit of hours, even as a PT scribe during your semester (all-in-all it's not too bad and the schedule changes per ER). You work directly with the docs in the ER, and gain some invaluable experience and knowledge. Not only that, but your chances of getting into medical school (I know from the scribes who have applied, not one has not been able to get in) are better, because of the GREAT references, and the knowledge base you already have. If you can get a job as a scribe, do it!

 

[Narmada08]

Scribing is awesome and you learn a lot...just don't work with the company Elite Medical Scribes...worst management I have ever seen (and I've worked in many places)

 

[Nike33]

Being a scribe is THE best premed job- I would probably do it for free but then again pretty well paid for a part time job. I work in So Cal for 2 ERs. It took months to even have my app looked at, then 2 interviews.. Lots of taining and youre basically doing everthing the ER doc does w/o touching the patient. Ive had tons of hours volunteering in several other programs but this is no doubt the best. Im glad I got this job bc EMT was my backup and they dont get anything close to what scribes actively do. Very competitive job.. I work for a large Cali based company that is expanding quickly. I agree with an earlier post that even being part time is demanding but they know were students and accomadate. I work 20-30 hrs week including overnightshifts shifts But its my gap year so prioritize and drop some ECs if you land this opportunity! Hope this helps!