I have heard that medicine and pharma have a turbulent history. Would working for a pharmaceutical company be seen in a negative light by medical school admissions committees? Would med schools think that the applicant is not really med school material?
Is working in pharma detrimental to admission to medical school?
- Thread starter Phoenixi
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It wasn't for me. In my case, it was helpful, in part because I worked under an MD who had practiced clinically for decades in addition to research and I got lucky with an interviewer who liked it. The main concern that I got was that you NOT be viewed as some lab rat who prefers the bench to bedside. Some adcom's will view it negatively if it's out of balance. You need to have some good clinical/human experience to balance the lab experience. That seems to be a valid concern.
This position is a marketing role, not lab-based. Would this be viewed differently?
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I worked for a big pharma company for several years in an IT role and got into 3 medical schools. I don't remember any interviewers bringing up my pharmaceutical industry experience, at least not in a negative way. The "turbulent" relationship between medicine and pharma you have heard about is really the result of a vocal minority within medicine. Most doctors don't hate drug companies, and though medical school is a liberal-leaning environment, those who are so hard-Communist-left that they believe all corporations are evil and hate everyone who ever worked for one are few and far between. I do not think it will hurt you.
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I worked as a Scientist (bench) for 2yrs n as a Lab Tech for 2 yrs also @ a Pharma, and I've been accepted to 3 schools as of now. I think it's a plus depending on how u package the experience, u work in marketing so u know marketing is everything. U basically wanna tie all/most of ur experiences into a narrative that concludes with medical school as the next logical step. Everything led to this med school application.
In some of my essay I tied my QC work to patient safety, appreciation of quality improvement in the medical field etc etc etc.
At the very least, its a plus, u maintained a job/responsibility...
In some of my essay I tied my QC work to patient safety, appreciation of quality improvement in the medical field etc etc etc.
At the very least, its a plus, u maintained a job/responsibility...
Sites like Amsa's "Pharm Free" freak me out, though. Any thoughts on this? I am still very conflicted...
QofQuimica
Seriously, dude, I think you're overreacting....
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OP, it's not like you can go back and undo your work history, so it's time to change your thinking. You are a marketer, not an evil empire unto yourself. Working in the pharmaceutical industry is neither illegal nor immoral, and it is quite common for large pharm companies to fund medical research done in academic centers, or for academics to decide to go work in industry.
As an adcom, my main concern is finding out whether you are committed to and prepared for a career in medicine. You will possibly get asked about your work history, but that doesn't mean your interviewer is gunning for you. They want to see your thought process. As a professional, you should be able to discuss these issues, should they come up, in a reflective way. For example, after X number of years in the industry, what do you see as the pros and cons of working for Big Pharma? What kinds of skills and insights have you picked up during your time working in the pharm industry? How are those skills and insights relevant to medicine? What do you think about Pharm Free rules? If you show up and haven't thought about those issues at all, *that* is what's really going to sink you.
I would think that fairly neutral then with respect to your app. You'll want to stress any leadership types of roles you fulfilled.
That freaks me out that there are sites like that. Without pharma, we'd still be in the dark ages for a lot of treatments.
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Even the pinko AMSA stops short (reluctantly, I'm sure) of explicitly opposing the existence of private pharmaceutical companies. AFAIK, the phrase "Pharm Free" typically refers to the idea that pharmaceutical company representatives should not be allowed in hospitals or doctor's office and should not be allowed to give gifts to, provide food for, or do any of the other things they have traditionally done to encourage physicians to prescribe their produces, though it may include the idea that pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed to advertise to patients as well.
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👍👍 to Q's post.
I read the PharmFree Campaign Page. I didn't see anything particularly controversial in it. I wonder why they chose such an incendiary name for the campaign.
I read the PharmFree Campaign Page. I didn't see anything particularly controversial in it. I wonder why they chose such an incendiary name for the campaign.
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I tell you something incendiary.
First. You're in marketing. Could there be anythings more soulless. Anything more fellatiotic for satan. Yes. Could thinking. Big Pharma. They could actually be worse.
50 demerits from your application. Courtesy of Nasrudin's You Better Hope I'm Never Your Admissions Committee Committee.
First. You're in marketing. Could there be anythings more soulless. Anything more fellatiotic for satan. Yes. Could thinking. Big Pharma. They could actually be worse.
50 demerits from your application. Courtesy of Nasrudin's You Better Hope I'm Never Your Admissions Committee Committee.
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You had this job because it fed you and kept the lights on in a home that needed to be payed for at the end of the month. There is nothing wrong with having a job. Your whole life doesn't need to revolve around medicine.
Precisely why I need to do the job. Plus, it is still related to healthcare.
I hope you say that in jest.
You mean in my current job or in general?
