Lawyer + EMT = possible DO candidate?

[foxtrotter99]

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Looking for some expert advice. I appreciate the honest input.

Stats

• 2.90 GPA from average liberal arts college (non-science major).
  • While in undergrad, took two bio classes, one physics class (~2.5 science GPA) and withdrew from chemistry (no good excuse; though I wanted to try and complete prereqs, but wasn't mature enough to put the time in).
  • Undergrad was more than 10 years ago.
• 3.6 law school GPA from strong regional law school (earned some awards while there)
  • Currently practice at large, "prestigious" firm and spend approx 50 hrs per year doing pro bono work for those less fortunate
• Current volunteer EMT w/ 300+ hours of clinical experience
• No research experience
• Currently shadow a DO (<15 hours so far, but working on getting more)

Why medicine?

• It's a calling. Always wanted to be a doctor. But I was immature and distracted in undergrad and not only did I do relatively poorly, I didn't complete the science prereqs. No excuses. When I got into law school and did well (GPA + leadership positions) it gave me confidence that with humility and hard work, I was capable of succeeding academically. And practicing law has reinforced the joy I feel in serving others. Though I like being a lawyer (i.e., i'm not running away from the legal field), I love being an EMT. And I can't shake the fact that I have always wanted to serve others in medicine.
• Money is not at issue. Law has been lucrative and I'm grateful for that. But rather than stay in law and succeed financially, I just know I have to at least try to become a physician. The thought of being a doctor is not an impulsive idea that I woke up one morning with.

Given this background, here are my questions:

1. I've heard adcomms don't care about law school GPA. Fact or fiction?
2. I will continue with volunteer EMT hours. Would going to paramedic school (at a local CC) improve my med school chances?
3. Re volunteering, would adcomms look favorably on law volunteering (e.g., serving those less fortunate via a legal aid clinic) or must volunteering be limited to clinical exposure?
4. I need science prereqs. OK to do them at a local university/CC OR should I try to get into post bac? I've thought about even taking some online science courses as a means to get into post bac. I have no idea how competitive post bac programs are to get into. But benefits like linkage programs and eliminating the glide year are attractive (again, assuming I could get in to a Temple, Bryn Mawr, Goucher, JHU, etc).
5. Letters of recommendation: I could likely get a law professor and a judge I worked for to write strong, personal letters. But not sure those non-science, non-medical letters would mean much to an adcomms. Should I also ask the DO I am shadowing? When I do the science prereqs, should I ask one of those professors?

Again, thanks for the insight and advice.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I've heard adcomms don't care about law school GPA. Fact or fiction?

Fact-ish. I've heard it said from adcoms that they don't care about your law school grades. Having a law degree in and of itself is fine. But in your particular circumstance I would imagine that it can only help you since you did fairly well in law school and have gotten awards.

I will continue with volunteer EMT hours. Would going to paramedic school (at a local CC) improve my med school chances?

I don't think so. As long as your EMT work is more than just patient transport you should be ok.

Re volunteering, would adcomms look favorably on law volunteering (e.g., serving those less fortunate via a legal aid clinic) or must volunteering be limited to clinical exposure?

Absolutely. You already have clinical exposure with your EMT work (again, assuming it's more than just patient transport) and with your pro bono work you have service-to-the-needy.

I need science prereqs. OK to do them at a local university/CC OR should I try to get into post bac? I've thought about even taking some online science courses as a means to get into post bac. I have no idea how competitive post bac programs are to get into. But benefits like linkage programs and eliminating the glide year are attractive (again, assuming I could get in to a Temple, Bryn Mawr, Goucher, JHU, etc).

I think you have a decent chance at Bryn Mawr or Goucher or any of those career-changer post-baccs. Your undergrad GPA is from 10 years ago and you've proven yourself since then through your current career as a successful lawyer. The worst that could happen at this point is that you don't get into those programs and you have to DIY-it. CC is fine.

Letters of recommendation: I could likely get a law professor and a judge I worked for to write strong, personal letters. But not sure those non-science, non-medical letters would mean much to an adcomms. Should I also ask the DO I am shadowing? When I do the science prereqs, should I ask one of those professors?

Those letters do mean something, but you still need science letters as mentioned previously. You should also get a DO letter since a lot of osteopathic schools still require a DO letter.

I am also a non-trad, currently an M3. Feel free to PM me with more questions.

 

[sumtimesuwonder]

I would say that they don't care too much about law school grades. I dropped out of law school after first year with unspectacular grades and I was able to find my way into a DO school. The focus for you should definitely be on

1. Prerequisites (I had most of mine done in undergrad so I can't speak to the advantages of a postbac vs. DIY at a CC or something)
2) The MCAT.
3) Clinical experience (Your EMT experience is perfect, definitely continue to shadow DO and get at least one letter, might not be a bad idea to diversify your experience in healthcare by shadowing different specialties. It also helped me in interviews as it gave me answer to the next point
4) Be prepared to answer why you are leaving law. This is personally what I wrote about in my personal statement.

 

[esob]

Grades and MCAT get you over the bar; being a lawyer (or a professional singer or division 1 athlete) are all things that make you interesting as a candidate once you get over the bar. Your GPA is a bit low so you need to do extremely well on the MCAT to dispel any doubt they may have about your academic abilities.