More advice

[DD214_DOC]

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I finally got the check I was waiting on, so I have plenty of money to submit my primary app. However, I wonder if I should wait?

I was recently contingently offered a really cool job in law enforcement -- probation and parole officer. In my state, probation/parole officers are fully comissioned law enforcement officers. The job involves a lot of counseling and working with people, investigation, testifying in court, and arresting people. You work independently and have the authority to send people to prison based on your recommendation to the court. You also are on call 24/7. The job would be a shining example of working with people with a great deal of authority and responsibility.

Now, med school is still my ultimate goal. However, I wonder if I should wait until I get cleared from the state director to submit my app so I can include it under work experience. This may or may not happen until July/Sept. I'm also a bit worried about not being able to go on interviews. I'm willing to cut my applications down to just nearby schools again, since I already have a job I would like and probably won't be able to travel far because of call.

When it rains it pours.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

I finally got the check I was waiting on, so I have plenty of money to submit my primary app. However, I wonder if I should wait?

I was recently contingently offered a really cool job in law enforcement -- probation and parole officer. In my state, probation/parole officers are fully comissioned law enforcement officers. The job involves a lot of counseling and working with people, investigation, testifying in court, and arresting people. You work independently and have the authority to send people to prison based on your recommendation to the court. You also are on call 24/7. The job would be a shining example of working with people with a great deal of authority and responsibility.

Now, med school is still my ultimate goal. However, I wonder if I should wait until I get cleared from the state director to submit my app so I can include it under work experience. This may or may not happen until July/Sept. I'm also a bit worried about not being able to go on interviews. I'm willing to cut my applications down to just nearby schools again, since I already have a job I would like and probably won't be able to travel far because of call.

When it rains it pours.

Keep your eye on the ball - apply early, get in and do whatever you want during your year off (if applies to you) before med schools starts. IMO, nothing beats applying early - except a drastic increase in MCAT scores.

 

[MHC]

if you are taking the job because it will look good on your app, don't wait. it most likely won't up your chances that much.

 

[DD214_DOC]

if you are taking the job because it will look good on your app, don't wait. it most likely won't up your chances that much.

Na, I'm taking the job so I wont' be poor. 😀

 

[DD214_DOC]

if you are taking the job because it will look good on your app, don't wait. it most likely won't up your chances that much.

Na, I'm taking the job so I wont' be poor. 😀 I just think it also has the added benefit of being different.

 

[mj1878]

It sounds to me like you're quite ambiguous right now! I personally couldn't think of a distraction that would take my mind off of applying ASAP, but it sounds like something worthy of distraction has popped up for you. I think that applying for medical schools is an 'all or none' proposition. I don't think you want to go into it half-hearted for a couple of reasons:

1)It will show in your interviews and personal statement whether you're "all in" as is the popular phrase nowadays, or if you're kind of wishy-washy about it all.

2)If you possibly don't get in this year again, you could be left questioning yourself as to whether the rejection had to do with your own personal committment level, or to something else in your app.

If making money is the important thing for you right now, then I say go for it. If making it into medical school is number one for you, then I say do that, and do it RIGHT. Apply early, get those LORs, polish that PS, and prep. for interviews. Get used to being poor; we ALL are!