MS vs EMT

[Carbon Tetrafluoride]

I am entering my senior year, and I am debating on whether to attend a masters program after graduation, or become an EMT. My GPA is 3.5 (have not taken MCAT yet) and I know for sure I will be taking a gap year before starting medical school. Which would be a better option?

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[chemist16]

I doubt master's program would do much to boost GPA either since everyone knows that grad courses are graded much more loosely as compared to undergrad courses. This is coming from courses at a top school, too. But EMT will take 6 months to take the class/get certified and so you probably will get very little patient contact. If you go to med school afterwards, that training will probably be of little use. So probably still master's program.

 

[chemist16]

I doubt master's program would do much to boost GPA either since everyone knows that grad courses are graded much more loosely as compared to undergrad courses. This is coming from courses at a top school, too. But EMT will take 6 months to take the class/get certified and so you probably will get very little patient contact. If you go to med school afterwards, that training will probably be of little use. So probably still master's program.

 

[lolcat]

Unless your are looking at an SMP

but would you recommend an SMP to someone with a 3.5?

 

[chemist16]

Unless your are looking at an SMP

Of course, but those are a lot rarer than your typical master's course and it's not really a viable option for somebody who's interested in doing a master's in, say, catalytic chemistry. I don't know if that would be an ideal option for OP with a 3.5 GPA. IMO, there are better ways to spend his/her time.

 

[PatrickStarMDPHD]

I am entering my senior year, and I am debating on whether to attend a masters program after graduation, or become an EMT. My GPA is 3.5 (have not taken MCAT yet) and I know for sure I will be taking a gap year before starting medical school. Which would be a better option?

Just focus on rocking the MCAT and your last senior year classes. Get an MS if you want focused research, although working as a research tech would also be a good option too. EMT is also great clinical experience, and would be good if you are weak in that area.

 

[GrapesofRath]

This discussion is moot without knowing what all you have done in terms of activities

It this is simply a case im trying to find what will help my resume the most----here are two options which is better then you are probably not looking at this the right way. If your goal is to solely do anything to maximize your odds of getting into medical school doing very well senior year and getting a good MCAT score are by far and away most important. A 3.6 puts you in better shape than a 3.5 especially with an upward trend and a solid MCAT is required. Devoting your time and getting something equivalent to a 33 is far far better for someone's app than trying to devote major time to a masters or emt and only ending up with a 28 and not doing as well as you can gpa wise senior year

 

[GrapesofRath]

Hey Grapes,

While this is not the OPs direct question, it does in line with the other thread on postbacc/SMP/MPH. By far and away the most efficient in terms of time, most cost effective in terms of money, and the most impactful in terms of impressing an adcom, is improving MCAT score. For a a few thousand $$$ and a few months that can be worked around whatever else you are doing, 2-4 point increase in MCAT is the most direct route.

I would suggest that if the OP is unsure which direction to go, he/she may consider simply taking a graduate course or two prior to formally entering a program

Well there you have it when in doubt @gonnif has your answers. Good insight as always

 

[Carbon Tetrafluoride]

Thank you all for the replies. I was a B student in my first 3 semesters, but ever since then I have achieved mostly A's in an upward trend. By the time I graduate I expect to be at a 3.55-3.65. I have spectacular EC's, research, clinicals, LORs, the whole 9 yards, and I feel I can do well on the MCAT, but my only concern is that I won't be mature enough to enter a medical program straight after graduation. I am just debating if being an EMT or doing a MS will be worth taking a gap year (or 2) if it would increase the chances of gaining admissions to MD or DO schools in the years to follow.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I doubt master's program would do much to boost GPA either since everyone knows that grad courses are graded much more loosely as compared to undergrad courses. This is coming from courses at a top school, too. But EMT will take 6 months to take the class/get certified and so you probably will get very little patient contact. If you go to med school afterwards, that training will probably be of little use. So probably still master's program.

My class took me 3 months max.. Just saying.

As for OP, a 3.5 GPA is low but not insurmountable. I think your MCAT score should determine when and where you apply.

 

[chemist16]

My class took me 3 months max.. Just saying.

Class took me 3 months, took me another month to find a time to register for the NREMT exam and take it, and another month or two to mail in the reciprocity application for licensure in my state. You can also take your state exam, but in my state those are only offered once every month or so and it's difficult to find the ideal time that wouldn't conflict with classes/other stuff. So around 6 months to have the licensure/cert necessary to practice as an EMT. Although, between the class and certification, I was still riding with the squad although I could not treat the patient.

 

[chemist16]

Also, OP, I would really not take a master's program or EMT course just to help bolster your med school app. Use that year to explore your interests. There will never be a time again once you enter med school when you can just take a full year to just do something you've always wanted to do. Do you want to explore rural China for a year? There are fellowships for that (the Fulbright, for instance). Do you want to volunteer at a foreign health clinic to get a taste for a different culture? That kind of stuff. Or maybe you just want to climb Mount Everest. Who knows? My point is that you should explore your interests and come back from that being able to articulate why medicine is for you.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Class took me 3 months, took me another month to find a time to register for the NREMT exam and take it, and another month or two to mail in the reciprocity application for licensure in my state. You can also take your state exam, but in my state those are only offered once every month or so and it's difficult to find the ideal time that wouldn't conflict with classes/other stuff. So around 6 months to have the licensure/cert necessary to practice as an EMT. Although, between the class and certification, I was still riding with the squad although I could not treat the patient.

Oh, I see. You were probably factoring in overall class start----->getting hired estimates, and if so, the 6 month range is more accurate. I do want to second your more recent post, though - to OP, do what interests you, not just what you think will be good for an application. If you happen to really want to be an EMT, that's great, but it's not something to do just for the sake of it.

OP Has a increasing grade trend. So for example 3.3 first two years then 3.7 next two years , could aim higher than typical 3.5.

Oh, missed that part. That's good then. I do think having the MCAT score will be a big factor in deciding where to apply here - a very good MCAT score, with an increasing trend GPA could get some pretty good MD acceptances.