Need Some Guidance

[thegreypilgrim]

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Hey everyone, I'm kind of new here and I'm sure you guys have gone through this multiple times with different posters, but if you could be so kind as to extend some guidance my way I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm 25 years old, and have for some time now been considering a career change into medicine. What I would like to know is how realistic my chances are of being accepted to an MD school.

I am a licensed paramedic and have been practicing for just over a year now. I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree in Emergency Medical Care from Loma Linda University. My cumulative GPA as of now is 3.41 (3.82 since transferring from CC) and I still have another year of school to go. I'm going to have to do a post-bacc program after graduating to complete my science pre-reqs so if I do well in that program that could help boost my GPA.

I'm currently seeking out volunteering opportunities in my area - thinking of volunteering in a free clinic or something. Also will be shadowing physicians soon and trying to get involved with research.

Obviously I have a lot to do still, but keep in mind I've only recently came to this decision after having been pursuing a career in the fire service. Anyway, say I finish all that. How realistic is getting into medical school for someone like me? What else can I do to market myself? Thanks for any input.

 

[Econ2MD]

Personally, I think you're in good shape so far. Your GPA is decent, and you're doing the necessary things to help build a strong application.

As far as marketing yourself, I think one of the best things to do is start building genuine relationships with faculty and physicians shadowed. Show them you are interested, capable, motivated, and generally a good person to be around. For better or worse, much of the advancement in medicine is done through recommendation and referral. The sooner you start this process, the easier quality letters of recommendation will be to obtain.

The fact that you are asking these types of questions now makes me think you'll be very successful in the application process.

Good luck.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I don't think we can really comment on your chances. Your GPA is good and you are starting with a blank slate. Once you have more classes under your belt, it'll be easier to say what your chances are. If money is not an issue, you should go to a formal post-bac with a linkage program (Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Mills etc.). If it is, then do what you need to.
Good luck.

How realistic is getting into medical school for someone like me? What else can I do to market myself? Thanks for any input.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

You're in good shape. I used paramedic school, albeit eight or so years ago, to get quite a bit of shadowing done. (I later gave up on premed but I'm back!) I was in a relaxed program so often when I was supposed to be in the hospital doing something with nurses I was actually rounding with attendings. It was good fun and very educational.

Develop some relationships with docs that can help you out later, learn about the various specialties, and go through the usual premed stuff: volunteer which need not be clinical, get your clinical exposure on the job and via medic school, bust the post-bacc, and rock the MCAT, and you ought to be right up there with the best of them. Good luck.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Just looked at your curriculum. I'm envious. The classes that have the AHCJ prefix look pretty cool. Wish that existed around here when I was new into all the medical stuff. 👍