Non-Trad Ask Me (almost) Anything - M3 - Passed Step - On to clinicals!

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star.buck

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I figured I'd throw this thread out there in case anyone has any questions during the application season. I've passed Step 1 (no, I won't share scores), and am currently in my longitudinal 5 month rural community family/internal medicine clerkship.

I have some time to answer questions now before the main clinicals start in January. If anyone else has advice or suggestions, please feel free to share!!

Background: grew up in under-served rural America, former musician, started med school in my early 30's, married (long distance relationship first 2 years), no kids, community college for most of my pre-reqs, and a long list of community and meaningful volunteer experiences as well as many different jobs in between my musical career and the path to medicine. I didn't decide I wanted to be a doctor until I was in my late 20's/early 30's. I'm currently strongly considering family medicine.

No question is a dumb question.

Hang in there... where ever you are in your journey. It can be rough at times - but from the perspective of finally living the world of clinical medicine - it's worth it!

p.s. my handle has nothing to do with coffee.

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I figured I'd throw this thread out there in case anyone has any questions during the application season. I've passed Step 1 (no, I won't share scores), and am currently in my longitudinal 5 month rural community family/internal medicine clerkship.

I have some time to answer questions now before the main clinicals start in January. If anyone else has advice or suggestions, please feel free to share!!

Background: grew up in under-served rural America, former musician, started med school in my early 30's, married (long distance relationship first 2 years), no kids, community college for most of my pre-reqs, and a long list of community and meaningful volunteer experiences as well as many different jobs in between my musical career and the path to medicine. I didn't decide I wanted to be a doctor until I was in my late 20's/early 30's. I'm currently strongly considering family medicine.

No question is a dumb question.

Hang in there... where ever you are in your journey. It can be rough at times - but from the perspective of finally living the world of clinical medicine - it's worth it!

p.s. my handle has nothing to do with coffee.

Can you tell us a bit more about this longitudinal clerkship? Are you in a special rural medicine track or was this just an option available that you chose based your interests?
 
Can you tell us a bit more about this longitudinal clerkship? Are you in a special rural medicine track or was this just an option available that you chose based your interests?

Basically, it’s a 6 month clerkship working with a veteran rural family physician (some of my classmates are in more urban underserved areas as well, depending on our interests). It’s a requirement of everyone at my school. The purpose being exposure and first hand experience in the trenches of primary care with an underserved population.

During this time many of us chose to live in our specific rural communities, which I think gives a deeper experience. Because it’s longer in length, I can see patients over a longer period of time, I can see follow ups from surgeries months afterward, recoveries from pneumonia or PE’s, etc, and see more fully what it’s like to be a PCP. I also spend time with specialists in the area, the small local emergency department and surgery department, and will be going back to “the city” for some time in a few primary areas my rural community doesn’t have physicians for.

The doc I’m working with is also a brilliant diagnostic physician, he greatly enjoys giving me diagnostic puzzles and teaching me how to think clinically and diagnostically. Because most sites only have 1 or 2 students, and we are with the physician for 6 months, I also have more one on one time with my physician - which is a very good learning situation. The docs volunteer to do this, they teach us because they want to.

I think this answers the question... the clerkship is a little hard to explain because it’s relatively unique, I know of only a few schools that do something similar.
 
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Basically, it’s a 6 month clerkship working with a veteran rural family physician (some of my classmates are in more urban underserved areas as well, depending on our interests). It’s a requirement of everyone at my school. The purpose being exposure and first hand experience in the trenches of primary care with an underserved population.

During this time many of us chose to live in our specific rural communities, which I think gives a deeper experience. Because it’s longer in length, I can see patients over a longer period of time, I can see follow ups from surgeries months afterward, recoveries from pneumonia or PE’s, etc, and see more fully what it’s like to be a PCP. I also spend time with specialists in the area, the small local emergency department and surgery department, and will be going back to “the city” for some time in a few primary areas my rural community doesn’t have physicians for.

The doc I’m working with is also a brilliant diagnostic physician, he greatly enjoys giving me diagnostic puzzles and teaching me how to think clinically and diagnostically. Because most sites only have 1 or 2 students, and we are with the physician for 6 months, I also have more one on one time with my physician - which is a very good learning situation. The docs volunteer to do this, they teach us because they want to.

I think this answers the question... the clerkship is a little hard to explain because it’s relatively unique, I know of only a few schools that do something similar.

Thanks. One of the schools I'm interested in has some longitudinal clerkship options in rural and underserved areas and I found it intriguing. Glad it's working well for you.
 
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Were you limited in your application choices because you took your pre-reqs in community college?
 
Thanks. One of the schools I'm interested in has some longitudinal clerkship options in rural and underserved areas and I found it intriguing. Glad it's working well for you.

It really is working out amazingly. I met few more of the specialists in the area and their enthusiasm to teach me is beyond what I could have imagined. If you have the opportunity I'd definitely take advantage of it. I think the rural community may have this culture with med students - perhaps because there is such an incredible need for doctors in these areas. Many of my classmates are experiencing the same thing in other towns, with doctors from all different walks of life. The only commonality is the communities they serve.
 
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Were you limited in your application choices because you took your pre-reqs in community college?

I didn't feel limited, but I did do a lot of research on MSAR before I applied. I ended up applying to only 6 local schools (4 in state), I received three interview invites, one outright acceptance and one waitlist (which I withdrew from because I fell in love with the school I now attend). I know this is a rather small amount of schools to apply to, but it worked out well for me.

My MCAT was also sub average, with a science GPA of 3.9, overall 3.6. I know people love the numbers... but I truly think it was my nontraditional background and ability to convey my passion for the care of the ill and vulnerable that gained me my acceptance - not my numbers. My LizzyM said I had an 11% chance of acceptance, LOL. (though, 1 out of 6 applications is right about 16%, so not far off)
 
What a great story. If I am admitted this cycle I will be 31 when I matriculate.

Were there times when your age caused you to question continuing forward on the medical path after you changed from music? For example did issues of partner/family relationships, being too old to keep up during various parts of the training process, and just not fitting into the general cohort bother you?

Do you participate in your medical school community very much?

Also, how did you address your drastic career change, and did adcoms grill you on that seemingly disconnected path? (I hope that doesn't come off as criticism or judgment. I am trying to prepare for a similar justification/defense of my resume)

Thank you for any and all info!
 
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What a great story. If I am admitted this cycle I will be 31 when I matriculate.

Were there times when your age caused you to question continuing forward on the medical path after you changed from music? For example did issues of partner/family relationships, being too old to keep up during various parts of the training process, and just not fitting into the general cohort bother you?

Do you participate in your medical school community very much?

Also, how did you address your drastic career change, and did adcoms grill you on that seemingly disconnected path? (I hope that doesn't come off as criticism or judgment. I am trying to prepare for a similar justification/defense of my resume)

Thank you for any and all info!

I was a little older when I matriculated, and have several classmates in the same age ranges - don't worry too much, your age shouldn't play into life in med school much, except for those times when life experience and maturity will give you an advantage.

There were a few times when I was deciding on what path to take to med school that I second guessed myself, to be perfectly honest. The amount of debt was the largest struggle I had. When I calculated the debt, the take home pay of a family doc, the life expenses... it turned out all right. My spouse has a decent income, and if we work hard to pay down the debt we should be able to within 2-5 years. I want to be able to pay off the loans, save for retirement (the day when I can no longer work as a physician for the best interests of my patients), and be able to live comfortably (not extravagantly). My spouse has been incredibly supportive since before I decided to start med school, which is an immense blessing. Other members of my family doubted the intelligence of the choice (age, debts, yadda yadda)... they don't factor into my life decisions however, so I took the comments in stride. Overall, I adopted the attitude of "I'm going to be 50 no matter what, do I want to be a doctor when I'm 50 or do I want to be someone else?"... I can't picture myself truly happy in any other profession... and here I am!

I went to med school picnics, some of the gatherings, and most of the bigger events. I led and assisted with a few of our student interest groups, and participated in school organized volunteer events. I didn't do much of the bar outings, or drinking parties... I'm a little more introvert than that, and tend to be uncomfortable around rowdiness (and post exam celebrations can be, how shall we say, fun?!). That's purely personality based - some of my other 30's something classmates went to these events and had a blast. The age differences melt away, when we've all survived the neuro course and all been through that same anatomy exam. Comradeship is real in med school... you have to be a hermit to not experience it. Some of my best friends now are a decade younger, and some of those friends fondly call me "mom" - due to my doing things like bringing napkins to the picnic, making popcorn for us while we get through a difficult case, and brewing coffee (and teaching them how to make coffee).

My career change played hugely to my benefit. Partly because my school likes non-traditionals, and partly because I could talk about the dedication and endurance it takes to be a professional musician; in addition to the "art" of music relating well to the "art" of medicine. A medical condition halted my music career, and my grit to get through that (as well as other life experiences) definitely helped my application as well. I'd suggest finding the core reasons you switched careers, the core things you found have helped you from your previous career, and how those helps translate into medicine. If you can do that effectively, they will appreciate you even more as a non-traditional student. The adcoms at the 3 interviews I went to did ask me about my previous career, as well as the 6-7 other "jobs" I held in between. For each position I had stories that exemplified who I am as a person and how the experiences either taught me life lessons or helped me grow as a person. I've been told I interview very well... and I'm sure that helped as well. If they "grill" you, that means they are more likely curious than concerned - take that opportunity to show them how great of an applicant you are. You will find your interviews and application will go over much better if your previous career is an asset to who you are, rather than something you have to justify or defend. (I hope that makes sense).

Happy to answer any questions, good luck to you! Application cycles can be brutal on the psyche - hang in there! :)
 
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Just popping in to say WASSAAAAAAAAAAAAP, passed Step as well! GO US! :horns::highfive::horns:

(now back to regularly scheduled surgery rotation)
 
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I was a little older when I matriculated, and have several classmates in the same age ranges - don't worry too much, your age shouldn't play into life in med school much, except for those times when life experience and maturity will give you an advantage.

There were a few times when I was deciding on what path to take to med school that I second guessed myself, to be perfectly honest. The amount of debt was the largest struggle I had. When I calculated the debt, the take home pay of a family doc, the life expenses... it turned out all right. My spouse has a decent income, and if we work hard to pay down the debt we should be able to within 2-5 years. I want to be able to pay off the loans, save for retirement (the day when I can no longer work as a physician for the best interests of my patients), and be able to live comfortably (not extravagantly). My spouse has been incredibly supportive since before I decided to start med school, which is an immense blessing. Other members of my family doubted the intelligence of the choice (age, debts, yadda yadda)... they don't factor into my life decisions however, so I took the comments in stride. Overall, I adopted the attitude of "I'm going to be 50 no matter what, do I want to be a doctor when I'm 50 or do I want to be someone else?"... I can't picture myself truly happy in any other profession... and here I am!

I went to med school picnics, some of the gatherings, and most of the bigger events. I led and assisted with a few of our student interest groups, and participated in school organized volunteer events. I didn't do much of the bar outings, or drinking parties... I'm a little more introvert than that, and tend to be uncomfortable around rowdiness (and post exam celebrations can be, how shall we say, fun?!). That's purely personality based - some of my other 30's something classmates went to these events and had a blast. The age differences melt away, when we've all survived the neuro course and all been through that same anatomy exam. Comradeship is real in med school... you have to be a hermit to not experience it. Some of my best friends now are a decade younger, and some of those friends fondly call me "mom" - due to my doing things like bringing napkins to the picnic, making popcorn for us while we get through a difficult case, and brewing coffee (and teaching them how to make coffee).

My career change played hugely to my benefit. Partly because my school likes non-traditionals, and partly because I could talk about the dedication and endurance it takes to be a professional musician; in addition to the "art" of music relating well to the "art" of medicine. A medical condition halted my music career, and my grit to get through that (as well as other life experiences) definitely helped my application as well. I'd suggest finding the core reasons you switched careers, the core things you found have helped you from your previous career, and how those helps translate into medicine. If you can do that effectively, they will appreciate you even more as a non-traditional student. The adcoms at the 3 interviews I went to did ask me about my previous career, as well as the 6-7 other "jobs" I held in between. For each position I had stories that exemplified who I am as a person and how the experiences either taught me life lessons or helped me grow as a person. I've been told I interview very well... and I'm sure that helped as well. If they "grill" you, that means they are more likely curious than concerned - take that opportunity to show them how great of an applicant you are. You will find your interviews and application will go over much better if your previous career is an asset to who you are, rather than something you have to justify or defend. (I hope that makes sense).

Happy to answer any questions, good luck to you! Application cycles can be brutal on the psyche - hang in there! :)


Thank you so much for taking the time to provide this info! I definitely embrace the whole "being 50 either way" mentality, too. Your insights about interviewing are especially helpful!
 
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