MD One year to application. Best use of time? Nontrad.

[Wahed]

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I will be applying for the 2018 cycle and would like to know how my ECs look now, and how my time would best be spent improving my application. My academics are in good shape (sGPA 3.9, cGPA ~3.5, strong upward trend), but my ECs could use work. FYI I'm primarily interested in medicine as a community service, not so much in the research aspect, therefore I will be applying to schools with more of a community service focus than a research one. I am wondering if I should chose experiences that demonstrate my interest in community service over ones that show an interest in research. If I'm being very honest I do not have any interest in bench research. I am somewhat interested in clinical research.

Current EC stats:

Volunteer experience:

• Hospital ED volunteer, 85 hrs so far, could have >200 by the time I apply if I choose to keep going
• 168 hrs in refugee camp in Greece

Leadership experience:

• One season as USFS wildland fire dispatcher, coordinating and tracking movements on the ground. Also created a digital record and filing system for documents pertaining to a lawsuit against the forest service.
• Head of promotions for a campus club focused on promoting underground music (~4 years ago. tbh idk if i should even mention this. is this worth including?)

Research experience:

• ~9 months as a tech in a Limnology laboratory. 4mos volunteer, paid for 5. (limnology = freshwater ecology)

Proposed routes to application improvement:
A. Improve research experience by:

1. Returning to the limnology lab to continue working as a tech.
2. Look for a lab that is focused on something applicable to medicine and attend their lab meetings.

B. Improve leadership and cultural competency through volunteer work:

1. Return to refugee camp in a leadership role over the summer (shows continuity and sincerity of interest? I could talk about the refugee crisis for days, it's a huge interest for me and if I become a doctor I would like to be able to offer my skills to refugees with an organization like MSF.)
2. Teach ESL to immigrants in my local community
3. Volunteer in a free clinic in Detroit. (I am originally from that area and would ultimately like to end up a physician in the inner city of a place like Detroit.)
4. Join Global Medical Brigades on campus and seek a leadership opportunity, and probably an international medical aid trip.

Obviously I can't do all of the above (or even most)
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

 

[BurghStudent]

Looks like you're on the right track.

I would definitely try to get more clinical experience. This could be to continue ED volunteering, or volunteering in that free clinic. The latter sounds more interesting, and seems like something you want to do.

You should also shadow some physicians. It's great to show that you know what you're getting into. General fields like EM, FM, IM, peds are great.

Limnology actually sounds really interesting. I know it's not medically relevant, but it is unique. Do you enjoy it? You could join a clinically oriented lab. Do you have any interests in particular? Neuroscience, oncology, cell biology etc?

Do well on the MCAT and you'll have a solid app.

 

[BeerHelpsMeStudy]

Maybe try and get a paid clinical position ie med tech (or get certified as an EMT) so you have a higher likelihood of hands-on clinical experience? That's not even necessarily vital though. I would just keep doing what you're doing to increase your hours of exposure.

 

[libertyyne]

I would work in detroit with underserved populations. Schools like Wayne love that. Also elephant in the room is MCAT, what is your score?

 

[Wahed]

I would work in detroit with underserved populations. Schools like Wayne love that. Also elephant in the room is MCAT, what is your score?

It's really great to hear that this is a worthwhile activity, because it's something I'd really, really like to do. Wayne is definitely on my list of schools (and my dad went to med school there so that might help my chances? idk). If you or anyone else out there has any advice in terms of places to look, or organizations to contact, regarding positions in Detroit (paid or otherwise) please let me know.

I'm planning to take the MCAT in June of 2018 so I don't have any scores yet. I will be setting aside ~4 months of studying for the MCAT as my main life focus, and I'm a pretty good exam taker, so I anticipate doing well. But I'm not counting any chickens.