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[D.O.Spot]

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[wook]

Hi I posted this in the Pre-Do forum, but then decided it would be better suited here for more advice:

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My buddy and I are a year away from applying. Both are finishing up our undergrads in Bio. I also double majored in history and have minors in chem., italian,& international studies. He's barely got me in gpa @ a 3.5, and we were throwing ideas at each other about what we'd do if we didn't get in on our first try. We're from the greater New Orleans area and have alot of options:

a 13-month B.S. to R.N. program, a 2-yr. P.A. program (M.S.~$44,000), a couple Specialized M.S. programs gauged toward med school, and some traditional Master's programs that are very strong at our instituiton are Psychology and Exercise Science.

I see some of the pros and cons of each, a greater clinical exp. vs. basic science prep. (which we both went out of our way with in ug. ie. extra histology, immunology, med. parisitology, comp. anatomy., a&p, genetics, etc.)

I am leaning more toward D.O. school working with ped. obesity, so all of these our viable options. He is looking more at M.D. in ER Med or gen. surgery. Just wondering what y'all though. I'm sorry this post got so long.

BTW- I have shadowed an RN and a PA and wouldn't mind working for a couple years and a lil while in Med school. But with my specific career goals I would have to be Doc. able to practice on my own.

I would do whatever it is that you enjoy. With that being said, I would incorporate an activity (volunteer or paid) that would show an interest in the medical field.

In my class there were people from the information technology field, law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, Respiratory Therapy, chiropractor, Pilot, Nun, Case worker (disabled children), chemical engineering, etc.. So, you do NOT have to do a particular field. Go with what floats your boat (or stirs your peanut butter) and do well at it. Come time for interviews, be able to explain how your experiences could be helpful in medicine (e.g. pilot works well under pressure, IT person loves to solve problems, etc.).

Wook

 

[RxnMan]

What are you asking for? An opinion of your options? We could say that all are good, but that won't help you. Really, this is something that only you can decide, and it requires a lot of time and thought. You need to see which of these fits your life-goals the best. If you don't know what you want to do with your life, then work on that question before you think about what program to apply to.

Shadow people who have done each of these options and talk to them. Are they satisfied with what they did? Is the money (both spent on education and salary earned) worth it? What would they change if they could?

Why not list the pros and cons you wrote about - then we could at least comment on their validity.

 

[vtucci]

With a 3.5 GPA and varied interests, you need to chill. You will get in somewhere assuming you do not totally blow the MCAT. Shoot for a score of 30 or higher and make sure you cast a wide net when applying. Spend a lot of time working on your PS and show the unique aspects of your experience.

If the unthinkable happens and you do not get in, I would consider getting an MPH or a degree in nutrition (if you are thinking about pediatric obesity) and then reapply.

 

[D.O.Spot]

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[wook]

What are you asking for? An opinion of your options? We could say that all are good, but that won't help you. Really, this is something that only you can decide, and it requires a lot of time and thought. You need to see which of these fits your life-goals the best. If you don't know what you want to do with your life, then work on that question before you think about what program to apply to.

Shadow people who have done each of these options and talk to them. Are they satisfied with what they did? Is the money (both spent on education and salary earned) worth it? What would they change if they could?

Why not list the pros and cons you wrote about - then we could at least comment on their validity.

Good point.

Wook