PreMeds/Meds: 'Firefighter' as an EC?

[Rafa]

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Hi, I really want to go to a good med school, and I was wondering, do adcoms look favorably on having 'firefighting' as an EC because I want to stand out from all the EMTs and have something really unique to put on so whaddaya think? I mean, it can't be that hard to become a firefighter, can it? And I'd get loads of clinical experience pulling burning bodies out of houses, etc!

I was also thinking about beoming a part time police officer...

 

[FictionalGirl]

firefighters, seeing as though they're supposed to save lives, inevitably go through a bit of training. if you REALLY want to do this (not just for adcoms!!!!!) do it, but keep in mind that you'll have to be in really good shape (lifting hoses, people) and are willing to put in the time./have the time around school.

 

[RxnMan]

I think it is difficult to become a firefighter. You have to go through 6 mos. to a year of training and you have to be very strong - pulling (obese) people out of buring buildings is not a trivial task! Do what you want to do, but being an EMT is probably easier - scheduling, time commitment, training, etc.

 

[notdeadyet]

I mean, it can't be that hard to become a firefighter, can it?

If you have to ask a public forum whether doing something will impress adcom's, they'll probably see through it.

Depending on where you live, firefighting often involves long and expensive training and can be EXTREMELY competitive just to get a space. At the end of the day, you'll be getting less patient contact than you will at your average ER.

 

[Rafa]

Oh man - I forgot to include police officer up there. This was supposed to be a three-way poll.

(the whole thing's a joke, guys. I have no desire to become a firefighter, whether or not it would help me into m.s. 🙂 Just trying to lighten the mood on a Monday morning.)

Tune in next week for "Jet fighter pilot v. Navy SEAL", on "Which EC would impress the Adcom more???"

 

[clicky]

(the whole thing's a joke, guys. I have no desire to become a firefighter, whether or not it would help me into m.s. 🙂 Just trying to lighten the mood on a Monday morning.)

I don't believe you, Rafa.

 

[ShyRem]

I really liked being a firefighter. I just enjoyed being a paramedic more.

I must say, tho, I do miss driving the trucks, pumping them, and yes, even dragging that freekin' heavy line into a house and getting steam burns from the sweat in my bunker gear. Ah... memories! 🙂 🙂 I'm not so good with an axe, but gimme a halogen tool and I can strip the siding off a house in no time.

Just one piece of advice: if you really do go into firefighting, take off any loose-fitting jewelry (i.e. necklaces, etc) before going into a burning building. If the fire is a hot one, the metal can actually get hot enough to give you a burn.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I don't believe you, Rafa.

Agreed. Seems the original post was edited.

 

[45408]

I mean, it can't be that hard to become a firefighter, can it?

you'd be wrong. A lot of FDs in my area practically require a bachelor's, and there are thousands of applicants for 20-30 jobs. You need to be an EMT anyways, and you also need over a year of fire school. Good luck fitting that all in.....

 

[Rafa]

I'm not going to spend half an hour declaring that this post was a joke. If you'd rather believe otherwise, you're quite welcome to. Because of course, my greatest priority right now as an undergraduate would be to become a full time firefighter over the next two years simply to get into medical school.

👍

 

[45408]

I know it's a joke, but I think a lot of people assume that FF is easy to get into.

 

[Rafa]

I know it's a joke, but I think a lot of people assume that FF is easy to get into.

It really isn't. The amount of training you need to do exceeds most other public service jobs. In many districts, it's easier to become a police officer (provided one has a clean record) than it is to go into FF. It's definitely not a "one month class+$200" and you're on-call kind of thing. Plus you've got to be in much better shape than the average person.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I'm not going to spend half an hour declaring that this post was a joke. If you'd rather believe otherwise, you're quite welcome to. Because of course, my greatest priority right now as an undergraduate would be to become a full time firefighter over the next two years simply to get into medical school.

👍

I'd almost believe you, but firefighter as an activity isn't even funny. If you had put, say, rodeo clown--rescuing people from potential injury--now that's a joke for sure.

Anyway, good luck to you. 👍

 

[Rafa]

I'd almost believe you, but firefighter as an activity isn't even funny. If you had put, say, rodeo clown, now that's a joke for sure.

Enjoy the chip on your shoulder. Any occupation (IMO) is fair game for jokes (especially since one of the prime requirements for being a firefighter is an ability to take things as they come). If you ever find your sense of humor, check out the other poll below (fellow SDnfolk...blablabla). I didn't get rodeo clown on it, but I thought of a few other things.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Enjoy the chip on your shoulder. Any occupation (IMO) is fair game for jokes (especially since one of the prime requirements for being a firefighter is an ability to take things as they come)...

Whoa, whoa there, tiger. From the replies, obviously no one else got the joke either. Funny how your other poll went up right after you got replies from this one. 🙄

But if it was a joke, then my apologies.

 

[Rafa]

Funny how your other poll went up right after you got replies from this one.

I put the other one up because I realized (belatedly) I couldn't edit poll choices in this one. There might be a way, but I haven't found it yet. By the time I decided to go to the trouble of making a new poll, I didn't feel like adding FF and EMT to it again, so I made it ridiculous :^)

Oh well. Goodnight, sweet thread. 🙂

 

[NapeSpikes]

...so I made it ridiculous :^)

Oh well. Goodnight, sweet thread. 🙂

See! In that other poll, I get the joke!

Fair enough, let's let this one die.

 

[Shredder]

i like the non-pc terms fireman, policeman, salesman. seriously, today i even saw ombudsperson and i was like, come on

 

[ShyRem]

I was never offended at being called a 'fireman'. Got some very strange looks from non-FF folk when they realized I was a girl when took off my gear and shook out my long curly hair.