Quick Input - which opportunity should I pursue?

[momentaryaffliction]

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Hi, thanks for stopping by. I'll keep it short and simple.

I'm a re-applicant to both MD/DO this coming cycle. I've been working at an ortho clinic as MA/scribe for 2 years, and currently continuing. Here are the two potential opportunities that are in my near future:

1. Taking a full-time RA position at a lab I worked at as an intern in undergrad (affiliated with one of the major UC's in the Bay Area). I would quit my current job and start there. Benefit=different experience for a re-applicant, working on projects, have the name of the school.
2. Starting a volunteer scribing program at a local public county teaching hospital (underserved population). I would be starting it from the ground up (hospital has a volunteer program, but it would be completely separate). I already have 65 people interested. Would be training and matching them to attendings/residents to scribe with. May be able to get paid, in which case I'd go part-time at my current job. Benefit=being the founder/director of this new program. Working with underserved.

It's not possible to do the RA position and start the scribing program, unfortunately. Opposite sides of the bay.

I'm a little torn. I know the research would be a different (and potentially eye-catching) experience for schools. On the other hand, I want to work with underserved urban populations in the future and this hospital basically runs like a free clinic.

Thoughts?

EDIT: Here's what I've done so far.

• Clinical volunteering (~700hr) : 1.5 yr public county hospital, 1 yr internship with NCAA Div I collegiate athletic team
• Clinical employment (>3000hr): 2 yrs at ortho clinic scribing, MA'ing, admin
• Research: ~2 yr
• Undergrad peer advisor: 1 yr
• Church - 4 yr campus club, 1.5 yr post-grad volunteer staff, 0.5 yr youth teacher to underresourced church nearby
• Church - praise band
• Non-clinical volunteering: 2 foreign mission trips (2 wks each)

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Hi, thanks for stopping by. I'll keep it short and simple.

I'm a re-applicant to both MD/DO this coming cycle. I've been working at an ortho clinic as MA/scribe for 2 years, and currently continuing. Here are the two potential opportunities that are in my near future:

1. Taking a full-time RA position at a lab I worked at as an intern in undergrad (affiliated with one of the major UC's in the Bay Area). I would quit my current job and start there. Benefit=different experience for a re-applicant, working on projects, have the name of the school.
2. Starting a volunteer scribing program at a local public county teaching hospital (underserved population). I would be starting it from the ground up (hospital has a volunteer program, but it would be completely separate). I already have 65 people interested. Would be training and matching them to attendings/residents to scribe with. May be able to get paid, in which case I'd go part-time at my current job. Benefit=being the founder/director of this new program. Working with underserved.

It's not possible to do the RA position and start the scribing program, unfortunately. Opposite sides of the bay.

I'm a little torn. I know the research would be a different (and potentially eye-catching) experience for schools. On the other hand, I want to work with underserved urban populations in the future and this hospital basically runs like a free clinic.

Thoughts?

Before you decide to pursue either of these choices, do you have any idea why you were not accepted the first time? Could it have been your stats? Little to no volunteering outside of scribe work? Did you apply to schools heavy on research (I.e Harvard, Stanford, etc.)? The answer to those questions will probably make your choice a little easier

 

[momentaryaffliction]

Before you decide to pursue either of these choices, do you have any idea why you were not accepted the first time? Could it have been your stats? Little to no volunteering outside of scribe work? Did you apply to schools heavy on research (I.e Harvard, Stanford, etc.)? The answer to those questions will probably make your choice a little easier

It was probably my stats. I applied only MD, broadly, last year, and was WL'd x2. I'm not interested in retaking MCAT or post-bacc classes, so I'm trying to work on what I can, which is my experience. So, in addition to applying MD/DO, I want to see which experience will be best to pursue. Good question; thanks for asking it 🙂

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

It was probably my stats. I applied only MD, broadly, last year, and was WL'd x2. I'm not interested in retaking MCAT or post-bacc classes, so I'm trying to work on what I can, which is my experience. So, in addition to applying MD/DO, I want to see which experience will be best to pursue. Good question thanks for asking it 🙂

A little vague, but I would probably go with option 2. You can never go wrong volunteering to help the underserved

 

[momentaryaffliction]

A little vague, but I would probably go with option 2. You can never go wrong volunteering to help the underserved

Thx for input. To clarify, I applied 30 schools (non-top 20). 3.6c/3.4s, 508 MCAT

 

[Goro]

Thx for input. To clarify, I applied 30 schools (non-top 20). 3.6c/3.4s, 508 MCAT

Research isn't going to help as much as service to others.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Thx for input. To clarify, I applied 30 schools (non-top 20). 3.6c/3.4s, 508 MCAT

If your MCAT was balanced, then it was either your list of schools or your EC’s. Your stats are fine for MD schools, but you have to make sure you don’t come across as boring on paper. #2 would give you something interesting to talk about on the interview trail as well as in your primary or secondaries 😉

 

[momentaryaffliction]

Research isn't going to help as much as service to others.

My gut tells me the same. Thanks for stopping by, @Goro !

 

[momentaryaffliction]

If your MCAT was balanced, then it was either your list of schools or your EC’s. Your stats are fine for MD schools, but you have to make sure you don’t come across as boring on paper. #2 would give you something interesting to talk about on the interview trail as well as in your primary or secondaries 😉

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.
@MedicineN'Jazz I imagine it's because I'm a CA resident... my stats are a little on the low side. Here's to a better cycle!

 

[DokterMom]

Assuming you're a CA resident, I hope you'll be applying mostly out of state. There are just far too many super-highly-qualified Californians who want to stay there...

Since you've got lots of service and church-related activities, I'm thinking religiously-affiliated schools might be a good fit for you. Creighton? Loyola?

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Just peeped the Edit! If you end up going with #2, then apply to mission heavy schools. Combined with your foreign mission trips, schools like Tulane will likely extend you an interview (provided that you apply early).

 

[momentaryaffliction]

Assuming you're a CA resident, I hope you'll be applying mostly out of state. There are just far too many super-highly-qualified Californians who want to stay there...

Since you've got lots of service and church-related activities, I'm thinking religiously-affiliated schools might be a good fit for you. Creighton? Loyola?

You are correct. Curses to my qualified in-state counterparts. jk. I did apply to Loyola last time; I applied to Creighton this time around.

 

[momentaryaffliction]

Just peeped the Edit! If you end up going with #2, then apply to mission heavy schools. Combined with your foreign mission trips, schools like Tulane will likely extend you an interview (provided that you apply early).

Great- thank you! I'll add Tulane to my list.