Medical Re-applicant gap year experiences

[GoSpursGo]

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I applied the 2021 cycle and am currently sitting on 4WL. I'm trying to figure out what gap year experiences would be the most valuable in strengthening my app for the 2023 cycle (2 gap years). For some background info about me, check out my WAMC post. But long story short, I think clinical experience is my weak spot. If you read my WAMC, any thoughts about what I can improve on would be much appreciated.

What I'm considering:
1. Becoming EMT certified and working as an EMT
- Pros: good clinical exposure and direct patient interaction
- Cons: won't get certified until end of August and then still have to find a job

2. Finding a medical scribe / medical assistant job
- Pros: good clinical exposure and direct patient interaction, can maybe build relationships with physicians
- Cons: I'm not a certified MA, so it's difficult to find a job

3. Doing clinical research at a well-known hospital
- Pros: I already have an opportunity lined up, I will be collaborating with a PI I know well
- Cons: no direct patient interaction

I'd also try shadowing physicians and volunteering as a Spanish interpreter at a free clinic or something when I'm not working.
Thoughts / advice on each experience? Any other jobs I should consider?

Also, if it helps, here are some things I've been up to during this cycle.
- Spanish interpreter with a legal nonprofit
- Invited to join Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa
- Took on more responsibility with my job in academic support
- More hours for my nonclinical volunteer work and leadership for Biology Honors Society
- MCAT Tutoring

Yep, pretty clearly clinical exposure is where you need to improve. Either options 1 or 2 would be good. Option 3 would not really address your deficiency.

 

[Goro]

1 = 2. 3 should be DOA

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

IMO 2>1.........................3. I am not sure how long and the cost of getting EMT certified, but the idea is to rack up hours and get good experience. You getting certified would cut into you getting actual hours. The scribe job not only gets you clinical hours but shadowing as well. Do not do research.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

That's definitely something to consider - I would be certified end of August. My thought is since I'm taking 2 gap years, that would allow for a good amount of time to build hours.

Would it be worth it to do EMT work / scribing AND research? The research opportunity is something I find fascinating and I may be able to work it out so I'm doing EMT/scribing part time and lab tech part time.

Oh, if you have two gap years then it may be worth it. If I were you, I would stick with one activity and just get a ton of experience with that activity. Also, would probably not do research unless you were very interested.