RN Applying to Med School

[cheoah]

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While in nursing school, I made the decision to go to medical school. I've just graduated as an RN and am taking the MCAT in a few weeks, which means that I'll be applying for the 2019 med school class. In the meantime, I have two nursing job offers, and I can't decide which one to take:

1. The first is working in a trauma ICU at a decent regional hospital in Tennessee. I would also continue working as a research assistant doing live animal (pig) studies with the nursing department where I just graduated (mostly ventilation and GI studies).

PROs: getting more research experience, diverse patient population
CONs: hospital is okay but not stellar

2. The second job is a pediatric CVICU job at one of the leading pediatric hospitals in Texas.

PROs: Top 10 hospital, Top 10 CVICU unit, potential to qualify for in-state tuition in Texas IF I don't get accepted in the 2019 cycle in Tennessee (Texas has 6 med schools, Tennessee only has 2, not counting the privates), and the potential to make a lot of good contacts
CONs: pediatric CVICU is an extremely niche field with little diversity in patient population

Any thoughts? It's hard to decide between going to a great hospital and having Texas as a fallback if I don't get into TN schools the first round, but the Trauma ICU is a much more well-rounded experience, plus there's PAID research opportunities.

 

[frosted2]

If you are taking them MCAT in a few weeks, you need to apply next year (for 2020 entrance). You are going to be applying WAY too late by the time you have your scores back. Automatic disadvantage, even for some of the best applicants.

I can't comment on the research, as that was not my strong suit in UG.

 

[sunshinefl]

A first time September MCAT is kinda late. You won’t have results and be complete anywhere until October. Have you already submitted your applications?

As far as nursing jobs in the mean time, pediatric CVICU is a very specific niche role. And you won’t be there long. I wouldn’t do that.

 

[cheoah]

I'm a graduate of a health science school in Tennessee, and they are well aware of my timeline. They said it would be okay for me to take the MCAT that late and still apply this cycle. I agree that it's a disadvantage, but I don't see any harm to applying this cycle either. No, I haven't finished my applications yet, but they will be done in the next two weeks.

That's what makes Texas so alluring. There are so many more med schools there compared to Tennessee, especially if I don't get in this cycle.

 

[sunshinefl]

I'm a graduate of a health science school in Tennessee, and they are well aware of my timeline. They said it would be okay for me to take the MCAT that late and still apply this cycle. I agree that it's a disadvantage, but I don't see any harm to applying this cycle either. No, I haven't finished my applications yet, but they will be done in the next two weeks.

That's what makes Texas so alluring. There are so many more med schools there compared to Tennessee, especially if I don't get in this cycle.

They’re also cheap. BUT I think it’s been mentioned here before that they consider ties/length of state residency. Like you wouldn’t be seen the same as a native Texan who’s whole life, undergrad, family, and work have been in Texas. I could be wrong though. That’s just what I’ve gathered.

But nursing is it’s own skill to master and pediatric CVICU is very specialized. Since you are so short term I wouldn’t do that.

 

[cheoah]

They’re also cheap. BUT I think it’s been mentioned here before that they consider ties/length of state residency. Like you wouldn’t be seen the same as a native Texan who’s whole life, undergrad, family, and work have been in Texas. I could be wrong though. That’s just what I’ve gathered.

But nursing is it’s own skill to master and pediatric CVICU is very specialized. Since you are so short term I wouldn’t do that.

I spent most of my nursing undergrad interning in a pediatric CVICU, so I have some experience going into it already, which helps. But you make an interesting point about not being a Texas native... Hadn't thought of that.

 

[dpmd]

I'm a graduate of a health science school in Tennessee, and they are well aware of my timeline. They said it would be okay for me to take the MCAT that late and still apply this cycle. I agree that it's a disadvantage, but I don't see any harm to applying this cycle either. No, I haven't finished my applications yet, but they will be done in the next two weeks.

That's what makes Texas so alluring. There are so many more med schools there compared to Tennessee, especially if I don't get in this cycle.

The harm is in wasting money and making yourself a reapplicant the next time around if you don't get in. Unless you are only planning on applying to a few schools this year.

 

[sunshinefl]

I spent most of my nursing undergrad interning in a pediatric CVICU, so I have some experience going into it already, which helps. But you make an interesting point about not being a Texas native... Hadn't thought of that.

I’m NOT a Texas expert. Hopefully someone else will comment. Just one of those things you pick up along the way in life.

 

[DocJanItor]

Also not a Texas expert, but I've done a little bit of research into their system.

1. You don't want to apply this year at all. Applying in October puts you way behind the ball for MD schools this cycle. Most schools do not accept primary applications (your AMCAS app) after certain date, which ranges from October 15th to December 15, with most schools falling somewhere in between. Schools do not wait for the application deadline to pass to start reviewing apps and extending interview invitations -- they start reviewing and extending invitations in mid-late July. They are already happening right now and will continue through Jan/Feb of next year. If you apply this year and fail to get in, you'll have to apply as a re-applicant next year. It's not the scarlet letter, but it's an undesirable mark that is easily avoided. From what I've read, pre-med advisors have not kept up with how much more competitive the application process has become in the last 5-10 years. Thus, their previously sage advice has become a little outdated.

2. Texas has their own medical school application system that is entirely separate from the MD or DO application system for the rest of the country. Because of this, 93% of Texas matriculants are residents of Texas. Residency is established after living and working in Texas for 12 months or being the dependent of someone who is a Texas resident. So you might not be a resident when you apply for 2020, but you would be by the time you matriculated. Sort of a conundrum.

3. Regardless of your state of residency (other than Texas), getting into a state school is hard to plan for. You might have great stats but your interview doesn't work out. Your stats could be too good and they expect you'll go to a better school, so they won't extend an acceptance to protect their yield. Or you could literally just be not chosen for any random reason. The long and the short of it is that many people have to move for medical school; if you move somewhere now, you could easily find yourself moving again shortly.