- Joined
- May 25, 2016
- Messages
- 83
- Reaction score
- 164
Hi!
I am currently a 4th-year student at Emory University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Linguistics.
As of recently, I have decided to take two gap years instead of one, but I will be moving to the UK in September to get my MSc in Ethnobotany from the University of Kent, and my MS (online) in Clinical Herbal Medicine (resulting in RH -- registered herbalist -- certification w/ 400 clinical hours) from the Maryland University of Integrative Health with clinical work completed in the UK. I will apply in next year's cycle for 2024 matriculation.
However, I am struggling to decide whether my interests are too... avant-garde for MD programs? I was raised by a mother who almost exclusively used herbal medicine in the home, but I have always been fascinated by the why and how they work -- by their chemistry, synergies, and global uses (80% of the global population relies on plants as their primary pharmacopeia, and only 1.5% of documented plants used in traditional medicine systems have been rigorously studied in a lab setting) -- which has led me to want to pursue graduate study in ethnobotany.
Further, my reasoning for studying linguistics is because of my interest in healthcare communication and narrative medicine. I see the importance for all these knowledge systems in the framework of contemporary biomedicine (especially with the exponential rise in herbal supplement use and changes in patient-doctor dynamics), and I hope to explore them further as I continue my education and down my path toward becoming a physician. While at Emory, I have worked in the Quave Research Group, a medical ethnobotany lab where we analyze plant compounds for pharmacological activity in an effort to discover new antibiotics, and I did independent corpus studies on physician rhetoric in relation to COVID-19 and alternative therapies.
These experiences have solidified in me a passion and drive to shape a career in integrative medicine, but I am concerned about how I will effectively craft an application that won't make an admission committee think "He sounds better suited for an ND program."
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Naturopath (Emory Hospital actually hired its first Naturopathic Oncologist this last year!), that career path won't allow me the mobility to achieve all the goals I have laid out for my career (such as being board-certified in Internal Medicine, Dermatology (Med-Derm residency), and Integrative Medicine (Fellowship)). Further, most DO schools are lower-ranking and in undesirable locations (unfortunately).
While I know that I am early in my educational career, I truly see myself pursuing an MD, working as a physician in Integrative Health. I just need some guidance.
That said, I am trying to prioritize schools with Osher Centers, but are there any other schools that are particularly open-minded and more student-focused in terms of giving freedom to explore particular interests (like ethnobotany, mind-body connection, community medicine)? Perhaps MD/MPH? And are there gaps in my stats for application?
For context:
Residency: Texas (UTSW is a top choice, especially for my family)
3.8 cGPA/3.7 sGPA, Dean's List 5 semesters
MCAT: yet to take
Certs: CPR/AED, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor
ExCs/Leadership/Volunteer:
- President and Founder, Emory Chapter of the Botanical Society of America
- President, Emory Chapter of the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society
- President, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society
- President and Founder, Emory Yoga Club
- Volunteer and Educational Workshop Leader (Yoga and Nutrition), Emory HELPS Guatemala (we plan and conduct annual, international surgical trips to rural Guatemalan communities absent of healthcare access, with a team of Emory surgeons)
- Volunteer, Emory Tourguide
- Volunteer, Emory Reads -- Math and Science Tutor for underserved middle-schoolers without the means to pay for private tutoring
- Interfaith Chair, Emory Jewish Student Union
Languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew
Clinical:
- 800 hours, intern at Plastic Surgery Center
- 400 hours, intern at an acupuncture clinic
- 250 hours, personal training (not exactly 'clinical,' but many transferrable skills gained in something I am passionate about, as a member of the network of allied health professionals)
Research:
- Quave Research Group, Phytochemistry Research Assistant
- Emory Department of Chemistry, Research Scholar studying phytoremediation of gabapentin-contaminated water via duckweed (conference)
- Bachelor's Thesis: A Theoretical Account of Whale Song Syntax: A New Perspective for Understanding Human Language Structure (publication in progress)
- Medical Ethnobotany Summer Intern, Ecuadorian Amazon, studied anti-inflammatory plant use among traditional Shaman communities
I would really love input on this, as I have a bit of time to perfect my school list and fill in gaps before I apply next June, but I just need to make sure I know what I need to work on.
Thanks!
I am currently a 4th-year student at Emory University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Linguistics.
As of recently, I have decided to take two gap years instead of one, but I will be moving to the UK in September to get my MSc in Ethnobotany from the University of Kent, and my MS (online) in Clinical Herbal Medicine (resulting in RH -- registered herbalist -- certification w/ 400 clinical hours) from the Maryland University of Integrative Health with clinical work completed in the UK. I will apply in next year's cycle for 2024 matriculation.
However, I am struggling to decide whether my interests are too... avant-garde for MD programs? I was raised by a mother who almost exclusively used herbal medicine in the home, but I have always been fascinated by the why and how they work -- by their chemistry, synergies, and global uses (80% of the global population relies on plants as their primary pharmacopeia, and only 1.5% of documented plants used in traditional medicine systems have been rigorously studied in a lab setting) -- which has led me to want to pursue graduate study in ethnobotany.
Further, my reasoning for studying linguistics is because of my interest in healthcare communication and narrative medicine. I see the importance for all these knowledge systems in the framework of contemporary biomedicine (especially with the exponential rise in herbal supplement use and changes in patient-doctor dynamics), and I hope to explore them further as I continue my education and down my path toward becoming a physician. While at Emory, I have worked in the Quave Research Group, a medical ethnobotany lab where we analyze plant compounds for pharmacological activity in an effort to discover new antibiotics, and I did independent corpus studies on physician rhetoric in relation to COVID-19 and alternative therapies.
These experiences have solidified in me a passion and drive to shape a career in integrative medicine, but I am concerned about how I will effectively craft an application that won't make an admission committee think "He sounds better suited for an ND program."
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Naturopath (Emory Hospital actually hired its first Naturopathic Oncologist this last year!), that career path won't allow me the mobility to achieve all the goals I have laid out for my career (such as being board-certified in Internal Medicine, Dermatology (Med-Derm residency), and Integrative Medicine (Fellowship)). Further, most DO schools are lower-ranking and in undesirable locations (unfortunately).
While I know that I am early in my educational career, I truly see myself pursuing an MD, working as a physician in Integrative Health. I just need some guidance.
That said, I am trying to prioritize schools with Osher Centers, but are there any other schools that are particularly open-minded and more student-focused in terms of giving freedom to explore particular interests (like ethnobotany, mind-body connection, community medicine)? Perhaps MD/MPH? And are there gaps in my stats for application?
For context:
Residency: Texas (UTSW is a top choice, especially for my family)
3.8 cGPA/3.7 sGPA, Dean's List 5 semesters
MCAT: yet to take
Certs: CPR/AED, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor
ExCs/Leadership/Volunteer:
- President and Founder, Emory Chapter of the Botanical Society of America
- President, Emory Chapter of the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society
- President, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society
- President and Founder, Emory Yoga Club
- Volunteer and Educational Workshop Leader (Yoga and Nutrition), Emory HELPS Guatemala (we plan and conduct annual, international surgical trips to rural Guatemalan communities absent of healthcare access, with a team of Emory surgeons)
- Volunteer, Emory Tourguide
- Volunteer, Emory Reads -- Math and Science Tutor for underserved middle-schoolers without the means to pay for private tutoring
- Interfaith Chair, Emory Jewish Student Union
Languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew
Clinical:
- 800 hours, intern at Plastic Surgery Center
- 400 hours, intern at an acupuncture clinic
- 250 hours, personal training (not exactly 'clinical,' but many transferrable skills gained in something I am passionate about, as a member of the network of allied health professionals)
Research:
- Quave Research Group, Phytochemistry Research Assistant
- Emory Department of Chemistry, Research Scholar studying phytoremediation of gabapentin-contaminated water via duckweed (conference)
- Bachelor's Thesis: A Theoretical Account of Whale Song Syntax: A New Perspective for Understanding Human Language Structure (publication in progress)
- Medical Ethnobotany Summer Intern, Ecuadorian Amazon, studied anti-inflammatory plant use among traditional Shaman communities
I would really love input on this, as I have a bit of time to perfect my school list and fill in gaps before I apply next June, but I just need to make sure I know what I need to work on.
Thanks!
Last edited:
