Should I put this on my application?

[Dr. Bob Doe]

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Hello I am new to SDNF so please bear with me.

I am a junior in college and will apply to medical school this summer. I was a volunteer EMT-B for a year during my freshmen year of college, it is my only clinical experience and volunteer experience. However I got fired because they said I "asked the emotionally disturbed patients too many questions" their words not mine.


Anyway it was a speed bump and I'd really like to be a doctor and I know I'd be a good one past failures aside. I didn't get paid but I didn't do this for free I really want to put this on my application. It's not like I was completely incompetent as I had good reviews as well.


Becoming an EMT-B was hard work and Being one was hard too, I'd like to put it on my application but I'm not sure if the med schools I apply to will:
1. want to see proof, or
2. if they'd want a letter from my ambulance corps regarding my performance
3. or if they'd ask why I left

How should I approach these 3 big issues

 

[juliuspepperwood]

Do some shadowing. For realsies.

 

[AquiVoy13]

Ok that is not enough clinical experience. How can you know you want to be a doctor if you haven't done any shadowing? My personal advice: shadow a couple physicians in a couple different specialties. This may take more than one semester, so perhaps consider taking a year off. It also wouldn't hurt to have a little more volunteering, but definitely do the shadowing.

In terms of your original question, you can put it on your application. It won't be an issue as long as you have plenty of other clinical experience. Schools may ask you in an interview why you didn't stay with it, so have some kind of answer ready. Good luck.

 

[Lannister]

I'd be more worried about the fact that you've only had one clinical and/or volunteer experience...

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

I am doing some shadowing as well, but I still would very much like to put the EMT-B thing on my application as well

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

I'd be more worried about the fact that you've only had one clinical and/or volunteer experience...

Well.....I have done a few events here and there with my school club, and I've done research and I've tortured and shadowed but the bulk of my extracurricular is this EMT thing

 

[juliuspepperwood]

you've tortured? what?

 

[AquiVoy13]

It's not going to look good if the bulk of your extracurricular activity was a thing freshman year that you didn't continue. You can put it on your app, but it really shouldn't be the focus of your application. My personal recommendation is to try to find a volunteer position in the hospital.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Ok that is not enough clinical experience. How can you know you want to be a doctor if you haven't done any shadowing? My personal advice: shadow a couple physicians in a couple different specialties. This may take more than one semester, so perhaps consider taking a year off. It also wouldn't hurt to have a little more volunteering, but definitely do the shadowing.

In terms of your original question, you can put it on your application. It won't be an issue as long as you have plenty of other clinical experience. Schools may ask you in an interview why you didn't stay with it, so have some kind of answer ready. Good luck.

So you don't think they'll contact my old ambulance corps?

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

you've tortured? what?

Sorry I meant tutored, typo 🙁

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

It's not going to look good if the bulk of your extracurricular activity was a thing freshman year that you didn't continue. You can put it on your app, but it really shouldn't be the focus of your application. My personal recommendation is to try to find a volunteer position in the hospital.

Yeah that does sound pretty silly that any one thing would be the bulk of my application, especially a failure. Admittedly I have done a few other things regarding EC's but I spent most of undergrad studying and working (as I needed to support myself), not that I'm making excuses but I am proud of the little I have accomplished.

 

[AquiVoy13]

You're required to provide the contact info of a reference for each activity, but it is unlikely they'll actually be contacted. Unless it comes up in an interview and you act really nervous and suspicious, then I suppose the school may contact them to ask about your performance/departure.

But like I was saying, this really shouldn't be the focus of your application. Schools want to see that you engaged in activities over a long period of time. I would focus on continuing things like research, tutoring, your school club, shadowing, (potentially more volunteering..). Think about it this way, if your most significant clinical experience was freshman year, and you didn't continue it, how can schools be sure you'll stick with medicine? You need to show a continued interest in being in a clinical setting. And that can be many things (EMT, volunteering at a hospital, hospice, etc.)

 

[Planes2Doc]

Don't mention getting fired. In the unlikely event that an ADCOM calls to verify the experience, ADCOMs will only call to verify that you actually did it for that time frame. They won't ask for your performance. And it's illegal for the company to disclose you were fired.

If you're appkying to work for a new employer, they can get around the legality by asking your former employee if you are "eligible for rehire." If the former employer says "no," it means you were fired. But the ADCOM is not an employer.

Now go and volunteer in a hospital ED, it's a much better use of your time. Good luck!

 

[AquiVoy13]

Yeah that does sound pretty silly that any one thing would be the bulk of my application, especially a failure. Admittedly I have done a few other things regarding EC's but I spent most of undergrad studying and working (as I needed to support myself), not that I'm making excuses but I am proud of the little I have accomplished.

I wouldn't consider it a failure, just something that didn't work out. And that is fine, the point is to replace it with a different clinical activity. And major props for working and supporting yourself. I know it's hard to fit in additional EC's. Just add in a bit more clinical experience to make sure your app is solid enough. Good luck!!

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Don't mention getting fired. In the unlikely event that an ADCOM calls to verify the experience, ADCOMs will only call to verify that you actually did it for that time frame. They won't ask for your performance. And it's illegal for the company to disclose you were fired.

If you're appkying to work for a new employer, they can get around the legality by asking your former employee if you are "eligible for rehire." If the former employer says "no," it means you were fired. But the ADCOM is not an employer.

Now go and volunteer in a hospital ED, it's a much better use of your time. Good luck!

thank you

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

I wouldn't consider it a failure, just something that didn't work out. And that is fine, the point is to replace it with a different clinical activity. And major props for working and supporting yourself. I know it's hard to fit in additional EC's. Just add in a bit more clinical experience to make sure your app is solid enough. Good luck!!

Thank you, the burden has been lifted off my shoulders & thanks to all who replied

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

You're required to provide the contact info of a reference for each activity, but it is unlikely they'll actually be contacted. Unless it comes up in an interview and you act really nervous and suspicious, then I suppose the school may contact them to ask about your performance/departure.

But like I was saying, this really shouldn't be the focus of your application. Schools want to see that you engaged in activities over a long period of time. I would focus on continuing things like research, tutoring, your school club, shadowing, (potentially more volunteering..). Think about it this way, if your most significant clinical experience was freshman year, and you didn't continue it, how can schools be sure you'll stick with medicine? You need to show a continued interest in being in a clinical setting. And that can be many things (EMT, volunteering at a hospital, hospice, etc.)

BTW: Are you really required to give the contact information of each activity?

 

[AquiVoy13]

BTW: Are you really required to give the contact information of each activity?

Yes. So if you decide to include your EMT experience, you will have to provide a reference. Schools don't go out and contact every reference for every applicant. I would imagine that they would only do it if they had doubts/concerns.

Don't lie about your experience, but you don't have to go out and say that you were fired. Focus on what you learned from the position and what it meant to you, then talk about how you decided to pursue other activities.

Note: for some activities that you group together, you only have to provide one reference. So for example, I included all my shadowing experiences into one 'shadowing' entry. I only provided the contact info for one physician. For now, just go out and find some new clinical experience. Good luck to you.

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

Yes. So if you decide to include your EMT experience, you will have to provide a reference. Schools don't go out and contact every reference for every applicant. I would imagine that they would only do it if they had doubts/concerns.

Don't lie about your experience, but you don't have to go out and say that you were fired. Focus on what you learned from the position and what it meant to you, then talk about how you decided to pursue other activities.

Note: for some activities that you group together, you only have to provide one reference. So for example, I included all my shadowing experiences into one 'shadowing' entry. I only provided the contact info for one physician. For now, just go out and find some new clinical experience. Good luck to you.

Bro you're the best