Some questions concerning applying NEXT fall

[piotrkol1]

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Hello, in December I'm going to graduate from the University of Arizona with a biology degree, and then next fall I'm planning on applying to medical school. I'm not applying this fall because frankly right now I don't think I'd get accepted anywhere, and I don't want to waste a lot of time/money filling out applications. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, and I haven't been able to study enough for it to be able to take it by the end of September. I was studying abroad in Australia from February-June and now I'm totally booked with work and two summer classes that I'm taking. My GPA isn't great, mostly because I had a 2.1 after my freshman year, but if I do well enough the rest of the way I should be over a 3.1 after graduating. At least that way my grades would be trending in the right direction. Applying next fall would also give me some more time to add to my clinical experience because aside from a one week volunteer trip to Honduras, I don't really have any. Taking all of that into consideration, I have the following questions:

1.) In order to get more clinical experience, do you think I should just try and volunteer at a clinic somewhere or would it be better to get certified as an a CNA/EMT and then get a job? I'd like to have some sort of cash flow coming in after I graduate so I figure maybe that way I can knock out two birds with one stone? From what I've heard it sounds like being a RNA is pretty undesirable, so EMT certification might be the way to go even though it takes a little longer.

2.) Traditionally, the medical school at Arizona has accepted in-state residents exclusively, though this became more relaxed a few years ago. I'm from Wisconsin, but since I'd get a degree from U of A do you think I wouldn't be scrutinized as much for being out of state?

3.) I'm going to applying for MD, DO, and I'll also apply to the Polish schools in Krakow and Poznan. My whole family is from Poland and I've visited multiple times, so I don't have to worry about culture shock and all that, especially since I speak Polish fluently. However, in case I don't get accepted anywhere, would it be ok to simultaneously apply for master's degree programs as a fallback option? I don't know if they would find out, but if the admissions people at U of A's medical school somehow did find out that I've also applied for the master's degree, would that be frowned upon? Would it be the same situation with PA school? I'd rather do PA school over a master's degree, but a lot of the PA programs require classes that I haven't taken as part of my pre-med degree (phycology, molecular biology, basic physiology, etc.).

 

[claduva94]

1) Either is a good option
2) You may get a slight advantage but it is doubtful to be substantial
3)Yes you can apply to a master's program as long as you don't commit to it. I'd strongly suggest against doing PA because that calls into question your commitment to medical school.

 

[mvenus929]

1) get the certification and get a job. It'll give you more hours faster, and you'll have a legitimate reason to have contact with patients. However, I also suggest you do some shadowing. I'm concerned that with only a 1-week medical experience in Honduras that you don't really know what it means to be a physician.

2) if you take a gap year, you may be able to be considered an instate student anyway, if you live in AZ and work during your gap year. You'd have to look at the residency requirements for UAZ, but that might allied your fears.

3) I don't think anyone would fault you for applying to masters programs as well, but I wonder what you hope to achieve by doing so. If you don't get into med school, what is your plan B, and how ill a masters program help you get the?

You didn't ask, but a 3.1 is VERY low for med school admissions. If I were on an adcom, I'd wonder if you have what it takes to get through med school. Taking some additional classes, and killing them, might be to your advantage, or doing a special masters program, rather than any random masters degree (since normal graduate coursework won't influence how people view your undergrad GPA).

 

[RTC19]

Agree with the prior posts on all counts.

As a side note, you specifically said you are planning to apply next fall, as opposed to saying you were planning to apply next cycle. I wanted to let you know that the AMCAS application is first accepted June 1 each year. It is advised to apply as early as possible, because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis(evaluated as they come in.)

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Go for the CNA

) In order to get more clinical experience, do you think I should just try and volunteer at a clinic somewhere or would it be better to get certified as an a CNA/EMT and then get a job? I'd like to have some sort of cash flow coming in after I graduate so I figure maybe that way I can knock out two birds with one stone? From what I've heard it sounds like being a RNA is pretty undesirable, so EMT certification might be the way to go even though it takes a little longer.

Not with a 3.1 GPA. That's non-competitive for MD schools, ad barely so for DO programs.
2.) Traditionally, the medical school at Arizona has accepted in-state residents exclusively, though this became more relaxed a few years ago. I'm from Wisconsin, but since I'd get a degree from U of A do you think I wouldn't be scrutinized as much for being out of state?


Be aware that as a IMG (go look it up), your chances for getting a residency here are not good.
.) I'm going to applying for MD, DO, and I'll also apply to the Polish schools in Krakow and Poznan. My whole family is from Poland and I've visited multiple times, so I don't have to worry about culture shock and all that, especially since I speak Polish fluently.

 

[piotrkol1]

However, I also suggest you do some shadowing. I'm concerned that with only a 1-week medical experience in Honduras that you don't really know what it means to be a physician.

Well I did shadow a cardiologist for two weeks, and my dad's a physician so I've been around him. But yeah in that year and a half off I was going to organize some more opportunities.

You didn't ask, but a 3.1 is VERY low for med school admissions. If I were on an adcom, I'd wonder if you have what it takes to get through med school.

Not with a 3.1 GPA. That's non-competitive for MD schools, ad barely so for DO programs.

Yes, I know the odds are against me due to my low GPA. I'm hopeful that, in addition to my grades trending in the right direction, I can somewhat make up for that with a good score on the MCAT.