Specific question regarding the option of being an ER scribe.

[runierays17]

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Hi everyone!

So in order to get into the main question I have I am just going to go into a little bit about myself. I am a senior pre-med student (major- cell/molecular bio; double minor- psychology, evolutionary studies) I took my MCATs once and got a 27Q (10V, 9B, 8P) and I will be graduating with a 3.7-ish GPA. I do a good amount of ECs including resident assistant for 2 years, student ambassador, orgo/gen bio/human bio/art in chem tutor, and I have shadowed many doctors, worked summers in a peds office, taken pre-osteopathic preparatory seminars, etc. Sooooo, here's the thing: I know that with these stats, I am competitive for very few MD schools and most DO schools, I am actually very interested in osteopathic medicine so I wouldn't have a problem going to a DO school. As I am working on my apps though, which I am sending out very late since I took my MCAT pretty late, I am questioning if I want to go straight into med school in Fall/11.

So I was looking into being an ER scribe, there are a bunch of opportunities in my area for such a position and I have already spoken to the recruiter for the position (nothing set though). In order to keep health insurance I would need to be full time so that would require a year commitment. This is what I am thinking though, I can retake my MCATs in May/June of '11, get my apps out for (school in fall/2012) by June of '11 (nice n early!) and then use the year between to work as an ER scribe (I still have to apply but I think I have a good chance of getting it). But after doing some research on the subject, there's a lot of good feedback on LORs from the ER scribe position, but by the time I apply (june '11) I would have just started work as a scribe. So I am wondering, how do most people do it? Do they take two years? and send out their apps after the 1st year of scribe work? Should I really take 2 years between undergrad and med? would that be too much?

Idk peeps.... I know that the ER scribe position can give you some invaluable medical experience prior to med school, but I am just wondering how many years of it I should do? And how it would benefit my application that is sent out before I even start the work for a year?

Whoever took the time to read this whole thing, I really really really appreciate it! I hope you were able to understand my concern/question and I really look forward to hearing your replies. Good luck with everything!🙂

 

[Catalystik]

The most important LORs tend to be two science letters written by faculty who taught you, one nonscience, and a research PI. Additional letters could be from employers, volunteer coordinators, or docs. Physician lettrs are not commonly required in the MD application process, but many DO programs want them and a few specify that they be from a DO. Those who shadow to get an LOR will often get the letter after 50-80 hours of time spent.

I think that the ER scribe position is an excellent source of both clinical experience and shadowing, which is embedded in the activity. If one had zero clinical experience at this time, since the average applicant lists about 1.5 years of patient-contact, one should wait to apply until the needed time has gone by.

If you already have plenty of clinical experience (which it looks like to me), there would be no reason not to proceed with an application in June 2011, if all other components of the application are good to go. So long as you have started scribing, you can list it on the application. It doesn't look to me like this LOR would be critical to your success, anyway.