Switching to Med late in the game

[Mocizzle]

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Hi everyone, I recently got into dental schools and after a lot of introspection and research feel that I may want to transition into medicine. I just don't want to be limited to the mouth only to find out later on that I don't like it as much as I thought. My gpa and science gpa are both 3.9+ I have decent - good non medical extracurriculars (volunteering, tutoring, relief trips, etc) and good letters of recommendation since my professors really liked me.
My biggest weakness is shadowing/medical experience, I have like 40hrs with a family friend who's a cardiologist. I can probably get that number up to 100 before the cycle opens up, I am currently studying for the MCAT, which I plan to take july 13, score would be in Aug 10.
My question is basically, do I have a good shot for this cycle for MD schools if I do well on the MCAT? Any last tips for someone switching this late to spruce up my app before I apply?

Thanks

 

[ihoop24]

Biggest thing will be your MCAT. Besides that, first thing would be to start on some clinical experience ASAP (hospital, hospice, free clinic, etc.) If you can get shadowing over 50 hrs (preferably primary care) that would be ideal. Only thing I would be concerned about would be the very short time spent getting medical experience (looks like box checking).

 

[Mocizzle]

Biggest thing will be your MCAT. Besides that, first thing would be to start on some clinical experience ASAP (hospital, hospice, free clinic, etc.) If you can get shadowing over 50 hrs (preferably primary care) that would be ideal. Only thing I would be concerned about would be the very short time spent getting medical experience (looks like box checking).

when you say clinical experience, how exactly does that differ from shadowing? My friend said he can hook me up with a hospital volunteering job; would that be it?

 

[ihoop24]

when you say clinical experience, how exactly does that differ from shadowing? My friend said he can hook me up with a hospital volunteering job; would that be it?

Shadowing is a passive experience. Volunteering or paid employment will allow you to get hands on experience and actually do things related to patient care compared to just watching the doctor do things. And yes, hospital volunteering would definitely be it.

 

[Mocizzle]

I would wait until next cycle to apply. You're bordering on a late application if your MCAT score doesn't come until August, and you're lacking in clinical experience, which is extremely important to have. This will make you look like someone who decided on a whim to apply to med school, not someone who has put a lot of thought and care into the decision.

You don't need to shadow for 100 hours (~50 is plenty) but you do need to shadow a primary care doctor, and a DO if you're planning on applying to DO schools. Hospital volunteering is great. I would also consider clinical employment (e.g. EMT or CNA) if you're out of school, or other volunteering experiences like free clinics or hospice. This will also help you figure out if medicine is really what you want.

I would also consider seeing if you can defer your dental school acceptances rather than withdrawing in case you get medical clinical experience and find it's not as great as you thought.

Fair points, I'd still like to try and apply as i wouldn't lose anything. I am going to submit my application before my MCAT and finish everything including secondaries by mid august; from my understanding this is still a relatively good time? Or should I make my MCAT earlier
The thing is technically I have clinical experience, I've been volunteering at a community clinic for over a year now, i'd take blood pressure and talk with patients, write notes, etc. but it was mostly for the dentists and oral surgeons though technically some oral surgeons are also physicians, could this at least help my case?

 

[Tenk]

Fair points, I'd still like to try and apply as i wouldn't lose anything. I am going to submit my application before my MCAT and finish everything including secondaries by mid august; from my understanding this is still a relatively good time? Or should I make my MCAT earlier
The thing is technically I have clinical experience, I've been volunteering at a community clinic for over a year now, i'd take blood pressure and talk with patients, write notes, etc. but it was mostly for the dentists and oral surgeons though technically some oral surgeons are also physicians, could this at least help my case?

Actually you do lose something. Besides money, you become a reapplicant when you fail to get in because you rushed your application.

 

[Mocizzle]

Actually you do lose something. Besides money, you become a reapplicant when you fail to get in because you rushed your application.

What is the negative of being a re-applicant? the medical schools here in NC have almost half their students as reapplicants

 

[Tenk]

What is the negative of being a re-applicant? the medical schools here in NC have almost half their students as reapplicants

As a reapplicant the first thing they look for is significant changes from your first application. Meaning you have to work extra hard for no reason other than you applied too early and not ready. Also at many schools reapplicants are looked at less favorably than first time applicants especially if they haven’t changed much. You can do whatever you want but only a fool would apply in your situation. You have good stats. It would be far more advantageous to complete your application for medical school (not dental) and apply broadly when everything is complete rather than rushing at the last second. Adcoms aren’t stupid. They will see through you.

 

[Mocizzle]

solid advice, thank you guys!