Taking Two Years off, concerned about type of work

[Darkskies]

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Hi,
I just graduated college in May and will be taking a Kaplan MCAT course beginning on the 7th. I am aiming to take the MCAT in May. I will be applying early for the next cycle and hope to matriculate when I am 24(currently 22) In essence I am taking two years off but I am concerned about whether the type of job I do will be looked down upon by medical schools. I am continuing with volunteering and plan on doing so until my matriculation. However, I am looking for a part time job and even though I have applied for lab tech positions I still have not heard back from any of them. There is a part time opening(20 hrs a week) at the local pet shop and I was interested in applying since it would give me the opportunity to earn some cash while simultaneously having ample time to study for the MCAT. I know that I have two years but if I don't ever end up doing research during this break in my education will it be looked upon negatively if all other aspects of my application are good(MCAT, grades, volunteering)? Keep in mind I did complete independent research at college for one semester. I still feel that if I don't obtain a research position, adcoms will think that I did not utilize my degree.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

Hi,
I just graduated college in May and will be taking a Kaplan MCAT course beginning on the 7th. I am aiming to take the MCAT in May.

why would you wait until MAY? if you want to apply early, take the test early because you won't get the score for a month. i'd say to just use this time to focus on the mcat and take it in JAN; maybe do some leisure job searching and volunteering on the side, but seriously take advantage of your unemployment.

anyway, in terms of work, you just have to do your best with what's there. at some point, you just need money to live, and ADCOMS will understand that. but i would recommend taking some steps to prove that you are making a serious effort to get that "better" job, like doing an internship or volunteering in a lab.

 

[kevster2001]

How long is this MCAT course you're taking. You should take it at the end of the course.

For jobs, it's not a big deal. But make sure you supplement it with volunteer work.

 

[Darkskies]

why would you wait until MAY? if you want to apply early, take the test early because you won't get the score for a month. i'd say to just use this time to focus on the mcat and take it in JAN; maybe do some leisure job searching and volunteering on the side, but seriously take advantage of your unemployment.

anyway, in terms of work, you just have to do your best with what's there. at some point, you just need money to live, and ADCOMS will understand that. but i would recommend taking some steps to prove that you are making a serious effort to get that "better" job, like doing an internship or volunteering in a lab.

Sorry guys. That was a typo. I meant to say that I will be taking the MCAT in JANUARY. Now that that's cleared should I aim for a research job?

 

[Kaustikos]

Sorry guys. That was a typo. I meant to say that I will be taking the MCAT in JANUARY. Now that that's cleared should I aim for a research job?

Here's the thing; people really overstate/blow out of proportion the need for research. Look for jobs in a hospital, if you can, and keep your volunteering up. Med Schools know the job market sucks; so your job isn't a bad one by any means and you keeping your current volunteer gig is a great thing. People that don't get looked at are ones that do NOTHING. Also, look into pharmacy technician positions.

 

[Barcu]

Sorry guys. That was a typo. I meant to say that I will be taking the MCAT in JANUARY. Now that that's cleared should I aim for a research job?

I've heard from an adcom that the type of job does not really matter much. Just be able to talk about what you learned from that job. There could be some lessons there that would be better than a research job.

Just keep up with volunteering (both medical and non-medical) and you should be fine with whichever job you choose.

Another question, do you want to get a research job because you actually want one or because you think you should have one? The answer to that question will tell you which job you should pursue.

Also, have you looked into something like Americorps? It is good experience and can be advantageous for apps. Right out of college is really the best time to pursue something like that for a year.

 

[searun]

I was a construction worker for two years after I graduated from college. During those two years, I also got clinical exposure and volunteered at a free health clinic. I was accepted to 6 med schools, including the top ten med school that I currently attend (I am a 4th year med student). I did not do any research during the two year period post college, although I did have a research project during college. I actually think that being a construction worker helped my med school application.

Bottom line, you should be fine.

 

[Darkskies]

Thanks for all the advice! I guess I just feel that not having a job requiring a bachelor's degree might look bad since it gives the impression that I didn't use my degree for anything. That being said, the only job that a bachelor's in biology seems to make me qualified for is a lab tech position(which I wouldn't mind) but it is difficult to actually even find an available position as a lab tech. I wouldn't mind at all working at the pet store and I'll get enough mental stimulation from studying for the MCAT. Clinical exposure would be from my continued hospital volunteering/physician shadowing. So the consensus is that I should be fine following this setup?