Teacher to MD

[Rysukosan]

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I haven't been able to find anything on this so I figured I'd make a thread. I want to do teaching for my undergrad and I was wondering if it'll be a big deal? This would primarily be my plan B and my source of money up until I'm able to get into medical school basically. I just want to make sure it won't put me at a disadvantage.

 

[Rysukosan]

I mean getting my credentials to teach k-12

 

[Batman MD]

I mean getting my credentials to teach k-12

You didn't need special credentials or certifications to teach at my high school. Ah the benefits of private school teaching haha.

 

[theseeker4]

I haven't been able to find anything on this so I figured I'd make a thread. I want to do teaching for my undergrad and I was wondering if it'll be a big deal? This would primarily be my plan B and my source of money up until I'm able to get into medical school basically. I just want to make sure it won't put me at a disadvantage.

It shouldn't put you at any disadvantage. You may be asked about why you changed your mind, and if you planned to be a doctor all along, you pursuing a teaching degree may raise some eyebrows, but I doubt it would put you at a significant disadvantage, as long as you keep your grades competitive.

 

[LizzyM]

A bachelor's degree in education is going to be perceived by med adcoms as "weak" compared to a degree in biology, chemistry, math, or even history or English. If you want teaching to be a back-up, major in whatever you'd hope to teach and do your pre-reqs. If you decide you want to teach, you can get a job in a private school (I even had a med student who taught in a private English language school for ex-pats' kids for a year or two before med school.) or do Teach for America which will get you a provisional license to teach for 2 years while you earn your master's degree in education on the side. The typical path is to apply to medical school during the second year of the two year TFA gig. If you decide that you love teaching, you can continue down that path with your teaching license courtesy of TFA. Or you may find something entirely more appealing than either teaching or medicine.

 

[aurora90]

I don't think it will hurt you.
I know someone who got a degree in physics in undergrad, then went on to get a master's in education from Columbia, taught for 2 years and applied and was accepted to med school.

 

[LizzyM]

I don't think it will hurt you.
I know someone who got a degree in physics in undergrad, then went on to get a master's in education from Columbia, taught for 2 years and applied and was accepted to med school.

The key point is that the applicant had an undergraduate degree in physics, not an undergrad degree in education. There is a huge difference in the minds of some adcoms: Physics major gpa 3.85 =/= Education major gpa 3.85.

 

[dsoz]

Check out my MDApps. I have been a high school science teacher for 19 years. Now I have been accepted to two schools, and waiting to hear back on my state MD school.

The key is that I have a BS in a science (biology). My MS is in education.

I have been told by many that my experience in education is an asset. It has even shown to counter my advanced non-traditional status.

If you want to teach, then focus on teaching. If you want to do medicine then focus on medicine. If you try to do both, then you will not do either one well.

dsoz

 

[theseeker4]

A bachelor's degree in education is going to be perceived by med adcoms as "weak" compared to a degree in biology, chemistry, math, or even history or English. If you want teaching to be a back-up, major in whatever you'd hope to teach and do your pre-reqs. If you decide you want to teach, you can get a job in a private school (I even had a med student who taught in a private English language school for ex-pats' kids for a year or two before med school.) or do Teach for America which will get you a provisional license to teach for 2 years while you earn your master's degree in education on the side. The typical path is to apply to medical school during the second year of the two year TFA gig. If you decide that you love teaching, you can continue down that path with your teaching license courtesy of TFA. Or you may find something entirely more appealing than either teaching or medicine.

Education would be considered "weak" compared to a degree in History even? Interesting, I didn't think education had that reputation. Good to know.