The pre meds that don't have to work have it real good

[TheBatman]

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I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

 

[ScholarStud]

I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

It can show that you can balance a heavy workload. Why are you working so much? Can't you take out student loans?

 

[TheBatman]

It can show that you can balance a heavy workload. Why are you working so much? Can't you take out student loans?

I have pretty much been the man of the house since I was a sophmore in high school

 

[Ost3oclast]

I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

I know that feel. If you can pull a good gpa while maintaining that workload, it will look good. I had many complements on my ability to handle a large load and still maintain my academics. Goodluck!

 

[Didierdrogba]

I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

Yeah, if you can maintain that GPA. there are always sections on AMCAS that allow you to explain what's going on. Plus you can spin it as your strength during your interviews

 

[TheBatman]

I know that feel. If you can pull a good gpa while maintaining that workload, it will look good. I had many complements on my ability to handle a large load and still maintain my academics. Goodluck!

What was your final GPA?

 

[ScholarStud]

I have pretty much been the man of the house since I was a sophmore in high school

If your parents won't help you take out loans you may consider postponing your studies until you are old enough to do it yourself. B's are forever.

 

[JBruin]

Adcoms will take paid work into consideration when evaluating your application, but it does not serve as a get out of jail free pass for poor grades (for the record, B's are not poor grades).

That said, you may want to reconsider how you present this aspect of your application when it comes time to sit down and write your amcas. Showing that you succeeded in spite of external pressures is good; complaining about how easy others have it is very bad. Everyone has problems.

 

[thisandthat]

I completely understand your frustration! I worked full time throughout my entire undergrad. It is definitely challenging. But you are gaining some great real world experience and will have pleanty to talk about for your application/secondaries/interviews that could potentially set you apart.

My pre med advisor was pretty hopeful about schools being a bit forgiving for not-so-perfect semesters due to juggling work, school and EC's. Of course, this explanation will only go so far. I think it will all come down to how you spin it/what you learn from it. But then again, this is my first time applying so we'll see how it pans out.

 

[Dingo Mango]

Adcoms will take paid work into consideration when evaluating your application, but it does not serve as a get out of jail free pass for poor grades (for the record, B's are not poor grades).

That said, you may want to reconsider how you present this aspect of your application when it comes time to sit down and write your amcas. Showing that you succeeded in spite of external pressures is good; complaining about how easy others have it is very bad. Everyone has problems.

what this guy said!!

 

[StephanieZ]

Adcoms will take paid work into consideration when evaluating your application, but it does not serve as a get out of jail free pass for poor grades (for the record, B's are not poor grades).

This. What I always say is that your hardships will make your successes look better but they won't excuse your failures. You can't get into the habit of thinking the bar will be lowered for you. I too have worked since high school and all throughout undergraduate. The one area where I feel like working hurt me the most was in my ECs, but keeping up my GPA was non-negotiable. I know it's not desirable, but you can always take smaller class loads per semester. It may take you a few more years to finish, but at least you can finish with a solid GPA.

On a different note: what sort of job are you working at? If it's not medical or research related, get out now and find something that is. If your time is limited you need to get the biggest bang for your buck with it, and working at a job that gets you clinical exposure throughout undergraduate will enhance your application big time, and may give you a boost if your GPA is less than stellar.

 

[Doudline]

On a different note: what sort of job are you working at? If it's not medical or research related, get out now and find something that is. If your time is limited you need to get the biggest bang for your buck with it, and working at a job that gets you clinical exposure throughout undergraduate will enhance your application big time, and may give you a boost if your GPA is less than stellar.

That's not necessary imo.
Generally, jobs in health care require weeks/months long training or certifications that the OP most certainly cannot afford if he's the main income of his household. As long as he has good clinical experience on the side, adcoms won't give much of a poney about his job not being related to the medical world.

(Ofc if he can kill two birds with one stone it's even better... just not mandatory.)

 

[StephanieZ]

That's not necessary imo.
Generally, jobs in health care require weeks/months long training or certifications that the OP most certainly cannot afford if he's the main income of his household. As long as he has good clinical experience on the side, adcoms won't give much of a poney about his job not being related to the medical world.

(Ofc if he can kill two birds with one stone it's even better... just not mandatory.)

It sounds like OP doesn't have a ton of time to spare if his job is already hurting his grades. I'm not saying pre-meds should never work in non-healthcare related jobs, but if you have to work, and your time is limited (whose isn't) it's just smart to make those hours work for you. Any old job will show good work ethic. A clinical-type job will show good work ethic and be a good experience to put on apps. And getting any kind of certification is, obviously, not always easy, but there are things you can train to do in a semester or less, and it's an investment that I personally feel is worth it in the long run.

 

[Arkangeloid]

I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Don't make excuses for why your grades suffered. Take a lighter courseload, throw some classes into the summers, take an extra year to finish college, cut back on your work hours, do a postbac with all your premed science classes, whatever, but don't make excuses. Nobody abducted you in the middle of the night and forced you to be their slave. You chose the job and you chose to be a premed, and now it's your job to balance them.

In general, adcoms don't like excuse-makers. They'll give you a bonus if you're working so much because you're from an economically disadvantaged background or are a URM, but that alone won't get you in.


And in the future, do not argue that the "premeds who don't have to work have it real good." First of all, nobody gets into medical school without a large amount of work experience. Second of all, nothing gives you the right to judge people without knowing anything about them. Getting into medical school is difficult regardless of how much you work.

 

[ZezKaiEll]

I was always told that despite many people having it better than me, there are many many more who have it worse and look at me in the same way. Not worth dwelling on it too much. Best of luck OP, hopefully your experiences and hardships will help mold your success.

 

[IBelieveInEli]

Everyone has to battle their problems. Not to sound harsh, but don't make your demon seem bigger than others because of an insecurity.

Mention your hours on the application.

 

[Fakhter]

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Don't make excuses for why your grades suffered. Take a lighter courseload, throw some classes into the summers, take an extra year to finish college, cut back on your work hours, do a postbac with all your premed science classes, whatever, but don't make excuses. Nobody abducted you in the middle of the night and forced you to be their slave. You chose the job and you chose to be a premed, and now it's your job to balance them.

In general, adcoms don't like excuse-makers. They'll give you a bonus if you're working so much because you're from an economically disadvantaged background or are a URM, but that alone won't get you in.


And in the future, do not argue that the "premeds who don't have to work have it real good." First of all, nobody gets into medical school without a large amount of work experience. Second of all, nothing gives you the right to judge people without knowing anything about them. Getting into medical school is difficult regardless of how much you work.

First and foremost OP is working 50 hours a week on certain ocassions which is almost three times as much as you worked. Summer time doesn't count because it's believed ou don't have to take any classes. All OP said was that the ones that don't work have it better than he does. One can not argue that they don't have it better. He didn't bash them for it. Also i've been in OP's shoes it's not just the grades that suffer but your social life as well which can be severely depressing. This is what prevents you from taking a lighter course load and consequently being in the same situation for a much longer period of time.

 

[HealthHare]

In life all of us are dealt a hand of cards and sometimes we don't get the best deal. Try your best to persevere despite deficiencies--it only builds character.

Also like others have mentioned, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Get creative with how best you can structure your week to achieve maximum efficiency. Figure out a way to market your situation to adcoms in a positive light.

 

[amazing tekkers]

Hopefully you can struggle through it.

I'd recommend making a schedule for yourself in which you use your time out of work most efficiently.

 

[sunflower18]

I don't technically have to, but I choose to work around 40 hours a week while in school full time. The way I look at it, it will help me in the future financially, and it also helps build my ECs now. Plus it helps me develop organization, time management, and work ethic -- which are absolutely important life skills.

It's tough to stay on top of everything, but I've found that it's been manageable for me as long as I really stay focused, organized, and keep lists of what I need to do and by when. I make to-do lists alllll the time. Sure, I've sacrificed a few hours of sleep here and there, but I feel like it's been rewarding all the same.

Good luck OP! Find a strategy that works for you in order to keep yourself getting things done.

 

[inycepoo]

Yeah never say that others got it real good. You'll be turning what may have been respectful admiration of your efforts and struggles into spiteful indignation of your attitude. Yeah, we have it somewhat better when we're not forced to work, but it's not like we ain't got other struggles no more in our lives either.

Show them that not only are you da man of your house, you're also just da man (in general), and most importantly, you're the man for them because of your work ethic.

Holla at mah main man.

 

[Planes2Doc]

It's a really crappy situation and I feel for you. My former best friend was in the same situation, but in high school. His parents wouldn't support him, so as a sophomore in high school, he was supporting himself. His grades were terrible, and community college didn't go better. Didn't amount to much after. 🙁

I don't think schools will be too generous unfortunately. You still here stories about people who worked to support themselves in college, yet still maintained awesome grades. Unless you can apply disadvantaged and come up with a good sob story, your best bet is to take advantage of the AACOMAS grade forgiveness policies for DO schools.

Plus don't forget you're still required to do addditional free labor, I mean volunteering, on topof that. I feel for the people who have to do significant work on top of the already difficult pre-med requirements. Use grade forgiveness to your advantage. Otherwise, ADCOMs won't look too kindly to the situation since you hear stories about people that need to support them and their families, yet manage good grades.

 

[sinombre]

I was in the same situation OP. Worked full time through most of high school and undergrad. It was definitely a challenge, and my GPA took a hit from working so much (I ended up taking an extra year to do GPA repair, which worked out really well). Feel free to PM me if you have any questions you don't feel like posting here.

I don't think schools will be too generous unfortunately.

Also, Planes2Doc is definitely right. Do everything you can to keep your GPA as high as possible.

 

[Buzz Me]

It'll look good if you can maintain a solid GPA while working many hours a week. Having other commitments (work, family, etc.) does not, however, excuse a substandard, below-average GPA.

It's possible. I worked 40 hours a week all 4 years of college, kept my grades up (didn't sleep much). Just gotta grit your teeth and do it.

 

[PreMedRookie]

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Don't make excuses for why your grades suffered. Take a lighter courseload, throw some classes into the summers, take an extra year to finish college, cut back on your work hours, do a postbac with all your premed science classes, whatever, but don't make excuses. Nobody abducted you in the middle of the night and forced you to be their slave. You chose the job and you chose to be a premed, and now it's your job to balance them.

In general, adcoms don't like excuse-makers. They'll give you a bonus if you're working so much because you're from an economically disadvantaged background or are a URM, but that alone won't get you in.


And in the future, do not argue that the "premeds who don't have to work have it real good." First of all, nobody gets into medical school without a large amount of work experience. Second of all, nothing gives you the right to judge people without knowing anything about them. Getting into medical school is difficult regardless of how much you work.

Working 15 hours a week is nothing. I currently work 15 hours a week and its a joke. I used to work full time and I can tell you it is 100 times harder. Your suggestions prove that you have never been in a similar situation. One that works full time during school most likely does not have the money to "throw some classes into the summers" or "take an extra year" or "cut back on hours"

Also, many students get into medical school without having any real work experience. Getting into medical school is more difficult if you are on a tight budget. I cannot afford to apply to 20 schools, which puts me at a disadvantage. I cannot afford multiple trips to interviews, which is a disadvantage. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Rant over.

 

[blahblahblagh]

The sentiment that "everyone has problems" and that simply changing one's attitude will help someone overcome adversity is incredibly naive and offensive. If adcoms really will not cut slack for students who need to work full-time during school (in terms of volunteer hours, at least), then shame on them from excluding a whole population of less privileged people from becoming doctors. Btw, not saying that OP has experienced poverty, but poverty IS NOT a character building exercise as some of you are implying.

 

[487806]

It'll look good if you can maintain a solid GPA while working many hours a week. Having other commitments (work, family, etc.) does not, however, excuse a substandard, below-average GPA.

It's possible. I worked 40 hours a week all 4 years of college, kept my grades up (didn't sleep much). Just gotta grit your teeth and do it.

Lol. I'm surprised you necrobumped this thread. Though I suspect it was a spammer who did it before being eliminated.

 

[rain4venus]

I cannot afford to apply to 20 schools, which puts me at a disadvantage. I cannot afford multiple trips to interviews, which is a disadvantage. You have no idea what you are talking about.

1. Necrobump (not by you - just want to bring attention to anyone who hadn't noticed that this thread was last commented on almost 5 months ago.
2. Make sure you look into FAP - the AAMC fee assistance program. (Don't google search for FAP) They allow people demonstrating financial need to submit applications to 14 schools for free, and many schools also waive secondary fees for FAP applicants. You also get discounts on MCAT registration fees and access to the MSAR online. It's still expensive to apply to 6 more schools, and it does nothing to reduce travel costs associated with interviews, but every little bit helps. My partner is applying only to schools within "driving distance" (where 10 hours of driving is considered acceptable) to cut down on interview costs (and moving costs, and travel costs to visit our families, etc...) We're also lucky that he travels a lot for his job right now (since he's out of school) and we're racking up hotel points that we'll be able to use later on. Even so, if he ends up getting an II at every place he applies (a situation he certainly wouldn't complain about), he won't be able to afford to go to all of them.

 

[circulus vitios]

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Don't make excuses for why your grades suffered. Take a lighter courseload, throw some classes into the summers, take an extra year to finish college, cut back on your work hours, do a postbac with all your premed science classes, whatever, but don't make excuses. Nobody abducted you in the middle of the night and forced you to be their slave. You chose the job and you chose to be a premed, and now it's your job to balance them.

Fifteen hours a week is not full time. A lighter course load means summer classes or an extra semester(s.) That means he has to pay more money for school.

I don't know if you're trolling, but if you're not: congratulations at being a know it all prick with absolutely no perspective outside of his coddled little world view.

 

[drslaughter]

While I don't think it is necessary to work in healthcare to be considered an ideal premed job, I do think it important to do something that challenges you. Either in terms of improving communication skills, working with disadvantaged people, or what have you, you want to gain valuable experience that can translate to physician skills. Often times starting off as a volunteer will provide you with the training necessary to get hired for a position that you would normally not be able to get. I worked my way through college, so I feel your frustration. For me, I started off volunteering at a drug treatment facility while working at a grocery store, and eventually was hired there and moved on from the grocery life. Based on how this application cycle is going for me, it is just as valuable, if not more so, to get a 3.5-3.6 with valuable work experience than to have a 4.o without. And if you aren't feeling slightly overwhelmed, than you aren't doing enough. Keep up the good work, you will be fine.

 

[sinombre]

The sentiment that "everyone has problems" and that simply changing one's attitude will help someone overcome adversity is incredibly naive and offensive. If adcoms really will not cut slack for students who need to work full-time during school (in terms of volunteer hours, at least), then shame on them from excluding a whole population of less privileged people from becoming doctors. Btw, not saying that OP has experienced poverty, but poverty IS NOT a character building exercise as some of you are implying.

Schools will likely give some leeway to applicants who worked full time throughout undergrad. The problem really is that medical school is tough, and schools want their students to pass/graduate/match. Schools can be pretty confident that students with good grades and good MCAT scores will be able to handle the rigors of med school, but there is more statistically verifiable risk associated with students with lower scores. Regardless of how bad an admissions committee may feel for an applicant, they need that applicant to succeed.

Making it through undergrad with something like a 3.5 GPA while working full time might (and probably should) be viewed equally as favorably as someone with a higher GPA and no work experience, but someone with a 3.0 is probably out of luck regardless of the hardship endured because schools need some kind of evidence that this applicant is capable of handling and succeeding in medical school.

 

[deleted303591]

....

 

[GoPelicans]

BU seems to take its 'holistic review' extremely seriously... my BU interviewer was the only person from 8 interviews who seemed impressed that I worked throughout UG lol. I don't think employment in UG is really seen as a plus to the application to the extent that good grades and other extracurriculars are. Sucks for us, but life isn't always fair.

 

[DylanE]

I've been working full time restaurants since I was 18, and it definitely helped my application. It came up at every interview, and usually with a comment about how real world working experience and working with scheduling dilemmas would both be very useful in medical school. My ECs were okay from when I was at city college since the work load was so much less, but the last three years have really just been school and work. cGPA < 3.5 and got plenty of opportunities this cycle

 

[Omppu27]

much respect to anyone (not just premeds) who has to work throughout undergrad to pay for schools, bills, rent, etc. I'm so fortunate that i do not have to do this, but if i were looking at someone's application i would definitely give it some consideration. However, as some others have mentioned, it is by no means a "get out of jail free card." So make sure you're still fightin' hard in class

 

[Jabbed]

IMO the biggest disadvantage of working through undergrad is that you're forced to sacrifice on your ECs. Consistent grades are doable and it definitely shouldn't get in the way of a good MCAT score, but I really found it difficult to commit long term to any big ECs. Once you're in the 3.6+ and 35+ range I feel like all applicants are essentially on equal footing and you're only differentiated by your extracurriculars.

I thought it was pretty telling that out of 21 apps, only 1 school bothered to ask about how many hours I worked each week as an undergrad.

 

[gettheleadout]

Once you're in the 3.6+ and 35+ range I feel like all applicants are essentially on equal footing and you're only differentiated by your extracurriculars.

Definitely not the case, not at those numbers at least.

 

[amazing tekkers]

I feel the same way. Sometimes, I wish I could study all day and not work. But my job isn't too bad, I love splashing the cash when all my friends are usually broke.

 

[deleted307836]

I thought it was pretty telling that out of 21 apps, only 1 school bothered to ask about how many hours I worked each week as an undergrad.

Wouldn't this info be on your primary app?

 

[GoPelicans]

Once you're in the 3.6+ and 35+ range I feel like all applicants are essentially on equal footing and you're only differentiated by your extracurriculars.

For top 10 schools those are low stats, for top 20 or so 35 is just average and 3.6 is definitely low (assuming ORM).

 

[14app91]

I understand where OP is coming from. I've had to work roughy 30-35 hours per week as well, and it's the E.C's that suffer the most in my opinion. But at the end of the day, you can only do the most you can with what you have at your disposal. So while it would be nice to not have to work and focus on "looking good," I think having "real world" experience can actually help just as much as some great E.C... especially if you're able to spin it to your advantage. My work (I work at a warehouse) has come up during every single one of my interviews thus far, in a positive manner, and I think it has made me stand out in some ways. But I get where you're coming from and best of luck.

 

[14app91]

Double post.

 

[astromfs]

Working is the best thing to do during undergrad. You can acquire a great amount of experience and money if your goal is to save towards med school, debt cut by half or more (state med school tuition) .

 

[Goro]

I can truly empathize with your situation, but sadly, the answer to your question is "not really".

Remember, it's a sellers market for medical schools, so they can afford to turn away scores of talented applicants.


. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?[/quote]

 

[Goro]

I can truly empathize with your situation, but sad, the answer to your question is "not really".

Remember, it's a sellers market for medical schools, so they can afford to turn away scores of talented applicants.


. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?[/quote]

 

[bambam92]

Look man didn't you just make a thread about, "aiming for my state DO school to relieve pressure." That is a huge slap in the face to all the kids who are going to go DO/going DO. If you are working 40-50 hours a week I feel for you--that is incredibly difficult! I feel like you need to try to assess things differently, continuing to work like that is almost certainly undoable. Me personally I worked during freshman, and sophomore year to help support myself--so I can relate. Granted I worked 20-25 hours a week, not 40-50 like you. Working those hours, doing EC's, and maintaining a 3.9+ GPA for 3 out of the 4 semesters during those first two years was definitely tough for me! I had no weekends, and I'm sure you don't either! Now I'm in my junior year and decided to take out more loans enabling me to focus more on academics and get involved in a volunteer research laboratory. Now I don't work--and it definitely helps. But instead of working now I spend most of that time in the vol. research lab. Whats your GPA if you don't mind? If it is 3.6+ I think you should strongly consider taking out as much loans as your can, cut down significantly on work or quit, and just flat out gun for a 4.0! I say this because if you maintained a 3.6+ working all those hours I feel you def. have the ability to make it into Med school when not working--so take out the loans and get amazing grades and add EC's. A kid who works all thru undergrad with a 3.0 isn't getting into med school. ADCOMs won't care because tons of kids work--even full time and get high GPA's. So if work is impacting your studies you need to figure out a way to cut down/eliminate work. By taking out more loans if that enables you to get to med school I think it is absolutely worth it. Good luck!

 

[Conflagration]

I've had to work ever since I was a sophmore in high school. I'm working as a Sophmore in College now and I'd hate to say this but my grades are suffering because of it. By no means am I recieving F's, D's or even C's at the moment. I've gotten a couple of B's only because I was unable to study as much as I wanted to beause of my job. Ok now for my question. Will the adcoms have any pitty for me? Will they by any means give me a pass because I was working sometimes as much as 50 hours a week?

People, really. He's just got a couple of B's.

I don't think a couple of B's quantifies the debate over taking a GPA repair year. It indicates that he may need to try to find other work that will provide the same cash flow but for less hours, but even then- he's probably still got a 3.5+ right now.

And a medically relevant job would probably pay more an hour, and have a solid EC benefit, but if you're currently supporting other persons, you shouldn't quit your current job unless you have one all lined up.

But by no means are you limited to DO schools. You're a sophomore like me. You can probably pull your GPA by a considerable margin if you want to.

Best of luck though!

 

[MEN2C]

Switch to part time school and work full time. That's what I did. It's ok if it takes 1-2 years longer. A couple Bs wont matter but if your grades are seriously suffering, switch. It might be cheaper too, in many places taking courses on a per credit basis part time comes out to be much cheaper than full time tuition.

 

[kyamh]

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Yeeaaaahhh, that's not really working. I pulled 30 hours a week all four years at college...I'm pretty sure OP's experience (however poorly phrased) is closer to mine than you yours and if he was working full time then he definitely has my sympathies.

Edit: There is also a difference between working a service profession where you can't sit for a minute of your shift and "working" at a school library where you sit quietly for a few hours and do homework...not all work is created equal.

 

[Fedekz]

I had a year in college when I had a regular 15 hr/week job while going to school full time. I had two years where I did not. I worked full time every summer. There was no relation between my grades and my job.

Don't make excuses for why your grades suffered. Take a lighter courseload, throw some classes into the summers, take an extra year to finish college, cut back on your work hours, do a postbac with all your premed science classes, whatever, but don't make excuses. Nobody abducted you in the middle of the night and forced you to be their slave. You chose the job and you chose to be a premed, and now it's your job to balance them.

In general, adcoms don't like excuse-makers. They'll give you a bonus if you're working so much because you're from an economically disadvantaged background or are a URM, but that alone won't get you in.


And in the future, do not argue that the "premeds who don't have to work have it real good." First of all, nobody gets into medical school without a large amount of work experience. Second of all, nothing gives you the right to judge people without knowing anything about them. Getting into medical school is difficult regardless of how much you work.

Uhh worked 15hrs/week AND full time in school!?!? What a amazing feat! I'm a full time paramedic and a part time police officer so I work 5x 12 hr shifts a week, and take 18 credits, maybe if you work more than 15 hrs a week you will begin to notice that it can impact your grades ....

The OP is talking about as much as 50 hours/week ...