To volunteer or to work?

[jtanch2]

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[Kaustikos]

So I go to Northeastern University, and we have 6 month co-op programs that you can go on if you choose to, to do whatever you like be it volunteering or work experience. I currently have my EMT license and for my next co-op I cannot decide what to do. I have 4 options, and all you have to do is pick which option you think would appeal to medical schools best and why:

1. I could work for an ambulance service (paid)
2. I could work in a hospital ER as a technician (paid)
3. I could volunteer abroad in Costa Rica for 6 months as an EMT (unpaid)
4. I could volunteer abroad in Costa Rica for 4 months as an EMT, and Peru for 2 months as a technician in a clinic (unpaid)

There are pros and cons for each of them: consider importance of clinical experience, of volunteering, of improving my Spanish which would appeal to them. The only differentiating faction between #3 and #4 would be, do you think they would prefer I got to know one place better? Or would they prefer I had a more eclectic view of the central/south American health care systems?


I am focusing mostly on the high end medical schools.

Thanks for your opinions!
Jay

Get off your high horse?

I would choose option 1 or 2. But if you can work where you live, why not do the EMT thing AND volunteer?

 

[jtanch2]

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[261766]

Get off your high horse?

I would choose option 1 or 2. But if you can work where you live, why not do the EMT thing AND volunteer?

👍

 

[Duplo]

Do whatever YOU want to do most. None of those options is a poor use of your time. Presumably you got your EMT cert to practice patient care (it's not a very intellectually stimulating job from what I've heard), so using this as your motivation do what you think would benefit you most personally. Then when it comes time to applying to schools, all you need to do is have confidence and sell yourself, because you feel like you should be a doctor.

 

[jtanch2]

Do whatever YOU want to do most. None of those options is a poor use of your time. Presumably you got your EMT cert to practice patient care (it's not a very intellectually stimulating job from what I've heard), so using this as your motivation do what you think would benefit you most personally. Then when it comes time to applying to schools, all you need to do is have confidence and sell yourself, because you feel like you should be a doctor.

Thanks, best advice I've had yet.

 

[ACGator09]

for #3 and #4... do you need to come up with the money to travel? that would make a difference.

and in reference to you looking at the "high-end med schools"... what kind of stats are we talking about here? with an average to slightly above average stats these "high-end med schools" might not even look at your app, so option #5: sitting around and watching tv might even become an equally appealing option 😛

 

[jtanch2]

All of my other stars are above the averages of the schools I'm looking at. I just meant if all things else are equal, be it gpa, mcat, whathaveyou.

And for 3 an 4, yes you have to pay for all types of projects like this but there are scholarships and fundraising available. Also, the trips cost about 4000$ with room and board included which would be less than 6 months rent here in Boston.

 

[Brent8927]

Costs aside, options 3 and 4 sound like great opportunities. Not too many others spend that much time volunteering in another country--most people I knew went on a week or two-long medical mission type trip. Four or six months will really let you live in the culture of Costa Rica.

But I agree with Duplo--do what interests you the most, and what you would have the most fun doing. You'll get much more out of the experience because you'll be willing to put in the extra effort and time, and when you talk about the experience in your interviews it'll show through that you really enjoyed it.

 

[LizzyM]

I like #2 or #4.

#2 gets you inside a US hospital for an extended period of time and earning money (to offset the high cost of living in Boston).

#4 gets you inside a Peruvian clinic (I'd recommend this only if you've already had an extended experience inside a US hospital).

I have reservations about EMT as it is often just a buggy service for the sick or the opportunity to load someone into the rig and drive fast.

If you end up with #2, try to find something "charitable" to do on your day (or evening) off. Volunteer as a tutor for inner-city kids, as a literacy volunteer with adults, in a soup kitchen, food pantry or homeless shelter, as a volunteer for the Red Cross or a similar organization. It need not be medically related but it should be time (2-3 hrs wk) serving the needy.

 

[jtanch2]

Okay sounds good, thanks to all of you! I think I have decided that I am going to go with option #4 for this co-op, and then I will do option #2 for my last co-op (will be during the time that I am interviewing for med schools), so I get the best of both worlds? I would rather do it in the opposite order just to see how the American ER works first, however I wouldn't be able to go on my interviews if I'm in Costa Rica or Peru!



And on the EMT note, it is a lot more in depth then one might think. There are hundreds of different scenarios to learn, and yes it is mostly get them in and drive fast, however one must be able to adapt very quickly to each individual patient, with a fewer amount of toys then the ER gets!

 

[LizzyM]

And on the EMT note, it is a lot more in depth then one might think. There are hundreds of different scenarios to learn, and yes it is mostly get them in and drive fast, however one must be able to adapt very quickly to each individual patient, with a fewer amount of toys then the ER gets!

A very modest applicant told me that his f/t job as an EMT meant he could put a bandaid on 'em and drive fast. I admired his modesty.

I think that you've got a good strategy for your last 2 co-ops.

 

[jtanch2]

Thanks Lizzy! I see where he was coming from, I think that working as an ER tech would be a better full time job for me as my last coop.


Much thanks to everyone!