Unorthodox pre-med student with questions

[Fulchera10]

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Hello all,

Being my first post, I will begin with some background information and follow with a myriad of questions.

I am currently an undergrad majoring in Health Services Management with the intention of perusing medical school; an unorthodox premedical student per-say. I am currently working on completing my med-school prerequisites in conjunction with my health services management degree. I have just finished my junior year and enduring the transition into my senior year through summer class, which happen to be my general chemistry courses. As of now, my G.P.A is 3.560, and I am about to wrap up my second general chemistry course. I am comfortably predicting finishing the course with a A/4.0 (96%,104% test avgs so far). My first general chemistry course was completed with an A/4.0. Additionally, my lab grades are reflective of my success in the lecture.

You may be wondering as to why I am taking my science courses so late, and this is because it was only until recently that I decided to pursue medical school. Since this decision, my grades have been phenomenal and with this new-found motivation I am anticipating a G.P.A in the 3.6-3.7 range. My senior year (fall&spring) will consist of Organic Chemistry I & II (with labs). Physics (I & II w/lab) and Bio (I & II w/lab) will be taken during the summertime of 2014 in which my advisers reassured me would workout, and that they will further "push-back" my degree completion time despite the fact I will be ready to graduate spring 2014. In regards to any concern for taking two heavily based science classes in the same summer semester, doubt is not needed...However, I am wondering if any of you have a similar experience? If I can't maintain B's or greater because of two science courses at the same time (summer 2014), then I have no business in medical school.

I am use to very hectic schedules and during my time frame of completing my summer general chemistry I've also managed to obtain my EMT-basic (didactic hours) and some irrelevant elective courses. I am unsure if I should pursue paramedic in order to get clinical experience prior to medical school. I say this because I will be taking the M-CAT in September of 2014, which means I won't be attending medical school, granted I get an acceptance, until Fall 2016. Considering I'll have my bachelors, I will stay busy during this time frame with health care services work (business) with EMT-b on the side, or, I will be working as a paramedic. During this time frame I will shadow doctors, volunteer as an EMT-b (or work as a paramedic), obtain letters of recommendation, etc...

Now to the questions:

1) Given my background, would you suggest perusing paramedic (would be completed February 2014 w/ didactic and clinical rotations)? Or focus on my grades in my science courses and just finish my EMT-b certification?
2) Given my background, do you guys think I'm on par for medical school as long as everything works according to plan? I figured I will be at an advantage for my M-CAT as physics and bio courses will be within 4 months of the test, and I will have a month and a half of NO work and ONLY studying (all day/8hrs; I will be zealously pursuing school at this point)
3) Any other tips you guys would like to give me?

I apologize for any grammatical errors as this was a quick post. I know I am not the strongest candidate, but I expect improvement amongst my G.P.A as it is not until the last year where I have consistently reached near perfect G.P.As (4.0). I will not care as to which medical school I attend, but I would most definitely like to stay within United States boundaries. I'm not even going to post my EC's because I've currently only shadowed a PA for approx 20hrs, which was oddly required for my major.

Other info: I have only attended a University at my 3 (going on 4) years of college (no community college). Will shadow Dr's and do community work after M-cat before June application date. Also, 0 W's on my transcript (that is, 3 available for use which I never intend to use)

 

[operaman]

That doesn't sound really unorthodox to me; many of my classmates had non-science majors so you're actually more mainstream than you think. If anything, you could spin the 'management' aspect of your degree by saying you envision a career in leadership but you also want to be deeply involved in patient care and bring that experience to the boardroom, blah blah etc etc.

1) Focus on grades. Every volunteer fire dept in the country has people with low GPAs working as EMTs who are planning to go to medical school, but they rarely do. I hate that grades are so important, but they are. You've got a year left and your GPA isn't too low, so put everything into bringing this up as high as possible.

2) Don't underestimate the MCAT. It's amazing how many people just assume they can blow this test out of the water. Prioritize by focusing on sure things ( like grades and shadowing and research and letters, etc.) and focus on the MCAT when the time comes.

3) Don't worry about being 'different' or 'unorthodox,' just be really good. Cover all your bases (grades, mcat, shadowing, clinical volunteer, non-clinical service, research, ECs) and you'll do well. Many school rank applicants based on algorithms that generate a number from all the parts of your application, so it stands to reason that having at least 1 thing in each potential category is a decent strategy.

4) Figure out when you want to start med school, then plan to submit your app on June 1 the year BEFORE the year of matriculation (that's when the app cycle begins). Some people get tripped up by the timing and submit later.

 

[monkeyfeet]

1) Given my background, would you suggest perusing paramedic (would be completed February 2014 w/ didactic and clinical rotations)? Or focus on my grades in my science courses and just finish my EMT-b certification?

As a paramedic, I would very strongly advise you against pursuing your paramedic cert without first working as an EMT, ideally for several years. If that doesn't fit with your timetable, then I would just stick with your basic. Working as a medic is amazing clinical experience because you're completely responsible for the care of your patients, but don't discount the amount of responsibility that entails. In my experience, zero-to-hero medics are absolutely terrifying; I think you really need that solid foundation as a BLS provider to be able to competently manage an ALS call.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello all,

Being my first post, I will begin with some background information and follow with a myriad of questions.

I am currently an undergrad majoring in Health Services Management with the intention of perusing medical school; an unorthodox premedical student per-say. I am currently working on completing my med-school prerequisites in conjunction with my health services management degree. I have just finished my junior year and enduring the transition into my senior year through summer class, which happen to be my general chemistry courses. As of now, my G.P.A is 3.560, and I am about to wrap up my second general chemistry course. I am comfortably predicting finishing the course with a A/4.0 (96%,104% test avgs so far). My first general chemistry course was completed with an A/4.0. Additionally, my lab grades are reflective of my success in the lecture.

You may be wondering as to why I am taking my science courses so late, and this is because it was only until recently that I decided to pursue medical school. Since this decision, my grades have been phenomenal and with this new-found motivation I am anticipating a G.P.A in the 3.6-3.7 range. My senior year (fall&spring) will consist of Organic Chemistry I & II (with labs). Physics (I & II w/lab) and Bio (I & II w/lab) will be taken during the summertime of 2014 in which my advisers reassured me would workout, and that they will further "push-back" my degree completion time despite the fact I will be ready to graduate spring 2014. In regards to any concern for taking two heavily based science classes in the same summer semester, doubt is not needed...However, I am wondering if any of you have a similar experience? If I can't maintain B's or greater because of two science courses at the same time (summer 2014), then I have no business in medical school.

I am use to very hectic schedules and during my time frame of completing my summer general chemistry I've also managed to obtain my EMT-basic (didactic hours) and some irrelevant elective courses. I am unsure if I should pursue paramedic in order to get clinical experience prior to medical school. I say this because I will be taking the M-CAT in September of 2014, which means I won't be attending medical school, granted I get an acceptance, until Fall 2016. Considering I'll have my bachelors, I will stay busy during this time frame with health care services work (business) with EMT-b on the side, or, I will be working as a paramedic. During this time frame I will shadow doctors, volunteer as an EMT-b (or work as a paramedic), obtain letters of recommendation, etc...

Now to the questions:

1) Given my background, would you suggest perusing paramedic (would be completed February 2014 w/ didactic and clinical rotations)? Or focus on my grades in my science courses and just finish my EMT-b certification?
2) Given my background, do you guys think I'm on par for medical school as long as everything works according to plan? I figured I will be at an advantage for my M-CAT as physics and bio courses will be within 4 months of the test, and I will have a month and a half of NO work and ONLY studying (all day/8hrs; I will be zealously pursuing school at this point)
3) Any other tips you guys would like to give me?

I apologize for any grammatical errors as this was a quick post. I know I am not the strongest candidate, but I expect improvement amongst my G.P.A as it is not until the last year where I have consistently reached near perfect G.P.As (4.0). I will not care as to which medical school I attend, but I would most definitely like to stay within United States boundaries. I'm not even going to post my EC's because I've currently only shadowed a PA for approx 20hrs, which was oddly required for my major.

Other info: I have only attended a University at my 3 (going on 4) years of college (no community college). Will shadow Dr's and do community work after M-cat before June application date. Also, 0 W's on my transcript (that is, 3 available for use which I never intend to use)

I guess I missed how you were a nontrad or unorthodox. Many people become premed late in college. Some extend their education a year, others finish things up in a postbac. That's pretty normal these days. You wouldn't be considered nontrad or unorthodox in that respect and if that's the case, this post really belongs in preallo.

 

[Fulchera10]

Okay, thank you for your comments. I definitely appreciate them, and I will be sticking to finishing up my EMT-b certification and foregoing paramedic. The experience would have been highly valued but the risks are far too great, and will inevitably lower at least one of my grades on my transcript for the fall semester.

My original intention entering college was just to become involved in health services (business), but I've become increasingly skeptical as to how interesting this career will suit me. Luckily, I can use the "I may want to manage and run my own practice one day," which may be true. I intend to spend every possible moment studying for the MCAT, as I know this is an extremely difficult test, which demands a 30+ score.

 

[Pose]

Agree that you're a traditional applicant. Just take the required classes and you're golden. I also agree that you shouldn't be moving beyond your basic until you get some experience. Have you thought about using your cert. to get a hospital job? I did and it was worth it. The exposure to physicians opens up lots of doors for shadowing, LORs, and stuff to write about in your personal statement.

 

[Fulchera10]

Yes! If I didn't pursue paramedic, I had intended to utilize my hsm degree in order to find a position in the hospital. Although, I figured it would be more difficult to find a job an entry level hsm position when compared to paramedic. At this point, and in parallel to what you guys have said, paramedic just isn't worth it...I'm better off looking for work with my bachelors and utilizing my emt-b for, at best, a part-time position although more likely to volunteer.

 

[Fulchera10]

Yes! If I didn't pursue paramedic, I had intended to utilize my hsm degree in order to find a position in the hospital. Although, I figured it would be more difficult to find a job as an entry level hospital position when compared to paramedic. At this point, and in parallel to what you guys have said, paramedic just isn't worth it...I'm better off looking for work with my bachelors and utilizing my emt-b for, at best, a part-time position. Although, I believe I'll be more likely to volunteer considering emt-b work is rather limited (to my knowledge).

 

[Pose]

Just to be clear, I meant use your EMT-B to get a clinical job in a hospital. At least in NE this is a pretty common route and pretty easy to do.

 

[monkeyfeet]

I agree you should be able to find a full-time job as an EMT fairly easily if that's what you want to do (though don't expect to be paid terribly well). Most of the ambulance services in my area run 911 cars staffed by a paramedic and an EMT, and most of the private agencies have double-EMT cars that run interfacility transfers (less exciting, but still great clinical experience). As Pose said, you could also get a tech job at a hospital, which would likely pay better and let you work closely with docs.

 

[GUH]

Physics 1 + 2 and Biology 1 + 2 and all with labs in a single summer is going to be very difficult. I'd recommend giving it a second thought.