Weird Reapplicant Questions

[type12]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I am still on the fence about reapplying or waiting a gap year. There are some schools I did not apply to this cycle that my SO and I were competitive for. In addition, there are new schools like QUSOM that I think would be more receptive since they do not have a match list yet.

• Should/Can I reapply to a small set of schools this year, and wait for a "full effort" in the subsequent year? I feel my application is strong, but could be better (see third question).
• Is there any harm to other schools (one not applied to) by doing so? For example, you apply to NYU in the first cycle, then reapply, but instead of NYU, you apply to MSSM.
• Will starting a new, impressive job in May be considered by schools this upcoming cycle? There are two options I have right now: Medical Scribe and make 5% of what I make now (IMO, showing sacrifice and dedication to becoming a physician); or a clinical research assistant, which will also be clinical but pays more reasonably.
• Should this thread be in here, or in the WAMC forum?

I really want the best clinical experience so I stop coming off as "cold." Alongside a late application, this was the primary thing schools said I need to do to improve my score.

The money, though it sucks, isn't really an issue. This isn't the career I want or love, so I'm more than willing to demonstrate that by getting one of these opportunities, and taking whichever will show schools I'm warm and fuzzy.

 

[WillburCobb]

So I am still on the fence about reapplying or waiting a gap year. There are some schools I did not apply to this cycle that my SO and I were competitive for. In addition, there are new schools like QUSOM that I think would be more receptive since they do not have a match list yet.

• Should/Can I reapply to a small set of schools this year, and wait for a "full effort" in the subsequent year? I feel my application is strong, but could be better (see third question).
• Is there any harm to other schools (one not applied to) by doing so? For example, you apply to NYU in the first cycle, then reapply, but instead of NYU, you apply to MSSM.
• Will starting a new, impressive job in May be considered by schools this upcoming cycle? There are two options I have right now: Medical Scribe and make 5% of what I make now (IMO, showing sacrifice and dedication to becoming a physician); or a clinical research assistant, which will also be clinical but pays more reasonably.
• Should this thread be in here, or in the WAMC forum?

I really want the best clinical experience so I stop coming off as "cold." Alongside a late application, this was the primary thing schools said I need to do to improve my score.

The money, though it sucks, isn't really an issue. This isn't the career I want or love, so I'm more than willing to demonstrate that by getting one of these opportunities, and taking whichever will show schools I'm warm and fuzzy.

To questions 1 and 2 there's no harm what so ever in doing that.
To question 3, define "impressive". Anyway to gain meaningful patient exposure is great. Though keep in mind its what you gain from the experience and how you express it that med schools are interested in. A school could care less if you had 20+ years as an aid and volunterring at a community clinic, but can't talk about it and what you gained from it. I don't know think that taking a job as a scribe would necessarily show sacrifice or dedication and I don't think a school would really look at it that way either. Regarding the CRA position, I accepted a postition as a clinical research coordinator this past September because it paid much better than my then current job as an aid, was a much better work environment for me, and I thought it would really be impressive on my app. The one school I applied to and interviewed at could've cared less and was much more interested in my experience as an aid. Also, when I met with the Dean of Admissions on how to improve my app for this coming cycle (I was wait listed) she specifically told me that my current job is fine for what it is - a job/paycheck, and that I should try and continue to gain more direct patient contact either through a PRN position as an aid, volunteering, etc. Since then I've talked with two other med school administrators and several students who have served on addmissions committees and they've all said essentially the same thing. I would take whichever job you think will be most enjoyable but try and gain some direct patient meaningful direct patient exposure as well.

Regarding coming off as "cold" have you thought about how you interview? Like I mentioned above schools could care less if you had tons of prestigous ECs and clinical exposure its how you talk about them and the impact they've had on you that matters.

 

[type12]

Regarding coming off as "cold" have you thought about how you interview? Like I mentioned above schools could care less if you had tons of prestigous ECs and clinical exposure its how you talk about them and the impact they've had on you that matters.

I received no interviews, so it's definitely not that!

But in regards to the impressiveness, that's what the scribe position appears to be moreso than the CRA position: making a living while gaining the type of direct patient experience that makes me look less like a selfish jerk (how heartless for taking care of eight people with my day job, ).

Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely leaning more towards scribing. I have a lot of research (not clinical) and leadership ECs, so I think this may be more impressive to schools.

BTW, why did you apply to only one school?

 

[WillburCobb]

BTW, why did you apply to only one school?

I submitted my app somewhat late in the cycle and really didn't have the money to apply to many schools due to just having started to make student loan payments, and I had been offered the clinical research position which I didn't think would allow me to take the time to travel for multiple interviews (if offered) so soon after being hired. Also, I had planned on applying to DO schools as well but hadn't secured a DO/MD LOR. So I just applied to my first choice which is closest, cheapest, and where I stand the best chance of acceptance (for MD anyway).