Working while applying?

[osteopeddoc]

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HI all,
Was wondering what everyone is doing while this year, while applying to DO school? Its hard to have a job that has a limited # of sick days, especially with the interviews coming up.. So, what kind of jobs do you guys have? (besides students).

 

[peabody]

I'm still working on my pre-reqs, so it will be another few years before I apply. I just finished my undergrad in May and am starting a job as a clinical research coordinator, which I will hopefully have until I get in into med school!

 

[Forensic Chick]

I'll be working as an EMT in an ER during the application process. I have returned my secondary applications and I just hope that they give you enough notice for interviews so I can adjust my hours... I only applied to three schools though, so too many sick days isn't really an issue for me. I'm also working on my Master's, but missing a day here and there isn't a problem.

Interesting topic, osteopeddoc -- it will be interesting to see what kind of jobs other people will have.

 

[Toejam]

osteopeddoc might be my name in a few years. I'm a podiatrist who is trying to get into DO school.

I have a podiatry practice and work about 6 hours a day. It isn't easy to study for the MCAT and do all of the secodaries, but I so hate whining.

 

[looserdude]

I almost got a laid off notice from my company for taking time off to prepare for last April MCAT, shadowing DO, and for interviews coming up. At least I had a job, and I feel luckier than some people out there. It feels sooo... good to face and cope with challenges even though my gut is very painful sometimes along the road.

 

[spunk11]

Hi All! I just graduated from undergrad in May and I will be starting my teaching job on Tuesday. I will be teaching general chemistry laboratory at a university in PA. I am also working at a local doctor's office. I am excited to hear what everyone is doing this year...

SPUNKY

 

[spunk11]

ANYONE ELSE!?!? ...

 

[kiwi219]

I just graduated in May as well. I will be working with the developmentally disabled/mentally ******ed as a residential counselor. I also plan on volunteering in the ER about 3-4 hours per week.


I will only be working about 30 hours per week, so that should leave time for interviews.

 

[tigerlily]

i work for a pharmaceutical company 40+ hours a week, take a graduate class (clinical biochemistry, just to help in med school) every wednesday night, and shadow a DO every thursday night.

i try not to complain, but it's tough sometimes when i want to work out 3-4 nights a week (not weekends), relax with my friends, boyfriend, etc. i just often wish there were about 3 more hours in each day. but...if i can't do everything now, how will i ever make it through med school??? that's what i tell myself. i have significantly cut back on sleep, which is fine when i'm busy (i just didn't sit and relax at all when i was completing 12 secondaries and trying to get them all out within 2-3 weeks). WOW, finally done.

as for interviews, i was worried about having enough time off, but luckily i was able to carry over 4 vacation days from last year, and only use those days and my personal days for my vacation so far this year. i still have 10 vacation days, but i'm VERY worried that won't be enough if i get even a few more interviews. so far, i have planned most of my travel time at the end of the week and over the weekends (which means no partying for me in sept at all, whine whine blah!)

i mentioned my concern to my boss a while back and he was VERY understanding and said we could maybe work something out when the time comes (if need be). i must say, i was nervous to tell anyone at my company b/c i am the newest lab analyst and the youngest (only been there 1year) and already planning to leave for med school. but...it seems as though my honesty will pay off (the DO i am shadowing said he would back me up if i used too many sick days and they question me, but that shouldn't be necessary now i think).

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! don't get in trouble for taking time off to interview, and try not to skip interviews b/c you can't get off work. remember, being a doctor is what you REALLY want to do right,,,not work at a pharmaceutical company like me. i figure any of us can get another job if need be to pay the bills in the meantime if we can't keep up with our current job. it might be rough, but we aren't exactly choosing the smoothest trail to travel. WE'RE GONNA BE DOCTORS! YAY!

 

[spanky]

I work full time in a medical laboratory and I have a group of ball busting supervisors. All of my interviews will be out of town and mostly out of state.

Do medical schools let you reschedule an interview if you need to because of work? I've heard that most interviews are on Fridays. That's going to be a tough day to play hooky. I may even have to look for a new job. Even so, I have already volunteered to work on the holidays, so they better not give me too much crap.

Some questions for you guys:
How much notice do schools give you?
Does everyone interview on Friday?
Can you reschedule if needed?


Spanky

 

[enveng1978]

Hey everybody,

I am definately taking the non-traditional approach to med school preparation. I just hope it works. Just graduated in June with a BS in environmental engineering. Right now I am working as an environmental, health, and safety specialist for the energy company (40+) in NYC; respiratory protection, safe work practices, environmental testing, pollution remediation, that sort of thing. I am also starting on my master's in Bio in the fall and shadowing a DO one night a week.

And of course like everyone else, waiting and freaking out because the application process is torture. Hope everyone is coping!

 

[SoCal]

I am currently working full -time (50-60) hours per week as an EMT in San Diego county. Luckily, I can give shifts away, or use paid time off to take days. We dont get paid much for what we do, but this is a nice perk.

 

[osteopeddoc]

Those all sound like great jobs, especially the ones in medical field. I unfortunantly couldn't find a med job that didn't require a certification (from an aa program).

So, I am working for my dad in business. But, it does help to be able to get off days I need off. Its a job and a means to an end. Can't wait to actually get into med school and be doing something I will love!

 

[marleybfour]

I am a critical care RN and we work 12 hour shifts, generally three days a week, so I don't expect to have a problem for time off to interview (assuming I have any!). Besides, there is a major nursing shortage....that equates to a great deal of flexibility from a supervisor!

 

[appledumpling]

Originally posted by spanky

How much notice do schools give you?
Does everyone interview on Friday?
Can you reschedule if needed?

A school will typically give you about a month's notice. I think I received notice of my interview invites about 3 to 4 weeks beforehand. I received less than two weeks notice w/ only two schools. You'll get plenty of advance notice.

No, everyone does not interview on Friday. Out of the eight interviews I attended, only two were on Friday (NOVA and CCOM). Some schools interview on specific days of the week throughout the interview season while other schools just interview on random days in "spurts" throughout the season. It would have been nice if all the interviews were on Fridays, but unfortunately that's not the case.

Yes, you are able to reschedule. In fact some schools give you a couple of dates to choose from, and you can choose the one that's most convenient for you (TUCOM, KCOM (?...I think they let me choose from among three dates), NYCOM, COMP, and CCOM come to mind.). As long as you call to rescedule within a reasonable amount of time, schools typically have no problem w/ you rescheduling to a later date.

Good luck to all of you.