worried about just volunteering while waiting for interviews

[bigbird23]

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I'm getting worried about the prospect of wasting this year just volunteering at my local hospital and not getting any interviews, or getting interviews but not acceptances. I've already graduated so I dont have school to distract me from the waiting game.

I'm wondering if MA training or phlebotomy training now will be worth it. My idea is that in case I dont get accepted I will at least have a job in my desired field. However, these training programs are longer and cost waaay more than I thought, for example an MA cert. in my local community college is $6,000 and will take 10+ weeks!! Phlebotomy training is not as bad but I like the MA role better... On the other hand, if I am accepted, I will have wasted $6k and probably would have only been working as an MA for maybe a couple months.

I'm just having a hard time justifying volunteering because it wont lead to any future prospects if I do not get in next year. I already have a ton of clinical volunteering and community service (check my "what are my chances post"). Although I love the people and the hospital, volunteering isnt making me feel secure about what I'd do if I do not get in.

I feel this way because I am a very borderline candidate( 3.63 sGPA 3.7 cGPA, 10VR 10PS 10BS (29) MCAT and a MA resident), I'm also complete very late at schools because I took the sept. 6th mcat (complete at most schools around 10/20, all my secondaries were in before my mcat).

What should I do? help a brother out please! also brace yourself for Sandy.

 

[rubisco88]

I think a scribe or research gig would be more beneficial. You don't have to train that long for scribe and don't need to spend money on a certification. You will be in direct contact with doctors constantly rather than just on the sidelines. All schools seem to like research as well so that might be beneficial especially I you can get into some kind of program. I know my local med school has some. I'm a firm believer that you don't need to spend tons of money to get the experience you need to get into med school.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Some sort of paid research position sounds like a good plan on top of volunteering. Volunteer research works as well. A scribe is good too (echoing rubsico).

If you don't get in this cycle, you will have at least another year plus a few months to work in whatever field you do decide to go into before you start medical school if you do get in next cycle. If you do MA or even EMT, you will have that time to make some money and pay back whatever you paid for schooling while getting medical experience. If you decide to get your diploma now, then you have 5+ months to work and make some money assuming someone hires you.