Would this be viewed as a negative on my application?

[RooskayAliskay]

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Good evening everyone! I have recently decided to enter an EMT-Paramedic program while continuing my undergraduate education (B.S. in Physics) and working as an MA. For reference, my GPA after 2+ years is a 4.0, with strong clinical experiences, research, highest test scores within nearly all of my classes, strong language skills (proficient in 4 languages, learning 10 others), etc. This previous Friday, I received a higher-paying job offer from an endocrinology office, a specialty in which I have not worked in extensively previously (my previous specializations have been in cardiovascular, PM&R and neurological medicine). Because of this, this position will be relatively new to my skill set and will require much more effort in the beginning, due to the additional training processes, etc., as will the EMT-P program which would begin in three weeks, with orientation being tomorrow.

My concern is that I may be taking on too many projects at the same time, and would thereby compromise getting very valuable LOR's and test scores due to not having the time to study enough and excel in all areas. A regular week already consists of working FT as an MA, studying for FT undergraduate courses, studying PT-FT languages independently, and conducting PT research. EMT-P would be another thing to add to this schedule, while also trying to maintain a somewhat regular lifestyle.

To all of the adcoms and related entities out there, will it matter that I began the EMT-Paramedic program in March or April instead of January? I've read that medical schools prefer to see coursework completed during the regular semesters, as opposed to summer or non-traditional schedules. Would this be a red flag or completely understandable considering the circumstances and the rest of my application? Would it be preferable to wait the extra few months and have the time to excel highly or enroll now and just simply pass the course? Thank you for the advice!

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM

 

[907914]

Good evening everyone! I have recently decided to enter an EMT-Paramedic program while continuing my undergraduate education (B.S. in Physics) and working as an MA. For reference, my GPA after 2+ years is a 4.0, with strong clinical experiences, research, highest test scores within nearly all of my classes, strong language skills (proficient in 4 languages, learning 10 others), etc. This previous Friday, I received a higher-paying job offer from an endocrinology office, a specialty in which I have not worked in extensively previously (my previous specializations have been in cardiovascular, PM&R and neurological medicine). Because of this, this position will be relatively new to my skill set and will require much more effort in the beginning, due to the additional training processes, etc., as will the EMT-P program which would begin in three weeks, with orientation being tomorrow.

My concern is that I may be taking on too many projects at the same time, and would thereby compromise getting very valuable LOR's and test scores due to not having the time to study enough and excel in all areas. A regular week already consists of working FT as an MA, studying for FT undergraduate courses, studying PT-FT languages independently, and conducting PT research. EMT-P would be another thing to add to this schedule, while also trying to maintain a somewhat regular lifestyle.

To all of the adcoms and related entities out there, will it matter that I began the EMT-Paramedic program in March or April instead of January? I've read that medical schools prefer to see coursework completed during the regular semesters, as opposed to summer or non-traditional schedules. Would this be a red flag or completely understandable considering the circumstances and the rest of my application? Would it be preferable to wait the extra few months and have the time to excel highly or enroll now and just simply pass the course? Thank you for the advice!

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM

Sounds like you are doing enough already and should drop the EMT program as it will not benefit your application one damn bit.

 

[jarednogeek]

Take your time and do not over extend yourself. That’s a recipe for disaster. Focus on that MCAT the EMT won’t affect your app much at all whether you stick with it or drop it conpeltely

 

[doc05]

Assuming you're not a troll, if you can manage a 4.0 with a physics major, and can already speak 4 languages, you will have excellent job prospects in the real world and shouldn't bother with medicine.

 

[gyngyn]

To all of the adcoms and related entities out there, will it matter that I began the EMT-Paramedic program in March or April instead of January?

We'll never even notice.

 

[candbgirl]

Why are you even doing EMT program? There is no need for it at all. Is the Endo job a paid job? Is so, consider dropping the MA job. You need time for yourself, for the MCAT etc. Do you have nonclinical volunteering? You need that too. Sit down and pick some of your activities that you are passionate about! You can’t do it all.

 

[LizzyM]

Your top priority must be to do well on the MCAT. Without an exceptional score, your 4.0 will be discredited as the result of grade inflation. No one will care that you were busy with other things; the MCAT is the coin of the realm. After that "holistic review" takes place but the numbers are what gets you in the door. EMT is meaningless unless you need work experience in order to get admitted to a physician assistant program.

Also, don't worry about "specializations". And get some community service, ideally something non-clinical.

 

[Goro]

Your top priority must be to do well on the MCAT. Without an exceptional score, your 4.0 will be discredited as the result of grade inflation. No one will care that you were busy with other things; the MCAT is the coin of the realm. After that "holistic review" takes place but the numbers are what gets you in the door. EMT is meaningless unless you need work experience in order to get admitted to a physician assistant program.

Also, don't worry about "specializations". And get some community service, ideally something non-clinical.

This.
/thread

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

Do you plan to work as an Paramedic after completing the course? You should only take an EMT or paramedic course if you plan on working in the field - otherwise it's a huge waste of time for a certificate that will mean very little.

Also, you say it's an EMT-P program- are you already an EMT-B or would this be going straight from no experience to paramedic? I know different states do training differently but if you have no experience at all you may want to consider starting with just the EMT-B course - a lot less work and time commitment, then you can decide if you want to pursue EMT-P after that. EMT-P training is usually ~2 years and thousands of hours, and not something I would do one a whim with all the other stuff you have going on.