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In what way can I better my chances in medical school?
I am wondering as to how I can advance my chances to getting into med school, what internships, part time jobs, and other such work experiences can help with that?
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Midwest’s Answer
This is a great question and there are numerous ways to enhance this aspect of your application to medical school. Each of what you describe including internships, jobs, work experience, and also volunteering can broadly be grouped into experience. This is an essential part of your medical school candidacy and could be considered broadly in two categories:
1) Medical experience - This can be any shadowing, volunteering, or internships that you are able to complete before medical school. Any of these experiences will help you with medical school, so the better focus is on what interests you? What exposure do you want to gain in order to help you make a career decision? If you are actively and aggressively pursuing these opportunities through the scope of a potential future career, you will also achieve bolstering your medical school application. This can be as simple as setting up informal shadowing in an inpatient or outpatient setting to gain more familiarity with a particular area in medicine to a formal internship which may be completed during the summer or any other such break or opportunity during college.
2) Non-medical experience - If you consider the components of any medical school application (academic achievement, service, experience, MCAT, personal statement) and consider the sheer number of applications that these schools must review, it makes sense that by human nature these reviewers will gravitate towards something, anything, that is different or unique or interesting. What else do you do? What motivates you? Is there any hobby or side business that you're interested in? What is an interesting facet of your life that you can continue to support and enhance and can talk intelligently about in future interview processes? Too often applicants think they need to fit into a particular cookie cutter mold of a medical school applicant and while there are minimum base requirements that are important to do to avoid being filtered OUT, that stuff will not necessarily stand out during the application process and currently schools strongly value not only academic excellence, but excellence and passion in everything and a diverse life experience.
Make a list of experiences that will help you decide on a career
Make a list of interesting non-medical characteristics of yourself
1) Medical experience - This can be any shadowing, volunteering, or internships that you are able to complete before medical school. Any of these experiences will help you with medical school, so the better focus is on what interests you? What exposure do you want to gain in order to help you make a career decision? If you are actively and aggressively pursuing these opportunities through the scope of a potential future career, you will also achieve bolstering your medical school application. This can be as simple as setting up informal shadowing in an inpatient or outpatient setting to gain more familiarity with a particular area in medicine to a formal internship which may be completed during the summer or any other such break or opportunity during college.
2) Non-medical experience - If you consider the components of any medical school application (academic achievement, service, experience, MCAT, personal statement) and consider the sheer number of applications that these schools must review, it makes sense that by human nature these reviewers will gravitate towards something, anything, that is different or unique or interesting. What else do you do? What motivates you? Is there any hobby or side business that you're interested in? What is an interesting facet of your life that you can continue to support and enhance and can talk intelligently about in future interview processes? Too often applicants think they need to fit into a particular cookie cutter mold of a medical school applicant and while there are minimum base requirements that are important to do to avoid being filtered OUT, that stuff will not necessarily stand out during the application process and currently schools strongly value not only academic excellence, but excellence and passion in everything and a diverse life experience.
Midwest recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Basel’s Answer
Medical school admissions committees seek well-rounded people who demonstrate commitment, compassion and academic ability. Start with solid academics to get to the interview. Your ability to obtain an admission slot will be enhanced if you have volunteered at a safety net hospital such as a county hospital or a rural community hospital (these kinds of healthcare facilities are always in need of volunteers). That’s the easiest way of gaining patient-care experience that doesn’t require training or is a paid job. Other things such as getting a job as a certified nursing assistant, medical assistant or a scribe require some training but are also viable. Research as a pre-med student can be a little bit tough, especially clinical research. Shadowing, though a wonderful way of gaining insight into the medical profession, is mostly a passive exercise and I haven’t found it to be demonstrative of commitment to medicine but if all else is unavailable to you then it is an option. Best of luck!
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Rita’s Answer
I think the best job is to be a scribe. You are basically typing for the doctors. That way, you have the experience. You see what they are doing. Most important, you can decide is this what I want to do. You don't know how many doctors are not happy and would pick a different job.
Besides this job, you need good grades and MCAT scores, volunteer work, research and just excel at something.
Besides this job, you need good grades and MCAT scores, volunteer work, research and just excel at something.
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morgan’s Answer
- Good GPA
- Volunteer experience
- Join groups/clubs in school (be an officer if possible)
- Have some medical experience (scribe, PCT, CNA, etc.)
Reach out to your local hospital, they almost always have volunteer opportunities and chances to be able to shadow different professions!
- Volunteer experience
- Join groups/clubs in school (be an officer if possible)
- Have some medical experience (scribe, PCT, CNA, etc.)
Reach out to your local hospital, they almost always have volunteer opportunities and chances to be able to shadow different professions!
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Lorraine’s Answer
Erwin, here are some suggestions:
1. Shadowing: Shadowing a doctor or healthcare professional allows you to observe and learn about the day-to-day life of a medical practitioner, and provides invaluable insight into the profession. It also shows admissions committees that you have a strong interest in medicine. Aim to shadow a physician in a specialty that interests you.
2. Volunteering at a hospital or clinic: Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to helping others and is viewed positively by medical school admissions committees. Volunteer roles could involve working directly with patients or supporting the administrative staff.
3. Research: Undertaking research in a medical-related field shows your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and work independently. It also demonstrates your understanding of the scientific method and your familiarity with laboratory techniques.
4. Community service: Participating in community service projects, such as tutoring or mentoring, shows that you are committed to supporting and improving the lives of others.
5. Part-time jobs in healthcare: Part-time jobs in healthcare settings, such as nursing homes or clinics, can provide you with hands-on experience and exposure to various healthcare roles. This can help you gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and rewards of the profession.
1. Shadowing: Shadowing a doctor or healthcare professional allows you to observe and learn about the day-to-day life of a medical practitioner, and provides invaluable insight into the profession. It also shows admissions committees that you have a strong interest in medicine. Aim to shadow a physician in a specialty that interests you.
2. Volunteering at a hospital or clinic: Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to helping others and is viewed positively by medical school admissions committees. Volunteer roles could involve working directly with patients or supporting the administrative staff.
3. Research: Undertaking research in a medical-related field shows your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and work independently. It also demonstrates your understanding of the scientific method and your familiarity with laboratory techniques.
4. Community service: Participating in community service projects, such as tutoring or mentoring, shows that you are committed to supporting and improving the lives of others.
5. Part-time jobs in healthcare: Part-time jobs in healthcare settings, such as nursing homes or clinics, can provide you with hands-on experience and exposure to various healthcare roles. This can help you gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and rewards of the profession.