Hello All,
I graduated in 2013 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Chemistry. I did one year of research before I graduated. I also shadowed in the OR that last year. That year I decided I wanted to become a physician. When I graduated I didn’t think about “careers” or “jobs,” I simply thought I would take a year off, volunteer a little, and mostly study for MCAT. Then immediately get a paid research assistant position while applying to med school. It didn’t turn out that way. I took the pre-2015MCAT on the last day that exam was offered. I ended up with an average score. My GPA isn’t great either, 3.1, so it’s not worth applying until I fix those scores. I’m going to apply to (academic-enhancer) post-bac programs this fall/upcoming Spring in order to start next 2017 summer/fall meanwhile preparing to take the MCAT right after the program ends. I’m finding it hard to write the personal statement because I’ve done so little over 3 years: only volunteering (free clinic) for total of 6 months and working as a medical assistant for 4 months. Currently unemployed.
I’m very lost. I don’t necessarily want to continue doing a medical assistant job. I could do that part-time only. But I want to know what other clinical jobs or opportunities exist that will help a lot for medical school admission. I want something that utilizes my biology and chemistry knowledge. I live in the Bay Area, so I’m applying to a wide range of university labs at Stanford and UCSF, as a clinical research assistant, but I think I’m using all the wrong strategies to apply to all the wrong positions. Maybe there’s more opportunities in private sector? I’m emailing postdocs and PI’s letting them know i’m interested and if they have any positions. I know you don’t have to do research, but thats where my heart is at. It just seems nearly impossible to get in without a masters degree or being an undergraduate at that institution.
TL;DR: What sort of jobs can I do with a bachelor’s degree (not a career job) before going into med school (that will help me get into medical school)?
Many of my classmates (myself included) have worked as medical scribes prior to coming to medical school. It’s a job that doesn’t require any special degrees or training, and it’s fantastic clinical exposure. You’re working directly with the physicians and seeing patients, recording history and physical exam findings. If you can find that kind of work, it’s the way to go. I can’t speak for your area in particular, but there are several national companies that are out there like Scribe America that may be worth checking out.
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My degree is in Microbiology. I worked full time in Information Technology for the two years between when I graduated from undergrad and started medical school (and the decade or so before as well).
The ADCOMs don’t really care what kind of work you’re doing as long as it isn’t mindless. I’ve been told more than once that it not being medically related is actually helpful, it distinguishes you from all the other applicants that were CNAs/EMTs/Scribes/etc. If you’re not working full time, you need to have something else to show on your application to demonstrate that you’re engaged and will be able to handle the workload of med school that dwarfs many 9 to 5 jobs.