<p>If one were to be presented with an opportunity to work/volunteer as a pharmacy tech and as a tutor for a local organization, which would be the better choice, considering similar wages and accessibility?</p>
<p>In my opinion, tutoring could definitely help reinforce material later to be tested on the MCAT so in that respect it would be very beneficial. However, pharmacy tech would be health related, though not directly related to pre-med, and a much more realistic experience of a job in the real world, not that tutoring is not a "real" job.</p>
<p>So which would be the better job to take? Would being a pharmacy tech be any plus for med school admissions, like working as a scribe or a EMT?</p>
<p>Probably the tutoring job. Pharm-tech is utterly unrelated to medical school.</p>
<p>Tutors, techs (of any kind), scribes, and EMTs are a dime a dozen among med school applicants. I think you should pick whichever one you personally think will be more rewarding/fun/exciting/etc, because then you’ll probably have a better experience. I think, in general, students should avoid doing things to “look good” to med schools. Med schools know these tricks, so doing something just to please them might not be in your best interest anyway (which isn’t to say avoid doing the aforementioned things altogether–if you like them and are passionate about them, go for it!)</p>
<p>Well said Kristin!</p>
<p>As a pharmacy student, I am a bit biased :). However, I think Kristin is right. Do whatever will give you the most fulfillment. You’ll get more out of it and will be better able to communicate your experience to med schools.</p>
<p>One thing I will say about being a pharm tech… you will learn things to do and not do as an MD that make the process of the patient getting their meds much easier. As a tech you’d be dealing with prescriber errors and forgetfullness, insurance issues, patient issues, customer service, etc. so when you are that prescriber you’ll be more conscientious of those aspects of health care (theoretically). I know people can’t be perfect, but really, some things that prescribers send over are just ridiculous. That being said, most of them are awesome. Another small bonus would be getting to know drug names and indications a bit before med school. Being a tech can be stressful but also rewarding in the right setting. If you’re really on the fence or unsure if being a tech is a good fit for you I would ask if you can shadow for a bit to see what it’s really like before committing to a job.</p>
<p>Pharmacy volunteers are generally very limited in what they can do, so if you’re looking at a volunteer position I would ask about what types of tasks you’d be doing so they don’t just stick you with busy work.</p>
<p>I have also been tutoring in various settings for the last 6 years, and that also has its benefits. It teaches you how to explain things in a manner that is easy to understand (very helpful skill as a practitioner), problem solve, and depending on what the content is it can help with material review.</p>
<p>You could also try to do both. Just limit the hours you spend doing each to a manageable level and then you can adjust to accommodate what you get the most out of.</p>