Hello everyone!
I am currently a junior at UCSB and I am looking to pursue a career in medicine. I am currently an EMT and have several other extracurriculars under my belt. I am planning on taking 1-2 gap years, depending on whether or not I get into medical school the first time I apply.
I am highly considering becoming a firefighter during those 1-2 gap years. I understand there is a physical test along with interviews and other written tests; I am also aware of the fact that it is extremely difficult to get a job as a firefighter right now. Does anyone have any opinions on whether I should try and pursue a job like this for 1-2 years? Any downsides? Anyone in a similar situation?
Thanks for the help!
I wouldn’t apply just to see whether or not I get into med school the first time I apply. Why do you think you wouldn’t get into medical school the first time you apply. Grades? MCAT?
GPA: 3:47
MCAT: 510
Plus several volunteer hours, jobs, leadership positions
Yes, I think you will have an issue to get in a MD school with your stats right now. Becoming a fire fighter will not increase your chances and a firefighter cannot do too much academically, like to go to a SMP program or post bacc.
If medical school is still your goal, you can try to apply all DO schools and few low ranking MD schools.
Thanks for the feedback! Do you know if you can apply to post baccs right out of college or do you have to take a gap year and apply during that time?
All the kids I know went to either post bacc or smp right out of the school, when they start their gap year. A few had worked couple of years before going back to post bacc. In your case, I recommend a smp, if you can afford it.
Do you have any smp suggestions? Or where you think I would get in? Appreciate the help btw
Are you a CA resident? Not competitive (ie, low chance) with your stats for CA resident…unless you’re a URM.
For SMPs, you should look for the ones with linkage to MD (or DO) schools. Check out studentdoctor.net site, plenty discussions on this topic.
Thanks! Very helpful
You might check out the SDN forum for postbaccalaureate programs.
https://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/forums/postbaccalaureate-programs.71/
The have lists of current SMPs and reviews by current and former students.
AMCAS also has a searchable database of post-bacc programs
Your stats is still good for do schools, but you do not want to take the risk, so perhaps a MD school SMP can bring your status higher. The SMPs are very expensive, in the same range as first year medical school. I am not sure if you can borrow money or not.
Most md school SMPs are on the east coast, go through the list of It from amcas and pick one you like. Georgetown is one of the more popular one, but there are others, Drexel, Vcu and others.
Do you know what usual acceptance numbers are to SMPs? Do some accept lower GPAs than others? Or how does that all work if you know?
You should be ok with any of those, the minimum acceptance numbers is way below your stats. The trick is to do good in the program, like top 15%, and you will go places.
Yes. For some programs, this is essentially their purpose. Some require a certain MCAT score and still have a GPA minimum but it’s going to be much lower than 3.47.