It's been awhile since my last post. I've been a busy little bee. I've come to find that a portion of this process is just plain old networking with people. But then again, isn't that the way the whole world seems to work?
So, I've had some concerns regarding shadowing. Doctors don't seem to be too keen on the concept of having non-medical personnel watching them work. My primary physician wasn't interested at all. He told me if I were a medical student it would be a different story. But, technically I'm not even a premedical student yet, as my wife so graciously pointed out.
I guess I'm jumping the gun a little bit. Over-eager to get started, as I've been my whole life. My wife is afraid I'm going to fizzle out on this like everything else I've attempted. I don't have anything to say to that right now. What can I say? She's got every reason to be suspicious that I'm going to drop dead on this like everything else (well, except for the Marines. They dropped me).
Anyway, I've begun the process of networking. I'm doing my best to be tactful about it. I don't want people to feel like I'm just using them to further my own personal gains, even if that IS all I'm doing. I finally spoke with a high-level admissions member at the medical school I've set my sights on attending. So far they've been nothing but helpful and willing to work with me. I had some questions regarding the Early Identification Program and not only were my questions answered, but the answer was quite prompt, considering how busy that office can be. The part that blew me away though, was the fact the woman who I had spoken with initially a week prior had remembered exactly who I was when I called back again. She even apologized for not getting back to me sooner. I nearly hit the floor. That's not something you get from people these days, let alone somebody from the admissions department of a high tier medical school!
So, the Early Identification Program will probably be a bust, unfortunately. It requires the student to maintain full-time status and to apply for consideration to the program no later then your sophomore year. Now, considering that I can only attend on a part time basis right now, I'm already out of the running. The other issue, though, is that even if the full-time stipulation wasn't there, the lines between freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior get a little blurry when you are attending on a part-time basis.
Good news, however, is that I've found a medical practice that IS willing to allow me to shadow. I'm so excited! They're my son's pediatrician. I went with my wife to my son's last checkup and simply asked if they allowed premedical students to shadow there. She was confused by the question initially because she had no idea I was interested in medicine. So, I clarified the situation and she said that for the most part she has medical students who shadow, and occasionally she has premedical students. She said that there wouldn't be a problem with me shadowing and to let them know if/when I was interested.
She seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing, as she was asking questions regarding how far along into my schooling I was and what school I was going to. I always feel a little embarrassed at this point. People ask me what I'm studying and how far into my studies I am, and I feel like if I tell them I've barely begun they don't take me seriously. I don't know why I care. I guess I've fucked up enough times that I embarrass myself.
I'll be starting my volunteering soon too, hopefully. I've decided to volunteer the majority of the time I've set aside for volunteering to the Rhode Island Hospital. There, I'll be trained as a patient advocate and I'll also be helping the medical staff to keep the patients comfortable. There's a ton of stuff you can do and I want to try it all. You get to work with cancer patients while they're going through their chemotherapy, or you can even work with children! You can work with the surgical staff to give patient's families updates on how the patient is doing. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty in this. Albeit time that I'm spending away from my family, I think it will pay dividends in the end.
Anyway, I think this is a good stopping point. Boy, I sure typed quite a bit today. It's been a little while since I've logged anything, so I guess I had a lot to say. Have a good night.
-Merlin
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3 comments:
I am a returning premed student at the very same point as you. I have saved your blog on my favorites list and you have inspired me to start my own blog.
I truly hope you will continue on. There is a great book called "Getting into Medical School" that was written for non-traditional students that I have found to be extremely helpful.
Thank you and Keep up the good work!!
Hi Merlin,
I saw a post from you on the OldPreMeds board, and as it seems to have gotten a little hot, I wanted to send you a message regarding something you talked about earlier in the thread.
I'm on the OldPreMed site because I'm currently trying to figure out what to do with myself now that I'm starting over. What I'm starting over *from* is a 14-year long software development/computer science career. You listed that as one of the possibilities you had or were considering, and something your wife thought would be a good idea. I can say that, for me at least, computer science was something I did because it came very easily to me, and it was a good way to make money. I can also say that, for me at least, CS as a career was probably the single worst professional decision I've made. I'm 36 now, and contrary to what the folks at OPM have to say, I do feel that the primary thing that keeps me from being 100% committed to the dream of attending medical school/becoming a doctor is my age.
I'm currently enrolled as a BSN student. I'm not sure whether I am going to jump off the "med school pursuit" cliff, or just continue with my BSN.
Anyhow, if you'd like to discuss computer science, and why it was such a horrible match for me, feel free to email. My address (and yes, this is legit) is sendmeyourspam AT yahoo DawT com.
Cheers, and best of luck.
Brian
I am a very "non-traditional" medical student at a major midwestern medical school. It took me a while to get in, but now I am having the time of my life. Ihave some very simple advice, yet not so easy to follow. First, decide what you really want. Next, sell like crazy to get people who can support you on your side. Third, don't look back, keep moving forward. Every journey begins with a single step. Fourth, eliminate anything that is in your way (not your children, of course). Fifth, believe in yourself. Sixth, figure out if you are actually qualified, and align your ambitions with your aptitude and qualifications. Seventh, take the MCAT and find out where you are at. Make sure you have met all of the prerequisite courses. Visit the AAMC website and read everything. Seventh, prepare yourself for a successful application. There are lots of ways to do this, but find a good, reliable method and stick to it. I recommend the Princeton book. Eighth, apply. Be smart. Apply where you have a realistic chance of getting in. Excellent eferences make a huge difference, and you have to earn them. Make sure your residency issues are in order. Ninth, got to the interview well rested. Visit beforehand to make sure you are comfortable with the unfamiliar surroundings. Read a couple of newspapers, a gossip magazine, a medical publication, or whatever you actually enjoy beforehand. Relax and be yourself. If you deserve to get in you will. If not you won't. It is out of your hands, so you might as well just be yourself. Explain why you want to do this. Give examples. Be sincere. No bullshit. No lies. No unexplained wierdness. Have fun. Tenth, wait for your letter of acceptance or rejection. If you don't get in on the first try, don't despair. Most non-trads don't get in the first cycle. Go back and review all the above and make sure you have everything in order, continue your education, and try again. Ask the admissions officer to help you understand how to strengthen your application. Write down and do exactly what they say.
Most states need physicians in underserved areas, and anything you can do to improve your suitability for that kind of service will go a long ways to the admissions office and the interviewers. Get to know some doctors. If you can find a retired physician who will take you in under their wing, that is as good as gold. If your family doesn't support you, you won't make it. Just tell your wife why you want to do this. If it doesn't work out, there are other women on the planet who will support you. If you are a decent person, it will work out. If not, you probably won't get in anyway. Best of luck.
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