I’m a current sophomore at a top 35 University, majoring in Neuroscience. I have applied to several summer medical programs (including doing research at several labs) but haven’t had any luck despite my prior research experience and GPA. Would taking an EMT course look good on my resume if I’m applying to very competitive medical schools (I really like UCSF)? Of course I would also try to shadow doctors and get more research experience, but I’m wondering if this experience would help me in any way?
Just taking an EMT training class is entirely meaningless as far as med school admission goes. EMTs and CNAs are a dime a dozen among med school applicants. It’s not noteworthy or unusual.
However, if you get certified as an EMT and actually work or volunteer as an EMT, then you may have a nice clinical experience to talk about during interviews.
Lastly an admonition–if doing something just because it looks good to adcomms, or you think it will impress adcomms—you’re doing it for all the wrong reasons.
"I’m a current sophomore at a top 35 University, majoring in Neuroscience. I have applied to several summer medical programs (including doing research at several labs) but haven’t had any luck despite my prior research experience and GPA. "
- Do not get discouraged with this, exactly the same happened to my D. who was not accepted at the place where she actually got her previous experience and were she got great LOR’s previously for her coolege application. Her college GPA was also 4.0. Try your own college, that was easy for D., simple email, short interview and she was interning for 3 years, again with the result of great LORs for Med. School application.
On the other hand, DO NOT DO ANYTHING for the “great look on the application”. Do only things that you are looking forward to enjoy. And lastly, take it easy in a summer, enjoy, sleep in, spend time with friends. Free summers in UG are the last free summers in your life, cherish them!!