Radio-TV-Film major applying to med school

CryingIvy · October 16, 2009, 4:57pm

Hi guys,

I’m currently a Junior at UT Austin majoring in RTF and I was wondering if you guys could chance me? I know you probably see a bunch of this but it would really help me out (I plan on applying to med school next year).

Internships

MEDICAL

Internships with doctors since I was a Junior in High school (shadowing)
Winter medical internship in Nicaragua (shadowing and actually did some routine procedures)
Internship with Reconstructive surgeon in Japan (5week study abroad during summer)
Clinical internship in England (currently studying there this sem)

NONMEDICAL

I interned for two radio stations in Austin (last semester) and do various work for them (promotions/sales). I was shared between them.

I (hopefully!) plan to do a UT-Los Angeles internship next summer

So pretty much I’ve been studying abroad since last winter. I originally wanted to study in England next semester (my second semester of Junior year) but I realized that I have to spend that time studying for MCATS and what not so no go :(

GPA&ETC
3.89 (i screwed up majorly first sem. of freshmen year but got all A’s after that)
Freshmen year: 1st sem (11hrs, screw up year!!); 2nd sem (16 hrs)
Sophomore year: 1st sem (18hrs); 2nd sem (19hrs)
Junior year: 1st sem: (currently 14 hrs); 2nd sem: (plan on taking 19hrs again)

Women in Medicine - active member, I couldn’t run for chair this year because of my studying abroad
Global Medical Training - active member, same thing as above

I plan on running for officer next year. I haven’t been active in anything else because of all the interning.

MCAT
Haven’t taken it yet but am starting to study for it on my own. Plan on taking it soon as I get back. Based on my practice test, I’m shooting for 31+

MISC
I’m viet, my parents own a nail shop (lol, yes it is stereotypical) and that’s our only source of income so I’m am economically disadvantaged. First in my family to go to college. English is my second language but I’ve been told it’s perfect. I am a Texas Resident. Do these stats matter though? Will it help/harm my chances?

—QUESTION
So here’s what I’m wondering:

1. Research
Is research important? Should I start doing research? I don’t hate my science classes but I don’t love them either (hence, why I chose not to go with Bio as my major). I know science is important, but the stuff now is just basics with a lot book-work/a bunch of reading and sometimes, they bore me to tears :p

<ol>
<li>Non Science major
Is it okay that I’m not a science major? I enjoy my classes and I love my major - it takes time commitment but It’s something I don’t mind doing.</li>
<li>Extra curricular
How do you list your internships/extra currics on the med school app? Before applying to undergrad, I thought that colleges would verify all your extra currics but the applications didn’t do that at all. All they did was ask you to list them so anyone could just make it up right? So does this mean that Med. School don’t really weigh their decision heavily on this? How can I prove to them that I did all of this? </li>
<li>Volunteering
Should I pick one place and dedicate my time to it? I volunteer through my organizations. They do various projects over the year but I’m not sure if it’s even worth mentioning the specific events (How should I mention this in my med. school app?)</li>
<li>MCAT
What score should i be shooting for? </li>
</ol>

--------->
And if anyone’s wondering, I know studying abroad is uber expensive so I manage to pay for it through my grants/scholarships. Otherwise i’d go bankrupt (and drag my parents along with me)

Muchos thanks!

bluedevilmike · October 16, 2009, 5:11pm

(1) Research isn’t crucial, especially at some of the Texas schools. Still, it will preclude you from some of the places that really value it. At Baylor, 80% of admits have done research. At UT-Southwestern, 82% have. (2005 MSAR.) So you’re definitely at a disadvantage at places like that. On the other hand, it’s about 60% or so at A&M, and maybe lower (unreported) at UT-Houston.

The science doesn’t get very much more exciting in the first two years of medical school – and it DOES get a lot more difficult. If you find undergrad science bores you “to tears,” then medical school is going to be hell.

(2) Non-science majors are fine – things like economics, polisci, etc. I haven’t the slightest idea what medical schools are going to think of your RTF major. I suppose they’ll rely on your MCAT score and your premed grades to figure it out.

(3) They’ll only bother to verify it if there’s some question about it – e.g. they reserve the right to call around, but they usually won’t bother. Just list it, write about it compellingly and honestly, and you should be fine.

(4) You get essays in which you explain things. Continuity is helpful.

(5) As high as you can get.

CryingIvy · October 16, 2009, 5:42pm

I just like helping people. I know people say it all the time but it’s the honest truth for me. I’m good at filming and I’m good at my major, but I have no interest in pursuing a career in the media field (unless I become a TV doctor or something ). Science classes may be boring as heck, but I don’t mind the work because I know exactly where I want to be in life (my health professions adviser frequently gives me ‘i can do it!’ pep talks)

So yes to research then. Even if only a few take notice of it, those few might be the one. Problem is I’ve avoided the topic for so long that I don’t even know where to start. Any advice on how to get research?

thanks for the help BDM!

bluedevilmike · October 16, 2009, 5:43pm

There’s a ton of different fields that help people, and most of them don’t involve as much science as medicine does. (In fact, almost all fields help people: nobody would give you money if they didn’t feel helped.) If the substance of a field bores you to tears, it’s not a good sign.

With that said, I wasn’t a fan of the first two years of medical school, but it does get better from there.

CryingIvy · October 16, 2009, 7:27pm

No, I’m confident that medicine is where i want to be and about the ‘boring me to tears’ part, I tend to overexaggerate (esp. right now when I’m drowned in tests) but I know it’s all worth it. I don’t think anyone that I know particularly finds their science classes interesting at the moment.

Can someone chance me? Thanks.

mmmcdowe · October 16, 2009, 9:20pm

1) Don’t dare tell the adcom about those procedures you did in Central America.
2) Consider adding some US based community service, medical or not.
3) Being the first in your family might help, if nothing else there are scholarships available during medical school for people with that status.
4) Do reasonably well on the MCAT and you will be pretty set to roll the dice, especially in Texas you lucky dog.

Batllo · October 16, 2009, 9:49pm

You have managed to take all the science and math courses required to apply for med school while studying abroad?

CryingIvy · October 17, 2009, 2:03pm

^*You have managed to take all the science and math courses required to apply for med school while studying abroad? *

Yes, I only started studying abroad last winter.
So basically:

Winter '08 - Nicaragua (2weeks)
Summer '09 - Japan (5weeks)
Fall '09 - England

I’ve done most of my studying abroad during breaks, with England being my only semester studying abroad. The thing is the study abroad program with England is very well connected and most of my courses can transfer (made sure to check, and then double check again). Coming back, all I have left to finish for premed prereqs is physics (2nd sem) and physics lab.

mmmcdowe - the procedures weren’t anything major, just a lot more than you would get to do in the states. I didn’t do any surgery or anything ^^. Just the check ups (my friend who went along as a predent did a tooth extraction though). How should I talk about this to the adcom?

I’m just nervous about applying to med school because most of my premed friends are Bio/science/psych majors who do research and I’m…not. ^^;

mmmcdowe · October 17, 2009, 4:21pm

To reiterate, you should not tell the adcoms that you were practicing medicine. I don’t care if they weren’t major procedures (I mean, thank god but obviously I didn’t think you were doing brain surgery), the point is that by your own admission it was more that you would have gotten to do in the states. Who do you think advises policy makers on what a pre-med can and can not do here in the states? The rule of thumb would be not to bring up anything that you feel you would not be considered a responsible pre-med activity here in the US.

ZFanatic · October 19, 2009, 2:06am

I’m just curious, what’s wrong with having done stuff? Why exactly would that be seen as bad?

I’m not trying to contradict you or anything, I’m just interested in the logic behind that.

norcalguy · October 19, 2009, 2:31am

It is important to know as a medical student, resident, and physician what your limits are, what you are qualified to do.

Considering the amount of time first and second year medical students spend simply learning how to do and analyze a basic physical exam, it’s safe to say that there is quite a bit that premeds aren’t qualified to do.

ZFanatic · October 19, 2009, 2:38am

That would make complete sense.

CryingIvy · October 19, 2009, 7:10pm

Ah, understood. Thanks for the advice mmmcdowe (and norcalguy!) I’ll just mention the shadowing and helping out with distributing supplies.

Any more to chance me? I want my stats combed through with a fine tooth comb so that anything bad can be patched up. Constructive Criticism highly wanted!!

Thanks!

Radio-TV-Film major applying to med school

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