<p>Hello all, currently I am a sophomore in highschool that was planning on dropping out next summer but am now planning on sticking it out. I am interested in becoming a doctor later in life (haven’t really figured out what I want to do as of yet, but medicine sounds interesting.) But am not sure if getting an AAS in emergency medical science (EMT/Paramedic studies) with my AS in general studies is worth it (I am starting at CC/JC). I have heard that PA schools look fondly on medical professionals but am not sure about MD schools.</p>
<p>Also, should I just start out at a 4 year school? The main reason I am starting at CC/JC is because it is cheaper than a 4 year, but, if it would destroy my chances at medical school I wont do it.</p>
<p>And, last question, if I don’t get accepted to a med school at first can I reapply later with a masters degree?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any answers.</p>
<p>An EMT or paramedic degree is only useful if you actually work as one. Simply holding the degree/certification isn’t going to impress anyone on the adcomm. Emergency service experience alone is not the be all-end all of clinical experience; you will need other clinical experiences. Paramedic/emergency medical service only exposes you to paramedic/emergency medical service and is not representative of medicine as a profession.</p>
<p>Starting at CC won’t ruin your chances for med school, but you will need to excel at your CC classes and later at your 4 year.</p>
<p>If you aren’t accepted on your first application cycle, you can certainly reapply, but a Masters may or may not help improve your chances for acceptance. It depends on why you were rejected in the first place. A grad degree will not make up for a crappy undergrad GPA, a bad MCAT, a lack of clinical experience or a less than enthusiastic recommendation.</p>
<p>“The main reason I am starting at CC/JC is because it is cheaper than a 4 year”
-Not cheaper at all. 4 years colleges have much more resources with many Merit awards available. My own D. attended on full tuition Merit award for all 4 years. Another point is why to bother with all this transfer / non-transfer, whatever. The less disturbances and obstacles, the more straight forward process, the better. So, do not create them yourself, the road is hard enough.<br>
My advice is to start checking which 4 years colleges are known for great Merit awards. I actually did it for my D. At the end, she applied only to 4 y. colleges that we knew would award her significant Merit awards. However, the difference between awards was much greater than we anticipated. Some awarded just few thousands / year, while one public and one private awarded a lot. D. choose to attend in-state public, which she still considers to be the best choice for her.
While in D’s case, certain medically related positions were important while in HS, for most pre-meds, they are pretty irrelevant. D. was applying to combined bs/md, that are very selective and everybody who is applying to these programs has done medical research, volunteering, shadowing,…etc. If you are not planning to apply to combined bs/md, what you are doing in HS will be completely irrelevant later. So, basically do whatever you want, whatever you enjoy and looking forward to gain some feel in regard to medical environment.
Best wishes! </p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Starting at a CC is not always cheaper if you can snag good aid or merit at a 4 year.</p>
<p>If both of my kids had started at a CC, we would have had to pay a LOT more for their last 2 years at a univ. </p>
<p>Have you taken the SAT or ACT? take both…study for both.</p>