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1.8y
A 500 is a competitive MCAT score for the vast majority of programs. If you didn’t hit that mark and are burnt out from the MCAT grind, I would pivot. Getting a competitive gre score for CAA school will be objectively easier than doing the former.
Gregmat (2 month plan), The OG books, Manhattan 5 lber (quant only), And the power prep plus exams are what I’d recommend for prep. Those resources will be more than enough.
If they do not work for you for whatever reason, TTP and the tested tutor are also very solid gre prep tools
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1.8y
No worries at all!
Yup, I would say so. There was one post on this subreddit a while back that said a case western adcom gave preference to MCAT scores, but
1- I’ve never heard of that point being made by any other adcom or SAA.
2- even if there are a few admission committee members that have that preference, it’s not worth the extra stress and time it takes to prep for the MCAT over the GRE. That’s time that could be better spent on other aspects of your application.
you can apply with prereqs pending
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1.8y
If it were me, I would try and rush it so I am not waiting another year. Yes, you can apply indicating you will be taking that class in the spring.
You can apply as long as the course is completed before the program begins.
So this is off topic but I was wondering would you recommend taking any courses that would help the application during the gap years? I have taken all the prereqs I think and the grades aren't bad for a retake
You could… an adcom at tampa told me once that he likes to see courses that show initiative for wanting to learn more about the field that aren’t the pre reqs or even on the preferred course list. Pharmacology for instance.
My issue with this strategy is for every adcom who would see that as a sizable bonus, I’m sure there are many more that wouldn’t be swayed too much by that experience. I only base that on the fact that that was the only adcom who has ever given me that advice. It’s not a ubiquitous talking point when it comes to CAA admissions. I’m happy to concede this point though if someone with more expertise disagrees.
I’d recommend doing something more high yield (Aka something we know the vast majority of adcoms would value ). Like amassing PCE or research hours during your gap year.
I see thank you and just wondering what volunteer/job would you recommend for pce like anaesthesia tech? Or like cna/emt etc.
Anesthesia tech,CNA, and EMT all would suffice. My vote would go to anesthesia tech. Many programs want to know you know what you’re getting into. You’d be better prepared to articulate about the field come interview time with that background.
The thing is when it comes to “what’s the best field to amass hours in” even that simple question will come down to the school and adcoms you’re interviewing in front of. Lots of variability in this field.
MCW ranks your clinical experience based on barrier of entry. You could be a RT doing intubations, but a pharmacist would trump you interms of which background is more coveted on their scale.
Other programs/adcoms almost come off as entirely impartial when it comes to the topic of how the differing clinical experiences are valued… they just want to see you’ve interacted with patients in some form or manner. In that case, when targeting those programs, due whatever’s most convenient.
Seldom is there ever a one size fits all answer when it comes to these admission questions.
But of the three you listed, I’d go with anesthesia tech
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1.8y
You’ve hit the point of diminishing returns for PCE. Shadowing would suffice. You’re gonna have a great cycle. Glad to have ya joining the ranks!
Dude you’re not even old lol you’re in your freaking 20’s for crying out loud
I’m 33 and applying next yr. Prob be 36 by the time I finish(hopefully)
Lol older at 26. Man I wish I could go back
Lol I’m 37 reading this and depressed 😂😂😂
our cohort has 2 people in it in their mid thirties. you’ll be fine.
My roommate in the AA program with me was 35. We had a few people in our class in their mid 30’s and one was 40. You are definitely not too old. I started at 25 I think
The oldest I’ve seen someone get into AA school was a 49 year old. She got accepted for this cycle.
Is there a certain "cutoff" age for the profession because I was thinking of becoming one. I was thinking of dental hygiene before but they had some mentions about neck and back pains even after like 4 years of continuously doing it
Do you mean cut off as in what age is the job no longer sustainable to preform? You can work in anesthesia well into your 60s if you’re taking care of yourself. I’ve seen it first hand. The perks of a job that isn’t too physically taxing (especially in comparison to other clinical fields, and especially especially in comparison to anything in dentistry. As you said, the back pain problems are horrendous and carpal tunnel syndrome is just as common)
Don’t forget cataracts. The number of people that don’t wear eye ppe is really concerning
As far as I know I haven’t heard or read of any cutoff age.
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1.8y
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Thankyou!
I was accepted at 30. I'm kinda insulted. 😂
24-26 seemed like the average age in my program. When I graduate next year I’ll be 34. There’s someone in their 40s in my program currently; it truly is never too late.
I’m 30, just got accepted on my first application cycle. I got an interview at the second school I applied to (I applied to only 2), but declined to interview since I had already accepted a seat. I’ll be 31 when classes start. One thing I struggled with was comparing where I was in my education and career to others my age who have finished school, are seemingly where they want to be, etc. There’s no defined timeline.
I took 7 years to do undergrad after changing majors. Then I took 5 years off while I worked at the hospital getting experience. My plan was med school as well, but life happened and my wife and I had a kid. Priorities changed. I learned of AA about a year ago when I moved to surgery and started getting anesthesia exposure. During my interview I was honest that med school was my original goal, but this is why I changed and why AA is a better fit for me.
I went to a tour at MCW and there were a couple people in their 30s and two people in their 50s.
absolutely not, I feel like that the average age for most programs. I know it was for my program.
You are not an older student by any means
Tons of people start medical school in their 30's. You are young and in no way at a disadvantage. You can do it!
The last time Emory made their program’s mean matriculation age available, it was 26. Your age is by no means an anomaly in the applicant pool. If anything, the various experiences you’ve amassed as a pre med taking gap years will only serve as a boon for your application.
There are numerous success stories that I’ve come across where the applicant was far older than yourself. If you want further reassurance, you can pose this question directly to adcoms on the CAA discord, where I’m sure they’ll echo similar sentiments.
Here’s the link:
https://discord.gg/QByJXxVf