I applied last cycle... didn't get accepted, but I've decided to keep trying and boosting my stats as best as I can.
My biggest difficulty at this point is getting letters of recommendation. I had no idea that CASAA would wipe out our previous evaluations... it was difficult for me to get them to begin with. I'm not sure why they would do that esp since it hasnt even been a year since they were submitted.
So now I am back to square one on evaluations. I feel bad asking the same people for evaluations again, so I'm trying to get new evaluators. I've submitted one from my ethics professor. I thought he knew me better than anyone else having read and commented on the multiple writing assignments. It's probably not conventional, but I feel at peace about this choice.
I've started volunteering at a clinic about 2-3 hrs a week. Side note: I never knew getting a volunteering position would be this difficult because theyre at capacity. The 2-3 hrs a week is the most I can get from them. So my question is- would it be inappropriate to ask the coordinator to be my evaluator after having volunteered for only a month?
In my quest for the third letter of recommendation, I may have to work as an instrument tech full time which means I would have to quit my job(non medical field)/ career for that. Same question as above, would it be too much to ask for a letter of recommendation one month into the job?
I have others who could be my evaluators, but they are not in the medical field. I have a counselor and fitness studio employers, but I don't think they would be relevant...
I am running out of ideas, and it's been a very difficult process for me(as well as everyone else here). I've applied to multiple patient care related positions since the beginning of this year, but there were no interviews scheduled which is why I decided to take the volunteer route... but even that is proving to be difficult.
My timeline centers around one month because that is when I plan to submit my application.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, advice, ideas, experiences, etc.
Thanks guys.
Re: Evaluations on CASAA
Posted by mac8812 on April 26, 2019, 1:32 pm, in reply to "Evaluations on CASAA"
I wouldn't rush to submit an application if you're not ready. I'm a second year student about take boards and graduate this year. It's only a 2 year program, adding an extra year to get all your priorities straight won't matter in the long run.
I also applied twice, as I applied late the first cycle and didn't get accepted. Second time around, I got accepted everywhere I applied with early interviews. I had a c GPA of 3.54 and s GPA of 3.48. I worked as an anesthesia tech, MA, and took post-bacc classes. I had about ~50 anesthesia shadowing hours. I also scored in the 65th percentile for both math and reading on the GRE. I got LORs from my employer, biology professor, and biochem professor.
Honestly what they care about is: a strong GPA/GRE score (to show your academically cut out for the program), a good understanding of the AA profession and how we are integrated into healthcare, and integrity. Not only is it important that you have the drive and knowledge to complete the program along with the passion for the field, but that your patient comes first no matter what.
Overall, it sounds like you are on the right track. Volunteering 2-3 hours per week really isn't much, I would do my best to get at least some sort of hospital based job if you have time. If you have another full time job and can't, then work on getting some shadowing hours and boosting your GPA/GRE. The ADCOMs love people from diverse backgrounds.
Thank you. This is very helpful. I would like more volunteering hours, but they are “at capacity” with volunteers, and this isn’t even a clinical position which is higher in demand. The situation is similar at the local hospital where I inquired. I didn’t know volunteering would be so competitive.
Did you have a close relationship with your professors? I’m now wondering(after reading your reply) if I should ask some of my science professors. I didn’t consider them initially because I was just one of many students, and didn’t think I’d get a quality LoR.
Thank you again for sharing your stats and your advice. I really appreciate it!
I was decently close with my biochem professor but wasn't close at all with my biology professor. A LoR is great when you can get someone to speak about not only your academic ability but your character, but it is hard to find that especially if you attend a big state school like I did. If you know them at all, they'll probably just look to see you did well on tests, attended classes, and turned work in on time and be able to craft a decently good letter. You can always ask and if they feel uncomfortable writing it, they will tell you. They won't write a negative one.
Don't get too caught up in volunteering. Again, if you could find time to get a hospital job, even PRN, it would show your dedicated to getting as much experience as possible but it is totally not a requirement. I wouldn't ask your volunteer coordinator for a letter because they probably don't know you well enough. But it is very unfortunate CASAA wipes all of that info, I remember having to get 3 new letters as well. They'll remember you applied last year and jumped through all the hoops to reapply, which is surprisingly important. Even as anesthetists, we are constantly jumping through hoops with credentialing, certifications, etc. Keep truckin, you'll be fine!
The admissions counselor at the school where I was "rejected" suggested that I get volunteer hours and experience in healthcare. The job in healthcare has proven to be difficult because theyve all required a 1-2 year commitment, and my life is so uncertain being in the middle of applying to graduate school. Even the volunteer program at the local clinic requires a minimum of 8 months of commitment. Question regarding the GRE- I got a 58th percentile quant + 80th percentile verbal... Do you advise that I retake the GRE? im also considering taking the MCAT... I'm not sure which route would be more beneficial. What are your thoughts?
Thank you for all of your help. I really want to get in this cycle.
Your GRE score looks good to me. They care more about the quant but they generally look for 55% and above. If your GPA is solid, I wouldn't retake it. If its lower, it may be worth your while. I wouldn't take the MCAT unless your applying to a school that requires it.
on April 26, 2019, 10:44 am
