*posted this in the application forums but I realized I should have just posted here in the first place. My apologies to the mods if I've broken any rules.
I'm currently a first year medical student at a well ranked medical school in the US (a non-ivy private school). My undergraduate was at UC San Diego, and I graduated with a 3.45 GPA and a Biology major + English minor.
My work experience: 2 years as a part time swim instructor in college (not very relevant I don't think) + post graduate 1 year managing a small drug addiction clinic (6 beds) that just opened, so I helped streamline operations and get it on its feet from a middle-manager type position (more relevant). After that, I went to medical school so my work experience is quite light.
Volunteer experience.
1.5 yrs being a program developer at a large hospital internship of about 400-500 people (trained people, worked with hospital leadership to make program better. etc). I was deeply involved in this and had a good impact on the program.
1 yr peer health educator. I taught college students about health and held outreaches and workshops.
Now, I won't be applying to B-school until my 3rd year of med school (I will be taking a break between years 3 and 4 to do B-school). That gives me time to think about how to craft myself as an applicant.
What I have going for me right at this moment:
My top 2 picks would be Harvard and Stanford, since both have strong ties to biotech and medicine. It's clear that my work experience will likely be a problem, but I'm wondering if schools would look at me differently considering I'm an MD student, since those schools accept their own MD students into MD/MBA programs. What other facets of my profile should I improve? What should I add? Am I spinning my story well considering my extracurriculars? What other experiences should I seek out?
I appreciate any help, thank you.
I'm currently a first year medical student at a well ranked medical school in the US (a non-ivy private school). My undergraduate was at UC San Diego, and I graduated with a 3.45 GPA and a Biology major + English minor.
My work experience: 2 years as a part time swim instructor in college (not very relevant I don't think) + post graduate 1 year managing a small drug addiction clinic (6 beds) that just opened, so I helped streamline operations and get it on its feet from a middle-manager type position (more relevant). After that, I went to medical school so my work experience is quite light.
Volunteer experience.
1.5 yrs being a program developer at a large hospital internship of about 400-500 people (trained people, worked with hospital leadership to make program better. etc). I was deeply involved in this and had a good impact on the program.
1 yr peer health educator. I taught college students about health and held outreaches and workshops.
Now, I won't be applying to B-school until my 3rd year of med school (I will be taking a break between years 3 and 4 to do B-school). That gives me time to think about how to craft myself as an applicant.
What I have going for me right at this moment:
- President of the student council - got some great things going, successful fundraisers, upcoming initiatives, etc.
- Currently part of a special program where we work with PhD engineering students and learn to find a medical need, prototype a solution, pitch to investors, and bring it to market. I'm expecting that by the end of 3 years, we should have something substantial to show for it (at the very least a patent if not commercialization). This is going well so far.
- I'm currently identifying a community project to work on - my primary interest is using digital technology to improve chronic disease management. My school is in an area with a high prevalence of diabetes. Hopefully this will take off soon. This project will ideally last 1-2 years at least.
- I should have time this summer to get an internship somewhere if necessary.
- I'm planning on applying to sit on my medical school's candidate selection commitee.
- For those who don't know how medical school works: by the time I apply for MBA programs, I will have completed the first part of my clinical training - e.g. I'll have been working full time in the hospital wards (but as an unpaid trainee) so I'm hoping that will be viewed favorably as well.
My top 2 picks would be Harvard and Stanford, since both have strong ties to biotech and medicine. It's clear that my work experience will likely be a problem, but I'm wondering if schools would look at me differently considering I'm an MD student, since those schools accept their own MD students into MD/MBA programs. What other facets of my profile should I improve? What should I add? Am I spinning my story well considering my extracurriculars? What other experiences should I seek out?
I appreciate any help, thank you.
