Am I crazy or just stupid?

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Lucas Gardner

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Hey guys, current AEMT here in south Georgia and I'm starting my BS in Cellular and Molecular Bio next spring. I have a serious question about double majoring and getting my Paramedic while I'm doing my pre med. Is this even possible? Will I throw myself off the roof of my dorm? I'm already putting four years of my life aside to start my BS and I'm ready to do the same for at least four more with medical school, so what is another 13 months? If you have a number to a good psychiatrist please leave it below because I will need it. Just leave your thoughts below. Thanks guys!
 
as somebody with LITTLE TO NO MEDICAL EXPERIENCE(EMT is the extent of my medical qualifications), I personally would say that would be overwhelming. I graduated with a major minor and a concentration, while working part time and that was pretty hard in and of itself. Granted i was not the most enthusiastic person about school. However, if you can find a college that have the classes overlap (for cell and molec bio you need lets say bio 1,2 and 3 || and for paramedic you need bio 1 and 2), DO IT because it will save you some time. I went to school in NYS so prices are a bit higher up here, but you also have to make sure you can fund yourself (as a PERSONAL financial recommendation i say it is best to make sure you have enough to go all the way through at least one degree whether it is the A.S in para medicine, or B.S in Bio).

**Disclaimers: I am not a financial advisor, I have Limited medical knowledge past NYS protocols for EMT-B**
 
It is possible for about the first third of medic school. After that, screw trying to take an additional full course load and work. You will get overwhelmed taking 15 credits, working, clinicals, and a medic course load. Not only that, you are gonna drop $8k+ for something that won't really be any help to getting into medical school. Waste of time and money. @Gurby, do yo thang.
 
Lucas Gardner said:
I'm starting my BS in Cellular and Molecular Bio next spring
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Ok, so, let's say you take 4 classes a semester (conservatively!). Let's say each class is 3 hours of class, and let's say 2 classes are lab sciences (for example, a genetics class, or a physics class) of 3 hours apiece.

Now, you're up to 12 hours of class plus 6 hours of lab. Each hour of class, conservatively, should convert to *at least* an hour of study time. So, now we have 12 hours of class, plus 12 hours of study time (minimum, and I hesitate to mention - myself, I usually took 2 hours of study time per hour of class), plus 6 hours of lab. That's 30 hours of class, lab, and studying a week.

Add in your paramedic program, and it's going to be unmanageable.

You are so much better off doing a 4 year degree and doing well, while working part time as an AEMT than you are doing a 4 year degree and doing poorly, while studying for your medic.

No question about it.

As far as money goes, doing your bachelors degree in four years (or less) and starting medical school sooner than later is the best financial decision you can make. The earlier you start making an actual physician's salary (remember: that's four years of college plus four years of medical school plus three years of residency - minimum - from now), the better.
 
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I have to agree on two points:
1. If you're going pre-med and won't be a practicing medic for any appreciable length of time, medic school won't help you;
2. You will not have the time. I'm in medic school now while working full-time and I'm ready to pull my hair out. It's a tough haul - and I think I'm a damn genius and phenomenally capable! (just kidding folks...I'm not that conceited!).

Focus on your college and med school. I'm kicking myself for not going to med school when I had the chance 15 years ago. Normally I'm a cheerleader for those who want to tilt when they should withdraw, but doing what you're proposing is insanity.
 
As said a few times before:
Go straight to medical/nursing school. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
 
I am also a pre med student, and got my AEMT-CC during school, while working a part time job that did little more than keep me from starving. It really sucked, and if I could go back in time I wouldn't do it. I can't even imagine how excruciating it would be to go for your medic during pre med.

You and I share the same end goal- to become a physician. To go through the trouble of getting your medic would not only be unavailing, it could also be harmful to your studies.
 
redundantbassist said:
To go through the trouble of getting your medic would not only be unavailing, it could also be harmful to your studies.
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This is a really, really good summary of everything everybody has said.

If you 100% want to be a physician (or even a mid-level), there's little to no upside to getting your medic when you're already an (L)ALS provider. There is, however, lots of downside - your time is scarce, your money is not limitless, and your sanity is precious!
 
On my phone....

You will have good clinical exposure from the aemt experience if yoy use it. Instead of going medic, use that extra time to check off the other premed boxes:

High Gpa and high mcat are king
You should start volunteering with underserved populations asap
Do some physician shadowing
Get involved in research sooner rather than later
Have a unique/interesting EC that you pursue somewhat seriously: music, martial art, etc

All of those things will be higher yield use of your time.

Relevant: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/should-a-pre-med-student-go-medic.238346/#post-3077481
 
The idea of doing my undergrad at the same time as paramedic school is just beyond cringeworthy terrible and should not even be considered.
 
Focus on the premed. Stay an AEMT. Paramedic school will take too much of your time and energy. Keep working the field a little bit, but focus on school and your grades. I doubt adcoms care more that you were a paramedic vs an AEMT. Both provide patient care experience.

The experience is great, but it won't replace your grades or GPA when it comes time for applications.
Speaking as someone who spent a little too much time in the field and let a few grades slip as a result, I advise that you really focus on school and make that priority #1. Also don't spread yourself thin. Put some "me" time in there. No one wants a student that's burnt out before they've even started medical school.
 
Chris07 said:
I doubt adcoms care more that you were a paramedic vs an AEMT.
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This -- especially given that they may not know the difference!;)
 
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