How I got my first research position: a ragecomic illustration

I've been fairly inactive lately, but I made some comics to explain why I've been so quiet/useless for a while.

So this past summer was quite a frustrating time for me, what with getting rejected from med schools and finding myself without a backup plan. The only plan I had was to get a position in research since I had really bad luck with research in the past--this was an area in my application that was definitely lacking since I had absolutely no research experience whatsoever.

As a result, I found myself applying to (literally) a hundred different research positions in a month.

Figure 1. Before it all began.

Figure 2. Why applications for anything anywhere generally suck all the time.

Of course, I didn't get a single callback. Not only did I have no experience in research, I also didn't have any legitimate employment experience either (just a couple of "self-employed" positions that really holds no value). 

In the second month, I applied as a volunteer research assistant to dozens of labs. I received one reply, had an interview, and was accepted into a lab. Even though what I did was very basic, I worked ridiculously hard considering I was a volunteer. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity since this position gave me what was needed to get my first research position, as well as my first legit paid job.

After two months of volunteering, an opening for a paid research position opened up in the same hospital I was volunteering at. I applied, and somehow got an interview.

This is how the interview went (slightly dramatized):

Figure 3. Getting a job with sheer will and eagerness.

...and that's what I've been doing for a few weeks now, living up to my promise of insane work ethics. I'm having a lot of fun so far but still working like a lunatic, hoping for a publication. Although,

Figure 4. At the end of the day.

...but this really is the best opportunity I've ever had and I've learnt some ridiculous amounts of stuff since I started. Persistence really does pay off.

On another note, I will be posting some stuff that are actually useful in the near future. Stay tuned.


Matt

10,000 views & Update on ongoing projects

So the blog recently hit 10,000 views (now past 11,000) while I was away for a bit last week. I made some memes to celebrate the occasion:

Figure 1. I guess I am... only slightly.

Figure 2. How I feel about the recent rise in pageviews.

Figure 3. What I'm constantly reminded of any time I mention the blog to family.

Figure 4. I'm actually kind of worried that this might happen/already happened.

An update on ongoing projects- Here's what I've been working on these days:

1. Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds

As you may or may not have noticed, this is going quite well (at least, imo). I plan to write up to Part 15 before the end of the year, ideally before deadlines for such programs pass.

2. Just for fun- Guide to a 45T on the MCAT.

Just a hypothetical, "for fun" guide if I ever wanted to try for a higher MCAT score... with lots of money + resources.

3. How to Get Rejected Like a Boss- a rage comic story.

Self-explanatory.

4. Guide to Canadian med school admissions + School-specific Admissions Guides

This is pretty much ready for a quick write + posting, but I can't help but feel I'm screwing myself over for sharing "secrets" (not really, but you get the idea)... will have to think for a while.

5. The Bible of Medical School Interviews- Advice, Testimonials, and Sample Questions

At the risk of sounding like a douche, this is also something that might be indirectly harming myself but more importantly, it has the possibility of giving an unfair advantage to those that read it because it will contain:

• The biggest collection of traditional interview questions (without duplicates/similar questions), categorized into 8 distinct areas for specific practice- pretty much complete.
• The biggest collection of MMI questions, with detailed answers & guides to answering for some of the more difficult questions- nearing completion.
• Select documents, scoring sheets, statistics, advice/tips/testimonials from experienced interviewers/interviewees, and other fun stuff- in progress.

I always had a thing for collecting information that might be valuable- as a result, I built up quite a large collection of materials regarding interviews, school-specific admissions, MCAT, etc... hence the possibility of something like the above. The problem: I don't know what to do with this even if I complete it, without raising serious issues with fairness/interview standards. Unfortunately, this may never see the light of day.

Finally, I would like to say that it would be nice to get more feedback considering I've been getting an average of 120+ pageviews per day. Comments, compliments, criticism, threats, or even a comment from a disapproving admissions committee member would be very appreciated. 

Matt

Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds- Part 2: Physician Assistant

This is Part 2 of my Big List of "Back-Up" Plans for Premeds series, intended to give a brief introduction to some alternate careers in health care that premeds might consider pursuing.

Physician Assistant Programs as well as the profession itself are very new in Canada, considering PAs were recognized by the CMA as health care professionals only in 2003.  At McMaster, the first class started in 2008 while the program was fully accredited in 2012. In Ontario, PAs are being introduced to the health care system through a 2-year demonstration and supported by the PA Employment Support Program. Considering the significance of Physician Assistants in the US (83,466 in 2010), you can expect a similar trend in Canada with the successful integration and use of PAs into the Canadian health care system.

Some important points regarding Physician Assistant Programs in Canada:

• 2-year long, with the first year consisting of clinical sciences and second year of clinical rotations—similar to the medical school curriculum, but compressed.
• Regarding admissions- it is hard to say what is competitive, but it has been said that GPA of 3.55 would be competitive. However, with the ever-increase in applications into health care fields (medicine, dentistry, PA, etc), competitive GPA for PA programs will definitely increase in the coming years, especially as the programs gain more public acknowledgement.
• There are 156 programs in the US, while only 3 in Canada. Canadian PA programs are not accredited in the US, but US programs are accredited in Canada and graduates from PA programs in US can practice in Canada after writing the Canadian licensing exam.

Here is a very small chart summarizing admissions requirements for Canadian PA programs:

Figure 1. Canadian Physician Assistant Programs requirements- click to enlarge. 

As you can see, the only programs that an average applicant would be interested in are the McMaster and Manitoba programs that do not have clinical experience requirements. As such, I chose not to include any further information on the Consortium of PA education.

Statistics
For McMaster, there were ~300 applications for ~60 interviews, and 24 accepted. Other than that, there is very little data available.

Non-academic
Both Manitoba and McMaster have supplementary applications that include sections such as Employment, Volunteer/Community experiences, Awards/Distinctions/Honours, Scholarly Activities, etc. Links to supplementary applications below:

http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/media/PAEP_Suppl_App_Form_2013_INTAKE.pdf
http://bhsc.mcmaster.ca/pa/pa_application_2011.pdf

Deadlines
Similar deadlines as graduate programs: McMaster (February 1st), Manitoba (November 30th). 

Potential salary & Job security/market
As the field is still very new, there is no reliable data as of yet- however, PA income has been quoted as anywhere from 80k- 100k, sometimes higher. In the US, the mid-career median pay has been stated as $98,900. 

A publication from CMA in 2011 states "This year the University of Manitoba program graduated 13 PAs and they all had jobs within 30 days, and I know that all the McMaster graduates are employed." The same report expects that at least 3 new programs will open in the next 10 years, with the number of PAs increasing dramatically in the coming years.

Links to school websites

McMaster
Manitoba
U of T (Consortium of PA Education)

I apologize for the lack of any concrete statistics, however as previously stated there is very little data available due to the profession's recent emergence. However, it seems certain that the field shows a lot of promise as Physician Assistants could play a critical role in alleviating healthcare shortages in Canada.

Part 3 will feature Pharmacy Occupational/Physical Therapy programs in Canada.

Matt