Future Directions: Clinical Experience as RD or M.Sc.(Thesis) to Increase Chances?

[Dunder Mifflin]

Looking for advice regarding starting a Master's vs. gaining clinical experience as a dietitian (RD) to improve application for the next cycle (Quebec med schools, namely McGill).

I recently graduated from McGill in Dietetics and just started working at a McGill-affiliated hospital in oncology and endo. I'm debating starting my Master's in Nutrition (Thesis) in Fall 2019 in order to gain more research experience/opportunities to publish, however I would miss an entire application cycle (PI knows I'm applying and confirms that the 2-year commitment cannot be shortened). I do have research experience (USRA) and 1 publication as first author but I'm aiming to get more experience to make my application even stronger for the next cycle.

Bit of background: GPA 3.89ish out of 4 (McGill); B.Sc completed (Dec 2018); Research experience/USRA + 1 pub; Lots of clinical experience in hospitals/clinics (stage); Part-time pharmacy lab tech for 3 years. Waitlisted pre-interview from McGill then refused; Ottawa (French) refused pre-interview. 

 

Bottom line:  I recently started working as an RD at a hospital - should I continue working over the year or start my Master's in the Fall? From your past experiences or people that you know currently in med, what appears to be valued more? My first choice is McGill and I know they are not solely set on grades compared to the French schools. 

Thanks! 

[Readyforthis2018]

Hey! Sorry to hear about the refusal post interview :( It’s great that you’re already starting to think about your future application.

For McGill specifically, I think knowing your ranking would help tremendously in deciding how to move forward. You’ll know where you ranked lower (Casper, academic, CV) and can work towards improving that area. Master’s can improve your ‘academic’ score and CV. Clinical experience will definitely strengthen your CV. However, it’s hard to decide from an application strengthening point of view at the moment because you don’t know where you stand in the different components. 

Overall, however, I would also encourage you to think about what would help you most overall in your career and life. Perhaps doing a master’s can open up more possibilities? Or more clinical exposure would be beneficial for the future? Take some time to weigh the pros and cons of each. 

All the best! 

[robclem21]

5 hours ago, Readyforthis2018 said:

I would also encourage you to think about what would help you most overall in your career and life. Perhaps doing a master’s can open up more possibilities? Or more clinical exposure would be beneficial for the future? Take some time to weigh the pros and cons of each. 

This. You should do what will help you most should you NOT get into medicine. Not what will help you get into medicine. Your experiences are much easier to talk about honestly and passionately when there is some strong rationale for pursuing them that is not "it makes my medicine application stronger".

Also, why not write the MCAT and apply across Canada. That would prob be the number 1 thing to strengthen your chances because your application seems fairly strong already.