Concerned that med schools will wrongly perceive me as being rich and spoiled?

[equus]

Since I was 8 years old, I had random jobs and worked hard to earn money. I knew all along that my parents wouldn't help me pay for university, and I wanted to be a doctor. When I was 15, I had 4 part-time jobs at once and I saved all my money.

 

However, when I was in grade 12, I was lucky enough to receive more than $40,000 in scholarships for my undergraduate degree. Because of this, I didn't really have to work anymore, because with the combination of my savings and my scholarships, I would have enough money to graduate debt-free. Therefore I quit all my jobs to create more time for volunteering and schoolwork.

 

I am now in 2nd year. Because of my scholarships, I haven't had a real job since I was in grade 12, and I've spent my summers having really cool volunteer experiences abroad. I would not have been able to do this if I hadn't won my scholarships. During the school year, I don't have time to work, with all my volunteer positions and trying to keep my marks up.

 

However, I'm worried that when med schools look at my application, all they'll see is that I haven't had a real job during university, and I've traveled abroad to volunteer. I don't want to be judged as a stereotypical "rich, spoiled" kid who wants to go to med school. Should I be worried, or am I overreacting?

[aaronjw]

this is where your ABS comes into play - it explains your hard work and determination to provide for yourself through work and academics thus opening up avenues to pursue meaningful volunteer opportunities for you to truly understand what it is to be self sacrificing which is inherent to medicine in general.

 

You're fine.

 

Plus, they don't care. You did things which is what matters most - not sat on your ass and played video games or simply shoved your nose in a book while oblivious to the world around you

[thatonekid]

^agreed.

 

I wouldn't worry about that type of stuff. It all depends on how you describe your experiences and what you got out of them. It's not all about what you've done, but what lessons/traits you've gained.

[goleafsgochris]

Since I was 8 years old, I had random jobs and worked hard to earn money. I knew all along that my parents wouldn't help me pay for university, and I wanted to be a doctor. When I was 15, I had 4 part-time jobs at once and I saved all my money.

 

However, when I was in grade 12, I was lucky enough to receive more than $40,000 in scholarships for my undergraduate degree. Because of this, I didn't really have to work anymore, because with the combination of my savings and my scholarships, I would have enough money to graduate debt-free. Therefore I quit all my jobs to create more time for volunteering and schoolwork.

 

I am now in 2nd year. Because of my scholarships, I haven't had a real job since I was in grade 12, and I've spent my summers having really cool volunteer experiences abroad. I would not have been able to do this if I hadn't won my scholarships. During the school year, I don't have time to work, with all my volunteer positions and trying to keep my marks up.

 

However, I'm worried that when med schools look at my application, all they'll see is that I haven't had a real job during university, and I've traveled abroad to volunteer. I don't want to be judged as a stereotypical "rich, spoiled" kid who wants to go to med school. Should I be worried, or am I overreacting?

 

I never have had a real job (like not even part time at timmies--no job ever) and I got in. Lots of people in my class were like that. It will not hurt you at all, dont worry about it.

[shikimate]

Since I was 8 years old, I had random jobs and worked hard to earn money. I knew all along that my parents wouldn't help me pay for university, and I wanted to be a doctor. When I was 15, I had 4 part-time jobs at once and I saved all my money.

 

However, when I was in grade 12, I was lucky enough to receive more than $40,000 in scholarships for my undergraduate degree. Because of this, I didn't really have to work anymore, because with the combination of my savings and my scholarships, I would have enough money to graduate debt-free. Therefore I quit all my jobs to create more time for volunteering and schoolwork.

 

I am now in 2nd year. Because of my scholarships, I haven't had a real job since I was in grade 12, and I've spent my summers having really cool volunteer experiences abroad. I would not have been able to do this if I hadn't won my scholarships. During the school year, I don't have time to work, with all my volunteer positions and trying to keep my marks up.

 

However, I'm worried that when med schools look at my application, all they'll see is that I haven't had a real job during university, and I've traveled abroad to volunteer. I don't want to be judged as a stereotypical "rich, spoiled" kid who wants to go to med school. Should I be worried, or am I overreacting?

 

Congratulations for been debt free. You shouldn't worry about this at all. As long as your EC are meaningful to you it's fine. Employment is definitely something that's extremely important for EC. Although I think your asset may affect OSAP and some scholarships in med, but that's a different matter.

[Lactic Folly]

However, I'm worried that when med schools look at my application, all they'll see is that I haven't had a real job during university, and I've traveled abroad to volunteer.

They should also see on your application the significant scholarship funds that you have worked to achieve.