u/Professional-Tip9224

I am planning on applying to medical school next cycle, so May of 2027. I have two LORs that I have been holding in Interfolio that were submitted a few months ago in May. Will this be a "too old" issue?

Also, I know med schools are specific with how the letters are written. How can I possibly know they are in the correct format if I cannot see the letter? Should I have given instructions on how to format them when I originally asked?

Hi! I recently graduated from a medical assistant training program and took the NHA exam. I am starting a new job tomorrow, and have absolutely no hands-on experience (program was all online, and they didn't offer any externships). When I shadowed the clinic I will be working at, they said that most of their providers prefer manual BPs. I of course learned how to take a manual BP, but I have obviously never actually done one before. I watched some videos, and I also bought my own stethoscope (littman classic iii). Are doing manual BPs hard? How difficult is it to hear the korotkoff sounds through the stethoscope?

I have struggled with food noise and overeating my entire life, and am thinking a GLP-1 might be a good option at this point. I am just unsure which one to choose. I did talk to my doctor about it, but she told me to focus on healthy eating and exercise for now, and I didn't want to push. I am open to injections or pills, although I know the pill has slower weight loss. The biggest issue is cost, I can realistically only afford up to $400 a month for this, as insurance won't cover it. Which GLP-1 should I look into? For reference, I am 5'3", F, 220 lbs. Thanks :)

Hi all! I just landed my first ever MA job and I need all the advice possible! It is a position where I will be floating between different providers in family med and pediatrics (thankfully all in the same building). Everyone there seemed so nice, and the training process sounded thorough, but I am nervous! I’ve never had an MA job before, what should I keep in mind before my first day??

Hi all! Basically the title - I’m wondering what meds I need to take to reduce ear pain as much as possible before a 3-4 hour flight. For some background, I used to have ear infections a lot as a child, and I had 3 rounds of ear tubes before my ears healed. Once I was a bit older, I used to fly a few times a year and never had issues, but after a while, it started becoming incredibly painful. Like, someone was stabbing a knife into my ear type-painful, which leads me to believe I may have ETD (my ears pop very easily and get blocked more than other people). Since then I’ve opted to drive everywhere when traveling, but it is getting so tedious. Is there any course of meds I can take to reduce this? I’ve seen Sudafed and Afrin, anything else? What is your guys’ routine before/during flying?

I’ve been having such a hard time finding clinical jobs for my gap years, I’ve applied to MA, scribe, and PCT positions with no luck. I’ve been thinking about applying for RBT jobs, as my area has a lot, and they will take you with no experience and pay for your cert. would this count as clinical hours? That’s the one area I’m lacking in, I only have 50 hours of hospital volunteering and 10 hours of shadowing. I’m planning on doing more clinical volunteering during my gap year, but just can’t seem to land a “typical” clinical job.

Hi all - I am a recent college grad and now in my gap year (planning on applying next spring). I have been having SUCH a hard time finding a medical assistant job within Chicago. Like, I have applied to over 100 places, had a few interviews, but nothing has materialized. Most places want 2+ years experience. I’ve looked into scribe jobs but there’s not many. I guess my question is, should I pursue other jobs at this point? I have no paid clinical hours (only 50 hospital volunteering) but at this point I’m not sure what to do. Maybe get a paraprofessional license and work at a school?

Hi all! I need some advice. I interviewed for a job last week and was just offered the position today. I asked for some time to decide, and they gave me a 24 hr deadline, with the start date being in a few weeks. The thing is, I have some high hopes for one of my dream jobs. I have an internal referral, the manager seems to love my resume, and everyone seems to be getting back to me very quickly. I obviously don't want to decline the other offer, as I don't want to be left with no job at all. Is it acceptable in the workforce to accept an offer, and then if my dream job interview works out and they offer me the position, rescind my offer for the other job?

Hi! My partner and I are going to a concert at Wrigley this week. We are staying at a hotel next to the Cumberland stop on the Blue Line. I know anything is possible at any time of day, but will this commute (Blue Line -> Bus -> Wrigley) be safe for the most part? The concert starts at 6:30 and ends probably around 9-10. I have never taken the cta before as I am not from Chicago and I am a little nervous!

I have been searching for jobs for 2 months now and haven’t gotten an offer yet. I just graduated with a Bachelors in Biology with minors in Chem and Psychology, I have Medical Assistant & BLS certifications, 2 years of research experience, and hospital volunteering experience. I will genuinely take ANY job in healthcare at this point, any ideas where to look besides LinkedIn/Indeed? Anyone here know of places/work somewhere that needs an MA? I’ve applied to all of the major hospital systems already + a lot of the smaller clinics

I am planning on taking my MCAT next spring sometime in April or May. I have already started reading a chapter roughly every 1-2 days from Kaplan and then doing the JackSparrow anki cards associated with the chapter. I am planning on getting UWorld soon to start practice questions early. I am skipping the CARS and Psych/Soc Kaplan books and doing the 300pg pankow doc and Jack Westin CARS passages daily. Does this sound like a solid plan? Anything you would add/change?

Hi everyone! I just recently graduated from university with a bachelors in biology, and I also completed an MA program and have my CCMA certificate! I am moving to chicago in august and have been searching around for MA jobs, I have some interviews lined up but want to know if anyone can give me any clinics/hospitals they know are personally hiring. I unfortunately don’t have any MA experience, but I have taken anatomy/physiology courses + a med term course. Thanks!

I recently applied for my dream job on LinkedIn, and I hit all of their qualifications, even the preferred ones. Under “people you can reach out to” the hiring manager isn’t listed, but someone I’d be working under is, as we went to the same university. Would it be appropriate to send them a message expressing my interested if they’re not directly involved in the hiring process? Maybe the message can be passed along? I don’t have a ton of experience applying as I just recently graduated, and definitely don’t want to come off as needy or over the top. Thanks!

I just passed the ccma with a 447 (literally only used MangoStudy) so I am selling my MangoStudy account! When I bought it I got the longest plan cause I had noooo idea how long it would take me to feel confident, so it genuinely still has until October before it expires lmao. I bought it for $180 on sale so I was thinking maybe $90 or best offer? Lmk if you have any exam questions too I’d be happy to help!

To make a long story short, I was supposed to test for the CCMA exam today, but the site had to close due to staffing issues. The next possible time wouldn’t be until July 15(!!), which totally sucks because this was not my fault at all. I already called and asked to get in any sooner but they basically said I’m out of luck. My only other options are to drive 1.5 hours or just take it online, and I’m leaning towards online. I’ve heard some horror stories, but can anyone tell me if you’ve taken it online and it went fine? I’m not sure what else to do, but I’m so nervous that my laptop/wifi isn’t gonna be able to handle it. Thanks 😊