Medical How valuable is clinic experience as a pre-med?

[GoSpursGo]

How valuable is clinical volunteer experience? I am currently volunteering for a private clinic where I get to perform some basic tests on patients, but I'm not sure how important this is compared to a free clinic. Thanks!

Any clinical experience is valuable. I see no obvious difference between those two options.

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[Goro]

How valuable is clinical volunteer experience? I am currently volunteering for a private clinic where I get to perform some basic tests on patients, but I'm not sure how important this is compared to a free clinic. Thanks!

How valuable? It's required!

Not all volunteering needs to be in a hospital. Think hospice, Planned Parenthood, nursing homes, rehab facilities, crisis hotlines, camps for sick children, or clinics.

Some types of volunteer activities are more appealing than others. Volunteering in a nice suburban hospital is all very well and good and all, but doesn't show that you're willing to dig in and get your hands dirty in the same way that working with the developmentally disabled (or homeless, the dying, or Alzheimers or mentally ill or elderly or ESL or domestic, rural impoverished) does. The uncomfortable situations are the ones that really demonstrate your altruism and get you 'brownie points'. Plus, they frankly teach you more -- they develop your compassion and humanity in ways comfortable situations can't.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

So valuable that if you don't have it you won't get in....

 

[PerioDont]

Definitely try to spend some time with underserved communities, will give you a different perspective for sure

 

[Goro]

Thanks! So do you recommend looking for volunteer experiences in non-traditional (i.e., not a hospital/private clinic) settings?

Whatever that you can find, and more importantly, something that interests you.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks! So do you recommend looking for volunteer experiences in non-traditional (i.e., not a hospital/private clinic) settings?

I would. You need to demonstrate your altruism is not only available in clinic. Expand your mindset.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Some of your most memorable experiences will likely come from caring for patients from underserved communities.