Apply with no clinical experience??

[SN2reaction]

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So I want to apply this cycle (next month), but I have extremely minimal clinical experience. I volunteered in India for a week at a medical camp, and I shadowed a cardiovascular surgeon for a day. I have a rather strong list of leadership activities (student council, resident advisor on campus, principal officer of a community service org), and I've done research at a lab for ~2 years now. My GPA is a 3.73 at UCSD, and I'm taking my MCAT in 2 weeks (hoping to get around a 31-33). I have volunteered at a dental clinic and shadowed a dentist extensively, but that was obviously before I chose to do medicine, and so is irrelevant.

Do you think if I start volunteering ASAP and put in as many hours as possible, I'd be able to scratch by, or is it just too late for that?

Thanks

 

[Rzarecta]

So I want to apply this cycle (next month), but I have extremely minimal clinical experience. I volunteered in India for a week at a medical camp, and I shadowed a cardiovascular surgeon for a day. I have a rather strong list of leadership activities (student council, resident advisor on campus, principal officer of a community service org), and I've done research at a lab for ~2 years now. My GPA is a 3.73 at UCSD, and I'm taking my MCAT in 2 weeks (hoping to get around a 31-33). I have volunteered at a dental clinic and shadowed a dentist extensively, but that was obviously before I chose to do medicine, and so is irrelevant.

Do you think if I start volunteering ASAP and put in as many hours as possible, I'd be able to scratch by, or is it just too late for that?

Thanks

To my eyes that lack of clinical exposure is a RED FLAG. Applying for you would be a risk, and an expensive one at that. Taking a year out and doing something meaningful with your time would help you significantly.

 

[Cyradis]

I disagree. I applied this cycle with absolutely zero clinical experience and still had several interviews and was accepted at a 20-25th ish ranked school.

The main point of clinical experience from my understanding is so the committees know you have an actual idea of medicine is like and still want to do it - not that you watched Grey's or something and decided to go into med. If you can convince admissions committees you are genuinely interested in and have a realistic picture of medicine for all its pros and its cons without the clinical experience, you'll be fine.

 

[Rzarecta]

I disagree. I applied this cycle with absolutely zero clinical experience and still had several interviews and was accepted at a 20-25th ish ranked school.

The main point of clinical experience from my understanding is so the committees know you have an actual idea of medicine is like and still want to do it - not that you watched Grey's or something and decided to go into med. If you can convince admissions committees you are genuinely interested in and have a realistic picture of medicine for all its pros and its cons without the clinical experience, you'll be fine.

With similar stats/ECs as OP?

 

[Cyradis]

With similar stats/ECs as OP?

Higher GPA/MCAT, similar ECs (except without the bits of clinical experience). However, I imagine that if the OP applies to schools in the appropriate tier for his/her stats, then the results should be comparable to my application to schools appropriate for my stats. I'm assuming the OP isn't going for Harvard/JHU or something and I think his stats are fine for a mid-tier school.

 

[Rzarecta]

Higher GPA/MCAT, similar ECs (except without the bits of clinical experience). However, I imagine that if the OP applies to schools in the appropriate tier for his/her stats, then the results should be comparable to my application to schools appropriate for my stats. I'm assuming the OP isn't going for Harvard/JHU or something and I think his stats are fine for a mid-tier school.

We can agree to disagree, but in my eyes the OP looks like an average-above average applicant in terms of stats (depends on his MCAT) with a glaring deficiency. I think if he is personable he can succeed at the interview, I just worry that he won't get many interviews because programs won't look past his lack of clinical experience.

 

[twentyten]

I agree with Rzarecta. I think that the lack of clinical experience would be seen as a problem. Why take a chance like this? What you can do is either wait a year to apply or start getting clinical experience (shadowing and clinical volunteering) right away and continue to do it over the course of the year, and make sure that you let admissions committees know that you will be devoting a lot of time to it this year. I was in a similar situation, feel free to PM me and we can talk.

 

[mdbound1987]

I agree with Rzarecta. I think that the lack of clinical experience would be seen as a problem. Why take a chance like this? What you can do is either wait a year to apply or start getting clinical experience (shadowing and clinical volunteering) right away and continue to do it over the course of the year, and make sure that you let admissions committees know that you will be devoting a lot of time to it this year. I was in a similar situation, feel free to PM me and we can talk.

I agree with this post. This application process is crazy enough, so if you don't want to take a year off to apply for next cycle, start volunteering in a hospital and shadowing right now and send updates throughout the application cycle. One person above said that they got accepted with no clinical experience and that's great, but you shouldn't gamble with your application hoping for the same result. You have time to rectify this issue, so do it. While shadowing, make sure you get a good understanding of the life of a physician inside and outside the workplace. It will show interviewers who may be skeptical that you are squeezing in clinical experience at the last minute that you truly learned a lot from your experience. Good luck.

 

[Cyradis]

I'll certainly agree that it could be a good idea to start volunteering now - at worst it'll make no difference and it'll help give you something to talk about at the interview.

However, what I'm saying is I don't think you should feel like you HAVE to in order to apply - if you decide to not try and grab some last minute clinical experience, it's still definitely worth applying.

P.S. As a Chemistry TA, I love the name OP =)

 

[armybound]

I'd probably apply and do a lot of stuff over the summer so when it comes up in an interview they can make note of your increased involvement.

If you have the money, I'd rather waste it on a possibly unsuccessful year than have no chance and waste a year.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

I know that some may say that no clinical experience is a red flag, but what about opposite of the OP. I should have a lot of clinical experience by the time i apply ( working as a tech in an ER for 3+ years when i apply and also as a firefighter/EMT for 3+ years) not to mention i will have a multitude of doctors shadowed under my belt ( which i have been and am currently in contact with). The only thing i dont have will be very much volunteering.

I dont want to do usual hospital volunteering because i already work at a hospital so i wanted to join my local chapter of the Red Cross. I will have that and maybe a club or two. Rounding off my application will be research i will be starting next semester.

I guess what im saying is should i try to up the ante volunteering wise?

 

[twentyten]

I know that some may say that no clinical experience is a red flag, but what about opposite of the OP. I should have a lot of clinical experience by the time i apply ( working as a tech in an ER for 3+ years when i apply and also as a firefighter/EMT for 3+ years) not to mention i will have a multitude of doctors shadowed under my belt ( which i have been and am currently in contact with). The only thing i dont have will be very much volunteering.

I dont want to do usual hospital volunteering because i already work at a hospital so i wanted to join my local chapter of the Red Cross. I will have that and maybe a club or two. Rounding off my application will be research i will be starting next semester.

I guess what im saying is should i try to up the ante volunteering wise?

Besides the research part which you mentioned, I think you could spend your time doing non-medical volunteering -- something that you enjoy and can commit to. Joining clubs is a good idea too, but again, make sure you commit to a few things and try to take leadership positions in these groups.

 

[rHinO1]

I know that some may say that no clinical experience is a red flag, but what about opposite of the OP. I should have a lot of clinical experience by the time i apply ( working as a tech in an ER for 3+ years when i apply and also as a firefighter/EMT for 3+ years) not to mention i will have a multitude of doctors shadowed under my belt ( which i have been and am currently in contact with). The only thing i dont have will be very much volunteering.

I dont want to do usual hospital volunteering because i already work at a hospital so i wanted to join my local chapter of the Red Cross. I will have that and maybe a club or two. Rounding off my application will be research i will be starting next semester.

I guess what im saying is should i try to up the ante volunteering wise?

I have ~6000 hours of paid emt work and OR tech experience over 4+ years and I still felt the need to get some volunteer work (non-medical). I've coached sports and volunteered at a drug rehab teaching CPR/First Aid. I also have 1.5+ years of research.

I think at least some volunteer work is necessary, but given your experience I do not think it needs to be medically related. Find something you enjoy and works with your schedule. Red cross, habitats for humanity, tutoring kids, big brothers etc...

I thnk it is important to diversify your app and make it strong in as many areas as possible. Don't rely on one strong area to get you in if you can be proactive and avoid it.

 

[SweetRain]

I think it's a problem that you have no volunteering experience in the states but you do in India. It may seem that you have the money to spend on overseas volunteering (which I know to be very expensive) but you do not have the time to care for your own community. There are needs in the third world countries, but remember that your own country is where you receive education and most likely get a job in the future.

 

[vickpick]

uhhh... dude.. get some exp. in the area ASAP.

 

[imorbust]

I disagree. I applied this cycle with absolutely zero clinical experience and still had several interviews and was accepted at a 20-25th ish ranked school.

The main point of clinical experience from my understanding is so the committees know you have an actual idea of medicine is like and still want to do it - not that you watched Grey's or something and decided to go into med. If you can convince admissions committees you are genuinely interested in and have a realistic picture of medicine for all its pros and its cons without the clinical experience, you'll be fine.

I'd have to disagree, I do think this would be a red flag precisely for the reason you outlined. It seems to me that the OP originally was predental, but somehow has had a drastic change of heart and decided they want to go into medicine...without much evidence or explanation as to how they came to make this decision. The reason clinical experience IS important is that because without it, it's very difficult to get a realistic picture of medicine...even extensive interaction with the medical field as a patient or family member doesn't give you a good idea of what life working as a physician is actually like.

Personally, I'd say if anything the OP is an applicant who definitely needs clinical experience to prove to adcoms they know what they're getting into as there's been a clear and very recent switch into the medicine track. I'd also recommend the OP get clincal experience for his/her own sake, to make sure this is the right decision. Since it seems that it was only after clinical exposure to dentistry that you changed your mind about that career...why are you willing to go into medicine without a similar trial (and I agree with other posters, you can't make a decision to practice medicine in the US based on experience in another country)?

 

[SN2reaction]

hey thanks a lot guys for the feedback, i really appreciate it.

i was definitely expecting my lack of clinical experience to be a redflag, and im trying to set up some volunteering/shadowing opportunities ASAP

i was wondering if there is a 'better' form of clinical experience? i feel like i can get a shadowing position way more quickly than a volunteering opportunity, but obviously can't put as many hours into it (depending on the physician)...im planning on doing both in the coming months, but would i benefit from starting with shadowing work, or is it prudent to focus just on the volunteering stuff?


also, people have been saying that 'it's not worth applying' and that 'it's a risk' to apply...does that mean that if i apply once with my dearth of clinical experience, i will be at a disadvantage in a subsequent cycle? or does my initial application have no bearing on any following ones?



once again, thanks a LOT guys, i appreciate it greatly!!!

 

[mdbound1987]

hey thanks a lot guys for the feedback, i really appreciate it.

i was definitely expecting my lack of clinical experience to be a redflag, and im trying to set up some volunteering/shadowing opportunities ASAP

i was wondering if there is a 'better' form of clinical experience? i feel like i can get a shadowing position way more quickly than a volunteering opportunity, but obviously can't put as many hours into it (depending on the physician)...im planning on doing both in the coming months, but would i benefit from starting with shadowing work, or is it prudent to focus just on the volunteering stuff?


also, people have been saying that 'it's not worth applying' and that 'it's a risk' to apply...does that mean that if i apply once with my dearth of clinical experience, i will be at a disadvantage in a subsequent cycle? or does my initial application have no bearing on any following ones?



once again, thanks a LOT guys, i appreciate it greatly!!!

If you apply, don't get accepted, and reapply the following year, schools want to see some serious improvement in your application. It seems that your only issue is that you do not have clinical volunteering/shadowing (as long as you get the mcat score you projected). So if you log a year of hospital volunteering and shadow 2-3 physicians (of various specialities) consistently, it will show that you analyzed the deficiencies in your previous failed acceptance attempt and rectified them. At this point, since you already have a red flag, you want to try to do everything possible to increase your chances, such as applying as early as possible (early June). Apply the very first day if you can so that when your mcat score arrives in mid-late june, your application will be complete the same day. Do not wait until your score arrives to apply because by mid-late june, you may have to wait a few weeks to get verified. Make sure your personal statement wows the adcoms too and do quick turnarounds on your secondary apps.