Applying with little clinical experience but specific goals?

[HowCavalier]

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So I am trying to figure out if it is necessary for me to take another cycle off to get more clinical experience. I am intending to use an MD degree to go into research or public health, and honestly don't have much desire to get more clinical experience. I have shadowed 5 doctors for a total of 45+ hours, and did 80 or so hours of hospital volunteering in high school.

I have very good research experience, with 2 years undergrad in a good lab and a research trip abroad that was fully funded by grants. I am also pre-IRTA.

If I have good ECs and honors (PBK, leadership roles), should I worry that my lack of clinical experience? How do I make it clear in my interview that goals ultimately are not to be a clinician without coming off as misguided?

 

[Doug Underhill]

If you want to do research, get a Ph.D. You are paid to get a Ph.D at any reputable institution-roughly $25k for 5-6 years. Getting a MD requires an average of $170k in debt. That's a $300k difference between the two.

There's also the MPH degree for public health.

 

[NYCdude]

High school volunteering does not count. So it seems like you have zero undergraduate clinical experience. Clinical volunteering is pretty much a must at almost all programs. Just look at the msar data. I think like 95% of students have clinical experience.

 

[candbgirl]

Why do you want a MD? It seems your career goals could be better met in a PhD program!

 

[itsogre]

>I am intending to use an MD degree to go into research or public health, and honestly don't have much desire to get more clinical experience.

!

First of all, I appreciate you being earnest. If you don't have clinical experience besides shadowing you'll have a very difficult time gaining acceptance to any medical school. If you dislike clinical experience so much that you actively avoided it in undergrad, I'm not sure how you will handle years3-4 in medical school and at least 3 years of residency without hating yourself/patients/colleagues.

I'm not sure how the MD will help you in your goals. Is this the case where you feel you will be better compensated/more respected in the future because you have an MD, as opposed to a PhD/advanced qualifications in public health? smh

 

[Goro]

Yes
should I worry that my lack of clinical experience?
Apply to PhD programs.
How do I make it clear in my interview that goals ultimately are not to be a clinician without coming off as misguided?

 

[alpinism]

Agree with the above.

Don't do an MD if you don't want to work primarily as a clinician.

Research = PhD
Public health = MPH