How did you guys get by obtaining clinical hours while studying?

[BeGladNonTrad]

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I'm trying to get clinical hours that will allow me flexibility for taking classes and contribute towards some bills. I'll have most of my pre-reqs done by winter of this year, if all goes well. I already had to quit my FT job to take the classes I needed, so I kind of need something to pay the bills, but I'm open to volunteer too. I think I just want the hours to confirm this is what I want, and to apply this cycle; not because I want to rush it, but it makes financial sense and also it would be the best route for me. I project I'd finish all the pre-reqs and MCAT by September if I really push. Next spring if I take it light.

The problem with next spring is that life's wierd. I'm in my 30's and trying to not worry my parents that I quit my job to pursue pre-med studies... (they don't know yet 😆) If I finish spring of next year, and I was accepted to start in fall 2027, that'd be another year of being in this limbo state. I can make the best of it, like I said taking it easy, maybe traveling to a very low cost of living country and self-studying materials of interest- I've got a running book and topics to research list- but I'm not sure if some admissions comittees might look down on that. I don't want to give the impressionI'm not taking it seriously despite the sacrifices I would have made and am signing up to make for the next few years.

Really, just seeking to hear your experiences obtaining clinical hours or if anyone else didn't have access to night classes. I was considering moving to a larger metro area, but I already have my support network here as well as a volunteer commitment that requires me to be a stable presence for a child.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I took most of my prereqs at the CC as night classes then moved to an online college to finish the ones that weren't offered. I did a Saturday clinic and volunteered at the hospital NICU on Sundays. I also worked full time. I was pretty much on 80+ hours a week and never had a break for 3-4 years.

 

[LindaAccepted]

I'm trying to get clinical hours that will allow me flexibility for taking classes and contribute towards some bills. I'll have most of my pre-reqs done by winter of this year, if all goes well. I already had to quit my FT job to take the classes I needed, so I kind of need something to pay the bills, but I'm open to volunteer too. I think I just want the hours to confirm this is what I want, and to apply this cycle; not because I want to rush it, but it makes financial sense and also it would be the best route for me. I project I'd finish all the pre-reqs and MCAT by September if I really push. Next spring if I take it light.

The problem with next spring is that life's wierd. I'm in my 30's and trying to not worry my parents that I quit my job to pursue pre-med studies... (they don't know yet 😆) If I finish spring of next year, and I was accepted to start in fall 2027, that'd be another year of being in this limbo state. I can make the best of it, like I said taking it easy, maybe traveling to a very low cost of living country and self-studying materials of interest- I've got a running book and topics to research list- but I'm not sure if some admissions comittees might look down on that. I don't want to give the impressionI'm not taking it seriously despite the sacrifices I would have made and am signing up to make for the next few years.

Really, just seeking to hear your experiences obtaining clinical hours or if anyone else didn't have access to night classes. I was considering moving to a larger metro area, but I already have my support network here as well as a volunteer commitment that requires me to be a stable presence for a child.

Have you considered a part-time scribe job? Or any part-time work in the clinical field. You might need to get certification, but you would then get paid and also get excellent clinical experience. SDN just published an article on certifications that can lead to jobs/ and clinical exposure.

 

[BeGladNonTrad]

Yeah. Scribe is the plan right now due to lowest up front-time commitment on cert.

 

[Rezi]

I worked in fast food restaurants for years before choosing to pursue medicine. When I needed clinical hours, I switched to scribing mainly while keeping a couple restaurant shifts a week since they had more affordable health insurance. Both jobs were pretty flexible in terms of accommodating my class schedule and I only did 12 hour shifts as a scribe. I ended up taking the prereqs part-time because I couldn't afford to work any less, but it ended up working out in the end as I received a LOR from my attending.

 

[BeGladNonTrad]

I worked in fast food restaurants for years before choosing to pursue medicine. When I needed clinical hours, I switched to scribing mainly while keeping a couple restaurant shifts a week since they had more affordable health insurance. Both jobs were pretty flexible in terms of accommodating my class schedule and I only did 12 hour shifts as a scribe. I ended up taking the prereqs part-time because I couldn't afford to work any less, but it ended up working out in the end as I received a LOR from my attending.

Congrats! Thanks for sharing too! It's motivating hear these experiences.

 

[esob]

Hospice volunteering is generally looked upon favorably by most adcoms and can double up as both community service and clinical hours. All but a few of my hospice visit hours were done on my own schedule, so, for example, if I had to go to the grocery store and one of the facilities was nearby, I would plan an hr visit and then go to the grocery store (so it saved gas as well).

 

[WIFEL585]

Who cares about that stuff. Clinical hours are meaningless. Just make up the numbers/clinical hours and study to get whatever GPA/MCAT is required to get into medical school. Medical school admissions committee can’t verify hours for the zillions of applicants trying to get into medical school.

Just play the game. That’s what it comes down to.

 

[WIFEL585]

I’m 10+ years past all that stuff. I’m just speaking the facts and from personal experience. Was in the application phase around 2013-2014. Having a good conscience and doing it “the right way” doesn’t matter at all. Getting your foot in the door and surviving while inside is what does matter. Plenty of people tried doing it “the right way” and didn’t get in.

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

I’m 10+ years past all that stuff. I’m just speaking the facts and from personal experience. Was in the application phase around 2013-2014. Having a good conscience and doing it “the right way” doesn’t matter at all. Getting your foot in the door and surviving while inside is what does matter. Plenty of people tried doing it “the right way” and didn’t get in.

It's not hard to get a summer or PRN job man. That you would recommend someone to lie and falsify their application to a field where you're supposed to have integrity and wield significant power over peoples lives says a lot about you, none of it good.

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

I've heard from physicians I shadowed that they would have a "much harder time" getting into med school now than in their day. The fact that older generations of physicians didn't have to do all this extra stuff suggests that it's not completely necessary, and primarily exists to stratify the pool of applicants.

To gain an acceptance, an applicant must understand how to "play the game" by learning what medical schools look for, and communicating it in a way that feels authentic. There is a much smaller margin of error now than in the past, and successful applicants understand that many of their true motives and attitudes must therefore remain hidden. (Examples of "taboo", "naive", or "selfish" motivations include: A love for science, a love for problem-solving, a fascination with the human body, a desire for job security, having a parent or role model in the medical field, the satisfaction of high achievement, the reward of saving a life.) An ideal applicant will assemble a resume of activities and "experiences" that portray them as an uncompromisingly selfless person dedicated to the health of a community, and with perfectly rational motivations. It is not "competitive" to express a desire for the lifestyle and career path of a physician.

To put on a smile and "play the game" is one level of deception. To deliberately lie about one's *actions* is a bit more sinister. Both are unethical; only the former is necessary.

I've had the fortune of enjoying 100% of my "extracurriculars" and being genuine on my application. It would be unreasonable to expect the same from everyone.