How Many Clinical Volunteering Hours for Gap Year?

[IcePenguin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have about 280 hours from the past four years of undergrad. How many hours should I aim for during my gap year this year? Will medical schools be more lenient on the number of hours required since it's hard to get experience during these times?

Because of covid, I haven't been able to volunteer in hospitals, so I might go apply to be a scribe. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[deleted1040417]

I think I read somewhere 200+ clinical volunteer hours are good. I'd argue it is a time of clinical employment and you cannot expect COVID to suddenly vanish (although we will see how the vaccine holds up in the UK shortly). Scribing gives the best of both worlds placing you beside a physician and seeing the day-to-day while charting.

 

[Goro]

I have about 280 hours from the past four years of undergrad. How many hours should I aim for during my gap year this year? Will medical schools be more lenient on the number of hours required since it's hard to get experience during these times?

Because of covid, I haven't been able to volunteer in hospitals, so I might go apply to be a scribe. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

280 hrs is already good. Get as many as you want. Do what you love and love what you do.

 

[IcePenguin]

280 hrs is already good. Get as many as you want. Do what you love and love what you do.

Yay! But I'm confused. Aren't we supposed to get more hours during gap year though? And I thought 280 hours is already low for four years of undergrad, from what I've seen for other premed applicants.

 

[ihoop24]

Yay! But I'm confused. Aren't we supposed to get more hours during gap year though? And I thought 280 hours is already low for four years of undergrad, from what I've seen for other premed applicants.

Goro is saying that 280 hours is already sufficient enough and that if you enjoy the activity, keep doing it and increase those hours. Also, avoid comparing yourself to other pre meds.

 

[Goro]

Yay! But I'm confused. Aren't we supposed to get more hours during gap year though? And I thought 280 hours is already low for four years of undergrad, from what I've seen for other premed applicants.

Yay! But I'm confused. Aren't we supposed to get more hours during gap year though? And I thought 280 hours is already low for four years of undergrad, from what I've seen for other premed applicants.

The purpose of a gap year is to fill hole sin your app.

Your clinical exposure hours are one of them.

280 hrs might be low on the Planet Zool, but here on earth, that's a fine number. Do not be thrown off by hyperacheivers here on SDN