How many hours for each extra curricular to get into med school?

[tachybrady]

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Okay, so I'm finishing my freshman year right now and am planning out my EC's. I don't know how many hours minimum I should have to look good for medical schools, so I'd really appreciate your input.

I just had my interview for volunteering at an ER, and I think it went okay, so hopefully I can get in. I'm going to try to get 300+ hours there over two years (4 hours a week for 24 months).

Nevertheless, could you please tell me how much I should have minimum for each? This is what I've been thinking.

Clinical (hospital): 300+ hours
1st type non-clinical volunteering: 200+ hours
2nd type non-clinical volunteering: 200+ hours
Shadowing: 150+ hours
Undergrad research: ??? hours
Actual paid, clinical-related job: Junior + senior year
Clubs + leadership: Junior + senior year
(I will try to get some academic awards/scholarships in the meantime)

I need your help because maybe I'm overthinking this. I mean, I don't want to over-stress myself and have my academics suffer because I'm focusing too much on my extra curricular activities. Am I aiming for too much?

Thanks!

 

[tachybrady]

I'm also going to try to get certified for CPR and potentially phlebotomy. But I don't know if I'll have time.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Do you really think you will even stand a chance if you have fewer than 350 hours in each of 3 clinical volunteering experiences, 4 shadowing experiences, 2-3 non clinical experiences, 2 leadership roles, and 2-5 first author pubs in high impact journals in a research role?

Relax.

 

[Tachybradia]

you're fine.

Side note: nice username

 

[f4reignbeauty]

The important part about EC's is the learning lesson. How will these experiences contribute to you becoming a great doctor? There are no concrete minimums as it relates to ECs, but do things that you truly enjoy.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[Ismet]

Don't get certified for phlebotomy unless you actually plan to use it. Also putting CPR certification on your AMCAS is unnecessary. Everyone should get BLS certified, but don't do it because you think it will be something to put on your app. They'll make you do it prior to matriculation or at orientation anyway.

 

[tachybrady]

Thank you, all of you. One more thing: is it okay if I don't have work experience outside my volunteer activities? I just don't think I'll be able to work along with everything else. And I definitely don't want a gap year because I already will have a total of 5 years used up to complete my bachelor's.

 

[einsteinm]

Enough hours to show that you didn't just do it for medical school. I'd say over 100 for 2 years sounds good enough.

 

[Goro]

Your ECs numbers are excellent. No cookie cutter here.

Okay, so I'm finishing my freshman year right now and am planning out my EC's. I don't know how many hours minimum I should have to look good for medical schools, so I'd really appreciate your input.

I just had my interview for volunteering at an ER, and I think it went okay, so hopefully I can get in. I'm going to try to get 300+ hours there over two years (4 hours a week for 24 months).

Nevertheless, could you please tell me how much I should have minimum for each? This is what I've been thinking.

Clinical (hospital): 300+ hours
1st type non-clinical volunteering: 200+ hours
2nd type non-clinical volunteering: 200+ hours
Shadowing: 150+ hours
Undergrad research: ??? hours
Actual paid, clinical-related job: Junior + senior year
Clubs + leadership: Junior + senior year
(I will try to get some academic awards/scholarships in the meantime)

I need your help because maybe I'm overthinking this. I mean, I don't want to over-stress myself and have my academics suffer because I'm focusing too much on my extra curricular activities. Am I aiming for too much?

Thanks!

 

[MerciMerci]

You will enjoy your journey a lot more if you just do you. Find an experience you love and do it as often as you can. Their are the obvious expected box checks (such as some experience shadowing, etc) but aside from that, do something that will help you grow as a person.