How many volunteer hours do I need?

[jace's mom]

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Hi all. I'm new, and I'm wondering if someone can give me advice as I haven't seen a scenario on the board yet that is quite like mine.

I'm a non-trad (32 yrs old, married, 4 children) with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics (Minor in Biology) and a Masters of Public Health. I knew even before I finished my graduate degree that I wanted to go back and supplement my MPH with some type of clinical program, although I wasn't sure what. I had considered MD school after undergrad, but several factors led me to believe that wasn't where God was calling me. As it happened, my job after grad school (Health Inspector, Health Dept representative for a small town) put me near a good DO school, and as soon as I read the school's information, I knew that the philosophy and teachings of DO matched very well with my own philosophy of health care. I have the necessary prereqs, and I'm currently studying for the August MCAT in order to do a late application. I know it might be a long shot this year, but I'm okay with that. The college I'm near encourages apps so that you can meet with their advisor if you don't get in and determine your weaknesses. If I don't get in this year, I'll just be ready for early decision next year! I like my job well enough, so it's no hardship.

Here's my info:
Undergrad GPA: 3.917 (4.0 in all math and science)
Graduate GPA: ~3.7 (Can't remember exactly at the moment)
Haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I'm a very good test-taker, and I'm studying my heart out with my Kaplan book/textbooks.
Current employment: Health inspector, health department official. This includes health inspection, public speaking, health education, environmental health, and epidemiology.
Health volunteer experience: Volunteer firefighter. Will also be taking an ECA or EMT class when the next one opens up.
Other volunteer experience: Member of church handbell choir.

I'm most worried about the lack of clinical shadowing/volunteering. I can probably find a DO who will let me shadow, but it will most likely only amount to about 16 hours as I work full-time. I'd like to count the Volunteer Fire Dept as clinical experience, but I'm afraid it won't be enough hours or that I won't finish the EMT course soon enough to make my application look good. I think I can fit some ER shadowing into my schedule, but it won't be a bunch of hours. How big of a weakness do you think this is? How many volunteer hours should I have?

Thanks for any advice y'all can give!

 

[scpod]

Hi all. I'm new, and I'm wondering if someone can give me advice as I haven't seen a scenario on the board yet that is quite like mine.

With your GPA, life experiences, and a good MCAT (assuming you do well) you don't need a whole lot of clinical experience to get in somewhere. There are some schools, DMU is an example, that require an LOR from a clinical supervisor, but most that I looked at don't. The single best thing that you can do is really rock the MCAT. Good Luck!

 

[relentless11]

Yea what scpod said. I mean at most you can do some shadowing as you suggested. Even if its only a total of 16hrs, I think the fact that you need to work, and the rest of your application is great, you should be OK. Just do well on the MCAT.

I think if you shadow a physician for say....an hour a week for a total of a month, you should provide you enough information about what a MD/DOs life is about. Might depend on the physician or dept you are shadowing. Some physicians are really helpful, they walk you through their routine, while others don't say anything, and you are essentially a shadow..haha. If you get the former, then you might get more out of one day of shadowing. Some departments are somewhat busy at times, and the physicians may not have time to say much, like the ER. But ER's also have a lot of down time, and they are happy to talk to you then as well. I ran into a DO who was a fellow in the ICU, and he was very helpful.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

I agree with what the folks up there said. At this point, however, I would do however many hours of shadowing you feel would benefit you personally. I know it's tough to work in the time with family and your job (I'm in the same boat), but it sure couldn't hurt you in the long run!

Good luck!

Kim