How much clinical experience?

[oNichole]

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I just recently decided that I want to g to medical school. I will be a sophomore in college this fall and I was wondering around how many hours of clinical experience is recommended. 200, 300, 500? I was also wondering how many ECs we are expected to be involved in. I currently volunteer for the humane society (which I will continue to do throughout undergrad). Would shadowing 4-5 doctors, getting about 200 hours clinical experience volunteering in a hospital, volunteering for humane society, and working part time throughout school be enough to get me into medical school? Or should I be shooting for more hours, more volunteer experience, clubs, etc? Sorry if this sounds stupid. I am a compulsive planner and don't want to underplan and not be accepted, or overplan and burn myself out. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mobius1985]

You should probably have at least a year of clinical experience. If you volunteer somewhere for 3-4 hours/week that would be fine. The average applicant has about 1.5 years, and some have hundreds of hours. If you are providing another community service like Humane Society, that is great. Keep it up. If you shadow 2-3 types of doc for 8-40 hours each, you'll be fine. Some follow just one doc for longer, and some shadow 5-6. Some do this for hundreds of hours, but most do not. It depends on your time and interest. This need not be a consistent activity. You could do it over school breaks and be fine. Also conssider a research activity and some leadership. Teaching is also valued. If you do all this, you are not guaranteed a med school admission, as other factors have importance as well: a good GPA, BCPM GPA, Personal Statement, positive Letters of Recommendation, and excellent interview skills. Clubs aren't much help unless you take on a leadership role, or it is an avenue to community service.

 

[oNichole]

Thank you very much for your input. It was really helpful! 🙂