How much does 'how long' matter?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
H

Hanguk

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
85
Reaction score
9
Members do not see this ad.
Hey guys,

I plan to apply to med schools this summer but I just got a research and volunteer position (both are linked) and plan to start this month. But I'm just curious as to what adcoms will think about a relatively recent experience? How much does it matter that I'm getting hospital/clinical research exposure 6-7 months before applications? As opposed to people who have it for ~1-2 years?

Or is it fine as long as I get exposure? I'm really excited to start and plan to really give as much time as I can.

Thanks!
 
Few months wont really give you the same experience or look as good as someone with a few years of experience. It might also bring up the question of whether you are really dedicated to a career in medicine (unlikely, but might happen). With the same logic, some will always be better then none. Try to get as much meaningful experience as you can.
 
Hanguk said:
Hey guys,

I plan to apply to med schools this summer but I just got a research and volunteer position (both are linked) and plan to start this month. But I'm just curious as to what adcoms will think about a relatively recent experience? How much does it matter that I'm getting hospital/clinical research exposure 6-7 months before applications? As opposed to people who have it for ~1-2 years?

Or is it fine as long as I get exposure? I'm really excited to start and plan to really give as much time as I can.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The length does matter. You also have to use it right though. It's a mix of how long your activities are and how well you portray them

And yes, this does sound a little dirty.
😎
 
Hanguk said:
How much does it matter that I'm getting hospital/clinical research exposure 6-7 months before applications? As opposed to people who have it for ~1-2 years?
Click to expand...

Don't underestimate the impact of a recent experience. I've been asked about a similarly recent experience on most of my interviews (and wrote about it in secondaries, for that matter), with positive results. Also, even more relevant since you have the added benefit of contemporaneity (i.e. "I'm working on this right now," rather than "Two years ago, I did this thing for 7 months").
 
Last edited:
I don't think it matters that much. Honestly, sometimes I feel like they just fill out a check box for whether or not you did a shadow or research or something. When they look in depth, I'm sure they separate the really deeply involved experiences from the smaller ones, but that's okay. Obviously this isn't a central part of your app. It's still a good experience you had though.
Besides, a lot will depend on how you write about it. Make it seem big and important. Was it?
 
I'm in the same boat as you OP. I'm looking to do the same this semester as well. If I don't get in this coming cycle, I am prepared to apply again next year. And by that time my EC's will have much more longevity. I am only considering applying to 2-3 schools (state school's) this go around, though. Good luck to you!👍
 
JCTWP46 said:
I'm in the same boat as you OP. I'm looking to do the same this semester as well. If I don't get in this coming cycle, I am prepared to apply again next year. And by that time my EC's will have much more longevity. I am only considering applying to 2-3 schools (state school's) this go around, though. Good luck to you!👍
Click to expand...

If only applying to 2-3 schools, just wait a year. You don't want to be a "reapplicant" if you can avoid it.
 
Do these commitments make up a full time schedule? I had a much shorter clinical experience than most applicants but it was a 50 hour per week job. In one week I probably had as much interaction with patients as some undergrads would get in one month.
 
OP-depends. A lot of my really shining EC activities didn't come until about a year before I applied. Take advantage of the opportunities when they arise and don't worry about the timing. Some people on SDN and other applicants don't necessarily realize that they want to be an MD in high school or freshman year of college. Therefore, it takes time to become a well balanced individual and so some of things that will look good on a CV or help you with your professional career won't come after you've grown up a bit, i.e. later on perhaps during soph/jr year. I can't speak for everyone but if you're passionate about something then you better follow through with it and do it to the best of your ability. Good luck! :luck:
 
As long as you have other experiences, having one that is recent isn't really going to hurt you. It is just another thing you are doing, and it will give you something recent to talk about in an interview. However, if you have no other clinical/research experience, starting right before you apply is going to look really bad. If the latter is the case, I would suggest waiting a year until you have some more meaningful experiences.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
How Much Does the MCAT Actually Matter in the App Review Process?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
A
How much does a mediocre LOR affect an application?
Replies
2
Views
953
asterok
A
F
How much weight does boyfriend resident at an institution carry
Replies
13
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
M
How much to spread out secondary topics?
Replies
5
Views
671
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
olofmeister
How much to have saved before med school?
Replies
4
Views
1K
olofmeister
olofmeister
Top