Lacking Significant Clinical Volunteering

[new_dood_don't_be_rude]

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So I am soon to be in the process of applying to medical school in June, and I had a question regarding clinical volunteering. I am currently a Junior and have not volunteered in a hospital setting since my Freshman year; I had about 50 hours. After my first year, I got a job as a scribe, where I will have gathered about 1500 hours by the time I apply. I've heard that clinical volunteering is not completely necessary if you work in healthcare AND have a good amount of non-clinical volunteering, so should I be okay?

For reference, I have about 350 hours non-clinical volunteering, 250 of that with a non-profit I helped start on my college campus. I also conduct research and serve as a TA, so my schedule definitely is pretty packed. I'd appreciate any feedback!
@Goro @LizzyM

 

[MonkeyArrow]

You’re fine.

 

[scienceguy95]

I remember asking SDN for advice on my chances after reporting I had little volunteering (clinical and non clinical). One of the adcoms here basically said my chances are very low despite good stats. I ended up applying anyway and got nearly 10 interviews from top schools and several acceptances (still waiting on some more decisions).

My point is that you should really take some of the advice given here with a grain of salt. It seems like you have good clinical exposure. As long as your numbers are good and you write compelling essays, you have a good chance.

 

[DSM_302.0]

Clinical exposure is very important, not necessarily clinical *volunteering*. Scribing covers that for sure.

It's also important to show empathy and concern for others in some way, which you've done with all your other volunteering. I wouldn't worry, so long as you can talk about all these experiences in a thoughtful way on your application.

 

[LizzyM]

You've got clinical exposure covered. You might have community service covered depending on the kind of non-profit you've been involved with. You've got research & teaching covered (TA) so your success will be riding on GPA/MCAT, LORs and essays, plus your interview skills. Stay humble.

 

[ciestar]

I had ZERO clinical volunteering. 10 II anyway. You need clinical exposure and volunteering, they don’t have to be at the same venue.

 

[new_dood_don't_be_rude]

Thanks so much for the responses, everyone! They've been a big help.

 

[Goro]

So I am soon to be in the process of applying to medical school in June, and I had a question regarding clinical volunteering. I am currently a Junior and have not volunteered in a hospital setting since my Freshman year; I had about 50 hours. After my first year, I got a job as a scribe, where I will have gathered about 1500 hours by the time I apply. I've heard that clinical volunteering is not completely necessary if you work in healthcare AND have a good amount of non-clinical volunteering, so should I be okay?

For reference, I have about 350 hours non-clinical volunteering, 250 of that with a non-profit I helped start on my college campus. I also conduct research and serve as a TA, so my schedule definitely is pretty packed. I'd appreciate any feedback!
@Goro @LizzyM

Scribing is an acceptable substitute for clinical volunteering.

 

[moisne]

You are fine. I had 100 hours of clinical experience total... and I did fine. Pre meds are always more anxious than they need to be. Calming down will help you and your application/interview.