No recent clinical experience - an issue?

[EpilepticRat]

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Hello folks - I'm applying next cycle, and have approximately 800 hours of volunteering experience in a clinical setting that I accrued over two summers. However, these were the summers of my freshman and sophomore year, and I haven't added any clinical volunteering experience since. I'm now a little over a year out of college, and will be on my 2nd gap year by the time my application is in.

Would it be deleterious if I didn't add any additional clinical volunteering between now and the next cycle? Between full-time employment, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and as a tutor, I'd definitely have to drop something if I were to get more clinical experience. Thanks.

 

[Catalystik]

Hello folks - I'm applying next cycle, and have approximately 800 hours of volunteering experience in a clinical setting that I accrued over two summers. However, these were the summers of my freshman and sophomore year, and I haven't added any clinical volunteering experience since. I'm now a little over a year out of college, and will be on my 2nd gap year by the time my application is in.

Would it be deleterious if I didn't add any additional clinical volunteering between now and the next cycle? Between full-time employment, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and as a tutor, I'd definitely have to drop something if I were to get more clinical experience. Thanks.

Do you have clinical employment now? What was the timing of your physician shadowing?

 

[EpilepticRat]

Do you have clinical employment now? What was the timing of your physician shadowing?

Currently I am involved in paid research. Did some shadowing a few years back, but have shadowed a PCP only a few months back.

 

[Catalystik]

Currently I am involved in paid research. Did some shadowing a few years back, but have shadowed a PCP only a few months back.

Do you interact with patients during your research? How many PCP shadowing hours did you accumulate a few months ago?

 

[EpilepticRat]

Do you interact with patients during your research? How many PCP shadowing hours did you accumulate a few months ago?

No it's all wet lab work. Around 30hrs, about a month or two ago.

 

[Catalystik]

No it's all wet lab work. Around 30hrs, about a month or two ago.

I'm applying next cycle, and have approximately 800 hours of volunteering experience in a clinical setting that I accrued over . . . the summers of my freshman and sophomore year, and I haven't added any clinical volunteering experience since. I'm now a little over a year out of college, and will be on my 2nd gap year by the time my application is in.

Would it be deleterious if I didn't add any additional clinical volunteering between now and the next cycle?

I have to admit your pattern of clinical involvement would make MY eyebrow rise. YMMV with other adcomms, but I suggest adding more recent clinical volunteering before you apply, perhaps in an unrelated venue from before. You don't want your application to read like someone who really belongs in a PhD program.

 

[EpilepticRat]

I have to admit your pattern of clinical involvement would make MY eyebrow rise. YMMV with other adcomms, but I suggest adding more recent clinical volunteering before you apply, perhaps in an unrelated venue from before. You don't want your application to read like someone who really belongs in a PhD program.

Those were my concerns too. I'll look into it asap. Thanks!