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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
Question About Clinical Experience
Started by Dr. Death
Tough call. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule for this.. If you worked with the health professionals as well, I'd say it falls underclinical.
You should get some clinical experience before applying. Not just for your application but, more importantly, to see if you actually want to be a doctor. I didn't have much clinical experience before applying and now I'm kind stuck in a career that I dislike.
why do you dislike medicine?
I'd call it clinical.
But you'll need to get something with actual patients...ie, sick people...injured people.
But you'll need to get something with actual patients...ie, sick people...injured people.
Volunteer at your local hospital as well. Shouldnt be too hard to secure a position there..
Not sure where you are in your career, but have you considered palliative care?
What specialty is this?
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Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you an anesthesiology resident @cliquesh ?
Yep.
How many hours are important to have as far as clinical volunteering goes?
Does the length of time involved also matter?
Also, does it look bad if you weren't involved in the organizations for a long time (like more than a year) but have a decent amount of hours thus far (~ 200+)
I've gotten involved in free health clinic only since last December and will have about 150 by the time I apply this June. I don't want to make it seem that I'm rushing to get all of my hours in just to fulfill some number but also want to make sure I hit the spots med schools want in terms of ECs
Does the length of time involved also matter?
Also, does it look bad if you weren't involved in the organizations for a long time (like more than a year) but have a decent amount of hours thus far (~ 200+)
I've gotten involved in free health clinic only since last December and will have about 150 by the time I apply this June. I don't want to make it seem that I'm rushing to get all of my hours in just to fulfill some number but also want to make sure I hit the spots med schools want in terms of ECs
I don't think duration matters. Some opportunities may only come with a limited amount of hours.
Hint: there are some specific things about clinical experience and volunteering that are important to adcoms, but they do not include an arbitrary number of hours or length of time.
Figure out what the important things are and the hours/time question becomes obvious (or obviously trivial).
ahh I see. thanks! I just am a typical neurotic pre-med and worry about how an adcom will dig through and try to find faults with my app.
