This is a break down of the requirements for admissions at the University of Utah SoM. They break down the number of hours expected for research, patient care, physician shadowing, leadership experiences, etc... Maybe this will give you an idea of what some schools may be looking for in those categories that you mentioned:
Required Activities
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are defined as activities outside the usual duties of a full-time job and/or school. The committee is interested in how applicants deal with the demands of their lives outside of the classroom. This is a strong indicator of how well they handle responsibilities and deal with stressful situations. It also predicts how well they will handle the difficult demands of medical school. Activities may include sports, church, family, volunteering and other special interests.
- The minimum requirement is some involvement in outside activities.
- The average applicant devotes 20 hours per week during each of the 4 years prior to entering medical school to activities such as volunteer service, research, athletics, student government and family obligations.
Community/Volunteer Service
Community/Volunteer service is defined as involvement in a service activity without constraint or guarantee of reward or compensation. The medical profession is strongly oriented to service in the community. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the community by involving themselves in service and volunteer activities. Work performed in service learning courses and community service performed as part of employment does not satisfy this requirement.
- The minimum requirement is 36 hours.
- The average applicant devotes 48 hours during each of the 4 years prior to entering medical school.
Leadership
Leadership is defined as a position of responsibility for others, with a purpose to guide or direct others. Dedication, determination, ability to make decisions and a willingness to contribute to the welfare of others are indicators of one's ability to succeed in medicine. Individuals with these characteristics readily accept positions of leadership and are an asset to their community and profession. Leadership capacity can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. Positions in employment, church, community and school organizations including coaching, tutoring and mentoring will satisfy this requirement.
- The minimum leadership requirement is 1 leadership experience lasting 3 months during the 4 years prior to matriculation.
- The average applicant has 3 different leadership experiences each lasting 3 months during the 4 years prior to matriculation.
Research
Research is defined as involvement in a scholarly or scientific hypothesis investigation that is supervised by an individual with verifiable research credentials.
Research is the foundation of medical knowledge. We consider participation in research activities to be an important part of the preparation for medical school. Physicians depend on medical literature to remain current in their fields. Most physicians participate in research at some point in their careers. Research experience may be in any discipline and performed at any site. However, it must involve the testing of a hypothesis.
Research performed, as part of a class is not acceptable unless the course was in independent research and the applicant completed independent, hypothesis-based research under the supervision of the professor. Research completed for a graduate thesis is acceptable. Applicants should be able to describe their project, the hypothesis investigated, and their role in the conduct of the research.
- The minimum requirement is 4 hours per week for 2 months or the equivalent of 32 hours.
- The average experience is 4 hours per week for 3 months or the equivalent of 48 hours.
Physician Shadowing
Physician shadowing is defined as the observation of a physician as s/he cares for and treats patients and carries out the other responsibilities of medical practice.
Applicants should spend enough time directly shadowing physicians to understand the challenges, demands and lifestyle of a medical doctor. Shadowing must be done with an allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) physician. Time spent shadowing residents, physician assistants, podiatrists, veterinarians, nurses, EMT's, PhD's etc., will not be considered.
- The minimum requirement is 8 hours shadowing a physician(s) through all the activities of an average day.
- The average applicant spends 24 hours with a physician(s).
Patient Exposure
Patient exposure is defined as direct interaction with patients and hands-on involvement in the care of conscious people. It is important that the applicant be comfortable working with and around people who are ill.
Direct patient exposure can be gained in a variety of ways. Patient contact must include patients other than family members and friends and does not include indirect patient care such as housekeeping (cleaning operating rooms or patient rooms) working at the hospital information desk, or working in a pharmacy.
- The minimum patient exposure requirement is 4 hours per week for a period of 2 months or the equivalent of 32 hours.
- The average applicant spends 4 hours per week in patient exposure for 3 months or the equivalent of 48 hours.
Note: Time spent shadowing a physician cannot be used to meet the patient exposure requirement.
