Volunteering and shadowing hours?

[boringknot]

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I am currently a junior who was quite late in getting my EC's in order. Throughout this school year, I've started leadership and volunteer activities that I'm very excited about. I know that I will have to take a gap year because of this reason, but realistically if I want to only take one, by application time (2021) I will be looking at an optimistic 120 - 150 hours in each clinical and non-clinical volunteering. Is this ok, assuming I continue these activities throughout my gap year?

Also, as a Canadian applicant, it is effectively impossible to shadow a doctor due to regulations here (some schools consider it a detractor if listed on your app). Is there any way to work around this? A clinical job? Medical scribes have only recently become a thing here and I think there are only like 20 positions in total

 

[Cornfed101]

120-150 is on the low side. Maybe shoot for more hours if you can, but I don't think it's necessary to take an additional gap year (apply 2022 cycle) just to pad your hours.

The purpose of shadowing is to demonstrate that you know what you are getting yourself into. Adcoms don't expect you to break the law, but you should have some kind of clinical experience that puts you around physicians. A clinical job would be good.

 

[DrWhom]

you still have time! yes clinical experience is more important than specifically shadowing and many adcoms will be familiar with canadian applicants and the shadowing restriction. you might also find this page helpful- How Many Hours of Volunteering Do I Need for Medical School & What’s the Best Type of Volunteer Activity for Making My Application Stand Out?

 

[boringknot]

you still have time! yes clinical experience is more important than specifically shadowing and many adcoms will be familiar with canadian applicants and the shadowing restriction. you might also find this page helpful- How Many Hours of Volunteering Do I Need for Medical School & What’s the Best Type of Volunteer Activity for Making My Application Stand Out?

Thanks for the info and the link! BeMo seems to have some quality information

 

[DrWhom]

Thanks for the info and the link! BeMo seems to have some quality information

glad I could help and good luck