Which EC should I pursue this semester?

[rubisco88]

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[ppfizenm]

For this semester I'm trying to choose between volunteering as a vision screener, shadowing a DO or MD primary care doctor, or working in a food kitchen (or something else to help the less fortunate).

For this semester I can probably only handle one more activity for a about 4-5 hours a week. Right now I'm volunteering as a hospice volunteer, going to school 4 days a week, and taking an MCAT course/preparing. I'm applying to DO and MD schools in May/June 2012 and plan to have about 300 hrs of clinical experience after including hospice volunteer hours, free dental clinic hours, and scribe hours. Right now I have about 40 hours of shadowing two MD specialists. I don't have any non-clinical volunteer experience except mentoring/teaching and some minor leadership roles. I will have the next semester to do more activities as I'll be done with my MCAT in March and will not be taking classes.

Basically, I want to know which activity is most pressing. Do I need to start shadowing a DO as soon as possible in order to build a relationship and get a LOR or can I wait until January to start that.

If you don't have shadowing experience now would probably be the time. That is a must for med school.

 

[rubisco88]

If you don't have shadowing experience now would probably be the time. That is a must for med school.

I have 40 hrs of shadowing experience with MDs, not with a DO though.

 

[sector9]

I have 40 hrs of shadowing experience with MDs, not with a DO though.

How many of the 300 hours of clinical experience came from being a scribe?

 

[rubisco88]

How many of the 300 hours of clinical experience came from being a scribe?

Around 150

 

[Morsetlis]

Shadowing has quick diminishing returns because it's not "useful" work. More than 50 is not necessary. Balance your trifecta of clinical / volunteering / research effectively...

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I would say shadow around 3-4 doctors, for 10-15 hrs each. Branch out different specialities. Primary care is a must (peds and geris). Also, good ones (and one I'm planning to do) are Ophthalmic Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Cardiologist, Pathologist, and maybe Fam med.

 

[dmf2682]

You should shadow not to get into medical school, but to make sure medicine is right for you.

 

[Green Grass]

You should shadow not to get into medical school, but to make sure medicine is right for you.

This. Don't just do it to add to your AMCAS application.