I'm a freshman of college studying biochemistry and am on the pre-med route. I work 8 hours every Sunday as a CNA at a nursing home. I'm currently taking 14 credit hours of classes. Molecular and Cellular Bio, General Chemistry, and General Physic. I have classes from 8-3:50pm every weekday. I have 3 lab reports so I generally spends 6 hours per class every week on school work and studying. I don't plan on doing research this semester, maybe next semester. All in all, I have ~30 hours of free time. I need to start planning how to put those extra time into good use.
Ok, now the questions:
-Does me working as a CNA count as clinical experience? though I'm not working at a hospital and I'm not really doing any medical related tasks. My job is pretty much helping the residents to the bathroom, get them change, and put them to bed. Also, is 8 hours too less? I have scholarships, financial aids, and my mom so I don't really have to pay for anything so I technically don't need to work at all. But do med school typically think more of an applicant who work more? since it make them seem more capable and hard-working.
-How many volunteer hours do I at least need to have before applying for med school? Should I volunteer more at a medical related setting or humanity related setting? Or should I just do like half/half?
-For the extracurricular activities, is it ok that I'm not involve in any sports or clubs. I'm horrible at sport. I am in a few club (adventure club, chem club, and pre-med club) However, I don't held any leadership position in the organization, so it's pretty pointless to include those as extracurriculars, right? What are some extracurriculars that med school would like to see other than those that involves leadership. Because I really have no interest in managing a club, though it would be a big bonus on the resume.
-Lastly, how many research hours and shadowing hours do I at least need to have before applying for med school? I know the numbers vary and just depend on the individual's abilities, but I just want to know what is the *minimum* I must have.
Ok, now the questions:
-Does me working as a CNA count as clinical experience? though I'm not working at a hospital and I'm not really doing any medical related tasks. My job is pretty much helping the residents to the bathroom, get them change, and put them to bed. Also, is 8 hours too less? I have scholarships, financial aids, and my mom so I don't really have to pay for anything so I technically don't need to work at all. But do med school typically think more of an applicant who work more? since it make them seem more capable and hard-working.
-How many volunteer hours do I at least need to have before applying for med school? Should I volunteer more at a medical related setting or humanity related setting? Or should I just do like half/half?
-For the extracurricular activities, is it ok that I'm not involve in any sports or clubs. I'm horrible at sport. I am in a few club (adventure club, chem club, and pre-med club) However, I don't held any leadership position in the organization, so it's pretty pointless to include those as extracurriculars, right? What are some extracurriculars that med school would like to see other than those that involves leadership. Because I really have no interest in managing a club, though it would be a big bonus on the resume.
-Lastly, how many research hours and shadowing hours do I at least need to have before applying for med school? I know the numbers vary and just depend on the individual's abilities, but I just want to know what is the *minimum* I must have.
