<p>From what I have seen, most of the people that have been accepted into the BA/MD programs have done some research or shadowed some doctors. In my case, every summer I have to leave US to go out of town (so I can't apply to the summer research program) and I can't seem to get any doctor shadowing. (My hospital volunteer coordinator told me that in the past too many students wanted to shadow doctors, so they changed their rules) so does anyone out there think I have a chance to get admitted to any BA/MD program?
Please tell me if there are any other ways to get medical ECs. Thank you.</p>
<p>couple things. first of all, research is definitely not necessary for ba/md programs (heck, it's not even necessary for college students applying to med schools), but it's a definite plus.</p>
<p>second, I think shadowing a doctor is a requirement. At the very least you need to have had some serious patient contact (i.e. clinical experience). I suggest you forget about finding shadowing through your volunteer coordinator. The best way to get shadowing opportunities (this will come in handy when you try to shadow doctors in college too) is to contact the physician directly. Email, call, do whatever you can to explain your situation and your interest in having shadowing experience. Many doctors will not respond and some might reject you, but with enough persistence someone will take you on.</p>
<p>I am attending a BS/MD program next year (will not mention which one, however). I did not do ANY research or shadowing. I volunteered at the hospital for 40 hours...that was it (in terms of medical experience).</p>
<p>I think medical experience, whether it be shadowing, research, volunteering, etc. is required, but you only have to do one. Granted, some are more impressive than others. But don't think by any means that you need to do a certain one.</p>
<p>I am in my 3rd year of a BA/MD program, and I believe my large amount of clinical experience was a big factor in my acceptance. But a close friend in the program got accepted with NO clinical or research experience, because she had other unique things to offer. In short, I think research and clinical experience are definite pluses, but you still have a chance if you have other unique experineces/awards/positions under your belt and an obvious drive to become a doctor.</p>
<p>keep in mind that volunteering at the hospital, or even a nursing home, still fall under clinical experience.</p>
<p>I got in HPME this year and I bet that my clinical experience played a huge role in my acceptance. Though I had other very unique things to offer, my clinical experience demonstrated that I had tested medicine as a career and found it right for me. I had no research experience at all, but having research is always a big plus. I don't think either is absolutely necessary for acceptance into a BA/MD program, but they can help in big ways to get you in.</p>
<p>Research and doctor shadowing, although not essential could help tip the balance in your favor if someone with same stats is competing with you. </p>
<p>Additionally, it also indicates to Adcoms that your passion is more focused in Medical Sciences. </p>
<p>I have often seen kids who try to accomplish 20 different ECs all different, and without any focus or specific goal. A holistic approach may work to get in a LAC but for BA/MD programs, I would advice a more focused approach. It works!</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's advice! I will look more into it...</p>
<p>Same as some others, I have pretty extensive research experience (well...relatively) but zero clinical exposure.</p>
<p>I agree that for <em>most</em> combined programs (not PLME), an application heavily focused on the sciences and medicine works better than a more varied, holistic approach. After all, you have to prove that medicine is, without a doubt, your calling in life.</p>
<p>On the other hand, in my experience, a holistic approach (unless your science ECs and stats are phenomenal, research, etc.) tends to be better for the Ivies.</p>
<p>Of course, many of the people accepted into combined programs (especially the upper ones) also got into Ivies, but those people are usually the ones with the phenomenal science/clinical ECs.</p>
<p>I think any volunteering in a non-medical athmosphere is also of value because it shows you have a keen interest in helping others.</p>
<p>No its not ESSENTIAL but c'mon it obviously will help. Volunteer at a hospital or just get some shadowing by personally asking doctors.</p>