<p>So it's common knowledge that clinical experience is a great way to verify that you want to pursue medicine and it looks great on an application, but what exactly constitutes clinical experience? And furthermore, how much is enough?</p>
<p>I've had people tell me to get 1000 hours of experience volunteering in a clinical setting... are there particular medical schools out there that require a certain amount of hours volunteering? Is volunteering the best way to get clinical experience?</p>
<p>Is shadowing a doctor an acceptable form of clinical experience? Is it "worse" in the eyes of a Medical School when compared to volunteering, or the same? Also, what about working in a clinical setting and getting paid for it? Does that carry the same weight as shadowing or volunteering?</p>
<p>It's already my sophomore year, and I just recently (this semester) made the decision to pursue medicine. I want to get experience in a clinical setting (in fact, I'm looking forward to it), however I'm not sure how I should go about it.</p>
<p>My biggest concern is that 1000 hours; it's doable by the time I will be applying to medical school, but it would eliminate any possibility of working during the semester, and really cut into my income during the summers (hence my interest in clinical experience that pays).</p>
<p>Any insight on this subject is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I had very little clinical experience - I had been volunteering at the same rural hospital in my hometown since high school. Since it was in my hometown, I was only there during the winter breaks and the summers when I wasn't away. I doubt I even hit 100 hours during the 4 years of college. However, I also had another form of community service as a major activity during college, but it wasn't clinically related.</p>
<p>Just trying to show you that 1000 hours and no summertime jobs is not necessary for everyone.</p>
<p>1.) Spending time with patients.
2.) Enough that you feel you're growing form the experience.
3.) No.
4.) It's a very good way.
5.) Yes.
6.) Probably the same, but a balance of the two is even better.
7.) Fine also, but probably shouldn't replace the other two.</p>
<p>Thank you Shades and BDM, your answers were very helpful to me!</p>
<p>do enough so u can talk about it in the interview and how it affected u as a person</p>
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do enough so u can talk about it in the interview and how it affected u as a person
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<p>And do enough that you are credible. 8 hours in an ER is bound to affect you in more ways than one, but not all of them are pre-med material.</p>
<p>do u have any suggestions on what would be a good base for clinical experience so as they can take u seriously?</p>
<p>You want to aim for a combination of experiences that reflect your commitment to a life as a doctor. Try for a combination of volunteering, employment in health care, shadowing doctors. Also look into volunteering with special needs populations such as Special Olympics, camps for children with special needs, crisis hotlines, and so on. </p>
<p>Find some kind of volunteer position with that you like and that is meaningful to you. My D volunteered in her local hospital for six months (one afternoon or night per week) and then moved on to volunteering at a day care program for fragile elderly adults. She really liked that work and learned a lot about dealing with elderly with cognitive issues. She wrote about that in her personal statement for med school application.</p>