<p>if going for md/phd... and your research hours are going to be more than sufficient, but make it difficult for shadowing and volunteering...what is "acceptable"?...ie S2 will have about 2000 research hours by the time he applies, but possibly only 100 shadowing and 100 volunteering...</p>
<p>Quality of time spent is more important than quantity. The answer for the question “How much is enough?” is based on the student’s ability to persuasively communicate, by “showing” and not by simply “telling”, : </p>
<p>1) that they understand what they are getting into by clinical experience and shadowing physicians and</p>
<p>2) that they care about others by showing a history of working for the benefit of others, selflessly and without further purpose.</p>
<p>“Hours spent” is just one way to be persuasive.</p>
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<p>I am applying exclusively MSTP/MD-PhD and have asked this question to top level admins at several institutions. The answer has always been that they are well aware of the time constraints of students who are focused on research and so do not expect the “volunteering” hours that an MD only applicant might need. However, most do want you to do some shadowing. Beware that this is not universal. I have also heard some (a minority) say that their programs insist that you first are accepted by the Medical School. (which was then contradicted by an admin from another school sitting right beside them, <em>sigh</em>)</p>
<p>An “old” msar book, using 2009 figures, breaks down “the proportion of accepted applicants with relevant experience” by each school, using the three categories shown below. For instance, UAB (the first MS listed) shows:
Community-Service/Volunteer 77%
Medically-Related Work 84%
Research 81%</p>
<p>By comparison,
Georgetown 72%, 88%, 82%
Mount Sinai 64%, 88%, 87%
Duke has 73%, 91%, 94%
Vandy 79%, 89%, 96%
Yale 72%, 91%, 97%</p>
<p>So it’s all different and varies by school and focus.</p>
<p>wow, i would have thought the higher percentages would have been the volunteering .</p>
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<p>For talented students who have decided to dedicate their lives to science(proven by their research work), this has already been answered.</p>
<p>Nope. Sorry but your statement goes too far, plumazul. That ain’t even gonna work for all MSTP’s or MD/Phd’s much less all med schools. Folks, get some volunteering experience that show agape and don’t rely on a great research resume to negate the need for any/all volunteering. Risky play, IMO. </p>
<p>IMO you need some volunteering hours for a healthy app.</p>
<p>
Huh? Can you explain what you mean?</p>
<p>Agape. A selfless love of your fellow man. From the Greek.</p>
<p>Well that’s a new definition I never heard of. This is the one I am most familiar with:</p>
<p>very surprised, expectant, or eager, esp as indicated by a wide open mouth</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification.</p>
<p>That would be a-gape. This is a-ga-pe.</p>
<p>it’s an ancient greek word kdog, try this dictionary instead: [Greek</a> Word Study Tool](<a href=“Greek Word Study Tool”>Greek Word Study Tool)</p>
<p>I agree with curm. MSTP admissions is not about “you don’t have to do X because you’re MD/PhD and not MD,” it’s about “you have to do X AND Y because you’re MD/PhD and not MD.” While I’m sure some slack is given, I would not plan on skimping on any aspect of your application just because you’re applying for a PhD as well.</p>
<p>I have read a few suggestions in reference to ways to keep track of volunteer/shadowing hours. I’d love to hear what method worked well for you or your son or daughter? </p>
<p>Knowing what you know now, how would you track these activities with medical school applications in mind.</p>
<p>DS did not keep track during HS. When applying for college, this came back to bite him. Way too much time spent trying to remember it all and organize the experiences and attach hours.</p>
<p>Can’t help except to say it was nothing orderly or verified or official . But many of her hours were big hours in a short period of time. Two weeks or a month at a time, 40 hours per. That helped.</p>
<p>wasnt thinking he wouldnt have to do some or use md/phd app as excuse for not having done it…just trying to get a feel for what is expected</p>
<p>I have a planner that I use almost religiously. I save old planners on a bookshelf in my parents’ house. I wrote down shadowing or volunteer or whatever appointments just like I would other meetings, and then went back through and tallied everything up when I was putting together AMCAS. Piece of cake.</p>
<p>Thanks kristin! Sounds like a great strategy.</p>