Clinic/Shadow Requirements and Applying to Med School?

[Anonymous]

I have a junior DS in high school who has stated they want to go the med school route for years now. Someone just told them that when they do apply to medical school there is a requirement for shadowing and clinic hours? Overall how many hours are required? I tried looking it up on the AAMC website but couldn't find an answer.

If a significant amount of hours are required is it best to look to attend undergraduate schools that have more opportunities for accumulating these hours?

[Anonymous]

Don’t look for a “top” school. Look for one where *he* can be at the top and that has a medical school or hospital on campus or nearby, where he can easily get involved. Also, don’t waste your money on a full pay private for undergrad.

—mom of a med student

[Anonymous]

In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

In this context what does "recommended" mean?

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to say the admission is really really hard...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

I don't think 50-100 hours is enough. Why do you think one of the main reasons for kids taking a gap year or even two gap years? I suspect your qualifications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

I don't think 50-100 hours is enough. Why do you think one of the main reasons for kids taking a gap year or even two gap years? I suspect your qualifications.

Agree! My DS knew NO ONE with that few of hours. There are fours years plus summers. Really not hard to get more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

EVMS? Carilion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to say the admission is really really hard...

This. It is almost out of control and impossible. Applicants now have thousands of combined hours of research, clinical work, nonclinical volunteering, shadowing, and they have publications in scientific journals, near 4.0 gpas, and over 90 percentile mcats. I can’t fathom a young person doing all of this, and I am sure that, while these types of people are smart and driven, they may not make the best future doctors because they have had no time for any life experiences. But, it will be a crazy seller’s market until Congress raises the cap on funded residencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to say the admission is really really hard...

Yes, everyone I knew who went into medicine 20 years ago was normal, went to parties, dated, socialized and had good solid grades and some volunteering experience. Now, these types of mere mortals can’t get in. You have to be a genius gunner uber nerd who spends every second of your life from age 5 on building your medical school application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general 50-100 hours is recommended--each school varies with this requirement, so your student should check each medical school they apply to for their specific "magic number."

-Doctor who sits on a Va medical school admissions committee

I don't think 50-100 hours is enough. Why do you think one of the main reasons for kids taking a gap year or even two gap years? I suspect your qualifications.

It is enough for shadowing. The hours you are probably thinking of are for other clinical and volunteering experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to say the admission is really really hard...

Yes, everyone I knew who went into medicine 20 years ago was normal, went to parties, dated, socialized and had good solid grades and some volunteering experience. Now, these types of mere mortals can’t get in. You have to be a genius gunner uber nerd who spends every second of your life from age 5 on building your medical school application.

I have to agree, I see many docs at Hopkins due to medical issues that are rare and complex. Gen X docs seem like they have a personality and normal--you may like or dislike their personality but they seem human, baby boomers-the rare ones left have that "doctor look" ,but the young residents look like Artificial Intelligence and have odd social demeanor.

[Anonymous]

ditto. My freshman is so interested in medicine but I keep discouraging it....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to say the admission is really really hard...

Yes, everyone I knew who went into medicine 20 years ago was normal, went to parties, dated, socialized and had good solid grades and some volunteering experience. Now, these types of mere mortals can’t get in. You have to be a genius gunner uber nerd who spends every second of your life from age 5 on building your medical school application.

Everyone I know 20 years ago went to med school for the money. The med students I know now have a more authentic interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ditto. My freshman is so interested in medicine but I keep discouraging it....

Don’t do that. Why would you discourage? Just make sure he understands what he is getting into but if he really wants to, why not? My kid is in med school and just loves it.