
Q: I know that medical schools want to see time spent with patients, but is there a specific number of hours I should target when it comes to patient care?
A: There is no magical formula here (and we know how much easier it would be if there was!)—the more time that you spend ensuring that you know what you’re getting yourself into before applying to medical school, the better. We recommend quality engagement over quantity, but there is also value in showing long-term commitment. One semester spent volunteering in a hospital is more likely to come across as “just checking a box” than as meaningful clinical engagement (especially if you start right before you’re about to apply).
Think holistically about what medical schools are looking for from time spent with patients, which includes assessing:
- whether you’ve developed empathy for people with medical needs from diverse backgrounds
- your familiarity with health care settings and ability to work as part of the health care team
- your service orientation
- your “bedside manner” in communicating with patients and their families.
Think about ways that you demonstrate some of these qualities drawing from other cocurricular activities, classes, reading, shadowing, etc., alongside your direct work with patients (but don’t use other activities as an excuse to neglect clinical experience altogether).
Watch the recording of our info session about clinical experience to learn more!
QOTW 2020: Increase in Medical School Applications
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