Clinicial Experience?

[Phrozen]

I am going to apply in May 2008 and I was wondering what kind of clinical experience to get before that? Is it basically just volunteering in a doctor's office or pharmacy?

Thanks

[stateofequilibrium]

It covers a wide range, but the important thing is for you to get a first hand look at what it's like to be a doctor, the doctor's life, life in the clinics, etc. Such things can be volunteering in a doctor's office, shadowing a doctor, clinical assistant, etc etc.

[Chemist_11]

Prior to applying to medical school I had experience in Nursing on wards, Veterinary surgery and Dental surgeries - aswell as working in Palliative care, General Practice, Radiology, Pharmacy, various areas of Medicine (Endocrinology, Histopathology and Oncology) and Surgery (General Surgery, Cardiothoracic surgery and Anaesthetics).

I will admit that I have been very lucky in my experiences (I had to get used to doctors not bothering to reply to my letters and not returning phone calls etc.). Interviewers at the medical universities to which I applied were supprised that I had done voluntary work in Dental surgeries and Veterinary surgeries, but at the same time they loved the idea that I had taken the time to experience and understand similar careers.

basically if you have the time, get experience in a number of different areas - that is the ONLY way you can show interviewers that medicine is for you!

[jameslynton]

That was a very good post.

[Phrozen]

Awesome, thanks for your post.

I only have a year left until I need to apply and it's so hard to get into hospitals in the Toronto area because everyone is doing it! I'm going to try and do 1 type of clinical volunteering the 1st semester then find something else for the 2nd semester.

Thanks!

Prior to applying to medical school I had experience in Nursing on wards, Veterinary surgery and Dental surgeries - aswell as working in Palliative care, General Practice, Radiology, Pharmacy, various areas of Medicine (Endocrinology, Histopathology and Oncology) and Surgery (General Surgery, Cardiothoracic surgery and Anaesthetics).

I will admit that I have been very lucky in my experiences (I had to get used to doctors not bothering to reply to my letters and not returning phone calls etc.). Interviewers at the medical universities to which I applied were supprised that I had done voluntary work in Dental surgeries and Veterinary surgeries, but at the same time they loved the idea that I had taken the time to experience and understand similar careers.

basically if you have the time, get experience in a number of different areas - that is the ONLY way you can show interviewers that medicine is for you!

[Chemist_11]

Awesome, thanks for your post.

I only have a year left until I need to apply and it's so hard to get into hospitals in the Toronto area because everyone is doing it! I'm going to try and do 1 type of clinical volunteering the 1st semester then find something else for the 2nd semester.

Thanks!

I can understand the huge influx of people wanting to undertake voluntary work, It was the same when I came to apply for my clinical attachement in the Cardiothoracic surgery department theatres of the Heart & Lung Transplant Unit in Manchester (UK). I think the waiting list for work placements was roughly about 7 months long for all depts. Of the hospital.
I did however manage to find the contact details of a random surgeon from the department by searching the CardioThoracic Surgeons network (CTS network) website - I sent the surgeon an email telling him of my future aspirations and presumed that nothing would come of my email. A couple of days later he called me and invited me to come in on a certain day to join him and his team in the operating theatre to observe a CABG and an Aortic Valve Replacement.

I don't know how things are in Canada, but getting a reply from a doctor in the UK is like drawing blood from a stone (with respect to students applying for work placements of course). No matter what department you want to work in - never give up, Perseverance is the key!

Good luck

[dsy1216]

Hello anyone an deveryone. I just need some advice on getting in to pre med at MUA. I have a Bachelors but do not hav ea huge science background; hence me trying to get in to pre med. Does anyone have any good contacts or tips on boosting chances for admissions?

Anything helps...thanks

[jameslynton]

Hello anyone an deveryone. I just need some advice on getting in to pre med at MUA. I have a Bachelors but do not hav ea huge science background; hence me trying to get in to pre med. Does anyone have any good contacts or tips on boosting chances for admissions?

Anything helps...thanksFix your credit rating first - If you don't have the pre-reqs do a very good US pre-req program. Go to a US school. You will curse me while you are doing it. Get in a US school. And you will Thank VMD for the rest of your life.

[dsy1216]

Fix your credit rating first - If you don't have the pre-reqs do a very good US pre-req program. Go to a US school. You will curse me while you are doing it. Get in a US school. And you will Thank VMD for the rest of your life.


So you don't recommend med school abroad at all? Do you ahve any reccomendations on pre med schools here in teh US?