So I need some direction regarding my application. I am a mother of three boys, 4, 8, & 13. With my responsibilities as a mother, being in school full-time and trying to maintain my gpa, I am in a quandary regarding my EC’c, volunteering and shadowing. I am so grateful for my children and recognize that I will need to make significant sacrifices in order to make it through medical school (I have an extremely supportive husband who will be quitting when I am accepted) however, I don’t know how to incorporate all the time I have spent volunteering for their activities without sounding like the PTA president. I have volunteered consistently with the scouting program so as to maximize my time with my boys, I also was on a board for a national mothers organization where I spent hundreds of hours as well. However other than that I only have about 18 hours of documentable time in a humanitarian center. In addition, my EC would be hiking with my kids, swimming and attending their sporting activities. So with that I am here looking for some advise. Should I begin volunteering at a clinic or some other type of “clinical” experience or stick with what I have been doing? I recognize that I need shadowing hours and think I will have that taken care of this fall. I am worried that my application is going to read ALERT stay at home mom here. (I don’t at all consider my stay at home mom status negative)
Lastly, we just moved to Texas and I will be applying to UT Southwestern (my top choice) and UNTHSC in Denton (DO program). If anyone is familiar with what these schools look for I would really appreciate any feedback. Again, thank you in advance, it is much easier asking for feedback from my peers versus the nightmare of SDN.
Has any of your time been in a clinical setting? Close enough to the patient to smell him/her (as the adcom panelist said this year)?
If not - then you NEED some clinical experience. No two ways about it. You have to demonstrate a love for medicine - not just a love for “helping people” as most people stat.
Hi Doc Gray,
None of my volunteering hours have been in a clinical setting so far. I will get on that beginning this fall and continue until next summer. I will also be shadowing this fall. What exactly is acceptable with regards to shadowing hours?
My own experience has been the following:
- Volunteering is good, but optional when life circumstances do not allow it. Volunteering must be done by passion and desire to help, doesn’t need to be in clinical setting. And if it has been a long commitment over time, then you are done with that part.
- Shadowing is important, if possible in a couple of specialties. You do not need to shadow in all of them, just a few that will illustrate your desire, and give you some points to discuss in statements and interviews.
Thank you so much for responding! I have followed your posts religiously and appreciate your insight.
I have volunteered consistently for 13 years it just has always centered around my kids. I also wanted to involve them as well to teach them the importance. My top choice is UT Southwestern, do you think my lack of clinical will hurt my application? I am taking a full load, but could squeeze in a twice a month clinical experience if it would help. I need to also state that I have not done any type of research.
Following on Doc Gray’s comments, I agree wholeheartedly with him. You must get some clinical experience or your application will not be taken seriously; you must show the med schools that you’ve tested your interest and know what you’re getting into. And you need to do your clinical work over a relatively long period of time consistently (4 hrs/week, for example, as a minimum, for at least 6 months). Volunteering in a hospital is preferable to shadowing since the latter tends to be short-term (a few days spent with various clinicians as opposed to months spent as a volunteer in an ER or some other area of the hospital).
I wish you the best of luck!
Liza
- MauiMom Said:
I have volunteered consistently for 13 years it just has always centered around my kids. I also wanted to involve them as well to teach them the importance. My top choice is UT Southwestern, do you think my lack of clinical will hurt my application? I am taking a full load, but could squeeze in a twice a month clinical experience if it would help. I need to also state that I have not done any type of research.
If you read Lizat and Doc Grays comment, you can probably understand that clinical work is seen favorably generally speaking. Given my own expertise in the subject I cannot speak for schools in general. However, given that I actually met with the director admission of UT Southwestern several times, I can relay what she said which reiterate my thoughts on the subject (like you, UTSW was my top choice).
1) Volunteering is nice and preferably in an area that you like. They can spot students who volunteer for admission, versus students who volunteer out of compassion. Your case is much stronger that most applicants as far as volunteering goes because you did so for so many years. Congrats on that, and I believe this will make you look extremely desirable.
2) I had similar concerns than your and I stated my case, working nights, caring for kids during the day and studying in between. I didn't have any time for volunteering. The answer I got was: "not necessary, the committee gets it"
3) However, shadowing was important, and I had 50h only. She said it was a bit low. She encouraged to shadow in 1 or 2 specialties but not more.
Note however that, 1) My background in research was extensive and that was seen very favorably. UTSW is a big research institution as you know. So little or no research is not a strong point. But I can say that many students never did research either and got admitted, so it is not necessary.
2) My numbers were respectable and I have advanced degrees.
Remember, it is not like a single thing matters. They look at the entire package.
Good numbers, some clinical experience (and my own has been limited to shadowing only), some research if you can with your volunteering will make you competitive anywhere.
A few last points specific to UTSW
1) The quoted MCAT score to look competitive (and when I say quoted was from the director of admission) is 35 (the average is a little over 33)
2) Being a texas resident is a HUGE plus.
Good luck.
MauiMom,
UNTHSC will be having an information weekend Friday and Saturday (Aug 9th and 10th). FYI the medical school is located in Fort Worth, not in Denton. Here is the link for more information if you are interested:
http://web.unthsc.edu/info/200679/admission s_and_o…
Thank you so much! It is great to be apart of a group of people who are inspirational and want to contribute to others success.