Why Pre-Medical Students Should Pursue Clinical Experience During Their Gap Year
As a pre-health student, pursuing clinical experience during a gap year after undergraduate can be incredibly beneficial to your future career in healthcare. Here are a few reasons why:
Strengthen your medical school application: Clinical experience is highly valued by medical school admissions committees. It shows that you have a genuine interest in healthcare, have experience working in a clinical setting, and have a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of working with patients. By pursuing clinical experience during a gap year, you can strengthen your medical school application and increase your chances of being accepted.
Gain practical experience: Classroom learning can only take you so far in understanding what it means to work in healthcare. By pursuing clinical experience during a gap year, you wll gain practical experience working in a clinical setting. This experience will help you develop important skills such as patient communication, medical charting, and clinical decision-making.
Explore different healthcare fields: Clinical experience during a gap year can expose you to different areas of healthcare and help you determine which field you want to pursue. For example, you might find that you will more interested in primary care than specialty care, or that you will be passionate about working with underserved populations. This knowledge can help you make more informed decisions about your future career path.
Build your network: During your clinical experience, you will have the opportunity to work alongside healthcare professionals and build your network. These connections can be incredibly valuable in the future when you will be seeking letters of recommendation, job opportunities, or other professional opportunities. In conclusion, pursuing clinical experience during a gap year after undergraduate is a wise choice for pre-health students. It can strengthen your medical school application, provide practical experience, expose you to different healthcare fields, build your network, and give you a break before starting medical school. If you are considering a career in healthcare, take advantage of the opportunities available to you during your gap year to gain valuable experience and make informed decisions about your future.