Getting into med or Physician Assistant (PA)  school is about more than earning a great GPA or getting perfect scores on the MCAT. Medical and PA school admissions teams are on the hunt for applicants who are well-rounded, have a passion for medicine, and have demonstrated the skills and experience to thrive in patient care and real-world clinical experiences. 

Gaining clinical experience is a crucial part of the medical school application, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. But as a pre-health student, you’re often balancing a rigorous academic schedule, along with extracurricular and personal responsibilities. So, seeking opportunities to shadow or volunteer to gain clinical experience can be a something you dread.

Enter HealthCareer CERTS. We’re here to help you gain externship opportunities that match your professional objectives and interests—and help you shine on med or PA applications. 

Here we share these tips on how to leverage your clinical experience and stand out on your med or PA school application:

1. Gain Clinical Experience

• Hands-on opportunities: Through clinical experience you get a glimpse of the realities of healthcare settings. These hands-on experiences also enhance your competitiveness as an applicant and open doors to valuable letters of recommendation (LORs) during application season. For example, a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Patient Care Technician (PCT) are great clinical experiences that make you stand out among other job applicants. These certifications provide specialized training in performing clinical procedures, managing patient records, and assisting healthcare professionals in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The knowledge and skills gained through these certifications are highly transferable and can be applied to a wide range of healthcare careers.
• Leverage your clinical experience. On your application, describe how you shadowed physicians, which gave you firsthand experiences into the realities of patient care and the decision-making process involved in medicine. When shadowing experiences aren’t available, we help connect you to volunteering experiences and other externships in healthcare settings and clinics where you also can immerse yourself in medicine. These help you show admissions teams you are motivated, committed and have a passion for a career in medicine. 

2. Describe Your Passion for a Career in Medicine

 Through your clinical experience, you can draw on the real-life carer situations you’ve had that demonstrate your perseverance and passion for the profession. Admissions committees favor applicants who have explored clinical settings and have gained experience, not just thought of a medical career in an abstract sense. 

3. Benefits of CCMA or PCT Certification

Becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Patient Care Technician (PCT) can significantly boost your clinical experience and make you stand out among other pre-health students. These certifications provide specialized training in performing clinical procedures, managing patient records, and assisting healthcare professionals in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The knowledge and skills gained through these certifications are highly transferable and can be applied to a wide range of healthcare careers.

• Application Competitiveness: Admissions committees for healthcare professional schools highly value clinical experience. Obtaining a CCMA or PCT certification demonstrates your commitment to patient care and showcases your dedication to gaining firsthand experience in the field. This can significantly enhance your application and set you apart from other candidates.
• The Write Stuff.  One of the significant advantages of pursuing clinical experience is the potential to secure high-quality letters of recommendation. When working closely with healthcare professionals, you have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and demonstrate your abilities and work ethic. Requesting these letters from supervisors or mentors who have observed your dedication and performance can provide powerful endorsements for your application.
• Be Reflective. Take the time to reflect on your clinical experiences and consider how they have shaped your understanding of healthcare. Keep a journal, noting challenges, successes, and personal growth, which can serve as valuable material for application essays or interviews.

4. Don’t give up

Finally, let’s fast-forward to the future, you’ve mastered everything you need to do to be accepted into med school and your journey begins. HealthCareer CERTS is in your corner championing you and cheering you on through your entire journey. Our final piece of advice: Don’t give up. Keep your focus and commitment.  The journey through PA or med school is filled with long hours of studying, moments of “am I good enough” doubt,  moments of triumph and moments of struggle. So don’t lose sight of the reasons that inspired you to pursue medicine in the first place.

For more information on how to advance your healthcare career through our nationally-accredited health certificates click here.