How to Gain Clinical Hours Before Medical School — The Smartest Path for Premed Students
- Elnaz Sarabchian

- Nov 15
- 3 min read
Getting into medical school isn’t just about grades and MCAT scores — it’s about real clinical experience. Admissions committees want to see that you’ve worked with patients, understand how healthcare systems function, and know what it truly means to serve in medicine.
If you’re wondering how to get clinical hours before medical school, the answer might be simpler (and faster) than you think: becoming a Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) through Clinical Skills Institute’s Online Medical Assistant Program.

Why Clinical Experience Matters for Med School
Clinical hours prove to admissions officers that you’ve tested your commitment to medicine. They show that you can communicate with patients, work under pressure, and understand the day-to-day realities of healthcare.
Without this hands-on experience, many otherwise qualified premeds fall behind during interviews and application reviews.
The right clinical hours can:
✅ Strengthen your medical school application
✅ Improve your letters of recommendation
✅ Give you real patient interaction
✅ Build confidence before clinical rotations
Common Ways Premed Students Earn Clinical Hours
Premeds typically gain experience through one or more of the following:
Volunteering at hospitals or clinics
Scribing for physicians
Shadowing medical professionals
Working as CNAs, EMTs, or Medical Assistants
Among these, Medical Assisting offers the fastest route to paid, certified experience — combining both administrative and clinical exposure in professional medical settings.
The Medical Assistant Route — Fast, Affordable, and Respected
Unlike volunteer roles, becoming a Certified Medical Assistant allows you to earn income while building clinical hours.
The Clinical Skills Institute (CSI) program makes this pathway simple:
NHA Accredited and Nationally Recognized
100% Online, Self-Paced, and Flexible
Only $900 Total Tuition (includes exam + externship)
Certification in as little as 3 months
Externship opportunities for real-world clinical experience
Once certified, students can work directly with physicians, draw blood, perform vitals, and assist in patient exams — experience that counts toward medical school clinical hours and makes your application stand out.
Why Clinical Skills Institute Is the Best Option for Premeds
Here’s why thousands of premeds choose Clinical Skills Institute:
Affordable Tuition: Only $900 including exam, externship, and materials
Real-World Skills: Learn phlebotomy, EKGs, and patient documentation
Flexible Schedule: Study anytime, from anywhere — ideal for students
Career Impact: Add “Certified Clinical Medical Assistant” to your resume
Externship Support: Get connected to local clinics for clinical hours
Compared to CNA or scribe training, CSI’s program is faster, cheaper, and nationally recognized — ideal for building a medical school application.
Real-World Benefits of Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant
After completing CSI’s program, students typically:
Work part-time or weekends in urgent care or private clinics
Earn paid clinical hours while in college
Gain strong letters of recommendation from supervising physicians
Strengthen AMCAS and AACOMAS applications with verifiable healthcare experience
Premeds who work as Medical Assistants often report more confident interview performances — because they can speak authentically about patient care.
How to Get Started Today
Joining Clinical Skills Institute takes just a few minutes:
Select the Medical Assistant Program
Choose your payment option or pay in full ($900)
Begin your self-paced training instantly
Once certified, you’ll be ready for externships and job placements that build your professional and academic future.
💡 Tip: Clinical Skills Institute provides letters of recommendation upon program completion — perfect for your med school application portfolio.
Gain Clinical Hours Before Medical School
If you’re serious about medical school, don’t wait to gain your first clinical hours.Start with Clinical Skills Institute’s Online Medical Assistant Program and turn your ambitions into hands-on experience.
👉 Enroll today or call 1-888-596-2131 to speak with an advisor.



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