How Premed Students Can Get Clinical Hours (Fast) — Even Without Prior Experience

Elnaz Sarabchian
Jul 17
2 min read

Thinking about med school? Then you already know one thing: clinical hours matter. A lot.

Whether you're applying to MD, DO, or PA programs, admissions committees want to see hands-on healthcare experience — and not just shadowing. They want real patient interaction.

But here’s the problem: You’re a premed student with a packed schedule, and you’re not sure how to get legitimate clinical hours.

That’s where Clinical Skills Institute (CSI) can help.

Why Clinical Hours Are So Important for Premed Students

Clinical hours help admissions committees answer the most important question:“Does this applicant truly understand what it’s like to work with patients?”

They also:

Show your commitment to medicine
Strengthen your AMCAS/AACOMAS/PA-CAS application
Give you stories for personal statements and interviews
Help you explore specialties early on

Get Certified. Gain Clinical Experience. Stand Out.

At CSI, we offer a 100% online Medical Assistant (MA) certification program designed to help you:

Earn your certification in just 3 months
Add NHA credentials to your med school application
Get placed in an optional externship to earn direct clinical hours
Work or volunteer in a clinic, urgent care, or private practice

Why This Works for Premeds

Our program is:

Self-paced (learn on your own schedule, even during the semester)
Affordable (only $810 total if paid in full)
Externship-supported (we help you connect with clinics near your zip code)
Nationally accredited (includes your NHA exam fee)

What Counts as Clinical Hours?

Here’s what you can log through your externship or job post-certification:

Direct patient interaction (vitals, charting, EKGs, prepping patients)
Working with doctors, nurses, and PAs
Observing procedures
Front-office intake experience (if medically relevant)

💡 These hours go beyond shadowing — they show you’ve worked on the clinical side of healthcare.

What Our Students Say

“I completed the CSI Medical Assistant program during my junior year of college. I got certified fast, started working at a pediatric clinic, and logged over 150 hours before applying to med school.”

— Sarah T., Pre-Med, Florida

Make Your Application Unforgettable

Med schools love to see applicants who go beyond the basics. With a nationally recognized certification and real patient experience, you’ll stand out from the crowd.