Would animal adoption volunteering suffice as non-clinical and would I have to answer questions about why medicine over vet?
I've heard many stories about Humane Society volunteering being a common talking point at interviews, but honestly, for med school application purposes, you'll get more mileage out of helping homeless humans.
Also could use suggestions on leadership stuff if possible.
My favorite quote on
Leadership (with some augmentations) per Mobius1985:
"From a conversation with an adcomm member I learned that (at his school) one gets points for the intensity of the leadership experiences listed. Here are some examples of activities I've learned of on SDN and how I'd rank them (opinions, as always, may vary). Multiple experiences increase the score. It's OK to shine in another area if leadership isn't your forte.
Level I: 1) President of a club for a year. Led meetings. 2) Start small, common-interest club eg card playing, sport, adventure, campus cleanup. 3) Train, schedule, oversee freshman mentors. 4) Initiate food drive among your friends and collect donations for a food pantry. 5) Member of student senate.
Level II: 1) Club officer multiple years, eventually president, key in initiating new projects. 2) Start new club, attracting 20+ members to do community service, and/or arranging speakers, and/or successfully campaigning for a change on campus. 3) Shift supervisor, trainer of new employees or lab volunteers. 4) Team captain. 5) Officer of student senate.
Level III: 1) Board member for health-related organization or charitable foundation for several years who helps organize/participate in health fairs, involved in presentations to get funding for projects, brings opinions to the meetings and campaigns to effect change. 2) President of three clubs some of which do community service or raise money for projects. 3) Organize 3-4 charity concerts with large attendance coordinating multiple committees. 4) Direct a play or other large production.
Level IV: 1) Chief Editor of school paper, writing editorials to sway opinion, directing policy and coordinating staff. 2) President of student senate; initiates and carries through major change, coordinating large subcommittees. 3) NCO or officer in the armed forces who trained/led a military group/team/unit.
Level V: 1) Founded a charitable group, raised thousands of dollars for many projects, multiple year involvement, group continues after your departure. Branch groups started in other locations under your leadership. 2) Start a free clinic, recruit doctors, nurses, and student workers to volunteer their time. Raise the money for supplies/pharmaceuticals or get them donated. Help hundreds to thousands of patients in the time you're involved. 3) Start a successful company with 5+ employees, understanding organizational, legal, and accounting principles, and make a profit. Guide growth, economic, and financial aspects. 4) Military leadership in combat."
