For the ECs, volunteer, and Community Service section are we only mentioning activities from the start of undergrad (not high school)?
I heard different answers to this but is shadowing doctors included in this section or not?
If we will be volunteering in the future (fall and spring), do we account for the hours in advance? Or simply update it later?
I never really kept track of the hours I did, rather the impact i could be making. Is estimation ok?
I have many of the phone numbers of the volunteer agencies I belonged to. Is it a good idea to add them for reference in the "description section"?
You have to use your own discretion for activities that are done in high school. Typically you wouldn't include them, but it depends whether or not you started, for example, volunteering while in high...then definitely include it. But, if you only did a few hours at the soup kitchen over winter break junior year...don't bother. It'll just look like you're trying to beef up your app with filler.
This is my opinion on the shadowing...include it where ever you can fit it in. No where else does it specifically ask for time spent shadowing. Technically, shadowing is something that is extracurricular...so that's where I put it. Frankly, I don't think it matters where you put it as long as it's there for them to read. At any rate, for goodness sake don't leave it out just because there isn't a designated spot for it...it's a big boost to your app...especially come interview time.
For volunteering done in the future...don't include it now. You don't want to be held accountable for something you assumed you would accomplish only to have something come up that ruins your plans. Only bank on what you've already done...and indicate that you are still presently volunteering to show that you plan to continue through the rest of the year. If you can, update it later...but hopefully, if you're applying this cycle, you've done some substantial volunteering already.
I would imagine there are some people on here that know exactly how many hours, minutes and seconds that they have volunteered (we are talking about neurotic premeds here...LOL), but for the majority of us (including myself) we are not aware of the exact number of hours. Just take the average number of hours worked each week (you should at least know that) and multiply it by the number of weeks you've volunteered there....it should be a good enough estimate. If you are worried about an exact number, the hospital I volunteer at keeps a record of how many hours we've volunteered...perhaps your workplace does too.
If you would feel better putting the numbers down you should...if for nothing but peace of mind. But, honestly, I can't see an admissions committee making phone calls random organizations to verify volunteering hours. I'm not saying it hasn't happened before, but I'd say the chances are slim to none. They have more important things to do...
Hope this helps...I'm applying this cycle as well...In fact, I just sent in my app today. I had it done a few weeks ago, but waited until I decided where exactly I wanted to apply and how I was going to handle the retaking of the MCAT...that sneaky bastard...
Good luck with everything...
