Advice needed: start working at hospice ~2 months before primary application?

[perpetually_sleepy]

Hi everyone, I'm planning to apply in the 2025-26 cycle. I've been thinking about working or volunteering at a hospice to get more experience working with and supporting people in emotionally sensitive environments. However, I'm not sure if it would strengthen my application given that the primary is only a few months away. Do you think it would be worthwhile to start working or volunteering at a hospice at this point, or would it be better to just focus more time on my current activities, like clinical and non-clinical volunteering?

My WAMC post is here in case that would be helpful. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

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[Mr.Smile12]

We suggested

F

Post in: 'WAMC/school list help: nontrad ORM 3.56, 515'

Oct 3, 2024

That sounds good, thank you so much! One more thing, do you think I should apply in 2025 or 2026? I was thinking that if I apply in 2026, I could accumulate more clinical/volunteering hours, but not sure if it would significantly increase my chances of being accepted compared to 2025. I do plan to get at least 150 non-clinical volunteering hours before applying in 2025.

You are fine to apply in June 2025 if you have the 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering I suggested.

• Faha

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How long are you going to be working at the hospice? Will you have 150 hours of service orientation activities as we recommended (food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation)?

 

[perpetually_sleepy]

I'll probably work at the hospice until I start med school, so if I start working next month it should be ~1 year. I currently have ~100 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities and plan to have 150 hours by May.

 

[purpledoc1]

I'll probably work at the hospice until I start med school, so if I start working next month it should be ~1 year. I currently have ~100 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities and plan to have 150 hours by May.

Good luck1!

 

[perpetually_sleepy]

Good luck1!

Thank you so much!

 

[perpetually_sleepy]

I'll probably work at the hospice until I start med school, so if I start working next month it should be ~1 year. I currently have ~100 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities and plan to have 150 hours by May.

@Mr.Smile12 just wanted to confirm: if I have the 150 hours by May, do you think it would be worthwhile to start working at a hospice likely in March and continue working there for ~1 year? I wasn't sure if it would strengthen my application since primaries are just a few months away.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

@Mr.Smile12 just wanted to confirm: if I have the 150 hours by May, do you think it would be worthwhile to start working at a hospice likely in March and continue working there for ~1 year? I wasn't sure if it would strengthen my application since primaries are just a few months away.

Do whatever you can to strengthen your application, including for any improvement if one has to delay or reapply next cycle.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi everyone, I'm planning to apply in the 2025-26 cycle. I've been thinking about working or volunteering at a hospice to get more experience working with and supporting people in emotionally sensitive environments. However, I'm not sure if it would strengthen my application given that the primary is only a few months away. Do you think it would be worthwhile to start working or volunteering at a hospice at this point, or would it be better to just focus more time on my current activities, like clinical and non-clinical volunteering?

My WAMC post is here in case that would be helpful. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

A few thoughts:

1. Yes it will strengthen your app because you will be acquiring a different kind of clinical experience and as you said one in an emotionally difficult environment
2. You would still have that valuable experience and benefit even if it didn't strengthen your app so even a different answer about strengthening your app would not automatically mean that you should not do this volunteering (provided it doesn't conflict with service experience recommended in response to your WAMC).
3. While you won't have a ton of hours when you complete your primary, you should have more when you respond to secondaries and even more when you respond to interview questions, not to mention if you have to reapply.

Go for it.

 

[perpetually_sleepy]

Awesome, thank you so much for the advice!