Americorps Experiences

[SanDiegoSOD]

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I am highly considering spending a year with Americorps after I graduate in June. Does anyone care to share their experiences with Americorps, particularly if they served while they were applying/interviewing for Medical school? FYI, I hope to stay in San Diego for the project. Thanks in advance. 👍

 

[Kazema]

I'm doing Americorps right now in Rochester and I'm loving it. There's 32 others in my program and they're all very cool people, including 2 other med school applicants. Each member is at a different host site, from rec centers to the police department to a hospital psych wing, which is where I'm at. It's a very rewarding experience, I feel like I'm really helping these kids while developing personal skills and gaining real world experience. Plus I've met a bunch of really cool people and learning a ton about non-profit organizations and such.

And they're pretty flexible about letting you go on interviews. Of course, I've only had one so far so I don't know how they'd feel about you missing an entire week so early on if you were lucky enough to have that many interviews .

 

[GOBUCKY!]

I am doing Americorps for the Red Cross in Madison. It is awesome. I work as a community disaster educator targeting special populations like people with mobility problems and spanish-only speakers. It has its ups and downs. One thing that sucks is the low pay. I get by only because I have a second job (you can't have a second job if you do Americorps- VISTA). I know that just in WI that there are at least 20 different Americorps programs in many different areas. I would advise you to choose something that you like, but have never done before. Plus Americorps looks good on the app.

I hope this helps.

GOBUCKY!

 

[kate88]

Hi-- I'm currently an MSI and applied to medical school while in AmeriCorps last year. I definitely reccommend AmeriCorps as a way to spend a year out between college and medical school. I did a program in Cape Cod, MA and had a blast. It was such a great break to do something totally different for a year, and now that I am medical school I am certain I made the right decision to take a break.

Aside from the fact that it is an awesome thing to devote a year of your life to service, being in AmeriCorps has some other great benefits. Since its not an official "job", I found that my bosses in AmeriCorps were completely flexible about missing service days for interviews. It was an incredibly supportive atmosphere--way easier to take time off than your typical job. Also, being an AmeriCorps member gives you something interesting and current to talk about during your interviews. I joined an environmental program, so it was interesting to talk to my interviewers about how my interest in conservation and healthcare overlap, for example. And, of course, you may live in poverty during AmeriCorps, but you do get a small educational award at the end of it. Its not a lot, but every little bit helps.

This is a really long post. As you can tell, I love AmeriCorps. Good luck!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Thanks, everyone. There are a couple of Americorps VISTA programs that I am looking at in San Diego. One involves teaching entreprenuerial skills to minority/uneducated sub-populations, another involves teaching HIV/AIDS awareness to the same group. I hope that one of the two will start in September, as that would be my ideal timeframe. BTW, how long were your programs? I've read that they vary from 10-12 months, and and I would love to finish the program in 10-11 months to give myself some time off before med school starts. Thanks again.

 

[brs23]

San Diego SOD--

I just finished a year as a VISTA. VISTA, as you may know, is a little different than some of the other americorps placements, for a couple of reasons. First of all, most VISTAs are for a year minimum, with the option to extend. Second, you can't get a second job, which you can do with other americorps placements. Third, most VISTA work is organizational--ie you might be making strategic plans and giving presentations, but you won't be building houses and teaching classes...although it does sound like the positions you are looking are more teaching-related...so I dunno...

All that said, it really all depends on your individual site--you don't have much contact with americorps after the training, so the extent to which you break the rules or not depends on your site. In terms of the application process, since I got my app in very early, I've been gone almost all of september interviewing, and my site has been very understanding about that. It all depends on the site--I would ask up front if they will be ok with your absences for interviews--it is likely that they will be fine with it.

I've loved this year, and I think Americorps is a great thing to do. Please PM me if you have any questions!

B

Thanks, everyone. There are a couple of Americorps VISTA programs that I am looking at in San Diego. One involves teaching entreprenuerial skills to minority/uneducated sub-populations, another involves teaching HIV/AIDS awareness to the same group. I hope that one of the two will start in September, as that would be my ideal timeframe. BTW, how long were your programs? I've read that they vary from 10-12 months, and and I would love to finish the program in 10-11 months to give myself some time off before med school starts. Thanks again.

 

[kate88]

My program started at the end of September and went until August 13. I had to leave early to come to medical school. It definitely wasn't the ideal situation, b/c I felt rushed coming into school. I did get a really great break the summer and fall before AmeriCorps, during which I made a little money and took a month long cross country trip.

You'll find something that works for you. And like I said, most AmeriCorps programs are pretty flexible so I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as you finish your 1500 (?) hours or so.

 

[Kazema]

The policy at my Americorps program as far as leaving early is pretty fair; you just have to finish your 1700 hours and let them know when and why you have to leave. I'm pretty sure this is pretty standard. Just don't sign up for any programs where a summer camp component is the most important part or something like that.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

How long in advance would you previous applicants recommend applying for the program?

 

[Kazema]

It depends on the program. Some have a deadline, so watch for that. If you're applying to a larger program, they may have a rolling "admission". Some people in my program didn't apply until late July or so.

I applied in March, interviewed in April after I took the MCAT. I got a response by mid to late May at one and mid June at the other (too late! I already accepted the first offer). I never heard back from the third 😕

 

[dca_55]

I'm a big fan of Americorps as well. I actually did a 6 month Americorps project looking at the conservation of desert tortoises in the Mojave desert (before I knew I wanted to be a doctor). It was incredibly rewarding and extremely fun. There were about 12 others in the program and we all lived in Las Vegas. We had to wake up at quarter to 4 am to go to work, and we only got $50/week to live on (they paid our rent/utilities) but it didn't matter. We managed to have lots of fun, even though we had no money and I really felt like the work I was doing was making a difference. I'm applying for med school this June, but wanted to look into doing Americorps again this next year when I submit my applications. Does anyone know if there is a restriction on doing Americorps a second time?

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Does anyone know if there is a restriction on doing Americorps a second time?

I've done a lot of reading on Americorps over the past few days, and I havnt come across any restrictions on a second year. BTW, what program were you in? It doesnt sound like VISTA. Maybe you could do a year of that?

 

[Kazema]

I don't think there are any restrictions as far as a second year. Actually some programs are only available to second year members, but those are usually specific to people who've done VISTA.

 

[kate88]

I know that you can only do two years of AmeriCorps and still qualify for an education award.

All AmeriCorps programs are different regarding start/end dates. I would just apply early... kind of like med school. Since you are applying to medical school, my guess would be that you are also a pretty competitive applicant for AmeriCorps so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just call up the program and ask.