AmeriCorps listing options for gap year: which program?

[ohsh1988]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi, I am considering doing AmeriCorps VISTA in my gap year.

I have applied and got offer from 2 listings: VetCorps (non-health) vs. university-based health access (health) program.

How helpful would non-health AmeriCorps program be for my gap year?

The VetCorps has its focus that's a bit off from health field, or rather, not so much about the clinic setting but more about federal healthcare system for veteran (specifically substance abuse prevention), but it gives impression that is well established and organized- I heard some of the people complain about some of the AmeriCorps on-sites being inefficient and disorganized. It also has attraction in bigger network opportunity, both among VISTA members and other associated on-sites and better locations in terms of relocation.

I will look forward to any kind of feedback!

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

I took a year off from college and did CityYear which is also one of the largest AmeriCorps programs. CityYear is not a health-centered program, rather it focuses on education. I think that you should choose the program that you are totally committed to and believe in their core values the most. AmeriCorps is hard, it is draining, it is heart-wrenching, and you need to choose the program that you will look forward to waking up every single day and believe that you are making a difference by doing. You should never do AmeriCorps or Peace Corps or any other program like this to merely put on your dental school application, you have to be totally committed to the service you are doing in order to finish the service year and actually make a difference. If you have a good feeling about one program over another then you should go with that one. My year of service was an invaluable learning and maturing experience and I would not trade it for anything.