Continue Volunteering or Focus on Labwork

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Dflint

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Hello,

Before the comment is made, I am aware that this thread is not exactly novel but I was unable to answer my question solely based on precedents set by other threads on the topic.

I'm a Junior hoping to attend either an MD or MD/PhD Program once I have finished my undergraduate degree. As noted, I'm an international student and I'm hoping to aim fairly high, hopefully.

Brief Stats!
- 3.98 cGPA, 4.00 sGPA, practice MCAT's around 34, will take in Spring after taking classes (The physics is hard without having taken the classes)
- Lots of research, 1500+ Hours, presented poster at national conference, presented at couple smaller conferences, worked at large name institution, will have very strong letters of rec, am hoping to get a second author paper in a significant journal this year. Gave TedX Talk on research as an Undergraduate.
- Lots of stuff in student government, elected to 2 terms,
- TA for Biology classes
- Arts and Sports stuff
- Canadian

During my Freshman year I volunteered at a hospital near my college and I'm trying to decide whether to pick back up on the volunteering job I had. I accrued about 35-40 hours during my Freshman year. It wouldn't be too hard to go back but to be honest it wasn't the best experience.

My other clinical/healthcare related activities are
- 120 Hours Volunteering summer after Highschool. This volunteering didn't actually involve any living patients, if you get my drift. But I did meet tons of doctors and met members of the healthcare team!
- 40 Hours shadowing an oncologist (This also led to a second author case report/ literature review, the research bit was many more hours than this, including those this activity is more like 120 Hours+) (May do more shadowing/ work more with this doctor)
- 100 Hours Volunteering between Junior and Senior year of Highschool (But I don't think I can include this, though it was really important to me!)
- 30 Hours Volunteering with children with developmental disabilities, this is part of monthly events and is a long time commitment starting from beginning of Freshman year of college.

TL😀R Is more volunteering needed if I'm looking at top-20 research schools?

Thanks for reading!!!!!
 
Hello,

Before the comment is made, I am aware that this thread is not exactly novel but I was unable to answer my question solely based on precedents set by other threads on the topic.

I'm a Junior hoping to attend either an MD or MD/PhD Program once I have finished my undergraduate degree. As noted, I'm an international student and I'm hoping to aim fairly high, hopefully.

Brief Stats!
- 3.98 cGPA, 4.00 sGPA, practice MCAT's around 34, will take in Spring after taking classes (The physics is hard without having taken the classes)
- Lots of research, 1500+ Hours, presented poster at national conference, presented at couple smaller conferences, worked at large name institution, will have very strong letters of rec, am hoping to get a second author paper in a significant journal this year. Gave TedX Talk on research as an Undergraduate.
- Lots of stuff in student government, elected to 2 terms,
- TA for Biology classes
- Arts and Sports stuff
- Canadian

During my Freshman year I volunteered at a hospital near my college and I'm trying to decide whether to pick back up on the volunteering job I had. I accrued about 35-40 hours during my Freshman year. It wouldn't be too hard to go back but to be honest it wasn't the best experience.

My other clinical/healthcare related activities are
- 120 Hours Volunteering summer after Highschool. This volunteering didn't actually involve any living patients, if you get my drift. But I did meet tons of doctors and met members of the healthcare team!
- 40 Hours shadowing an oncologist (This also led to a second author case report/ literature review, the research bit was many more hours than this, including those this activity is more like 120 Hours+) (May do more shadowing/ work more with this doctor)
- 100 Hours Volunteering between Junior and Senior year of Highschool (But I don't think I can include this, though it was really important to me!)
- 30 Hours Volunteering with children with developmental disabilities, this is part of monthly events and is a long time commitment starting from beginning of Freshman year of college.

TL😀R Is more volunteering needed if I'm looking at top-20 research schools?

Thanks for reading!!!!!

Ideally you want to do both. Continuing research is crucial for improving the tiny chances of MD/PhD acceptance. On the other hand, your clinical exposure isn't a whole lot. Granted MD/PhD programs tend to be more forgiving for less clinical hours, in case you don't get in for that, you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot for normal MD.

Is it too much to handle both?
 
I have the exact dilemma that OP has and funnily my stats are almost identical (lol). I don't really see the point in volunteering if the hospital volunteer experience is not meaningful, e.g. a lot of volunteers stock shelves etc. I think it's possible to gain good exposure to the medical setting with shadowing and you can definitely show volunteer spirits via nonclinical efforts...but it is hard for research heavy students to commit significant time to volunteer work. My friend had almost no volunteer but very strong research and was accepted to a top 10 school on scholarship with a 35 MCAT.
 
I have the exact dilemma that OP has and funnily my stats are almost identical (lol). I don't really see the point in volunteering if the hospital volunteer experience is not meaningful, e.g. a lot of volunteers stock shelves etc. I think it's possible to gain good exposure to the medical setting with shadowing and you can definitely show volunteer spirits via nonclinical efforts...but it is hard for research heavy students to commit significant time to volunteer work. My friend had almost no volunteer but very strong research and was accepted to a top 10 school on scholarship with a 35 MCAT.

Shadowing won't necessarily replace clinical experience.

Shadowing is more for the purpose of "Can you picture yourself working like this for the rest of your life? Is this something you like?"

Clinical experience is more of "Can you stand working with patients?". It's definitely true that some mediocre hospital experience like sitting behind a desk in the lobby won't be very impressive, but at the same time, you should have some clinical exposure outside of shadowing.
 
Hello,

Before the comment is made, I am aware that this thread is not exactly novel but I was unable to answer my question solely based on precedents set by other threads on the topic.

I'm a Junior hoping to attend either an MD or MD/PhD Program once I have finished my undergraduate degree. As noted, I'm an international student and I'm hoping to aim fairly high, hopefully.

Brief Stats!
- 3.98 cGPA, 4.00 sGPA, practice MCAT's around 34, will take in Spring after taking classes (The physics is hard without having taken the classes)
- Lots of research, 1500+ Hours, presented poster at national conference, presented at couple smaller conferences, worked at large name institution, will have very strong letters of rec, am hoping to get a second author paper in a significant journal this year. Gave TedX Talk on research as an Undergraduate.
- Lots of stuff in student government, elected to 2 terms,
- TA for Biology classes
- Arts and Sports stuff
- Canadian

During my Freshman year I volunteered at a hospital near my college and I'm trying to decide whether to pick back up on the volunteering job I had. I accrued about 35-40 hours during my Freshman year. It wouldn't be too hard to go back but to be honest it wasn't the best experience.

My other clinical/healthcare related activities are
- 120 Hours Volunteering summer after Highschool. This volunteering didn't actually involve any living patients, if you get my drift. But I did meet tons of doctors and met members of the healthcare team!
- 40 Hours shadowing an oncologist (This also led to a second author case report/ literature review, the research bit was many more hours than this, including those this activity is more like 120 Hours+) (May do more shadowing/ work more with this doctor)
- 100 Hours Volunteering between Junior and Senior year of Highschool (But I don't think I can include this, though it was really important to me!)
- 30 Hours Volunteering with children with developmental disabilities, this is part of monthly events and is a long time commitment starting from beginning of Freshman year of college.

TL😀R Is more volunteering needed if I'm looking at top-20 research schools?

Thanks for reading!!!!!


First off, very good stats! As a fellow undergrad student (I dare not label myself as a pre-med on SDN or anything in life for that matter :laugh:) I am very impressed!

I think it is all subjective to your wants, I am presenting some of the general suggestions about MD PhD vs MD however, there is a pretty good gray area so don't take these in a "take it or leave it" mindset.

If you see yourself 10-15 years down the road as academic faculty with a track position as a full time PI, or a research director in the private industry, then go for the MD PhD and give more focus to research than volunteering but don't give it up entirely. Take note that you really should enjoy research if you want to take this route because the program is made for physician scientists who are seeking to make a strong commitment to biomedical research. It has its perks.

If you can't see that and want to be a clinician in the hospital, then commit time to clinical experience. If you want to apply to a research heavy medical school then don't give up research entirely.

Just as an extra tip (I'm sure you already know) as an int. student. You should have a higher chance at the MSTP as they are not state funded and so they have no preference to IS or OSS. Same goes for private med schools.

Best of luck! Can't wait to see your acceptances next cycle!
 
Ideally you want to do both. Continuing research is crucial for improving the tiny chances of MD/PhD acceptance. On the other hand, your clinical exposure isn't a whole lot. Granted MD/PhD programs tend to be more forgiving for less clinical hours, in case you don't get in for that, you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot for normal MD.

Is it too much to handle both?

He's Canadian everybody! Maple syrup for everyone!!

Anyway yeah, what aboot trying to keep up with both?

PS: impressive stats/CV bro. I think you're gonna do really well.
 
Thanks for all of your replies, they were great!

I don't really think it's possible to do both, I've somewhat regrettably agreed to work for 2 labs simultaneously and this and trying to keep a handle on sports, extracurriculars, and obviously grades! Well, it seems like a recipe for disaster.

I think I'm going to try to do some more shadowing of the oncologist I worked with and maybe hope for another clinical paper. I am really more of a research focused guy (As in I sometimes sleep in the lab because I'm curious about a result and impatient)
 
Thanks for all of your replies, they were great!

I don't really think it's possible to do both, I've somewhat regrettably agreed to work for 2 labs simultaneously and this and trying to keep a handle on sports, extracurriculars, and obviously grades! Well, it seems like a recipe for disaster.

I think I'm going to try to do some more shadowing of the oncologist I worked with and maybe hope for another clinical paper. I am really more of a research focused guy (As in I sometimes sleep in the lab because I'm curious about a result and impatient)

I'm sure you can fit 4 more hours a week. Drop one lab if you don't have time. It's very difficult to perform at your absolute best while working in two labs simultaneously.
 
Thanks for all of your replies, they were great!

I don't really think it's possible to do both, I've somewhat regrettably agreed to work for 2 labs simultaneously and this and trying to keep a handle on sports, extracurriculars, and obviously grades! Well, it seems like a recipe for disaster.

I think I'm going to try to do some more shadowing of the oncologist I worked with and maybe hope for another clinical paper. I am really more of a research focused guy (As in I sometimes sleep in the lab because I'm curious about a result and impatient)

Ouch, working two labs sounds pretty intense! Keep at it man!
 
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