Did I just waste 250 hours of my life?

[drdude90]

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Okay, maybe not to that extent, but I had to reel you guys in somehow... 🙂

Quick question. I spent last summer (summer of 2010) doing an non-paid internship for a non-profit organization. And I had two questions regarding how this translates to the AMCAS standards.

a. This non-profit company's role was to stimulate other for-profit LLCs in the area in order to promote regional business growth. They had a board composed of the state's governor and various other political figures. Is working here (no pay) seen as "altruistic" by medical schools?

b. Technically the position was an internship, but I guess much of what describes a position comes from the person occupying it. There was never an official documentation describing me as an intern. So, can I just list these hours as volunteering? I say this because a business internship isn't very relevant or impressive to medical schools.

 

[macsta]

If you aren't getting paid, then it is considered volunteering. On the work/activities page you can input contact info for your supervisor (they will never ask for official documentation).

Most volunteering has nothing to do with medical school (i.e. tutoring, volunteering at a food pantry, or with alternative spring break), but it is important nonetheless. In the description explain what you did and what you learned from your experience.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

It's only wasted time if you didn't bother to learn anything from it. I happen to think it's highly relevant; business skills are vital in many parts of medicine these days.

 

[Evergrey]

Having 100% research or medically-related activities on an AMCAS application is a solid way to be a boring applicant. This is well within the scope of medical applications.

 

[bajastapler]

Having 100% research or medically-related activities on an AMCAS application is a solid way to be a boring applicant. This is well within the scope of medical applications.

agreed 🙂