Diversifying Volunteer/EC/Shadowing?

[Mavs88]

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I couldn't find exactly what I was asking in previous threads so here this goes:

I've started volunteering this year regularly (2 years from application cycle) and so far do 4 hrs/wk in an surg ICU and 1/2 hr a week as a mentor at an elementary school. I'm also looking at a weekly commitment to match up with a hospice patient.

I have done no shadowing. I tried to ask my doctor here and he said I had to talk to so and so in administration as it was a clinic as part of a hospital network. Any advice on how to avoid this...only ask docs with own practice?

I am also a part of this Health club which provides opportunities like the mentoring mentioned above and other random volunteering (soup kitchen, etc). Question is...how important is a leadership position during undergrad? I have no time as it is, but would somehow making time to pursue an office position be worth it?

I'm also looking at maybe being a chem tutor for a semester..how beneficial is this?

Sorry If some questions are redundant or dumb...appreciate any help as usual!! 👍

 

[Mavs88]

Anyone?

😀

 

[AlteredScale]

This sounds like a lot to try and do and looks like you're trying to just beef up your app which is frowned upon. Be careful about that.

You can't get around administration for shadowing, you need proof of immunization a, TB tests, and fill out agreements to patient confidentiality.

Leadership is great if you like to lead and public speak.

Tutoring us great if you are good at teaching material.

If you have no time to do ECs and are in school. DONT, your grades will be effected and that is the last thing you want to risk if you are pursuing medical school. Grades are your buffer to save your butt from cut offs. If you decide to stack 6 different ECs as can't find time to study then you can expect a lot more stress during the cycle when you see your GPA is lower or has a decreasing trend.

I say keep volunteering, see if you can shadow.

And then just do what you enjoy most from this list later!