Does community service at my place of worship count as Non Clinical Volunteering ?

[2026PreMed]

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Hello all,

I am currently pre med and I am a Sikh (worldwide religious minority).

A core tenet of my religion is community service so I routinely volunteer at my place of workship in a community kitchen to serve food to all who need it.

My question is if this counts as Non clinical volunteering or if the fact that it’s through a place of worship makes it ineligible for Med school non clinical volunteering hours.

Also would mentioning I am a Sikh hurt me on my application ? Should I decline to state this if asked ?

Thanks

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I wouldn't think listing community kitchen hurts you, as long as you list it separately from other involvement with your temple when it comes to your own religious practices.

 

[Goro]

Hello all,

I am currently pre med and I am a Sikh (worldwide religious minority).

A core tenet of my religion is community service so I routinely volunteer at my place of workship in a community kitchen to serve food to all who need it.

My question is if this counts as Non clinical volunteering or if the fact that it’s through a place of worship makes it ineligible for Med school non clinical volunteering hours.

Also would mentioning I am a Sikh hurt me on my application ? Should I decline to state this if asked ?

Thanks

No, it's not going to hurt you by mentioning that you're a Sikh.

Yes, volunteering at your house of worship is an extracurricular that is non-clinical volunteering.

But it's not going to count for much because you're supposed to help the people of your faith.

What medical schools are looking for is you looking to help people who are not like you.

 

[Hollow Knight]

As long as you guys are feeding everyone in your community yeah it counts.

Nobody will discriminate against you because your Sikh (well, there may be one weirdo out there, it Id be surprised)

Academic med centers tend to be super progressive

 

[cj_cregg]

Agree with above - yes, this counts as community service, no, mentioning your religious affiliation shouldn't hurt you (at least in theory - obviously discrimination or at least implicit bias is always a possibility).

And service experiences within your religious community, university, etc. are beneficial, but need to be accompanied by longitudinal experiences outside your "comfort zone." It's important you show you have made an effort to serve, and learn about, people who are not like you.

 

[LizzyM]

Making the assumption that you serve food to all who are hungry, regardless of their religion, then yes, it would be non-clinical volunteering.

If it were preparing and serving a meal for those who attend religious services (as is the custom in some faith communities to have a meal in a fellowship hall after the worship service), then it would be counted as less a community service but *maybe* as a leadership activity (if you took the lead in organizing a group of food prep folks).

 

[2026PreMed]

No, it's not going to hurt you by mentioning that you're a Sikh.

Yes, volunteering at your house of worship is an extracurricular that is non-clinical volunteering.

But it's not going to count for much because you're supposed to help the people of your faith.

What medical schools are looking for is you looking to help people who are not like you.

I see.

To clarify it is not only geared toward helping only people of my faith the food kitchen is geared towards community service. Many homeless people routinely receive food from it. It just takes place in the place of worship.

 

[2026PreMed]

I wouldn't think listing community kitchen hurts you, as long as you list it separately from other involvement with your temple when it comes to your own religious practices.

So I should not mention anything about the religious aspect of it ?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

So I should not mention anything about the religious aspect of it ?

Why should it? That's common among all religions. The diversity officer also should be sitting in on discussions and provide insight.

 

[LizzyM]

Being a member of a faith community will not (should not) be held against you. It might be unlikely to give you a bump, either, although you are a member of a religion that is uncommon in the US. You can mention it as it tells us something about who you are and could use it as a way of describing the diversity of experience that you bring to the school.

 

[2026PreMed]

Why should it? That's common among all religions. The diversity officer also should be sitting in on discussions and provide insight.

I see. So discussing any aspect of my religion is bad ? Also there is another person in the room when I am doing an interview ? Or is the diversity officer the one interviewing me

 

[LizzyM]

Mentioning your religion as the inspiration for your service to others is quite acceptable and not at all unusual (almost universal among people of all faith traditions). I think that the mention of the diversity officer was a reference to discussions by an admissions committee, not the interview of a candidate for med school admission.

 

[2026PreMed]

Mentioning your religion as the inspiration for your service to others is quite acceptable and not at all unusual (almost universal among people of all faith traditions). I think that the mention of the diversity officer was a reference to discussions by an admissions committee, not the interview of a candidate for med school admission.

I see. Thank you

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, many adcoms have ex officio members such as the director of financial aid, director for diversity/equity/inclusion, and director of student services. Sometimes we have alumni ex officio members.

 

[2026PreMed]

Yes, many adcoms have ex officio members such as the director of financial aid, director for diversity/equity/inclusion, and director of student services. Sometimes we have alumni ex officio members.

I see. So will I have to explain my religion to the diversity officer ? Or will they know what it is already ? Thank you

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I see. So will I have to explain my religion to the diversity officer ? Or will they know what it is already ? Thank you

No you don't have to explain.

Interfaith America

Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity.

www.interfaithamerica.org

 

[LizzyM]

I see. So will I have to explain my religion to the diversity officer ? Or will they know what it is already ? Thank you

Anyone whose been around for more than a minute is familiar with your religious tradition and has students who are Sikh. No need to explain at all. (Some of my most cherished alumni are Sikh.)