Enough volunteering?

[peglegbob]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm two years out from graduating and just recently decided that I was interested in medicine. I have basically no volunteering at all. Obviously I'm going to start doing so ASAP, but if I'm applying in the next application cycle how bad will it look to not have consistent volunteering? Should I put off applying for another year so that I can build up some hours/consistency?

Thanks

 

[TriagePreMed]

I'm two years out from graduating and just recently decided that I was interested in medicine. I have basically no volunteering at all. Obviously I'm going to start doing so ASAP, but if I'm applying in the next application cycle how bad will it look to not have consistent volunteering? Should I put off applying for another year so that I can build up some hours/consistency?

Thanks

You probably will have a very little amount of hours, so it would be best to wait. You need to establish that this sudden decision to go into medicine is backed by something, more than appearing altruistic.

 

[Joe the Plumber]

I'm two years out from graduating and just recently decided that I was interested in medicine. I have basically no volunteering at all. Obviously I'm going to start doing so ASAP, but if I'm applying in the next application cycle how bad will it look to not have consistent volunteering? Should I put off applying for another year so that I can build up some hours/consistency?

Thanks

Why would you apply when you're two years from graduating? Apply this cycle to matriculate Fall 2013. Except you'll finish undergrad in Spring 2014. Unless you plan on deferring matriculation, which wouldn't make sense, you should apply next cycle. Thus you'll have plenty of time to volunteer.

 

[peglegbob]

Why would you apply when you're two years from graduating? Apply this cycle to matriculate Fall 2013. Except you'll finish undergrad in Spring 2014. Unless you plan on deferring matriculation, which wouldn't make sense, you should apply next cycle. Thus you'll have plenty of time to volunteer.

I said that I was applying next application cycle at the earliest...

Thanks for the input TriagePreMed.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm two years out from graduating and just recently decided that I was interested in medicine. I have basically no volunteering at all. Obviously I'm going to start doing so ASAP, but if I'm applying in the next application cycle how bad will it look to not have consistent volunteering? Should I put off applying for another year so that I can build up some hours/consistency?

Thanks

If you are able to start very soon (4 hours per week is fine), and maybe get extra hours in over breaks (even if that means two venues), you could be ready to apply in summer 2013. It isn't just the number of hours that's looked at, as the duration is important too. Even more: what you got out of it.

Don't forget the physician shadowing. That can be done either regularly or in large blocks of time over breaks at the last minute. Doing it sooner, though, can be helpful in cementing in your mind that medicine is right for you.