Forgot a volunteer activity on first AMCAS application - include it for reapplication?

[fd25]

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There is a good chance I will be a reapplicant for this upcoming cycle. When I filled out my AMCAS application last year, I accidentally forgot to include 40 hours of soup kitchen volunteering during my freshman year of undergrad. It was an enjoyable experience for me, but I stopped because I started working more and getting involved in a club with a leadership role, so I had less time and still needed to focus on classes. My application was weak in terms of non-clinical volunteering, and I plan to start volunteering in a local elementary school throughout my upcoming cycle. I have two questions:

1. Will including it this year raise any red flags to any schools who may compare this year's and last year's application that perhaps I am making it up?

2. Will it look bad that I had an experience I did throughout one year that I did not continue?

Thank you for your feedback!

 

[KnightDoc]

It's an activity just like any other. Why wouldn't you include it, just because you forgot it last cycle? As long as the hours are verifiable, you are fine. No red flag. You are fixing a mistake, and are actually expected to make a reapplication better in every way you can. Good luck!!!

 

[seanm028]

Why wouldn't you include it, just because you forgot it last cycle?

👍
Even if some neurotic AdCom member did notice it (which would surprise me), just be truthful and tell them that you forgot it last time around. Then make sure that your point of contact is forewarned that they might be getting a phone call.

 

[fd25]

👍
Even if some neurotic AdCom member did notice it (which would surprise me), just be truthful and tell them that you forgot it last time around. Then make sure that your point of contact is forewarned that they might be getting a phone call.

That’s another question I have actually - this is one of those activities where I don’t have a great point of contact. My dorm at the time sent out postings of volunteer opportunities, and I would simply go to the soup kitchen in order to help out. There were people in charge at the soup kitchen, but i never had to sign in or anything and I certainly don’t remember there names. Is there a good way to handle this type of situation?

 

[KnightDoc]

That’s another question I have actually - this is one of those activities where I don’t have a great point of contact. My dorm at the time sent out postings of volunteer opportunities, and I would simply go to the soup kitchen in order to help out. There were people in charge at the soup kitchen, but i never had to sign in or anything and I certainly don’t remember there names. Is there a good way to handle this type of situation?

That's less than ideal, since most legit volunteer opportunities have a volunteer coordinator who tracks these things, acts as a point of contact, and maintains continuity as people come and go. Not saying this isn't legit or anything, but, 40 hours isn't the reason you weren't successful last cycle, and won't be the difference maker this cycle, so honestly, why go here if the hours are NOT easily verifiable?

 

[fd25]

That's less than ideal, since most legit volunteer opportunities have a volunteer coordinator who tracks these things, acts as a point of contact, and maintains continuity as people come and go. Not saying this isn't legit or anything, but, 40 hours isn't the reason you weren't successful last cycle, and won't be the difference maker this cycle, so honestly, why go here if the hours are NOT easily verifiable?

Yeah, that’s kind of how I was looking at it. It’s a shame because I actually really enjoyed it, so I was disappointed that I forgot to add it last year. I’ll err on the side of caution. Thanks!

 

[candbgirl]

And just a FYI- schools won’t be impressed with your tutoring gig because they are projected hours. You haven’t even started and despite your best intentions life might interfere and those hours won’t get done.
Why are you reapplying so quickly? You obviously haven’t filled whatever holes in you have in your application. ADCOMS expect significant improvement on an application for a reapplicant. So think about skipping this cycle if you aren’t accepted. (Are you on a waitlist?) And @KnightDoc is right. I wouldn’t include the 40 hours on your application. It might cause more problems than it’s worth.

 

[candbgirl]

Yeah, that’s kind of how I was looking at it. It’s a shame because I actually really enjoyed it, so I was disappointed that I forgot to add it last year. I’ll err on the side of caution. Thanks!

You say you enjoyed it, yet you forgot all about it. If you really enjoyed it find a soup kitchen near where you are and volunteer. It will be better than the tutoring, you’ll enjoy it and you can amass lots of hours quickly.

 

[fd25]

And just a FYI- schools won’t be impressed with your tutoring gig because they are projected hours. You haven’t even started and despite your best intentions life might interfere and those hours won’t get done.
Why are you reapplying so quickly? You obviously haven’t filled whatever holes in you have in your application. ADCOMS expect significant improvement on an application for a reapplicant. So think about skipping this cycle if you aren’t accepted. (Are you on a waitlist?) And @KnightDoc is right. I wouldn’t include the 40 hours on your application. It might cause more problems than it’s worth.

Yes, I'm on three waitlists right now and just planning ahead if it doesn't workout. Throughout this past application cycle, I have added 2000hrs working full-time as a research technician but with an independent project, as well as 260 hours of paid EMT-B work. I'm also planning to potentially retake my 511 MCAT on June 26 if I can get my practice averages at 517, but I won't retake if I cannot do that. My studying was just somewhat poor the first go-around.
I am simply planning to volunteer this upcoming year because I would like to do that instead of working so much only, but I am aware they are projected hours and I wasn't even going to put it on my primary, I was just adding it to my post for context. I wasn't necessarily planning on just being a tutor either. I want to volunteer at an urban elementary school with limited resources in order to aid in any capacity that I can - I really enjoy working with kids and disparities in access to education is an important matter to me. Spending some time at a local soup kitchen is also a fair suggestion.

 

[candbgirl]

If you don’t get an A from 3 WL you might want to look into some interview prep help. Obviously your app is fine to get at least 3 II so consider interviewing as an area where you could use improvement. Good luck as you wait it out.

 

[LizzyM]

You are not obligated to include everything you've ever done so not having included it the first time would not preclude you from including it the second time.

Anyone who feels the need to verify 40 hours of non-clinical volunteer service from 3+ years ago is a bit nuts. If you have a friend/acquaintance with whom you volunteered, I'd just include that person's name & email with their permission and clue them into how much time you are claiming on the application. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone feeling the need to verify this.

 

[fd25]

You are not obligated to include everything you've ever done so not having included it the first time would not preclude you from including it the second time.

Anyone who feels the need to verify 40 hours of non-clinical volunteer service from 3+ years ago is a bit nuts. If you have a friend/acquaintance with whom you volunteered, I'd just include that person's name & email with their permission and clue them into how much time you are claiming on the application. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone feeling the need to verify this.

Makes sense. Thanks so much for the feedback!