Gap Year Opportunity - National Health Corps, AMA!

[d72s466]

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Hello all!

I know some people are probably thinking about gap year plans, whether planned or unplanned after this cycle, and I wanted to pass on some information about what I think is an ideal gap year opportunity.

I’m serving with the National Health Corps AmeriCorps program in Florida and we’re starting to recruit members for next year! Applications don’t open until March, but it’s definitely something you should start looking into now.

Some basics about the program:

• 10.5 month commitment perfect for gap year (September-July)
• 1700 hours of clinical, direct service to medically underserved populations
• Monthly (or more) non-clinical service projects, including Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, sports for the developmentally or physically disabled, etc.
• Diverse host sites that you can choose from to serve different populations (children, mentally ill, homeless, chemically dependent, pregnant, domestic violence, etc.)
• Professional and leadership development through committees with other members
• Time off for medical school interviews (they’ll work with your schedule!)
• Living in Florida is awesome
• $6000+ education award at the end to use toward medical school!

On a more personal note, I received 7 MD interview invites this cycle, attended 5 of them, and have 4 acceptances so far. My AmeriCorps service was brought up heavily at every single interview, and all interviewers seemed very impressed. It’s definitely something that will make you stand out, and if you’re lacking volunteering of any kind, this is perfect.

Besides my regular service at my ‘host site,’ I also volunteer at Mayo Clinic, at a free clinic for the uninsured, at UF Health, at the humane society, at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, and several other places, most of which count toward my 1700 hour commitment.

Feel free to PM me with questions about applying, or ask them here and I’ll answer them as soon as possible!

 

[puahate]

Heard that these Americorp positions were competitive compared to others

 

[d72s466]

Heard that these Americorp positions were competitive compared to others

Yeah I would say that's true. We get about 200 applications for 24 spots at the Florida location. Can't speak for the other sites, but the competitiveness just shows how good of a program it is! Definitely attracts a lot of pre-meds, but we have a good mix of people interested in other things too

 

[puahate]

Yeah I would say that's true. We get about 200 applications for 24 spots at the Florida location. Can't speak for the other sites, but the competitiveness just shows how good of a program it is! Definitely attracts a lot of pre-meds, but we have a good mix of people interested in other things too

yeah it kinda blows lol. I was able to get call backs and acceptances to all 3 AmeriCorp postions but I doubt I would get into this one. Hate bing a premed.

 

[d72s466]

yeah it kinda blows lol. I was able to get call backs and acceptances to all 3 AmeriCorp postions but I doubt I would get into this one. Hate bing a premed.

Oooh do you mean competitive compared to the other National Health Corps sites? Like Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philly? Out of those, Chicago definitely receives the most applications. AmeriCorps in general has thousands of positions all over the country, with different programs. National Health Corps is just one AmeriCorps program.

 

[puahate]

Oooh do you mean competitive compared to the other National Health Corps sites? Like Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philly? Out of those, Chicago definitely receives the most applications. AmeriCorps in general has thousands of positions all over the country, with different programs. National Health Corps is just one AmeriCorps program.

I heard NHC was the most competitive to get a postion regardless of location

 

[d72s466]

I heard NHC was the most competitive to get a postion regardless of location

Okay, got it, sorry for the confusion lol Not really sure how it stacks up against everywhere else, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the more competitive ones. However, they do a really good job of choosing people who are in it for the right reasons. They're not looking for people who want a resume builder or something to look good on apps. They also make sure your host site (where you do most of your service) is a good fit for you. So while it may be competitive, if you're applying to the program for the right reasons, I think you'd have a great shot

 

[Wayfinder]

Hi, I was curious if living expenses were covered in some fashion? Do you get paid a certain amount monthly that could cover rent, insurance, food, etc?

 

[d72s466]

Hi, I was curious if living expenses were covered in some fashion? Do you get paid a certain amount monthly that could cover rent, insurance, food, etc?

Yes definitely! This year we get about $530 biweekly. It's not much by any means, but that's kind of the point. And pretty much all of us are on SNAP benefits (food stamps) because you automatically get the full amount ($192/month) as an AmeriCorps member if you apply correctly, which they help you do in the program. The program will also give you suggestions for housing so you're in a decent part of town, but it's still affordable and you can make the most of your living stipend. Even with traveling all over the country for interviews, I haven't had any money struggles. You just have to be smart about it.

 

[Wayfinder]

Yes definitely! This year we get about $530 biweekly. It's not much by any means, but that's kind of the point. And pretty much all of us are on SNAP benefits (food stamps) because you automatically get the full amount ($192/month) as an AmeriCorps member if you apply correctly, which they help you do in the program. The program will also give you suggestions for housing so you're in a decent part of town, but it's still affordable and you can make the most of your living stipend. Even with traveling all over the country for interviews, I haven't had any money struggles. You just have to be smart about it.

Awesome! Thank you so much for your response, if you dont mind I have a few other random questions.
If you dont mind sharing did you have all of your interview cost saved before hand, or where you able to budget carefully enough to save for it as a americorps member? I was wondering if this was a program that allowed for student loan deferment, and if so if that was easy to get done?
Also is there a list of various host sites you as an americorps member can go? And if this is the case is there somewhere you can find the list?
Or do you get explore the community and design new solutions?
What kind of experiences do they look for in applicants?
Also if you dont mind could you explain a bit about what an average day is like for you?

 

[d72s466]

Awesome! Thank you so much for your response, if you dont mind I have a few other random questions.
If you dont mind sharing did you have all of your interview cost saved before hand, or where you able to budget carefully enough to save for it as a americorps member? I was wondering if this was a program that allowed for student loan deferment, and if so if that was easy to get done?
Also is there a list of various host sites you as an americorps member can go? And if this is the case is there somewhere you can find the list?
Or do you get explore the community and design new solutions?
What kind of experiences do they look for in applicants?
Also if you dont mind could you explain a bit about what an average day is like for you?

No problem, I'm happy to answer them!
1. I had most of the money saved beforehand, but I have been able to save some money from the stipend. Like I said, if you're smart about it and not eating out every meal and going to Disneyworld every weekend, it's doable. I did have a fairly large savings account when I started that I have borrowed a bit from, so that helped as well.
2. AmeriCorps does loan forbearance (like deferment except the interest gets paid). So you apply for forbearance during the program and it will most likely get approved and then you don't have to make any payments during the service term. Then at the end of the program you apply to have them pay all or some of your interest that accumulated. I didn't have any loans, but that info is from a fellow member who went through the process.
3. There is a list of host sites! Go to Positions | National Health Corps and you can see the current positions. They will mostly be the same next year, but some might not be a site anymore and they'll add a few new ones. Whatever position you are accepted to, there will be some opportunity to create new solutions within that organization. You are also always welcome to do "outside service," so if you see a need in the community, you could volunteer there in the evenings or weekends (or sometimes during the week, but that's dependent on your site).
4. The most important thing they look for in applicants is a passion to serve. They will be able to tell right away if you're just looking for a resume/application builder, and you will not be selected. From the program director, "If you care about serving the community, giving back to the less fortunate, and honoring your commitment, the program gives back to you by being a badge of honor that proves you understand that healthcare is not about you." As far as experiences, being able to demonstrate that you have this dedication to the underserved (through previous volunteering) would look good. If you really want a specific host site, you should obviously have some reasons to back that up other than "This looks the most clinical" or "This would look impressive on my application." Do not say those things lol
5. So I serve at a domestic violence shelter, which is definitely one of the less clinical positions and more public health focused I'd say. I'll tell you about my day last Thursday. I went to my office at like 8:30, responded to some emails from schools wanting me to give presentations about violence and bullying, figured out my schedule, confirmed some upcoming presentations, etc. Then I went to Mayo Clinic (not part of my host site, this is outside service) and volunteered with the Caring Hands program, giving hand massages to patients. Then I had a lunch break, went back to my office, and prepared for the class I had that afternoon at an afterschool program. At 4:30, I went to the class (this was #7 out of a 10 week course) which was 5th graders. We talked about bullying, played some games, had some discussion. I went home and had dinner, then went to a local YMCA to help out at a wheelchair basketball practice (more outside service). Mostly helping them with drills, rebounding balls, etc. Then I went home! This is a longer than average day, but pretty typical. Obviously another member would have a completely different day, except for the basketball practice part, because 3 of us helped at that this week.

Let me know about any other questions!

 

[p4m123]

Wow this looks like it would be awesome. I'm trying to figure out what to do next year as I go through the application process. I have a few questions:
Do you feel like your stipend is enough to live off of (not including your med school applications/interviews) or do you have to dip into savings?
You mentioned volunteering at hospitals and clinics- are things like outside volunteering or possibly shadowing doctors things you can fit in easily? I was originally considering scribing next year because of the clinical exposure it would give me, as that is something I'm somewhat lacking in, but this sounds like it would be a better fit for me.
How much support do you get from your host site/americorps? Are you mostly coming up with your own projects or is most of it pre-set expectations?

Thanks for sharing this opportunity!

 

[d72s466]

Wow this looks like it would be awesome. I'm trying to figure out what to do next year as I go through the application process. I have a few questions:
Do you feel like your stipend is enough to live off of (not including your med school applications/interviews) or do you have to dip into savings?
You mentioned volunteering at hospitals and clinics- are things like outside volunteering or possibly shadowing doctors things you can fit in easily? I was originally considering scribing next year because of the clinical exposure it would give me, as that is something I'm somewhat lacking in, but this sounds like it would be a better fit for me.
How much support do you get from your host site/americorps? Are you mostly coming up with your own projects or is most of it pre-set expectations?

Thanks for sharing this opportunity!

1. The stipend has been plenty for me. I think I dipped into savings just a bit, during the time when I was spending a lot of money moving to Florida, getting my apartment set up, sending in secondaries, etc. But since then, the stipend has been plenty for rent, utilities, some fun stuff occasionally. Most of the members, including myself, are also on SNAP benefits (food stamps), and as AmeriCorps members we're eligible for the full amount ($192/month for groceries, more than I've ever needed).

2. Outside service in clinical environments is definitely feasible, but it does depend a bit on your host site. For example, I'm busiest at mine in the afternoon, so I'm able to do some volunteering at hospitals and clinics in the morning a couple times a week. This isn't possible for all members, but some will volunteer on the weekends/evenings at places like EDs that are more flexible with scheduling. But keep in mind that ALL of the positions have some public health aspect (is it the National HEALTH Corps after all), with some being more clinical than others. So regardless of whether you're able to do outside service at a hospital, you're still gaining clinical experience in NHC. Also, things like shadowing are allowed, and you can usually get a half-day or full day off to do that. Shadowing counts towards your 1700 hour requirement too! A lot of these things are dependent on your host site though and what your supervisor allows, so I don't want to make any promises. Mine has been very flexible.

3. There's a ton of support in this program, both from NHC and AmeriCorps, and from your host site (though again, that might depend on the specific host site a bit). Some supervisors are a little more hands-on, while others will just check in every once in a while and offer support as needed. NHC checks in all the time, and you're in pretty constant contact with the program director or coordinator, between correcting timesheets, working on committee stuff (think: social media, professional development, blog, group service projects, etc.), get time off approved, etc. There are pre-set expectations, but they LOVE people who can take the initiative and find a way to make things better.

Here's some more info on how the program works:
You fill out the general AmeriCorps application.
You send this application to all the AmeriCorps programs you're interested in (one of which will be NHC Florida!)
If NHC FL likes that application, they'll send you the NHC specific application.
If they like that, you'll interview with the NHC FL Program director.
If you pass that interview, you'll be able to select your top 3 host sites, who will receive your application.
You'll interview with those host sites and if they like you, they'll offer you a position. If you get more than one offer, you choose whichever you like best.
That host site will give you a position description, which basically tells you what you're going to be doing for the 10.5 months. If you have an idea of something new you'd like to implement in your host site/position, you can bring that up to your supervisor and the program director and go from there.

Hope that cleared some stuff up!

 

[glassesvar]

What locations are the host sites in FL? What would you say they weight most heavily in applications? Is GPA considered heavily or is it more about experience?

 

[d72s466]

What locations are the host sites in FL? What would you say they weight most heavily in applications? Is GPA considered heavily or is it more about experience?

The host sites are in Jacksonville and Yulee this year. Not sure if that will change next year, but almost all are in Jacksonville. Some of them are: UF Health, River Region Human Services, Baptist Health, Florida Department of Health, YMCA, Hubbard House domestic violence shelter, Tobacco Free Jacksonville, Sulzbacher Homeless Village, JASMYN (LGBTQ organization), Barnabas Clinic, PLAYERS Center for Child Health.
See the link up above about the positions for more information.

I don't think they care one bit about your GPA. I'm not sure they ever even ask for it. The most important thing is that you can show you have a passion to serve those less fortunate than yourself. If you go into the interview talking about how it will look great for medical school, and how you're only interested in the clinical positions because you need clinical experience, and things like that, you won't be accepted. They want people who genuinely care about service to the underserved. Having some experience that shows you're dedicated to this would be good (volunteering and things), and talking about your motivation to be in this program.

 

[camp23]

Did you have roommates or live alone? Does the program help set you up with roommates if you had them?

 

[d72s466]

Did you have roommates or live alone? Does the program help set you up with roommates if you had them?

I have 2 roommates, who are also in the program with me. Almost everyone lives with other NHC members, though a couple of people live alone, with family, or with partners. We had a Facebook group before the program started and that's where I found people to live with. The program also provided us with housing suggestions, based on where other members had lived in the past.

 

[d72s466]

Just an FYI that applications for NHC are now open! Go to How to Apply | National Health Corps for more info on applying. You'll have to make an AmeriCorps account and fill out that application (general info, work history, references, volunteer experience, etc.), then send it to NHC Florida.

Let me know if you have any questions! You can PM me for my email if you want since I check that more often than SDN.

 

[d72s466]

Posting on here again for those looking for gap year opportunities. I've been helping interview potential NHC members for next year so I have a pretty good idea of what they're looking for.

Again, let me know if you have any questions!

 

[puahate]

Is it only in FL?

 

[d72s466]

Is it only in FL?

Only the best one is in Florida! 😉
But no, there are also NHC sites in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. And also maybe San Francisco and Hudson Valley NY, but those are new this year and I'm not sure what their timeline looks like.

 

[puahate]

Thanks for the info. Just applied for it

Only the best one is in Florida! 😉
But no, there are also NHC sites in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. And also maybe San Francisco and Hudson Valley NY, but those are new this year and I'm not sure what their timeline looks like.

 

[d72s466]

Hi again!

Just wanted to give an update about the positions with NHC Florida that are still available:

Hubbard House domestic violence shelter: working with kids daily; teaching about bullying, healthy relationships, peer pressure, and more; in schools, after school programs, and at the domestic violence shelter

Starting Point Behavioral Health: providing screening and assessments to increase patient engagement in mental health services and medicated assisted treatment services

Barnabas Health Services: helping patients understand every aspect of their health including their vitals (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, etc.), chronic disease management/prevention practices, and how to achieve a healthy lifestyle

Gateway Community Services: serve with individuals who are seeking recovery from the despair and destruction of addiction and co-occurring disorders, including Opioid Use Disorder

Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center: providing community education on speech pathology, hearing disorders, audiology and autism to people in the community through local organizations

YMCA Tiger Academy: provide nutrition education to children twice daily one of Jacksonville’s low income areas; facilitate education on topics like healthy eating, fruits, vegetables, lowered screen time, physical activity and injury prevention

Sulzbacher Center (4 positions available!): positions in human services, dental clinic, and 2 medical clinics (downtown and beach locations)

Clay County YMCA: implementation of programming to students in Clay County to improve their physical fitness and their nutritional education for an improved well-being

Almost half of our positions have been filled, but there's still plenty of time to get your application in! Let me know if you have any specific questions about these positions.

 

[jat2mc]

This sounds like a great opportunity, thanks for taking the time to explain everything. Congrats on your medical school acceptances! In my option, just from reading what you have posted it seems that this experience was incredible and it really set you apart. Do you feel that this experience helped score you med school interviews that you would not have gotten otherwise? Also were you pretty quick to receive your interviews or did they roll in throughout the year perhaps after you had serve some time in the position?