Gaps in Volunteering (oops sorry here's the actual post)

[obgyny]

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By the time I apply for med school, I'll have about 250 hours of medical volunteering. However, this was not all at one place. I began volunteering in my freshman year at a FL hospital, but only got 50 hours before I unexpectedly had to move to CA. Since I worked (non-medical job) and did a lot of research throughout college, I didn't begin doing medical volunteering again until my senior year (50 hours at a free medical clinic). Again, I had to stop volunteering at this clinic because I graduated college (June 2009) and had to find a full-time job (the clinic is only open 8-5 during weekdays). So now I've started volunteering once again at a hospital that allows you to volunteer at night. Here, I hope to get 150 hours before I apply June 2010.

Would they consider this sufficient clinical experience? Or would it appear too sporadic? Unfortunately, the fact that I worked throughout most of college and had to transfer colleges twice made continuous volunteering difficult.

Does anyone else have the same problem (sporadic clinical experience)? I would really appreciate any advice!! I asked about this before, but no one responded to my post 🙁

Thanks in advance! 🙂

PS: My stats if you wanted to know-- 3.992 cGPA at UC school, haven't taken the MCAT yet, 3 years research, 2 years on the board of a health club

 

[FlowRate]

Similar circumstances here. I wouldn't worry about it. Someone once told me that adcomms like to see that you've worked a job while in school. Not sure how true that is, but hey, it gives me some hope that the "lack of commitment" (really, extraneous circumstances) won't actually matter.

 

[futureNCmed]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have a different situation, but it's sorta similar. I didn't even begin doing medical volunteer work until end of junior semester. Therefore, I don't have a whole lot and it's pretty sporadic (I kept jumping around trying different things and trying to find something to fit with school then fulltime job). I finally found some things that fit well but it's just now that I"m starting to really rack up some hours at the same place. I've already gotten 3 interviews this year (hoping for more) and hopefuly I'll get an acceptance.

Adcoms will understand that you had to balance work and school and volunteering. As long as you have some on your resume and you can explain why you don't have more and why there are those big gaps, I don't think you'll have a problem

Best of Luck! And take it from someone who has gone through the process twice... APPLY EARLY!

 

[JJMrK]

I did something similar, but with fewer total hours. Probably not ideal, but turned out fine.

 

[Catalystik]

Would they consider this sufficient clinical experience? Or would it appear too sporadic? Unfortunately, the fact that I worked throughout most of college and had to transfer colleges twice made continuous volunteering difficult.

Yes, 250 hours will be sufficient clinical experience. You have good reasons for a change in venue, so don't worry about it. Having a broader experience across several departments could be considered a plus.

 

[obgyny]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have a different situation, but it's sorta similar. I didn't even begin doing medical volunteer work until end of junior semester. Therefore, I don't have a whole lot and it's pretty sporadic (I kept jumping around trying different things and trying to find something to fit with school then fulltime job). I finally found some things that fit well but it's just now that I"m starting to really rack up some hours at the same place. I've already gotten 3 interviews this year (hoping for more) and hopefuly I'll get an acceptance.

Adcoms will understand that you had to balance work and school and volunteering. As long as you have some on your resume and you can explain why you don't have more and why there are those big gaps, I don't think you'll have a problem

Best of Luck! And take it from someone who has gone through the process twice... APPLY EARLY!

congrats on the interviews!!! 🙂

 

[J ROD]

You will be fine....if you get 100+hrs at the new place.