How can I show "service to underreserved populations"?

[streampaw]

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Basically I am an Oregon resident and I am just starting the whole pre-med thing, despite being already a junior in college. Probably will take a year off after graduation (still deciding whether to take 1 year off, 2 years off, or not to take any time off, but just speculating all my options).

I am really interested in staying in Oregon or close to Oregon. Obviously my top choice is OHSU, but what if I don't get in?
I want to have back up, so that I don't have to be so far away from Oregon.
There is University of Washington medical school, but they have strict rules for OOS applicants, and that is, OOS applicants either have to come from minority group, or they have to show significant service to unuderreserved populations.

Well, I want to do some volunteering with underreserved populations, but I am not sure what counts. What sort of volunuteer work would count toward this?
I really need to get into either OHSU or UW, so I am trying to maximize my chances at UW in case I don't get into OHSU.

 

[pyrrion89]

Why not do something you actually care about instead? It'll keep you sane when you do what you care about, and you won't have to bull**** the adcomm during the interview about how much you love underserved population care (and risk being accused of being disingenuous). I get that you "need" to do it to get into UW, according to you, but is it really worth putting on a false front to go there?

 

[Lya]

If you want to take initiatives for your endeavor:

Identify what you are good at. It can be music, math, science, organizing events or whatever.

Identify what type of underserved populations you have nearby. What are their needs? What do they lack?

With your strengths, can you address some of their needs? If not, do you know who you could collaborate with?

And then I would go from there and figure out details on the way.


Otherwise, do you know other local groups that already are addressing the underserved populations? Can you join them and volunteer?

 

[streampaw]

Why not do something you actually care about instead? It'll keep you sane when you do what you care about, and you won't have to bull**** the adcomm during the interview about how much you love underserved population care (and risk being accused of being disingenuous). I get that you "need" to do it to get into UW, according to you, but is it really worth putting on a false front to go there?

Yeah, I would think that it is actually worth it for me. I am very motivated to stay in Oregon or close to Oregon, and UW is an option that is close to Oregon. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get into either OHSU or UW.

 

[streampaw]

If you want to take initiatives for your endeavor:

Identify what you are good at. It can be music, math, science, organizing events or whatever.

Identify what type of underserved populations you have nearby. What are their needs? What do they lack?

With your strengths, can you address some of their needs? If not, do you know who you could collaborate with?

And then I would go from there and figure out details on the way.


Otherwise, do you know other local groups that already are addressing the underserved populations? Can you join them and volunteer?

Hmm. I don't know what kind of local groups serve specifically underserved populations... any ideas? Does tutoring kids from low income families count?

 

[Lya]

Hmm. I don't know what kind of local groups serve specifically underserved populations... any ideas? Does tutoring kids from low income families count?

That definitely counts.

If you like science and would enjoy teaching that, sure you can do so. Head Start programs are one of those groups for helping with education. Meet with some underserved families and find out what they need. It can be as simple as more vitamins, so then you could set up vitamin donation events to collect them and distribute them to those who need them.


I am just curious. I don't know how many times you can apply to UW and OHSU, but are you considering other medical schools at all or just planning to apply to these two only?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Basically I am an Oregon resident and I am just starting the whole pre-med thing, despite being already a junior in college. Probably will take a year off after graduation (still deciding whether to take 1 year off, 2 years off, or not to take any time off, but just speculating all my options).

I am really interested in staying in Oregon or close to Oregon. Obviously my top choice is OHSU, but what if I don't get in?
I want to have back up, so that I don't have to be so far away from Oregon.
There is University of Washington medical school, but they have strict rules for OOS applicants, and that is, OOS applicants either have to come from minority group, or they have to show significant service to unuderreserved populations.

Well, I want to do some volunteering with underreserved populations, but I am not sure what counts. What sort of volunuteer work would count toward this?
I really need to get into either OHSU or UW, so I am trying to maximize my chances at UW in case I don't get into OHSU.

Sorry for a useless comment, but when I first read your post I thought you wrote "undeserving" Kind of changes the meaning a bit... I was wondering why you'd want to serve undeserving people.

 

[streampaw]

That definitely counts.

If you like science and would enjoy teaching that, sure you can do so. Head Start programs are one of those groups for helping with education. Meet with some underserved families and find out what they need. It can be as simple as more vitamins, so then you could set up vitamin donation events to collect them and distribute them to those who need them.


I am just curious. I don't know how many times you can apply to UW and OHSU, but are you considering other medical schools at all or just planning to apply to these two only?

I will probably apply broadly, but I am mostly interested in staying in Oregon or at least close to Oregon (and I am an oregon resident). For example, I'd probably turn down a jhu acceptance to go to ohsu any time

 

[TheBossDoctor]

Any free clinics near your area? Those people are underserved.