How many volunteer hours is average?

[SCDP]

Like let's say between 3-4 places, how many volunteer hours would you consider average and how many should one shoot for?

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[sjv]

I'm not sure you can put an exact number on it but IMO at least 100 hours for a single activity shows a certain level of commitment.

 

[SCDP]

I'm not sure you can put an exact number on it but IMO at least 100 hours for a single activity shows a certain level of commitment.

Alright, it might be tough for me to get 100 hours in two of my volunteer activities just because I may be pressed for time before applying this summer but I can easily get 75ish for 2 activities and than 50-60 for another. Plus pre-dental club and tutoring should help too I hope for extra-curriculars. And some intramural sports too for a couple of semesters

 

[sjv]

Alright, it might be tough for me to get 100 hours in two of my volunteer activities just because I may be pressed for time before applying this summer but I can easily get 75ish for 2 activities and than 50-60 for another. Plus pre-dental club and tutoring should help too I hope for extra-curriculars. And some intramural sports too for a couple of semesters

Yeah, it is obviously on a case by case basis and not every activity is ideal. Just get as many as you can and list it.

 

[dentalgirl7893]

I had like.. 130 hours total between all the places I volunteered. Just try to volunteer at places over longer periods of time not like a month at one place a month at another b/c that doesn't show commitment

 

[7amsho]

150

 

[Cello]

I once heard a talk from a dean of admissions for a med school. He said that the quantity of hours means less to him than what you learned while you were volunteering. Now, I don't think that means that you can get away with having only 5. But, clearly there is something to be said for commitment and involvement.

 

[Greyangel6]

So for UF this pre-Dec batch, its 200 hours.

 

[datjapman]

I am curious about this as well! i have about 75, but will have close to 100 by the time school starts up again.

 

[B0wMNj]

other than dentistry related i had 35, 20 and 36 among three other activities. It definitely shows commitment if you volunteer longer, but if you are really passionate about one activity and can go into great detail about it in the interview, you will be set.

 

[2thsaver]

I had over 500 hours, but the one place alone I've volunteered at for 3 years (about 300 hours). I'm still volunteering there so by April I'll have 400 hours. I also had over 500 hours of EC's and 500 hours of shadowing. One interview, one acceptance. I received another interview recently but won't be attending. My GPA's are in my signature, so I'd say shoot for 200 hours, but if you have a GPA of 3.6+, a little less should suffice. This is just based on what I've read on SDN over the years. I'm also Canadian which doesn't help lol.

 

[SCDP]

I had over 500 hours, but the one place alone I've volunteered at for 3 years (about 300 hours). I'm still volunteering there so by April I'll have 400 hours. I also had over 500 hours of EC's and 500 hours of shadowing. One interview, one acceptance. I received another interview recently but won't be attending. My GPA's are in my signature, so I'd say shoot for 200 hours, but if you have a GPA of 3.6+, a little less should suffice. This is just based on what I've read on SDN over the years. I'm also Canadian which doesn't help lol.

Can I ask why you did 3 years of postbac? Was your gpa really low during your first BSc in biochem?

 

[2thsaver]

Can I ask why you did 3 years of postbac? Was your gpa really low during your first BSc in biochem?

Of the three years, my first year I was a part-time student and completed a few pre-reqs (not part of my second degree), the other 2 years were full courseloads that made up my second degree. My first degree cGPA was 3.2, sGPA was around 3.15. So yeah it was pretty low lol.

 

[SCDP]

Of the three years, my first year I was a part-time student and completed a few pre-reqs (not part of my second degree), the other 2 years were full courseloads that made up my second degree. My first degree cGPA was 3.2, sGPA was around 3.15. So yeah it was pretty low lol.

Ah I see, well it was worth it, congrats on the acceptance!

 

[2thsaver]

Ah I see, well it was worth it, congrats on the acceptance!

Thanks! All the best to you.

 

[jjdd]

I have 75 hours shadowing and 75 volunteering at a local charity dental clinic. Worked well for me. Got into 4 schools.