How to decline a volunteer position?

[Cells4life]

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I applied to this volunteer position and the doctor responded asking me my time commitments (ie: when i am applying to medical school, employment, etc.) I asked him initially the time commitment. but he kind of ignored the question.After I wrote that I may or may not be applying this cycle, he asked me when I can meet him and that generally volunteers work 20+ hours a week. I do not think i will have time for that considering i am looking to getting a job and studying the MCAT. I still want to let him know that I am available for future positions.how do you tactfully decline a volunteer position?

 

[sciencebooks]

I applied to this volunteer position and the doctor responded asking me my time commitments (ie: when i am applying to medical school, employment, etc.) I asked him initially the time commitment. but he kind of ignored the question.After I wrote that I may or may not be applying this cycle, he asked me when I can meet him and that generally volunteers work 20+ hours a week. I do not think i will have time for that considering i am looking to getting a job and studying the MCAT. I still want to let him know that I am available for future positions.how do you tactfully decline a volunteer position?

Don't overthink it too much. Personally, I would just respond saying something along the lines of "Dr. X, Unfortunately, at this time, I am unable to commit to 20 hours a week due to studying for my MCAT and also balancing a part-time job. I am definitely still interested and would love to contact you if/when anything changes. Thank you..." Obviously not those words exactly, but I'd just mention 1. that the time commitment doesn't work at the current time, 2. that you're still interested, and 3. the possibility of discussing it in the future.

 

[cerno]

I'd imagine he'd understand what being busy is like. Just tell it to him straight, and let him know that if your situation changes, you will let him know.

 

[DokterMom]

I applied to this volunteer position and the doctor responded asking me my time commitments (ie: when i am applying to medical school, employment, etc.) I asked him initially the time commitment. but he kind of ignored the question.After I wrote that I may or may not be applying this cycle, he asked me when I can meet him and that generally volunteers work 20+ hours a week. I do not think i will have time for that considering i am looking to getting a job and studying the MCAT. I still want to let him know that I am available for future positions.how do you tactfully decline a volunteer position?

Dear Dr M,
I am very interested in the position and will be available to volunteer 20+ hours per week after my MCAT on July 31st. Prior to the 31st, I would be happy to volunteer up to 8 hours per week/

 

[PinknGreenMD]

I applied to this volunteer position and the doctor responded asking me my time commitments (ie: when i am applying to medical school, employment, etc.) I asked him initially the time commitment. but he kind of ignored the question.After I wrote that I may or may not be applying this cycle, he asked me when I can meet him and that generally volunteers work 20+ hours a week. I do not think i will have time for that considering i am looking to getting a job and studying the MCAT. I still want to let him know that I am available for future positions.how do you tactfully decline a volunteer position?

are you sure? 20 hours a week? did he mean 20 hours a month? Most clinical volunteer places want you to volunteer at least 4 hours a week and a majority of them like all 4 hours to be completed in 1 day (Not spread out). I would definitely clarify he meant per week (that's like a part-time job hunny). 🙁

If he is clear on the 20 hours per week (whew .. good luck with that). I would definitely let him know that you really appreciate him allowing you to volunteer and that you are very interested. However, the start date would have to be next month (or whenever you can) because you are not able to commit to that amount of time right now due to the fact that you are seriously preparing for the MCAT and getting your application ready for Medical school. I would also say: Although this is a very generous offer, until I can fully commit to the 20+ hours a week (next month) I would really like to get my feet wet and start volunteering as soon as possible. Mention that you would not mind at all if you could volunteer (10 hours or 5 hours or 2 hours ... etc whatever you feel comfortable with) on every >>insert day of the week here << (Tuesday / Wednesday.. etc .... give a specific day of the week and a specific time on that day so he can have a schedule in mind for you and he wont have to think about it.) until then.

Make sure you thank him again for the opportunity and understanding how you would like to put your studies first in this crucial time of your life in preparing for medical school.

Hope it turns out well!! 😍

 

[Cells4life]

thanks everybody...i will just tell it as it is and if something comes up kudos to me and if not then hey there is always something else!

 

[prado]

Not sure if you're serious about volunteering for 20hrs/week. If you're working that much, you need to be getting paid, period. No volunteering is worth that, especially not one geared toward gaining acceptance to medical school. 4hrs/week at most is what you need. 20hrs/week? No thanks Jeff.

 

[Cells4life]

its def 20+ hours, i looked at the email again. It is some sort of research related position, from what I assume but the description does not describe the full duties...

 

[Planes2Doc]

20 hours per week? Either it's research or it's slave labor. If it's research, tread carefully so you don't burn any bridges.

 

[khrisskhoras]

Dont show up

 

[Cells4life]

20 hours per week? Either it's research or it's slave labor. If it's research, tread carefully so you don't burn any bridges.

thanks! i did reply...but no reply back...oh well..i mean now i kind of regret it..but i did say if the right time came up..i would be very interested!

 

[PinknGreenMD]

thanks! i did reply...but no reply back...oh well..i mean now i kind of regret it..but i did say if the right time came up..i would be very interested!

omg, did you really say "IF the RIGHT time came up?" Please tell me you didn't? That sounds bad. sorry 🙁 kinda like you are ungrateful to be really honest.

benefit of the doubt , maybe he was busy today and he will get respond next week?

 

[Cells4life]

omg, did you really say "IF the RIGHT time came up?" Please tell me you didn't? That sounds bad. sorry 🙁 kinda like you are ungrateful to be really honest.

benefit of the doubt , maybe he was busy today and he will get respond next week?

nooo not exactly....this is what i posted....not the exact words but i said something along the lines that i was very grateful and that if circumstances do change i will notify him..i will be still very interested and i apologized for causing an inconvenience and how i think he is doing a great job...i dont know is that not food enough aka did i "burn" my bridges?

i guess all in all this is a lesson...

 

[Cells4life]

hopefully he will still respond with SOMETHING

 

[dancingparadox]

Don't over-analyze your e-mail -- I'm sure it was fine! 🙂

Also, this:

 

[Cells4life]

Don't over-analyze your e-mail -- I'm sure it was fine! 🙂

Also, this:

LOOL thanks def needed that!! *premed paranoia*