How's my strategy for getting in?

[tdod]

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Hi, I am a freshmen and in my first quarter of college. I want to know if the following is a good plan to satisfy the community service "requirement" for admission into medical school:

I want to join an on-campus organization called Health and Wellness. It's always organizing different programs, focusing on education members of the community, primarily college students, about healthy living.
More importantly, if I stick with it for all 4 years I think it'll show commitment, and I can progress from being an intern to a full-time member.
Also, I could supplement it with community service I'm involved in through a fraternity.

Together, should this be enough, or is more diversity of commitment required? Is there a number of community service hours I should shoot for?

 

[blizzah]

Hi, I am a freshmen and in my first quarter of college. I want to know if the following is a good plan to satisfy the community service "requirement" for admission into medical school:

I want to join an on-campus organization called Health and Wellness. It's always organizing different programs, focusing on education members of the community, primarily college students, about healthy living.
More importantly, if I stick with it for all 4 years I think it'll show commitment, and I can progress from being an intern to a full-time member.
Also, I could supplement it with community service I'm involved in through a fraternity.

Together, should this be enough, or is more diversity of commitment required? Is there a number of community service hours I should shoot for?

It's enough if you have a 3.9/37 and other parts of your app stand out in some way

There is no requirement btw

 

[WhizoMD]

Together, should this be enough, or is more diversity of commitment required? Is there a number of community service hours I should shoot for?

Assuming this is in addition to the requisite clinical exposure, I'd personally see this as a bit cookie cutter-ish. Barring rock star stats, I don't think sex/alcohol-ed would be enough of a hook to pull you in. (Just my opinion, sorry for the bluntness)

 

[Scotthoff]

To put it simply, ive known a few people who dedicated hours upon hours to clubs thinking it would be their edge, only to lose their chance at medical school due to low stats. Sure something like this wouldnt hurt, but if it takes time away from your studies thus lowering your GPA or MCat, its kinda a waste.

 

[Barcu]

It's a good activity and if you are interested (and not just want to look good) then I say do it.

You do need clinical volunteering however (as in a hospital or clinic). Most people have about a year and half of it. It is pretty much required, so you need this on top of your other activities. You should shadow some different specialty docs as well.

With some clinical volunteering, shadowing, and the activities mentioned, you should probably be fine as long as your stats are good. Consider research if you are interested (you can maybe even do some public health research with your wellness thing) and/or if you are considering top schools.

 

[dmf2682]

You should take a year off and volunteer as a medic for the whale wars folks. That'd get you in for sure.

 

[Musclemass]

I'd personally see this as a bit cookie cutter-ish.

+1

Your concern about "How will it look" is a bad sign.

Instead, find something you can be excited and passionate about. That'll also give you something interesting to write about in your app.

 

[sector9]

I was expecting to see a full 4-year (or 3-year) plan for getting in, not a description of one non-clinical volunteering activity.

What are your plans for:
-clinical volunteering
-research
-physician shadowing
-leadership
-possibly tutoring or teaching

These are more rhetorical questions than anything