Lack of volunteer experience

[KarateGirl]

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I'm a post-bac who has spent the last 10 years working full-time, and the past 3 years working 60-hour weeks and doing my science prereqs. It hasn't left much time for volunteer work. I did volunteer with my local ambulance corps this summer, but my mother was diagnosed with cancer in August and I dropped all my ECs to help look after her.

I know some schools like to see a lot of volunteer experience. Do most schools take extenuating circumstances like that into consideration, or is it going to hurt my app? Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[ManchotPi]

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[skypilot]

10 years of fulltime work experience can substitute for a lot of volunteer experience. Try to relate it to medicine, if you can, in your discussion. Was any of the work health related?

Can you talk about how your former career will contribute to your success in medicine.

Can you talk about how the experience with your mother's illness has changed your perspective on medicine? Students generally don't have as much experience in health care as you'd imagine. If you say things in the right way you will be fine.

 

[KarateGirl]

Thanks, your answers are reassuring. I did do 5 years of clinical psychiatric research, where I worked closely with first schizophrenic patients, and then the elderly. After that I started work full-time in the fitness industry, so I am constantly working with people in a health-and-wellness capacity.

I just got a little nervous when I saw some of the ECs of applicants on MDapplicant.com, and secondaries like Albany Med where they ask you to list up to 3 volunteer positions in healthcare, and non-medical community service. I would love to have done a ton of stuff, but I just haven't had the time.

 

[skypilot]

Originally posted by KarateGirl
I did do 5 years of clinical psychiatric research, where I worked closely with first schizophrenic patients, and then the elderly.

You are in.... don't even worry. Just play your experience to the hilt. Whether the experience was paid or unpaid does not really matter.

You may have volunteered on committees as part of your job or gone to conferences. Just remember to use what you have got and don't worry about what you don't got.

🙂

 

[Ranger47]

I one of my pre-med class our pre-med advisor said that taking care of a sick relative counts for volunteer experience. Just cause you are related to them, doesn't mean it doesn't count. You volunteered to help out and got some valuable experience as a part of it. good luck!

 

[Amy B]

Don't have anything to add, just wondering how your mom is now? Better I hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KarateGirl]

Amy--thanks for asking. This is her third diagnosis, actually. She had breast cancer ten years ago, and ovarian around four or five years ago. This time it was colon. She has been EXTREMELY lucky. The breast cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, which worried me, but supposedly the other two are unrelated. Both of those times the tumor was encapsulated and isolated.

She had surgery in October, and her prognosis is good. She doesn't even need chemo. Sometimes eating is still a problem, but she is much better. Sorry, that was probably a much longer answer than you needed!

I never thought of taking care of her as volunteer experience, but I could probably spin it that way. Thanks for the idea, Ranger.