non-trad activities section review + path forward

[missbeanie]

hi all!

I am a non-trad student planning to apply in 2026 with a low gpa. I'd say, like most people, my interests/activities widely vary, which is why I am having some trouble about what potential activities to include when I apply. I'd love advice on what areas I should focus on, what interests I could show a greater interest in and highlight through extended participation in, or which ones I should avoid mentioning.

clinical:

• 1 . (~550 hr, 1+ yr) scribe, paid
• 2. (50 hr, 150 projected, 6 months so far) Hospital volunteer,

research:

• 12. (~490 hr, 1500 projected, 1 yr so far) Volunteer in wet lab

volunteering:

• 4. (156 hr, 350 projected, 1 yr so far) Literacy tutoring.
• 5. (400 hr, 4 months) Online community program
• 6. (65 hr, 285 projected, 1 yr so far) Food pantry (volunteer, non-clinical then list some of the hours as "leadership")
• 7. (140 hr, ~1 yr) Volunteer at local vet clinic

other:

• 8. (450 hr, ~9 yrs) Social justice non-profit
• 9. (960 hr, 6 mo) intern ...Gained many skills and loved working here, but here is where I made the turn to pre-med once again after realizing I'd feel more fulfilled more directly working with people.
• 10. (many hrs but unsure of benefit of listing specific hours) arts projects
• 11. (~30) Various healthcare/med related...

thank you! (edited list from comment but kept general idea so anyone can reference this if needed)

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[Mr.Smile12]

How do your past activities inform us about your intended purpose/vision as a physician?

 

[LizzyM]

All projected hours here would be total completed hours at the time of my application and don't include the gap year during the cycle.
clinical:

• 1 . (~550 hr, 1+ yr) scribe, paid
• 2. (50 hr, 150 projected, 6 months so far) Hospital volunteer,

research:

• 12. (~490 hr, 1500 projected, 1 yr so far) Volunteer in wet lab

volunteering:

• 4. (156 hr, 350 projected, 1 yr so far) Literacy tutoring.
• 5. (400 hr, 4 months) Online community program
• 6. (65 hr, 285 projected, 1 yr so far) Food pantry (volunteer, non-clinical then list some of the hours as "leadership")
• 7. (140 hr, ~1 yr) Volunteer at local vet clinic

other:

• 8. (450 hr, ~9 yrs) Social justice non-profit
• 9. (960 hr, 6 mo) intern ...Gained many skills and loved working here, but here is where I made the turn to pre-med once again after realizing I'd feel more fulfilled more directly working with people.
• 10. (many hrs but unsure of benefit of listing specific hours) arts projects
• 11. (~30) Various healthcare/med related...

I am also considering doing one or two of the following activities for the next year, but not sure what I should be focusing on with what I have so far. I'd love suggestions on which to pick or any other ideas!

• 
  
• 3. Shadowing (you absolutely need this!)

I've edited the descriptions to make them relatively anonymous. Believe me, you are not unique in the list. You have 12 items and can list up to 15 so you can add a few. You have at least one hobby thing (the arts projects) and you have wet lab, clinical experience, community service, and some explanation of what you did when you set aside being pre-med and why you came back. I'd say you're good as long as the post-bac improves your GPA as that's the weak point.