Nonclinical Volunteering Question

[merrymadhatter]

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If I volunteered for 100 hours in a hospital (non-clinical) during high school, took a two year break, then started again in college but in a different department, would I be able to include the high school hours in my app?

 

[DrRiker]

Yes, but their merit might be questionable. The worse case scenario for listing useless hours is if it wastes one of your 15 activities. Since you have the option to choose "repeated activity," then this is not an issue. For you, the worst that could happen is someone ignores your high school hours. No big deal.

 

[merrymadhatter]

Yes, but their merit might be questionable. The worse case scenario for listing useless hours is if it wastes one of your 15 activities. Since you have the option to choose "repeated activity," then this is not an issue. For you, the worst that could happen is someone ignores your high school hours. No big deal.

Alright, thanks so much!

 

[DrRiker]

Alright, thanks so much!

For what it's worth, if I sat on an adcom, I would admire clinical service that started in high school and continued throughout college, so long as the two year break fits with your narrative.

 

[DrRiker]

just curious, how can volunteering in a hospital be considered non-clinical?

If the entire time was spent in the laundry room or cubicle, I don't think it would have the qualities one would expect of a clinical volunteer experience.

 

[merrymadhatter]

just curious, how can volunteering in a hospital be considered non-clinical?

I was a front desk greeter, and a "volunteer" in the pediatric ward and the ICU, where I just answered the phone and did admin work.

 

[LizzyM]

If you were isolated such that you were not close enough to "smell patients" (you don't have to be close enough to touch them but in close proximity), then it isn't a clinical experience even if it is in a hospital.