Opinions on non-profit idea

[TheTravelingSee]

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I am currently based in Maryland and in the process of completing my direct-entry MSN at Johns Hopkins. Last year I came to conclusion that, rather than nursing, I wanted to pursue medicine instead. While in nursing school I started a student group whose focus is spreading health advocacy and education to the underprivileged children of Baltimore. We also plan to provide free CPR/BLS (I am in the process of getting myself and my team CPR instructor certifications) classes for older children, parents and faculty from the local schools. That being said, I will only be at Hopkins for another 8 months and will no longer have the student group to continue my CPR/BLS classes. That being the case, I was thinking of starting a non-profit based in Baltimore that can provide free classes to whoever might want them. Would this be a good idea or does it seem like more or less a waste of time?

 

[Dral]

If you already know how to navigate the process, that sounds like a good contribution to the community in my opinion.

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Running your own non-profit is not easy. It will be a lot of work, not just day-to-day but you'll need to factor in time spent with legal compliance, any payroll/equipment expenses, etc.

If you can balance all of that, then you could have a great service that would stand out on applications.


Do you have your prereqs, MCAT, etc, sorted?

 

[TheTravelingSee]

Running your own non-profit is not easy. It will be a lot of work, not just day-to-day but you'll need to factor in time spent with legal compliance, any payroll/equipment expenses, etc.

If you can balance all of that, then you could have a great service that would stand out on applications.


Do you have your prereqs, MCAT, etc, sorted?

We found a CPA who is willing to handle the legal and financial situation for us for free (relative of one of the founding members). We plan to keep the operation small scale for now but will have to consider all of the other logistics if and when it becomes more established. I have completed all my prereqs and am about to start studying for the MCAT. I plan to take it in Jan next year.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Then what's your timeline to apply? Is that enough time to show your NPO has impact? I find it takes about 4-5 years.

 

[TheTravelingSee]

Then what's your timeline to apply? Is that enough time to show your NPO has impact? I find it takes about 4-5 years.

I'm planning to apply for the Fall of 2027, so in 2026. And this non-profit was something my group and I wanted to do in general. I just wanted to know if I should bother including something like that on the app if it would only have realistically been running for around 2-2.5 years by the time I apply.

 

[deleted1209789]

I am currently based in Maryland and in the process of completing my direct-entry MSN at Johns Hopkins. Last year I came to conclusion that, rather than nursing, I wanted to pursue medicine instead. While in nursing school I started a student group whose focus is spreading health advocacy and education to the underprivileged children of Baltimore. We also plan to provide free CPR/BLS (I am in the process of getting myself and my team CPR instructor certifications) classes for older children, parents and faculty from the local schools. That being said, I will only be at Hopkins for another 8 months and will no longer have the student group to continue my CPR/BLS classes. That being the case, I was thinking of starting a non-profit based in Baltimore that can provide free classes to whoever might want them. Would this be a good idea or does it seem like more or less a waste of time?

Would health advocacy be a waste of time? Only if you're doing it for the sole purpose of standing out to med schools... because they can probably spot that a mile away after reviewing thousands and thousands of applications

 

[Goro]

Better to spend your time actually helping people less fortunate than yourself, like at a food bank.

Your local houses of worship might be useful venues.

 

[Just Call Me Doc]

I'm planning to apply for the Fall of 2027, so in 2026. And this non-profit was something my group and I wanted to do in general. I just wanted to know if I should bother including something like that on the app if it would only have realistically been running for around 2-2.5 years by the time I apply.

I think it's great that you and your group want to start a non-profit to help others. I wish you the best in that endeavor. I do agree that if its just to boost ones application then its likely not worth the time but it seems you are genuine in wanting to start it to do some good. Regarding including it on your app, I would say definitely. A non-profit can be a great vehicle to make an impact on a community. Even just the experience of trying to setup a non-profit including applying for 501(c)3 status, establishing by-laws, gathering a board of directors, etc... would be valuable. If this one doesn't make quite an impact (and likely most non-profits don't) then at least you have experience to make the next one even better. It may also show you have some initiative and give something to talk about during interviews. If it doesn't pan out, just make sure you can talk about what you learned from the experience.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You can always form a non-profit AFTER you have completed your medical degree or training. Here's my former colleague who did that.

Urban Health Cincinnati | Food For Thought Cincinnati | Cincinnati

Food For Thought Cincinnati is a non-profit dedicated to developing new models for urban health by improving food access and health literacy.

www.foodforthoughtcincy.org

To this end, there is no rush to form a non-profit. I would even argue it's not an X-factor for your application.