Quick Question about Extracurriculars

[Insanity4]

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What do you think would be better, in terms of cost-effectiveness, time of training, and how medical schools will look at this...

I'm able to enroll in a class to gain a certificate in Phlebotomy but the training is going to last a few months at least and I have to pay roughly $800. Also, I am currently working ~30hrs/week and am volunteering on the side and some of the Phlebotomy classes may interfere with my schedule. Now I could also volunteer at Health Clinics around my area, and it wouldn't require much training (if any at all), and I doubt I would have to pay for anything. Do you think medical schools would hold a preference over doing one thing or another? I want to only pick one so I can focus on it and put in a decent amount of hours over a long time.

If you have other suggestions that you think may be better than the two that I am thinking of now, I am all ears! Thanks everyone.

 

[Insanity4]

Another quick thing I would like to add, at least down the road I may be able to get a paid position as a phlebotomist, whereas for volunteering at the Health Clinic there's no chance of that...

 

[Nymphicus]

Depends on what they have you doing at the clinic, but a lot of times it is paperwork or other "slave work." Phlebotomy with a good amount of work experience sounds more interesting than generic clinic volunteering. The phlebotomy certificate on its own probably won't amount to much.

 

[Insanity4]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah if I go through with the Phlebotomy, I'd definitely be racking up the work experience in addition to the certificate.