Seeking Advice: Concerned About Low Non-Clinical Volunteering for This Cycle

[gobend1]

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I’m currently feeling a bit worried about applying this cycle after reading some of the conversations on Reddit and SDN regarding non-clinical volunteer hours. I’m looking for honest advice on whether this aspect of my application will significantly hold me back.

Stats: cGPA: 3.8 | sGPA: 3.5 | MCAT: 510 | 22 M African American
Experience:

• 2,500 hours paid clinical experience as an EMT
• 600 hours of research across drug addiction, maternal health, and gut microbiome projects
• 400 hours of leadership experience (including two board positions—one as VP of a pre-health organization)
• SHPEP Scholar
• 36 hours shadowing in surgical specialties
• 150 hours shadowing in developmental & behavioral pediatrics
• 55 hours of non-clinical volunteering (homeless shelter)
• 50 hours of additional volunteering (blood drives, hospital service, etc.)

 

[pedneuro6894]

Low non-clinical volunteering can be the kiss of death. You won’t necessarily be blacklisted but it will hurt. If you plan to apply this cycle you need to apply both MD and DO and cast broadly

 

[gobend1]

Low non-clinical volunteering can be the kiss of death. You won’t necessarily be blacklisted but it will hurt. If you plan to apply this cycle you need to apply both MD and DO and cast broadly

Since I'm a FAP recipient, would it be worth trying anyway, since the financial burden won't be as great? My plan is to apply to 25 MD and 15 DO schools. As well as does projecting more hours help my case at all?

 

[wysdoc]

Since I'm a FAP recipient, would it be worth trying anyway, since the financial burden won't be as great? My plan is to apply to 25 MD and 15 DO schools. As well as does projecting more hours help my case at all?

Projecting hours doesn’t help you.
Please discuss this with the support staff at your SHPEP program who should know you well enough to aid you in deciding if it’s better to wait to apply.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Please discuss this with the support staff at your SHPEP program who should know you well enough to aid you in deciding if it’s better to wait to apply.

I'll also extend the advice to other SHPEP alumni with whom you may be connected.

One more thing: you have not told us about your state of residence and/or state of birth (if different). Have you also connected with any mentoring organizations supporting aspiring Black (male) physicians? Are you part of MAPS/SNMA? Are you preparing for Casper or PREview?

 

[gobend1]

I'll also extend the advice to other SHPEP alumni with whom you may be connected.

One more thing: you have not told us about your state of residence and/or state of birth (if different). Have you also connected with any mentoring organizations supporting aspiring Black (male) physicians? Are you part of MAPS/SNMA? Are you preparing for Casper or PREview?

My state of residence is Nevada, and I also completed my undergraduate studies here. I’m not affiliated with any Black physician mentorship organizations. I have a close mentor who served as a dean at one of my state’s medical schools, whom I’ve shadowed extensively and who will be writing a letter of recommendation for me. We’re meeting tomorrow to discuss the upcoming cycle, but he has previously encouraged me to apply this year. I’m currently preparing for CASPer and plan to take PREview later this month.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My state of residence is Nevada, and I also completed my undergraduate studies here. I’m not affiliated with any Black physician mentorship organizations. I have a close mentor who served as a dean at one of my state’s medical schools, whom I’ve shadowed extensively and who will be writing a letter of recommendation for me. We’re meeting tomorrow to discuss the upcoming cycle, but he has previously encouraged me to apply this year. I’m currently preparing for CASPer and plan to take PREview later this month.

What has this dean suggested regarding your non-clinical community service? I would be interested after your meeting. Your experience is light (under 150 hours of homeless shelter). You can ask him about the mentoring organizations (NMA/SNMA/MAPS and similar mentoring organizations... we list a few in our underrepresented in medicine subforum).

 

[Faha]

Some schools do screen at 150 hours of non clinical volunteering. Just accumulate another 95 hours at the homeless shelter before you apply. A July application would not be late so you have 2 months to accumulate those hours (only 10 hours per week).
I suggest these schools when you apply:
Your 2 Nevada state public schools
Roseman
Howard
Meharry
Morehouse
Charles Drew
TCU
Alice Walton
Belmont
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Indiana
NOVA MD
Miami
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Pittsburgh
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Dartmouth
Brown
You do not need to apply to DO schools.

 

[wysdoc]

My state of residence is Nevada, and I also completed my undergraduate studies here. I’m not affiliated with any Black physician mentorship organizations. I have a close mentor who served as a dean at one of my state’s medical schools, whom I’ve shadowed extensively and who will be writing a letter of recommendation for me. We’re meeting tomorrow to discuss the upcoming cycle, but he has previously encouraged me to apply this year. I’m currently preparing for CASPer and plan to take PREview later this month.

I’m glad you are getting another meeting to plan.
My thoughts, knowing a little about SHPEP programs, are that schools know you may be working to support yourself out of necessity and may be forgiving that your volunteer hours are on the lower side compared to students who aren’t juggling a job plus full time college.