Should I quit my job?

[penguinlove123]

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I should preface this by saying that I am in stress mode, so I'm not sure if this is just the stress talking. I'm currently working full time (7:30am-6pm), but for the last 4 weeks, I've been trying to get into volunteering at a local hospital or hospice. I have no problem applying to things online, but I can't go in to fill in paper work during the weekday, and the administration people aren't there over the weekend. My current boss is not the most understanding person, and he needs to pre-approve all vacation days. It's Friday again, and I haven't got a place to volunteer this weekend. I know I really should've looked for a place to volunteer months ago (I was volunteering around my school until I graduated in December, and moved back in with my parents), so that's definitely on me. But I thought I would be able rack up some hours before June 7th.

Should I quit my job and pursue volunteering full time? I'm living with my parents so I don't really have to worry about rent - I only pay for groceries and my phone bill, and I was just saying up for applications and (hopefully) interviews.. But I have some money saved, and I could ask my parents for more if necessary (not ideal, but we'll figure it out). Is this a good idea? Or should I just try and continue the way I am and hope I find a place and volunteer on the weekends? I don't know what to do right now

Edit: forgot to mention that I'm a reapplicant

 

[Espressso]

First question would be: are you planning on applying this cycle?

 

[penguinlove123]

Yes I was planning on it!

 

[Espressso]

Second question is how are your ec's looking now? I mean, if you're planning on applying this cycle, I assume your app is pretty much set?

 

[penguinlove123]

Second question is how are your ec's looking now? I mean, if you're planning on applying this cycle, I assume your app is pretty much set?

My ECs in general are ok-ish. I have 250+ nonclinical volunteering, 150 hospital volunteering, 50 hours of shadowing, lots of leadership, 3+ years of research (my current job is a research position too). The part that is questionable is that all I've been doing for the last 5 months is working full time, so that's what I'm worried about

 

[exacto]

have you taken the MCAT yet?

 

[mcatjelly]

My ECs in general are ok-ish. I have 250+ nonclinical volunteering, 150 hospital volunteering, 50 hours of shadowing, lots of leadership, 3+ years of research (my current job is a research position too). The part that is questionable is that all I've been doing for the last 5 months is working full time, so that's what I'm worried about

Your ECs are fine. Seriously.

 

[penguinlove123]

have you taken the MCAT yet?

I took it twice, got a 30 (10PS, 8VR, 12BS) the first time, got a 513 (130PS, 128CARS, 130BS, 125PSYC) the second time

Your ECs are fine. Seriously.

thanks for your input! I've just been reading a lot about reapplying, and a lot of schools need to see that I've improved my app since my last application - which I feel like I haven't 🙁

 

[mcatjelly]

I took it twice, got a 30 (10PS, 8VR, 12BS) the first time, got a 513 (130PS, 128CARS, 130BS, 125PSYC) the second time


thanks for your input! I've just been reading a lot about reapplying, and a lot of schools need to see that I've improved my app since my last application - which I feel like I haven't 🙁

Ah, being a reapplicant is definitely a different story. Did you not mention that or did I miss that?

What have you done since applying the first time?

 

[Petrichor1]

DO NOT LEAVE. This is coming from experience. You should only leave a job if you have a sound employment offer at another place. Your number of hours are quiet frankly good. You really won't know the impact of being unemployed until you are. Hospital volunteering can definitely be pursued on weekends, so please check into that before ridiculously jumping into this.

 

[penguinlove123]

Ah, being a reapplicant is definitely a different story. Did you not mention that or did I miss that?

What have you done since applying the first time?

Sorry I'm a bit all over the place, I probably didn't mention it. So I applied last cycle, got 1 II and got waitlisted. I graduated in December, so August-December I was continuing research, non-clinical volunteering, clinical volunteering. December-now, I've done nothing. Well, not nothing, I got a job in the beginning of Feb, so I've just been doing that full time. That's why I'm stressed about finding a place to volunteer, it just seems so difficult logistically, but important and necessary, which is why I was seriously considering quitting my job so I can get on that. But maybe that's ridiculous. Idkkkkk

 

[penguinlove123]

DO NOT LEAVE. This is coming from experience. You should only leave a job if you have a sound employment offer at another place. Your number of hours are quiet frankly good. You really won't know the impact of being unemployed until you are. Hospital volunteering can definitely be pursued on weekends, so please check into that before ridiculously jumping into this.

I know, I feel ridiculous even asking the question, but I suppose it wouldn't be terrible if I was unemployed? My parents said that I'm welcome to stay at their house for as long as I need to, so I don't have to worry about rent or utilities. I know that I can volunteer on the weekends, the problem is arranging the volunteering. Eg. yesterday, I had a meeting for a hospice volunteering position. The lady said that she could meet me at 4pm, but I work 45 miles away from the hospice/where I live. So I asked if she could do 4:30, and she told me she could stay late just for me! I was like, that's awesome, I'll get to work early, skip lunch, work super hard, leave at 3:30, traffic shouldn't be too bad, and it'll take me less than an hour to get there. I was so relieved that I could get something so I could start volunteering ASAP. But nope, traffic was so awful, and I was stuck, and I couldn't make it on time. Google maps said I could get there at 5:15. It just feels so hard to get things done with a full-time job

 

[Espressso]

Agree with the poster above stating you shouldn't quit. EC's are good to apply. Keep working. Application cycle seems expensive as h*ll, so keeping a steady flow of income is in your best interest

 

[penguinlove123]

Agree with the poster above stating you shouldn't quit. EC's are good to apply. Keep working. Application cycle seems expensive as h*ll, so keeping a steady flow of income is in your best interest

I forgot to mention that I'm a reapplicant! Are my ECs still ok?

 

[Espressso]

I don't have experience to comment on that. But in my honest opinion, I think so. Unless they are exactly the same as they were when you first applied? Then I would say no. The general consensus for reapps are that your next application should be much better than the first, in some way shape or form.

*someone with actual reapplication experience would be better to answer that though.

 

[NaomiM]

.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

I've been wanting to do this also. My main concern is that since I have been employed for such a long time it might look like a lapse in judgement given the fact that medical school is not guaranteed.

If I were a reapplicant like the OP it would be less of a concern; gotta go balls to the wall IMO if you can afford it.

 

[penguinlove123]

I've been wanting to do this also. My main concern is that since I have been employed for such a long time it might look like a lapse in judgement given the fact that medical school is not guaranteed.

If I were a reapplicant like the OP it would be less of a concern; gotta go balls to the wall IMO if you can afford it.

Yesssss that's what I'm thinking! Gotta give myself the best chance. But also, this is a good, stable job, so if I don't get into med school, I would be risking not being able to find another job. I'm so conflicted

If you have sick leave, tell your boss you have an appointment, and use that time to get that paperwork filled out.

This is a good idea, I've considered doing this, but I have taken already taken sick days, because I was actually sick lol, and my boss isn't the easiest guy to get along with, so I'm a bit intimidated asking him again when I've already taken days off. But I guess I should, it's the rational thing to do

 

[Petrichor1]

I know, I feel ridiculous even asking the question, but I suppose it wouldn't be terrible if I was unemployed? My parents said that I'm welcome to stay at their house for as long as I need to, so I don't have to worry about rent or utilities. I know that I can volunteer on the weekends, the problem is arranging the volunteering. Eg. yesterday, I had a meeting for a hospice volunteering position. The lady said that she could meet me at 4pm, but I work 45 miles away from the hospice/where I live. So I asked if she could do 4:30, and she told me she could stay late just for me! I was like, that's awesome, I'll get to work early, skip lunch, work super hard, leave at 3:30, traffic shouldn't be too bad, and it'll take me less than an hour to get there. I was so relieved that I could get something so I could start volunteering ASAP. But nope, traffic was so awful, and I was stuck, and I couldn't make it on time. Google maps said I could get there at 5:15. It just feels so hard to get things done with a full-time job

noone is arguing that living with parents won't be a problem and in fact your parents think that perhaps staying with them and following your dream will help resolute a lot of conflicting thoughts that you have been having that may be holding you back. But let's be frank...volunteering is great but DO NOT BE ALTRUISTIC. In this economy obtaining a job is a huge accomplishment and that means that it isn't like "ok I got this but once I have it I can quit anytime". Anyone that makes you feel that way is seriously trying to mess with your well-being and should be avoided at all cost. It's not an award in the sense that just having it makes the difference. This is where many graduates get it so very wrong, and I truly want more people to know that in my generation. We are naive kids that came out of a system that didn't teach us or prepare us for a job world. If someone is seriously offending you every once in a while at your job and you just feel like no one is backing you I would say to quit without any thought of repercussions. But in other instances, you have screwed big time. Having a job is like having an identity. So what if you are going to apply for medical school? Medical school doesn't owe you anything insofar and neither should you be wasting your time doing so. When and if it offers you an acceptance you can bring this quitting thing up but this is delusional thinking that sacrificing your hard money for a system that selects so few candidates. Being persistent with your dreams is one and being completely unreasonable is another. If you think clinical volunteering will do the magic for you this year, you are going the wrong way. Focus on applying to schools more broadly, make that extra money so that you have the freedom to apply to these places. The hospice lady will understand and senior living homes love it if you can come on weekends which I highly suggest you do. Learn from your prior traffic situation and ask that lady to do interview at 5:30 this time. If she was able to push her schedule, I am sure that she would be willing to do this just once for you yet again. Communication is key and volunteering (as in giving your hours for free to a service) is supposed to be given some importance in return.

Do not take my words the wrong way. I am rarely so stringent but after my own experience, I don't wish anyone to fall and trip like that. Do you even know how embarrassing it is to ask references continuously for jobs that eventually reject you later on? No one thinks about this but this could be the alternate future if you choose to ignore good advice.

 

[penguinlove123]

@Petrichor1 thanks for slapping the sense back into me hahah. I think I definitely lost perspective for a second