Small Town EC Opportunities

[MidnightSun]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi there,

I live in a small town in Alaska where I'm getting my BS in Biology at the State University here. Most of my courses are distance courses and when I have extra time I try to take a few courses at the campus. I'm really struggling with finding extra curricular opportunities up here. Really the only place it seems that I can gain some volunteering hours is the local hospital. I was really hoping to find something a little different that would set me apart from all the other applicants when my time comes to apply to med-school (in 2013) but it seems that the hospital is my only option. That being said, how many hours should I have under my belt when application season rolls around? Is there a certain type of volunteer work I should be looking for?

I know this question has been asked before in other contexts, but I feel like my situation is a bit more unique in that I have to drive 25 miles to the nearest town.

Also, if anyone on here is from Alaska (or any really small town) that has any input it would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[DrWily]

Do the hospital volunteering where you come in contact with patients. Hours dont matter as much as commitment. You can do 2 hrs a week for a year and thats better than rushing 100 hours in a month. Do what you feel comfortable doing. Also look at ways to help the community like canned food drive or tutoring kids.

 

[AKPreMed]

Well, the volunteer options that the local hospital lists on its application don't really mention anything about patient contact, but I'm sure if you get your foot in the door you can arrange something with the ER or the Long Term Care wing. At least I hope so. =)

Also, regarding leadership. I'm working with some friends on organizing a "Run For Your Lives" Zombie run in our local area (all proceeds go to the American Heart Association). Would organizing and executing 5k's and other events to benefit charities count as leadership? Or leadership only counted if it's in local clubs and organizations? We're just doing this one for fun, but if I can count it as leadership experience I will! 😉

 

[Loudster]

I'd definitely count organizing a fun run toward leadership. Sounds like a fun idea to me too.

 

[CopToEM]

I was in a very similar kind of geographic area and I ended up with 2,000+ volunteer hours during my undergrad career.

Small things count, especially if you make them annual events, and you can organize them yourself. Here's some ideas:

- Organize a Diabetes Walk
- Start a team for Relay for Life (start a Relay for Life chapter if it isn't already there)
- Organize a St. Baldrick's Event (ask a barber for help - make it a group effort)
- Volunteer in a nursing home a couple of days a month
- Ask your university to help you do some community based research. Perhaps people in Alaska have struggles receiving health care? Design a survey that can quantify those struggles and seek approval to conduct it. Do patients miss treatment due to lack of income, lack of transportation, etc. These may be things in your area that people believe, or don't believe, and you may be the first person to put them into realistic format.
- See if nearby towns have Habitat for Humanity or any other kind of community based group. Become involved.
- Start a canned food collection site on campus and donate the incoming goods to the local food bank or use them yourself to prepare meals for hospital workers, elderly, etc.

Also, keep in mind that in most cases admissions committees do not seem to pit applicant against applicant. I feel like pre-meds, myself included, felt this way because we were told of the "competitive nature of medical school admissions." In reality, I'm of the opinion that most admissions committees look at your application for what it is. Are you likely to have less opportunities than an applicant from New York City? Yes. Do admissions committees understand that? Surely.

With that said, it's what you do with the opportunities that you do have (or you can create) in your community that counts.