Starting two volunteering opportunities at the same time

[Deleted member 737595]

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Hi all,

I'm a sophomore on a full time internship semester and have lots of energy and steam to blow after work, so I was looking to start volunteering for once, since this is the main thing missing from my 'portfolio' right now.

Since a lot of the schools I'm looking at want to see BOTH Clinical experience/volunteering and non-clinical community service, those are what I'm focused on right now.

I'm thinking of working ER at a pediatric hospital in the afternoons/evenings once or twice a week and also working at a soup kitchen I know of in the early morning once a week serving breakfast.

Although it is true that I'm doing these to be more competitive, I also have a genuine interest in both activities because I know they are valuable experiences for a aspiring physician to get a sense of what its like to work with really different people.

For the ER opportunity, I want to make sure I am working with MDs because I will need a letter from an MD for my committee letter. Should I ask upright the place I want to volunteer at if I will be/ can work with or under the supervision of MDs or just go with the flow? They are asking for a 6 mnth/1 year committment which I am happy about.

Finally, the REAL question. Is it suspicious to start both of these in the same time frame, say a month, when it comes to application time? Or am overthinking this?

 

[Spectar]

Hi all,

Is it suspicious to start both of these in the same time frame, say a month, when it comes to application time? Or am overthinking this?

Nope. You're fine.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

Thanks!!

 

[Catalystik]

1) I want to make sure I am working with MDs because I will need a letter from an MD for my committee letter from Northeastern. Should I ask upright the place I want to volunteer at if I will be/ can work with or under the supervision of MDs or just go with the flow? They are asking for a 6 mnth/1 year committment which I am happy about.

1) Is it suspicious to start both of these in the same time frame, say a month, when it comes to application time?

1) Go with the flow and see what opportunities arise.

2) Not even the tiniest bit.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

I could even start volunteering and get to know a doctor enough to ask to shadow him, which would be both good for me to get experience and also the recommendation.

 

[alkylgroup]

That is a great idea. Once you get your foot in the door, things become a lot easier.

Regarding the recommendation, often the strongest letters come from people who have more time than a typical MD. And generally people are pretty flexible regarding arrangements such as co-signing letters with an MD, etc.