To vary my volunteer experience or focus on shadowing?

[gorskimcg]

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Finally made an account here as I am getting serious about my application preparations. I am a non-traditional student who will be applying during the May 2021 opening cycle at age 29 and am looking for advice about volunteering. This year I started volunteering at the local animal shelter because I have never done volunteer hours in my life (full time student and employed since I was 16). I will be spending a lot more time in the next year shadowing but I was wondering if I should add any other type of volunteer experience to my schedule? Otherwise I work around 72 hours a week (not optional) and will have 2 classes a semester until my pre-reqs are complete. The only other volunteer experience I have is related to my job as a Paramedic but it's not a lot and it doesn't come up unpaid all that often since I work for the county.

Grateful for any input!

 

[deleted859689]

volunteer with underserved people!

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Finally made an account here as I am getting serious about my application preparations. I am a non-traditional student who will be applying during the May 2021 opening cycle at age 29 and am looking for advice about volunteering. This year I started volunteering at the local animal shelter because I have never done volunteer hours in my life (full time student and employed since I was 16). I will be spending a lot more time in the next year shadowing but I was wondering if I should add any other type of volunteer experience to my schedule? Otherwise I work around 72 hours a week (not optional) and will have 2 classes a semester until my pre-reqs are complete. The only other volunteer experience I have is related to my job as a Paramedic but it's not a lot and it doesn't come up unpaid all that often since I work for the county.

Grateful for any input!

I love animal shelter volunteering, but from a strictly medical school application standpoint, it’s not the best choice. I think medical schools really want to see you volunteer with people. I’ve had a ton of secondary and interview questions where my nonclinical volunteering was relevant, and all had to do with the communities I served.

Shadowing is in addition to, not in lieu of volunteering. You need to be doing both.

Also, I strongly recommend you change your avatar to something more anonymous.

 

[Osteosaur]

they are not mutually exclusive.

you need to shadow but it does not need to be a crazy amount. I did ~2 days each with 2 doctors.

maybe try to volunteer when your classes are done if its too much with work?

 

[gorskimcg]

they are not mutually exclusive.

you need to shadow but it does not need to be a crazy amount. I did ~2 days each with 2 doctors.

maybe try to volunteer when your classes are done if its too much with work?

I'm not sure why people have mentioned this. I know I have to do both and already do.. but thank you.

 

[gorskimcg]

I love animal shelter volunteering, but from a strictly medical school application standpoint, it’s not the best choice. I think medical schools really want to see you volunteer with people. I’ve had a ton of secondary and interview questions where my nonclinical volunteering was relevant, and all had to do with the communities I served.

Shadowing is in addition to, not in lieu of volunteering. You need to be doing both.

Also, I strongly recommend you change your avatar to something more anonymous.

May I ask why? I didn't choose the picture it just came up when I signed up. The choice of volunteering I have is what made me wonder if I should do something more relevant. And a couple people mentioned that I need to do volunteering in addition to shadowing but I am already aware of this and already doing both.. The boys and girls club by me is looking for volunteers. Would that be okay? I am a poor person in a rich county so the closest underserved community is about an hour drive away.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

May I ask why? I didn't choose the picture it just came up when I signed up. The choice of volunteering I have is what made me wonder if I should do something more relevant. And a couple people mentioned that I need to do volunteering in addition to shadowing but I am already aware of this and already doing both.. The boys and girls club by me is looking for volunteers. Would that be okay? I am a poor person in a rich county so the closest underserved community is about an hour drive away.

My mistake about the picture; I thought that was one of you.

I love the idea of Boys and Girls club. I think that will be an excellent community service opportunity.