Verification of volunteer work?

[deleted895369]

So I am about to start volunteering at a local hospital within the next week. But at the same time my chem professor just brought up the possibility of me doing a summer-long REU in chemistry, which is something I would love to do as well. The problem is, the hospital requires 100 hours over a period of 6 months in order to request written proof of volunteering. If I get accepted to an REU, there would not be any way that I could meet that 100 hours in a six month period. Would I still be able to list this as volunteer service? Does anyone with application experience know if they require written proof that I was there? As much as I do enjoy doing volunteer work, my hope is that I could still list this on my application when the time comes. Any input?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

No written proof but don't lie about it because you will have to write about it on your app and discuss it in interviews

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

So, you want to pretty much sneak in 100 hours of volunteer work without doing any? I mean from what I hear most schools don't check but I wouldn't want to risk getting caught just to avoid doing 100 hours. I once heard a story where someone did get caught and was under high anxiety for a year while the school determined whether to kick her out or not so... if you want to go through the whole application process and the four years of medical school worrying on whether or not you're getting caught. Sure, do it lol. But real talk, just find some time to do the 100 man. It's really not that much.

 

[deleted895369]

Sorry, let me rephrase my question. I plan on doing roughly 60 hours of legitimate volunteer work and listing that 60 hours of volunteer work on an application. However, I will not be able to receive written proof from the hospital since I did not do 100 hours. Can I still list that 60 hours?
No intention of falsifying hours or lying on an application 🙂

 

[PreMedStudent55555]

Sorry, let me rephrase my question. I plan on doing roughly 60 hours of legitimate volunteer work and listing that 60 hours of volunteer work on an application. However, I will not be able to receive written proof from the hospital since I did not do 100 hours. Can I still list that 60 hours?
No intention of falsifying hours or lying on an application 🙂

Eh. I mean you have to give them a phone number which they may call. It's 40 hours and it's really your call. Whenever you lie on your app, you always have the chance to get caught. It's up to you whether you want that risk on your shoulders.

 

[Prometheus123]

So I am about to start volunteering at a local hospital within the next week. But at the same time my chem professor just brought up the possibility of me doing a summer-long REU in chemistry, which is something I would love to do as well. The problem is, the hospital requires 100 hours over a period of 6 months in order to request written proof of volunteering. If I get accepted to an REU, there would not be any way that I could meet that 100 hours in a six month period. Would I still be able to list this as volunteer service? Does anyone with application experience know if they require written proof that I was there? As much as I do enjoy doing volunteer work, my hope is that I could still list this on my application when the time comes. Any input?

On AMCAS, you'll have to put a contact name and either a phone number or an email for that person. In the case of a spot check, I don't know if it would be a problem if the contact simply did not reply to the official. (Of course, it would be a severe problem if the contact replied that what you put on your application was false.) Others should be able to shed more light on this.

You could try contacting the person who would be your supervisor and asking them if they would be willing to just verify the hours you volunteered if they're contacted. I find it difficult to believe that a human being would say no to that request considering that you'll be working for them for free.

When do you plan to apply? You might want to consider volunteering for more hours, depending on your timeline.

You could also find another place to volunteer. Hospital volunteering is traditional, but my understanding is that you could do it in any clinical setting, for instance in a community free clinic. Where you do clinical volunteering does not matter, as far as I know, so pick a place that's close to home and will work with you on things like this.

 

[3toedsloth]

You can leave their phone number on the application. Just be sure to keep track of your hours. If you do 60, you can list 60.

If you feel like they're being weird about it, I suggest making a spreadsheet where you track the exact dates and times volunteered (Feb 22, 2018 10:00am-11:59am... or whatever).

 

[lovehate]

Why do people on sdn always assume negative intent. OP just wants to know if AMCAS will ask for a proof for volunteer hours. The answer is no. You just need to list the contact information of the hospital. I would call the hospital and ask them, they are usually flexible with their requirements.

 

[Spectar]

So if I can interpet and summarize your question, can you knowingly and intentionally lie on your application and not get caught? Is that about right?

Well of course you can. Just because many schools have due diligence and spot verification post-admission/pre-matriculation and if you get found out after the fact, you may very well have your acceptance rescinded for an ethical violation and reported to AMCAS which will ban you from ever applying to MD school again.

But hey, what do I know

How often do schools follow up post-admission/pre-matriculation?

 

[DSM_302.0]

Sorry, let me rephrase my question. I plan on doing roughly 60 hours of legitimate volunteer work and listing that 60 hours of volunteer work on an application. However, I will not be able to receive written proof from the hospital since I did not do 100 hours. Can I still list that 60 hours?
No intention of falsifying hours or lying on an application 🙂

I dunno if folks are misreading this or whatever. This is a fair and straightforward question!

You can list 60. You don't need a letter or other prior proof in order to list it on AMCAS. You will be required to put down a phone number or other contact method in case a school wants to reach out and spot check this activity. While it's totally possible for this to happen, it is unlikely, and if you're honest with the number of hours you're completing, you'd have nothing to worry about.

My advice is to volunteer 60, take the summer research, put 60 on your app. Volunteer more if you can, don't worry if you can't.

Good luck!