Volunteer issues

[lilqu]

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after reading this article http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/news-views/news/doc/volunteering-a-must-for.html

this line stood out to me "Whatever students decide to do, they should start early. Medical schools tend to frown upon students who start volunteering only a few months before their applications are due."


I really hope to get into LECOM-b and i'm afraid that me starting volunteering this month and applying in june will cripple my app 🙁

 

[NPEMTIV]

after reading this article http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/news-views/news/doc/volunteering-a-must-for.html

this line stood out to me "Whatever students decide to do, they should start early. Medical schools tend to frown upon students who start volunteering only a few months before their applications are due."


I really hope to get into LECOM-b and i'm afraid that me starting volunteering this month and applying in june will cripple my app 🙁

This won't necessarily impact your application provided your application is otherwise strong. It is always better to have more volunteering/shadowing/healthcare related experiences, but quality is important too. So it's more than just hours.

 

[Cybii]

after reading this article http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/news-views/news/doc/volunteering-a-must-for.html

this line stood out to me "Whatever students decide to do, they should start early. Medical schools tend to frown upon students who start volunteering only a few months before their applications are due."


I really hope to get into LECOM-b and i'm afraid that me starting volunteering this month and applying in june will cripple my app 🙁

Will this be your only volunteer experience? If so, it might come across that way... But if not, it won't be a problem. I also started a new volunteer gig about 6 months before filling out apps to beef up my application (I had a few volunteer activities prior, though) and it didn't seem to negatively impact me.

 

[NSU14]

I only volunteered for 2 months before applying and still got into two DO schools. I don't think it is a problem as long as the rest of you application is solid.

 

[scummie]

I only volunteered for 2 months before applying and still got into two DO schools. I don't think it is a problem as long as the rest of you application is solid.

Yeah, similar experiences here. I think having a variety of clinical and non-clinical experiences is helpful as well, especially when asked the "Why medicine?" question.

 

[lilqu]

pretty much this would be the only hospital volunteer work i have.
other volunteer is just my shadowing an MD and a DO which i still am now, as well as being a teacher's assistant, nursing lab assistant, tutoring math/science to middle school through high school students which i did for 2 semesters at a local church after school program. i have also been an officer for the pre-med club in my college.
and to this list i will add the volunteering i will be doing soon.
i don't know it feels like i should do more but my schedule is already so packed with mcat prep and classes my brain is going to explode with worry 😕

 

[Everglide]

IMO, I would not let volunteer time get in the way of MCAT study time or classes if you feel it would be too much to handle

From your description it seems like you may be confused, sorry if I'm incorrect but so things are clear: shadowing is not volunteering. Anything you get paid for is obviously not volunteering. Also membership of a club is not volunteering.

 

[lilqu]

i will be applying in june so i have no choice but to do it now.
i feel like i can handle mcat prep whilst volunteering at the same time. i was confused as to whether my app will be solid. ill be volunteering at my local hospital sitting with 5+ hrs a day twice a week with pre/post op pts so i should have good exp and 100+ hrs by the time i apply.
does all ive stated show a solid app? or do i need a miracle? lol

 

[Everglide]

Whether your application is good or not is extremely subjective and is dependent on what schools you plan on applying to.

Basically a solid GPA + MCAT is a must for all schools and the most important thing. Plan to get a DO LOR if you haven't already because many osteopathic schools require them. In terms of hours it sounds like you somewhat light on them but it's better than nothing and I wouldn't worry about it too much if the rest of your application is solid.

 

[lilqu]

ty for your help, ill let you guys know how this progresses 🙂

 

[engineeredout]

I started volunteering in May. Sent in apps in July.