Volunteer Validator

[Willotree]

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I volunteered at a horse riding program about 2 years ago for only half a year. The program has a lot of volunteers and I highly doubt that the program coordinator still remembers me. I do have a few emails that prove that I have volunteered with the organization. When applying to vet school do I just list the program coordinator as the validator? I'm going to apply to vet school in 1-2 years, so should I just email the program coordinator right now to see if they remember me although I have no intentions in volunteering with them again? I have forgotten to email the coordinator when asked if I would be returning as a volunteer so I don't how to best re-approach without sounding like an ass. Please help me out!

 

[MustangJumperPony]

If you just plan as listing this volunteer work as animal experience, and you are not planning on asking for a LOR, then you should be fine not contacting them. You can just add the experience in VMCAS with the name of either the coordinator or the person you worked most closely with and that's the end of it. There is a place in VMCAS for a phone number. I added that for my more major experiences, especially those that I asked for a LOR from, but not for things I did for a summer or less (also depended on how much time I spent there, if I was still in contact with them, etc.).

However, if you want to ask someone there for a LOR, you should definitely contact them ASAP, and consider going back to volunteer a few times so they remember you.

 

[pp9]

I volunteered at a horse riding program about 2 years ago for only half a year. The program has a lot of volunteers and I highly doubt that the program coordinator still remembers me. I do have a few emails that prove that I have volunteered with the organization. When applying to vet school do I just list the program coordinator as the validator? I'm going to apply to vet school in 1-2 years, so should I just email the program coordinator right now to see if they remember me although I have no intentions in volunteering with them again? I have forgotten to email the coordinator when asked if I would be returning as a volunteer so I don't how to best re-approach without sounding like an ass. Please help me out!

I wouldn't worry about them not remembering you. It is highly unlikely that the coordinator will be contacted to verify your experience, as it seems like most schools do experience checks on instances where they feel an applicant wasn't being honest (This came out of an admissions adviser's mouth).

Even if they did call your coordinator, the program should have some sort of record of your name and time spent volunteering (waivers signed, sign-in sheets, etc.). If you forgot to return an email, well, that happens. If you really want reassurance, you could email the coordinator and ask what the best phone number is to list on your application for the experience. You can see how the coordinator responds to seeing your name and might get a feel of if you are remembered or not. Either way, I would definitely list it!