volunteer with heavy courseload?

[jintonic5]

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i've got some research, some volunteering, some leadership. but i don't feel like i have an exceptional amount, and certainly not enough to ofset a miserable gpa. i'm taking 5 classes this upcoming semester, and i'm expecting it to be hell. do you think it'd be worth it to add volunteering to my schedule, or will i just end up digging myself into a hole? i really want to apply to smp's this upcoming winter.

 

[blankguy]

i've got some research, some volunteering, some leadership. but i don't feel like i have an exceptional amount, and certainly not enough to ofset a miserable gpa. i'm taking 5 classes this upcoming semester, and i'm expecting it to be hell. do you think it'd be worth it to add volunteering to my schedule, or will i just end up digging myself into a hole? i really want to apply to smp's this upcoming winter.

Do what you are capable of doing. Volunteering can wait if you can't handle all of it at once. Grades get first priority. You at least have some experience in all areas.

 

[truckibear]

Do what you are capable of doing. Volunteering can wait if you can't handle all of it at once. Grades get first priority. You at least have some experience in all areas.

I second that. Grades are definitely priority.

 

[ATN19]

But if you really want to volunteer, how about just doing it 2x a month? That way there's consistency but minimal time commitment?

 

[Sundarban1]

Volunteering really does not take much time at all, it may even be a well deserved 2 hrs or so a week that you can enjoy outside of school. However, if the idea is burdensome and you say to yourself, I could be studying now, then study and volunteer some other time.

 

[jintonic5]

But if you really want to volunteer, how about just doing it 2x a month? That way there's consistency but minimal time commitment?

i'm set up to start volunteering in the surgical icu at one of boston's hospitals.

PROS: it's supposed to be really busy and an awesome experience. i specifically asked the volunteer coordinator for something that would keep me busy where i wasn't just sitting around b/c the volunteers aren't allowed to do anything, and she said that this would be perfect. i have some shotty volunteer experience in a little hospital, but i really would like to have more interaction with patients.

CONS: commuting to school from home takes ~40 minutes, and from school to hospital ~35 min. hospital to home: 45 min. on top fo that they want you to work a min of a 3-4 hour shift/wk. so volunteering would eat up ~5 hours each week.

i think i might just not volunteer this semester since i haven't had this difficult of a courseload in a while. will try to volunteer at things during breaks/vacations.

 

[blankguy]

i'm set up to start volunteering in the surgical icu at one of boston's hospitals.

PROS: it's supposed to be really busy and an awesome experience. i specifically asked the volunteer coordinator for something that would keep me busy where i wasn't just sitting around b/c the volunteers aren't allowed to do anything, and she said that this would be perfect. i have some shotty volunteer experience in a little hospital, but i really would like to have more interaction with patients.

CONS: commuting to school from home takes ~40 minutes, and from school to hospital ~35 min. hospital to home: 45 min. on top fo that they want you to work a min of a 3-4 hour shift/wk. so volunteering would eat up ~5 hours each week.

i think i might just not volunteer this semester since i haven't had this difficult of a courseload in a while. will try to volunteer at things during breaks/vacations.

Have you considered observing doctors? You sound like you really are going all out on the courseload.

 

[jintonic5]

Have you considered observing doctors? You sound like you really are going all out on the courseload.

ehhh-- my boss is an oncologist and we're on the surgical research ward =P i really just wanted to do some volunteering, but i guess i'll just have to wait til the vacations.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I think waiting would be best. Most hospital require a 3-4 week minimum per week. I plan on doing more "shadowing" than actual volunteering strictly due to my taking 5 classes (4 science classes, 3 of which are prereqs). I did minmal volunteering before but finding the time when I was working full time and then in grad school full time was hard. There is a hospital near me so I'm hoping to maybe get some hours in there maybe 1-2 times a month, nothing big though. I hope to get involved in various activities though.