Volunteer Work?

[JackD]

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There are a couple of volunteer organizations i want to join at my university, nothing to do with psychology. However, since i have the idea of grad school always in the back of my mind, i do wonder, how much does volunteer work even if it isn't related to psychology, help me in the application evaluation process?

And if you are wondering, i am planning on joining these groups whether they help or not. I'm just wondering if they do help.

 

[psy19]

For a PhD in clinical psych, I don't think it would help much at all. Most programs would rather you spend your time doing research.

But for other programs (PsyD, couseling, etc), depending on what the volunteer work was, I think it could help your application. How unrelated to psychology is it?

 

[docma]

Demonstrated interest/experience working with certain populations (older adults, groups of kids, seriously mentally ill, rape victims, autistic disorders, etc.) will be viewed positively if it is substantial and enduring over time. It may be more relevant at the time of internship rather than initial admission, but it's hard to see how it could hurt your application at either stage.

 

[JackD]

How unrelated to psychology is it?

Completely. One has to do with volunteering to help raise money for various charities and one is about fixing up run down homes for people.

My plan is to either go into MHC or go for a non-terminal masters which would hopefully lead to a PsyD in clinical psychology. My only concern spending my time in three clubs and having no time to study.

 

[KellienComplex]

Many programs highly value the integration of psychology an community services. Volunteering your time to organizations addressing various social and educational problems, such as homelessness and illiteracy can add considerable value to your application.

 

[chinaKat]

I'm just speaking from personal opinion here, but I can't imagine doing volunteer work could *ever* count against you, unless maybe you were volunteering for the Young Nazi Party or something like that.

I mean, you could have just filled those hours playing video games and eating cheetos, but instead you gave your time and energy to a cause you believed in, for free. AND you managed to fit it in while maintaining a high GPA.

How can that ever be viewed as bad?

It might not be THE thing to get you in the door, but being able to juggle your time and use it for the greater good is an admirable quality. You are demonstrating an ability to work with others as well as having an altruistic sense. It's admirable to see you find volunteer work that is done because you actually *want* to do it, not because you are trying to pad your resume.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I concur with chinaKat. 😉

I volunteered for a sexual assault and domestic violence intervention program where we went into emergency rooms to provide advocacy to survivors. I become certified as a rape crisis counselor along the way (as part of the program). It was a strong contributor to my application as a whole. It provided me with clinical experience that was invaluable, which was spending my free time supporting others through a difficult experience.

Choose the right program and it'll be worth your time... or not, and you may discover that too. Just make sure your grades don't suffer for it.