Volunteering Before Applying

[Youngm2194]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I did clinical volunteering for the last 1.5 years of college (only about 100 hours). I am planning on applying mid-late June. I've been doing nonclinical volunteering since i graduated since I didn't have a lot, but recently got accepted to be a hospice volunteer (orientation is May 20) with Alzheimers patients. I've been applying to many clinical volunteering positions, but where I am there are a lot of premed people so there are waitlists up to 6 months.

Does this look bad if I just start this before applying considering I have some hours somewhere else? I just realize it will probably only be 20 hours or so by the time I apply, but I should still put this on correct? I just don't want it to seem like I'm doing it at the last minute it- it was mainly just a timing thing that made me start so "late". They want a year long commitment which I've agreed to so I can mention that as well

Thanks

 

[Gibbward]

I did clinical volunteering for the last 1.5 years of college (only about 100 hours). I am planning on applying mid-late June. I've been doing nonclinical volunteering since i graduated since I didn't have a lot, but recently got accepted to be a hospice volunteer (orientation is May 20) with Alzheimers patients. I've been applying to many clinical volunteering positions, but where I am there are a lot of premed people so there are waitlists up to 6 months.

Does this look bad if I just start this before applying considering I have some hours somewhere else? I just realize it will probably only be 20 hours or so by the time I apply, but I should still put this on correct? I just don't want it to seem like I'm doing it at the last minute it- it was mainly just a timing thing that made me start so "late". They want a year long commitment which I've agreed to so I can mention that as well

Thanks

It shouldn't look bad since you've got other clinical hours already. Now, if you're really worried, you could always mention that in secondaries if there is a "Is there anything else you would like to share?" prompt.

 

[Goro]

I did clinical volunteering for the last 1.5 years of college (only about 100 hours). I am planning on applying mid-late June. I've been doing nonclinical volunteering since i graduated since I didn't have a lot, but recently got accepted to be a hospice volunteer (orientation is May 20) with Alzheimers patients. I've been applying to many clinical volunteering positions, but where I am there are a lot of premed people so there are waitlists up to 6 months.

Does this look bad if I just start this before applying considering I have some hours somewhere else? I just realize it will probably only be 20 hours or so by the time I apply, but I should still put this on correct? I just don't want it to seem like I'm doing it at the last minute it- it was mainly just a timing thing that made me start so "late". They want a year long commitment which I've agreed to so I can mention that as well

Thanks

You're fine. And good luck!

 

[Neuro25_]

I did clinical volunteering for the last 1.5 years of college (only about 100 hours). I am planning on applying mid-late June. I've been doing nonclinical volunteering since i graduated since I didn't have a lot, but recently got accepted to be a hospice volunteer (orientation is May 20) with Alzheimers patients. I've been applying to many clinical volunteering positions, but where I am there are a lot of premed people so there are waitlists up to 6 months.

Does this look bad if I just start this before applying considering I have some hours somewhere else? I just realize it will probably only be 20 hours or so by the time I apply, but I should still put this on correct? I just don't want it to seem like I'm doing it at the last minute it- it was mainly just a timing thing that made me start so "late". They want a year long commitment which I've agreed to so I can mention that as well

Thanks

Go for it! You will be happy that you have something to talk about when interviews come around. That's what really counts so they remember you! It will be a good conversation starter when they ask "what have you been doing since you graduated" Good luck!

 

[Youngm2194]

Go for it! You will be happy that you have something to talk about when interviews come around. That's what really counts so they remember you! It will be a good conversation starter when they ask "what have you been doing since you graduated" Good luck!

thanks for the reply, I've been a full time research tech/lab manager for the last year since I graduated but this is my first clinical volunteering role since I graduated. Most places only let you volunteer 9-5 during the week which is when I'm working so its been very difficult to find a place that is flexible on the weekend but I finally found one!

Not complaining at all I just hoped adcoms would understand its been more difficult to find clinical volunteering that fits around a full time job, so essentially it took very long to find one that would let me do it on the weekend

 

[Neuro25_]

thanks for the reply, I've been a full time research tech/lab manager for the last year since I graduated but this is my first clinical volunteering role since I graduated. Most places only let you volunteer 9-5 during the week which is when I'm working so its been very difficult to find a place that is flexible on the weekend but I finally found one!

I understand. When you start interviewing, alot of people are going good to have a killer job, this is icing on the cake!