Volunteering before Postbacc

[bringinit247]

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I plan on applying to several post-bacc programs for admission next year (Fall 05). I have my hospital volunteer orientation on July 20th. Will I have had enough volunteer experience by the time I apply for the post-bacc (I guess I'll send my app in before the end of 2004)? I'll be applying to Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Scripps, and possibly UPenn and Johns Hopkins, and I'm afraid that the limited medical experience I have might be points against me when I apply.

 

[DrHuang]

if u really want hospital volunteering experience in one year, i suggest spend alot of time at one place or volunteer at 2 places at the same time (I chose the latter when i was in your shoes). however, i hear one year of hospital volunteering is sufficient but it never hurts to have more.

 

[mshheaddoc]

You could always volunteer as mentioned above at 2 places or continue volunteering while in school.

I am looking to do the same thing as you, but I am doing a part-time post bacc program at drexel most likely ... we'll see as time progresses. Just started my volunteering (or will on saturday) so we'll see how it works out. I'm too busy to volunteer though at 2 places as I work full time and going for my MBA full time!

 

[bringinit247]

My issue is with having enough clinical experience to get into the post-bacc, not medical school itself. Do post-bacc programs care about the extent of your volunteer experience, or you they just care that you have SOME experience so that you know exactly what you are getting into?

 

[Yellow Snow]

My related experience was more mental health/retirement home type stuff and UPenn let me into their pre-med postbac which states "one year of releated experience" as a pre-req.

It did come up in my phone interview but obviously didn't bar me from acceptance. I also have worked in a related health care field for one year but in an office capacity.

 

[Trismegistus4]

I'll be applying to post-baccs to start in Summer 2005, and although I've had my first volunteering orientation, I haven't actually started my shifts yet.

I can't believe it will be a problem. To tell you the truth, I think it's kind of ridiculous to require someone to have lots of medically related experience before even starting a post-bacc. If my "limited" experience keeps me out of formal programs, I'll just start taking classes on my own.