Volunteering in different organizations?

[sunshine02]

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It seems like most people have a set organization they volunteer for (either Habitat Humanity, Red Cross, etc etc). But is it okay for example, to volunteer with a Halloween activity, once at a soup kitchen, once at a homeless shelter, etc? The thing is they would add up the number of volunteer hours but when it comes to application time how would you describe the volunteer activity since you did many activities? Or is it better to just stick w/ one and NOT "dabble" volunteer?

 

[BABSstudent]

It seems like most people have a set organization they volunteer for (either Habitat Humanity, Red Cross, etc etc). But is it okay for example, to volunteer with a Halloween activity, once at a soup kitchen, once at a homeless shelter, etc? The thing is they would add up the number of volunteer hours but when it comes to application time how would you describe the volunteer activity since you did many activities? Or is it better to just stick w/ one and NOT "dabble" volunteer?

You can dabble, but you need some long term volunteering you can list. Who cares that you gave out candy to homeless kids one time! If you were to consistently help homeless kids get an education and be a mentor then it sounds better and will be more rewarding.


Sent from my iPod using SDN Mobile app. Please excuse the typos.

 

[Owlie]

you can dabble, but you need some long term volunteering you can list. Who cares that you gave out candy to homeless kids one time! If you were to consistently help homeless kids get an education and be a mentor then it sounds better and will be more rewarding.


Sent from my ipod using sdn mobile app. Please excuse the typos.

+1

 

[Planes2Doc]

They definitely look at commitment, hence there is an emphasis on hours per week for a SPECIFIC activity. If you volunteer for an organization that does all of these things (has you in different locations on a weekly basis), then that's fine, but don't count on adding up a bunch of hours from random activities. But, you should still take part in activities here and there if they are meaningful. I had a single event that I did which actually had a big impact on me, and I talked about it in my PS and during interviews. Just make sure you have a solid consistent volunteer foundation to put that on.

 

[acslater99]

How does the person that's interviewing you know that you've completed a certain amount of hours in Volunteering/Shadowing?

Couldn't you easily lie and say that you've done so and so hours volunteering?

Don't get it someone help me

 

[earf]

How does the person that's interviewing you know that you've completed a certain amount of hours in Volunteering/Shadowing?

Couldn't you easily lie and say that you've done so and so hours volunteering?

Don't get it someone help me

You put it on your AMCAS. You could easily lie, but you'll be very transparent during the interview if you can't convey commitment or excitement about it.

Committing to one activity long term can show commitment, perseverance, and overcoming challenges, which is the type of service to others that doctors do. You can do a bunch of short term ones too as long as you can explain why you did it and what you learned from it, which is especially valuable if you're shadowing short term in many different specialties. It shows that you've considered many options, seen medicine from different perspectives, and can maybe find a mentor or role model

 

[acslater99]

You put it on your AMCAS. You could easily lie, but you'll be very transparent during the interview if you can't convey commitment or excitement about it.

Committing to one activity long term can show commitment, perseverance, and overcoming challenges, which is the type of service to others that doctors do. You can do a bunch of short term ones too as long as you can explain why you did it and what you learned from it, which is especially valuable if you're shadowing short term in many different specialties. It shows that you've considered many options, seen medicine from different perspectives, and can maybe find a mentor or role model

Thanks a lot man!