Volunteering vs. research

[vera.o]

So I'm a baby pre-med, going into my sophomore year of college, and I've been debating what to do next summer to advance my (future) med school application.

I'm just wondering which is considered more useful/impressive on a general basis: research or volunteering? I'm torn between volunteering abroad next summer to do HIV/AIDS work (which, after 4 weeks, would give me about 650 hours of volunteer work) or doing a research internship at a local university.

I know that a lot of big wig MD school (i.e. Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc.) like research, but my dream school is UC Davis, and I know they're very community-oriented. Any thoughts?

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[raiderette]

I would spend the summer doing research, but spend the school year volunteering regularly in the community, preferable with disadvantaged populations. Long-term sustained volunteering will look better than foreign aid/vacation work that lasts only a few weeks.

 

[md-2020]

So I'm a baby pre-med, going into my sophomore year of college, and I've been debating what to do next summer to advance my (future) med school application.

I'm just wondering which is considered more useful/impressive on a general basis: research or volunteering? I'm torn between volunteering abroad next summer to do HIV/AIDS work (which, after 4 weeks, would give me about 650 hours of volunteer work) or doing a research internship at a local university.

I know that a lot of big wig MD school (i.e. Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc.) like research, but my dream school is UC Davis, and I know they're very community-oriented. Any thoughts?

Do both.

Seriously.

 

[GrapesofRath]

There are certain things that can be done in the summer that can't be done other times of the year. Extensive research opportunities are one of them

But there can be time for both. Research programs usually don't start till end of May early June and end by end of July. If you want to make both happen it might be possibld

 

[ZedsDed]

UC Davis is community oriented towards their community. Is this trip abroad a mission trip? That won't impress anyone. Find a long-term commitment locally.
Ditto for research. Meaningful research can't be done in 8 weeks.

 

[WedgeDawg]

You've been given a lot of good advice in this thread. I would encourage you to try out research for a summer to see if you like it. The average undergraduate researcher working full time most likely will be working ~40 hours / week. That leaves plenty of time to volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or other center 1-2 times a week (or on weekends!). As has been stated, there are certain things that it's hard to do at other times of the year, and doing sustained research is one of them. Volunteering abroad is helpful only if done correctly (which is usually not the way it is actually carried out by most premeds). Volunteering at home will show commitment to helping the immediate community.

If I were in your situation with your aspirations, I would do the summer of research and volunteer on the side at a local venue.

 

[candbgirl]

Don't volunteer abroad. It doesn't impress Adcoms. Find someplace in your own backyard to volunteer and start now. Why wait a year? Four weeks isn't impressive. Oh and figure out how to do both activities. It's not really an either/or thing. Good luck.

 

[Moose A Moose]

Don't volunteer abroad. It doesn't impress Adcoms.

Quite a broad statement. I'm assuming you've journeyed to several different medical schools and discussed this with their respective admission committees, right?

OP, if volunteering abroad in underserved areas is your thing, then do it... but if you're just trying to pad your resume they're gonna see right through you.

 

[ZedsDed]

Quite a broad statement. I'm assuming you've journeyed to several different medical schools and discussed this with their respective admission committees, right?

OP, if volunteering abroad in underserved areas is your thing, then do it... but if you're just trying to pad your resume they're gonna see right through you.

This opinion has been expressed by many AdCom members for over a decade on these forums. Of course it doesn't hold true for every single AdCom member, but it seems to be the majority opinion that medical mission trips are vapid at best and exploitative at worst.

 

[lakas12]

Agree with @Moose A Moose. Do what demonstrates what you are passionate about. If you're passionate on working for the underserved communities, then go for it! Med schools come out as catering yourself towards them.. but you also neeed to think that there are medical schools that are catered to what you believe in and highly affirms and support that causes you're passionate on.

Best of luck!

 

[vera.o]

Thank you guys for all the information! As far as volunteering in my own community, if I do long term research during my undergrad, does that open up options for what I can do volunteer wise (non medical), or would it still be a good idea to focus on medical work?

 

[ZedsDed]

Thank you guys for all the information! As far as volunteering in my own community, if I do long term research during my undergrad, does that open up options for what I can do volunteer wise (non medical), or would it still be a good idea to focus on medical work?

You can volunteer at your local hospital.

 

[raiderette]

Long term volunteering should ideally include medical and non-medical. Spend time tutoring at a Boys and Girls Club, feed the homeless at a soup kitchen, volunteer at a women's shelter. Then do clinical volunteering at a hospice, nursing home or free clinic. You will feel useful and wanted, learn to function outside of your comfort zone and it will also show adcoms that you can handle sick, poor people.