Volunteering

[ClarinetGeek]

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After reviewing some of the posts, I have noticed a strong emphasis on research; however, I am curious as to how much weight in the application process is given to volunteer work. For instance, if one has a decent research background, but lacks a lot of volunteer work, is this a problem with a MSTP in comparison to a MD program. I have had a lot of MD advisors push for community service, so is it the same with MD/PhD? 😕

 

[b&ierstiefel]

More emphasis on research; however, a record of community service will only help you. Me personally, I had no volunteer work on my CV when I was applying to med schools...mainly research work. I got waitlisted at every MD program I applied to but got into 5 of the 8 MSTP programs I applied to. From that, I can gather that volunteer work is not as emphasized by MD/PHD programs compared to MD programs.

 

[Neuronix]

I agree with the user formerly known as hotsteamingt**d. I knew some good research-oriented applicants with no or little volunteering (say 50 hours) who did well in the process. My former roommate, a member of my MD/PhD entering class, is one such example. He had no clinical/volunteer experience, and as far as I know has no interest in or in-depth knowledge of clinical medicine.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

On that note, in general I think being well-rounded serves one more well when applying to MD programs. From what I've observed, MD/PhD programs mainly focus on numbers, LORs, research, research, and more research.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Thanks for you responses. I appreciate it. I just want to figure out where I should focus more of my energy in the next two years. I have some already, but I hope to have more of those great volunteer experiences as well but I don't want to worry if I am not one of those volunteering super stars. Thanks.

 

[hockebob]

echoing the other posts, generally it seems that volunteer and even clinical experience is relatively unimportant in the md/phd application process. when i applied last fall, i was interviewed by at least fifty different people (both formally and informally)... and i would guess that (at most) five asked me anything about my clinical work. furthermore, i'm pretty sure those rare instances occurred during mandatory md-only interviews (at u of iowa and umich)... so, if anecdotal evidence is your thing and you know you're gonna apply md/phd... perhaps you need no clinical experience at all! on the other hand, you might want to hedge your bet a little and at least step inside a hospital before applying to med school... ha!

in all seriousness though, you'll probably find that clinical experience helps to reaffirm or even motivates your decision to go to med school... which, despite what some people on this board would have you believe, is still part of the md/phd curriculum.

best,
aaron