What are some good nonclinical volunteering experiences?

[meadowlarkk]

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I’m in my early undergrad and haven’t done any consistent nonclinical volunteering. I was planning to start volunteering at a nursing home/hospice but saw some people saying that can lean more clinical.
What nonclinical positions do most premeds apply with? Does anyone have suggestions for nonclinical volunteering that would potentially stand out? Thanks in advance!

 

[Wilted]

To my knowledge with browsing these threads you'll want to do something along the lines of food bank, homeless shelter, habitat for humanity, etc. volunteering. These show that you are willing and eager to work with underprivileged populations, and most people on the forum will recommend at least 150 hours of that sort of thing. I've done a little bit of that but I'm also a volunteer volleyball coach with this organization that provides athletic and academic facilities and opportunities to inner city youth in my city. I'm finding that to be very fun and fulfilling so if you have a sport you like I'd recommend looking for something along those lines too.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Read and connect with your prehealth advising team

What Medical Schools Are Looking For: Understanding the 15 Core Competencies |

The AAMC's core competencies list provides a framework to help you communicate and demonstrate your readiness for medical school to admissions committees.

www.studentdoctor.net

How to Assess Your Pre-Professional Competencies | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Learn how to frame your pre-professional competencies when applying to medical or other health professional school.

www.studentdoctor.net

Debunking Prehealth Preparation Myths | SDN

Debunk common Prehealth Preparation Myths that mislead applicants about health professions admissions processes and requirements.

www.studentdoctor.net

The Prehealth Journal: The Art of Reflection | SDN

Writing a prehealth journal or engaging in another reflective practice can build communication skills and make you a better doctor.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[AnatomyAndAnonymity]

If you meet the age requirements, become a CASA! It's a truly profound way to have an impact on someone's life and a really unique activity.

 

[meadowlarkk]

To my knowledge with browsing these threads you'll want to do something along the lines of food bank, homeless shelter, habitat for humanity, etc. volunteering. These show that you are willing and eager to work with underprivileged populations, and most people on the forum will recommend at least 150 hours of that sort of thing. I've done a little bit of that but I'm also a volunteer volleyball coach with this organization that provides athletic and academic facilities and opportunities to inner city youth in my city. I'm finding that to be very fun and fulfilling so if you have a sport you like I'd recommend looking for something along those lines too.

Thanks! Also in browsing these threads, I don’t see anyone recommending nursing homes or hospices for nonclinical volunteering - is this because it’s too close to clinical volunteering, even if you aren’t doing clinical activities?

 

[LizzyM]

Thanks! Also in browsing these threads, I don’t see anyone recommending nursing homes or hospices for nonclinical volunteering - is this because it’s too close to clinical volunteering, even if you aren’t doing clinical activities?

Correct. Some adcoms see it as killing two birds with one stone (volunteering and getting clinical experience). Others do not. Proceed at your own risk but embrace it if you want exposure to working with older adults, the disabled, and the dying. Particularly if you have an interest in geriatrics or physical medicine & rehabilitation, it shows that you can walk the walk.

 

[Goro]

Service need not be "unique"; it can be anything that helps people unable to help themselves and that is outside of a patient-care setting. If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients.

Check out your local houses of worship for volunteer opportunities. The key thing is service to others less fortunate than you. And get off campus and out of your comfort zone!

Examples include: Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Humane Society, crisis hotlines, soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless or women’s shelter, after-school tutoring for students or coaching a sport in a poor school district, teaching literacy or ESL to adults at a community center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, mentoring immigrant/refugee adults, being a friendly visitor to shut-ins, adaptive sports program coach or Special Olympics.

 

[polymerization]

I did legislative work for an organization dedicated to poverty alleviation as part of my school's global leadership program. Didn't make it to my application, but it felt morally urgent and made me feel the most "indignant angsty undergrad" I'd ever felt in my life. It was mainly trying to get senators/representatives on the phone and cold-call constituents. I didn't love the constant rejection but it was an experience. I think it would be a great topic to talk about for a pre-med student interested in social justice or public policy.

As part of my research lab's activities on campus, I got to contribute to a curation for an MLK exhibit at the school's art museum for two years in a row, as part of Black History Month. It was actually a very pleasant and much appreciated honor to get in touch with a part of my lineage my family didn't wholly embrace. I got to sit in on lectures and other events on that same theme, which was also thought-provoking.

My point here primarily being that these activities often come unexpectedly and ask you to set things aside and seize the opportunity. I didn't "sign up" for these things as much as I consistently put myself in settings where things would be happening, and it paid off. If you're looking to surprise an adcom, you have to surprise yourself first.

 

[vex10]

Correct. Some adcoms see it as killing two birds with one stone (volunteering and getting clinical experience). Others do not. Proceed at your own risk but embrace it if you want exposure to working with older adults, the disabled, and the dying. Particularly if you have an interest in geriatrics or physical medicine & rehabilitation, it shows that you can walk the walk.

to add onto what @LizzyM said, I think if you can somehow find a way to work with local inmates at your city's justice center, it would be a transcendental experience. Many inmates I have worked with relate to the unhoused experience and have described a tragic poverty cycle where they HAVE to go to jail to access proper food, shelter, and resources. It's been an honor to work with them, and I hope to continue in med school. Would highly recommend reaching out to your local dept. of public health, asking for an intern opportunity, getting hands on experience.

 

[stonecutter4991]

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but in my community BBBS is in very high demand, especially if you are a guy, and provides consistent hours. Unlike many volunteering activities, it requires deep personal involvement and vulnerability to do properly, and will provide you with some great lessons and perspectives for your medical school application essays.

It is also an amazing experience! Of all of my volunteering activities, this is the one that I will without a doubt continue to do during and after medical school. I cannot recommend it enough.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

If you are part of a religious organization, find out what community non-profits they collaborate with. Even better, find an interfaith community and see what community non-profits they collaborate with (and the issues that they have chosen to focus on).

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