Will it hurt me if I don't work?

[sunqueen]

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Will it hurt me that I don't work and have had practically no job experience? I do a ton of volunteer work (clinical) and take a full course load. Is that enough?

 

[DD214_DOC]

I'm wondering this myself.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

I think having had paid employment helped me in this process, but I don't know that not having it is a black mark the way lack of clinical exposure would be. It will be noticed, though.

JKDMed, I graduated from USC in 2000. 🙂

 

[gogiants]

what about during the summer? do you not work then either? personally, i worked all through college. i think it is important to let schools see you can balance different tasks with success. now, if you are making good use of your time outside of school doing other organized activities (read: activities you can list on an application) on a fairly regular basis then that might do it. i think it is important to be doing something meaningful with your summers, whether that is working or taking classes or whatever.

 

[sunqueen]

Thanks. I'm taking 4 classes this summer and doing some clinical volunteer work plus a week camp for kids with inherited bleeding disorders. I have my real estate license, but don't practice. Do you think it would help if I dabbled in real estate a bit?

 

[LunaMoth]

I concur with gogiants. Although I did not work during the school year, I was employed every summer in research positions. The lack of job experience did not appear to adversely affect my application. With that said, it is important to demonstrate interest and commitment to other activities. Since you're very involved in volunteer work, I imagine that this would be a valid alternative to holding down a job. I wouldn't worry about it too much.