Pre-Med Community Service

MiamiDAP
Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:02:48 +0000

D. was involved in unusual for pre-med volunteering. However, it was in addition, not instead. It was a long term (at least 2 years, maybe 3) commitment that she personally enjoyed a lot. It also required training. Later she mentioned that it was one of the most common topic of discussion at interviews (and another one was also non-medical - her Music Minor). I strongly believe that tailoring your activties precisely to Med. School requirements is not a correct approach. D. did not follow this strategy, she pursued lots of her personal interests while in UG. UG is the time to do it, you will not have these chances later on, not soon, maybe never. I do not think though that anybody can advise as everybody is in different situation. According to pre-med commitee at D’s UG, she had lots and lots of EC’s, their comment was how she found time to do them all. So, yes, she could afford pursuing whatever, because she had all requirements under control. So, you basically need to assess your personal situation and see where you are. It is worthwhile doing things that you truly enjoy though.
Do not get me wrong, D. volunteered at the hospitals, shadowed docs and had long term (3 years) internship position at Med. Research Lab…and she did many other things that were not related to Med. School or her major.