<p>I was recently informed by one of the guidance counselors about my local hospital's summer Junior Volunteer Program. She told me that colleges like seeing this on college applications, but I just read an old post here on CC that 90% of high school students who are interested in the medical field volunteer at hospitals. If everyone does it, I feel like it's really not something that will set you apart from the rest. I am interested in the medical field, specifically oncology, so regardless of whether or not it does look good on a college app, I would love to experience a hospital atmosphere. I would be willing to do this every summer as long as I get accepted (so possibly 4 years of this program). If hospital volunteering doesn't look very good on college applications, does shadowing look good? Any other advice is extremely appreciated! Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t volunteer at a hospital just because it “looks good” on a college application. In fact, I volunteer at a hospital, but I started the summer after freshman year because I legitimately wanted to see what the medical environment was like since I wanted to be a pediatrician. Lo and behold, I realized I wouldn’t want to be in a hospital every day. However, I still volunteer because I love it, I love my friends there and I love talking with patients and visitors. I don’t do it for college. It’s a perk that I get to put on my resume for community service, but if you wouldn’t volunteer just because it “doesn’t look very good on college apps” then you shouldn’t volunteer anyway. </p>
<p>I’ve never shadowed someone before, so I can’t speak to that, but honestly, I think you should realize that you shouldn’t be doing things just to have it on your college application. Do things you enjoy, that you really want to do.</p>
<p>the ECs that look good are the ones you are dedicated to- and colleges will be able to see which ones those are through how much time you’ve dedicated, any leadership positions, if you have other ECs in the same area to show you are interested in the field, etc.</p>
<p>so, in other words, go for it! if you enjoy it, it’ll stand out on it’s own, trust me</p>
<p>It doesn’t stand out just by virtue of what it is (volunteering at hospitals is pretty common), but dedication will be noticed. Weird ECs aren’t inherently better than more common ones, it’s the interest that matters.</p>