Does working at a lab or volunteering with UCSD give me leverage when applying?

Hi, I just finished my first year and am going to a CCC, I was talking to other pre-med students who go to other schools and they’ve all said to start doing research labs early and to get as many volunteer opportunities in as I can (to get into med schools), but because I’m at a CCC and wanting to get into UCSD’s human biology program, would it help me out there too? Would volunteering at any of the UCSD hospitals or working in a research lab there give me any leverage in the application process? Also, because I don’t go to their school would I still be allowed to work in one of their labs?

It may help you get into UCSD if the professor you research with writes you a strong letter of recommendation.

While it may vary from school to school, I have known several students from other schools (typically smaller school) who work in labs at a big research institution.

UCSD does not accept LORs. No UC does.

I don’t know if it would give you an outright advantage, but it’s a strong EC and possibly something to write about. It might give you some brownie points too.