<p>Hey all,
Im trying to transfer from a community college to a UC, and the personal essays ask for what i have been doing towards my major. (which will be biology). So im wondering if i shuold go do some volunteering related to my major. or are there other options?</p>
<p>Also: I need extra curriculars anyways so i guess i will have to do this?
Can anyone help? :)</p>
<p>Are there any sites that you recommend.
i live in california btw, near SF.</p>
<p>Bump, really need answers,
thanks!!!</p>
<p>Honestly, I think that there is nothing more boring than a biology (or pre-med) student writing in their essay about how they volunteer at a local hospital and how they’re a member of every science/pre-med/fightcancer/breastcancerawareness5k club or event that their school offers. </p>
<p>If I were you, I’d take the unconventional route and become involved in a few things that you are truly interested in, even if that’s teaching people to play ping pong at an old age home or joining and becoming immersed in some sort of language/culture club that is completely unfamiliar to you. I’ve come across someone’s essay online about the experience of having to work as a rodeo medic which influenced them to stray from their liberal arts undergrad degree and apply to med school. You don’t necessarily have to volunteer to be a desirable applicant, but I can’t stress how important it is to show that you’re an individual. In your essay, you should prove how your particular life has shaped you into the well rounded person you are today. This will be more rewarding to you in the long run and it’ll be way more interesting for someone to read about.</p>
<p>Hi, thanks alot for the reply - i forgot about being unconventional haha.
but it will be hard to relate the bio major to something so different.
I guess i can try to do something. I only have a summer to do this(and im taking summer classes), because i will be applying this fall.
there are 2 essays that i have to write, one on being an individual and one on what i have done that is related to my major. </p>
<p>also,this is what another poster told me :</p>
<p>"Extra curricular acitvities at a CC will help because it shows that you can be involved in the community while taking the course load. Volunteering that is related to your major will look good on the application because it will show you took some extra steps, which will make you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. I believe GPA is the number one factor in the decision though so its important to maintain a high GPA, especially for biology majors. " </p>
<p>I know that GPA is important, but i need some extra curriculars to complement my application.</p>
<p>Maintain a high GPA. Do both major-related EC and unconventional one to set you apart.</p>
<p>hi, thanks for replying
do you have any advice on where to get started on volunteering?
im having a hard time finding opportunities(especially online…)</p>
<p>Consider asking your professors about doing science-related research with them. Look at internships with biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, or other healthcare agencies (local, county, state government or nonprofit entities).</p>