How important is volunteering?/ EMT v. shadowing

<p>So today was my first day volunteering at this hospital and it was ridiculously boring. For the first four hours I made chart packs and for the second 4 hours I made copies. I realize this probably wont be what I do <em>every</em> time, but this was rather bad.
So originally I intended on volunteering for two days a week but now I'm considering one day a week. However, I already have 60 hrs of hospital volunteering.</p>

<p>My question is: would it look a good deal worse if i only volunteered one day a week and had 120 hrs of hospital volunteering to put on my resume as opposed to two days a week and 180 hrs? This is for applications to multiple degree programs. If I dont volunteer two days, the other day would be spent making college applications for these schools.</p>

<p>Second question</p>

<p>For my senior project, I want to do something related to medicine.
Would it look better on the college applications and the BS/MD interviews to say that I did an EMT course and earned certification or would shadowing be equally impressive?</p>

<p>I am currently applying to medical school and can probably answer this question pretty well. If you will gain clinical experience WORKING as an EMT, then the EMT course definitely looks better. If you will only be getting "certification" by the time you apply for programs, I would spend your time shadowing. Medical schools are looking for CLINICAL EXPOSURE as their number one most important extracurricular activity. As an EMT, you would have much more responsibility (which med schools love), but this responsibility can only come after 150 hours of training. Something you may want to consider is getting certified as a "first responder" so you can do ride alongs (WHILE ASSISTING IN PATIENT CARE). It is a much shorter process, but will require more work on your part to secure an internship prior to enrolling in the class (you don't want to waste your time getting certified if you won't end up using it).</p>

<p>~JW</p>

<p>luckily i was able to secure at least three separate shadowing oppurtunities during the summer</p>

<p>in this situation, would it still be worth it to get yet another shadowing position and thus more clinical experience for my senior project, or would it be better to diversify and get that emt/first responder certification</p>

<p>and thank you so much for your opinion</p>