<p>For med school admissions, would it be better that I volunteer as opposed to having a job at a hospital? I'm not greedy or anything and would have no problem simply volunteering, but I'm by no means rich and being paid could help out a lot. This is of course assuming that paying jobs are available to undergraduates...</p>
<p>Most people do both. My senior year I worked 3 part-time jobs and also volunteered to coach under privileged kids in the SAT's at the same time.</p>
<p>edit: If you're talking about at a hospital, I'd definitely go for the job since volunteers get to do very little. However, most hospital jobs require some sort of degree or certification.</p>
<p>As a senior in high school, I was actually just offered a job at the hospital as an SCA (Surgical care assistant) which requires no certs. How might that look?I realize I wouldn't be doing much, but after being a student in the OR's, I have seen that the SCA's are at least in the environment getting an exposure.</p>
<p>Yeah I was referring to jobs at a hospital norcalguy, but the fact that you managed to hold 3 part-time jobs, volunteer, AND finish up your degree is financially reassuring. I assumed with the rigorous pre-med track I wouldn't be able to work, although I guess by your senior year the MCAT and applications are over, right? Did you work at all in your first three college years, and would you recommend it?</p>
<p>chaz I'm sure that'd look good, but I think the common word is to do it because you enjoy it, not because it looks good. Regardless, if you'd like further insight I'd appreciate if you made a separate thread for it, thanks.</p>
<p>sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread.</p>
<p>Chaz, I'd do it. SCA sounds a lot better than wheelchair pusher.</p>
<p>OP: I worked full-time during the summers and part-time during the school year for my college career. I had limited time for jobs my first two years since I was taking 3-4 science courses each semester. But, I only took 2 science courses/sem my last 4 semesters so I had more time for EC's.</p>