Hi all, sorry for the somewhat overdramatic title. I’m in a bit of a rough spot right now. None of the hospitals or anything close to me (as in <25 min. away) will take volunteers. The closest one that I haven’t applied to yet will take almost 2 hours round trip when you factor in traffic. I still haven’t been able to get my license yet because my parents say that I "don’t need it"and that I “probably wouldn’t pass the driver’s test anyway”. One of our two cars is breaking down, slowly but surely, and the other one is needed by my parents. They also complain frequently about the high insurance and maintenance costs for a car and that I don’t “need a car until college”. My parents work during the day and can not drive me to volunteer anywhere. I’m a junior right now, and the situation probably will not change by senior year. As of now, I do not have any volunteer hours at the hospital. I might be able to get something in during the summer though, even with a job. I do not know anyone on here or other places who has gotten in to any programs with a low # of volunteer hours who started the summer before senior year. Any reassuring thoughts? Or should I be realistic and realize that there is no longer really any chance?
@mic347 First, admission to BS/MD is based on many factors and demonstrating your passion for medicine is one of it but not the end of it. Second, it is not that volunteering need to happen only in hospital. You can volunteer on any activity which can show your interest to work with people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable or poor or in need. So explore if there is any place which is close up where you can bicycle or walk after school, places likes soup kitchen, senior aged homes, hospice, community places / clinics etc. Also explore in hospitals which are far away but can allow during weekends so that your parents can go and drop and pick up. It will help if you start now and do it during school year and continue during summer than just trying to do some thing only in summer.
Agree, with your parents it is not that critical to get the driving and get license etc. Always find some alternate choices and find a way to get things done. That is part of reality and in life need to balance many things. But don’t give up so early on any thing.
My D who is Sophomore in college got her license only this summer when she came home and not in a rush to get car or insurance any time soon for 2 reasons. 1. Driving is not just another test, rather you need to gain many hours of experience so that you don’t risk your life or any one else life. 2. It is very expensive to get insurance before 21 and if parents can not afford or can spend that for some other higher priority items.
If you want to be a MD, why are your eggs in one basket (ie BS/MD). Consider continuing to push yourself academically to ready yourself for 4 years of college, get into volunteering in college, and apply to med school via more common pathways (ie after 3, perhaps 4 years of college). Also, enjoy the rest of your hs years. Good luck
I live in a more rural area. Thanks to you both for your responses. Yeah, it looks like I’ll probably be heading the traditional route. I’ll still apply next year, but I won’t be surprised if I’m rejected by the first round, as in prescreening before sending out applications. It’s kind of sad to think about, but a little relieving to know that I won’t be as stressed senior year. Little consolation, but it will have to do.
Some schools in some states have specifically rural based med programs, have you explored them? Your background may in fact be your asset, you may want to write about it in your essays. I am sure even the accelerated programs are interested in having diverse backgrounds in their student bodies.
Even though we live in very densely populated state with lots of hospitals around it was very difficult to get a volunteer spot in any of them, since the competition is intense and you need to know some one to get in there. So D shadowed a gastroenterologist at his private clinic.
@mic347, On a related note. You may want to consider DO accelerated programs too.
My parents said I will be applying BS/MD next fall whether I like it or not because I don’t think they understand the concept of stats and needing things other than a decent GPA and SAT score. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ They look down upon DO so that’s not an option.
We’ll see how it all plays out, I guess.
You don’t have to do clinical volunteering at a hospital. Consider volunteering at nursing homes, rehabilitation programs, group homes for the mentally or physically disabled, summer camps for handicapped or chronically ill children. If there is a county public health clinic nearby, ask there too.
If you have a demonstrated track record of volunteering in your rural community (not just medical/clinical volunteering but community service to the less fortunate), this will be a plus for BS/MD applications.
“We’ll see how it all plays out, I guess”
On the one hand, I guess it’s possible you may get an acceptance. On the other hand the worst thing that will happen is you’ll be rejected, surely disappointing to you and parents. But except for perhaps a bruised ego, all your other body parts will remain intact. In the end isn’t the MD degree what you’re really after. Hopefully, if rejected, you’ll pick yourself up, start college with a clean slate and take advantage of opportunities and resources that were not available to you during your hs years.
Thanks for all the suggestions. As well as the advice reminding me to focus on what’s important for later. I appreciate it. :">
I know it probably doesn’t matter, but I’m super excited that my parents recently spoke with other Asians and realized I would have 0 chance of getting in BS/MD so no extensive BS/MD apps and worrying :)))
On the flip side, this unfortunately means that I’ll be stressing for the rest of undergrad… 