<p>I can't choose between a volunteering abroad program and a research program. Both are health/medical field related (I'm trying to get into one of the BS/MD direct programs like Rice-Baylor). The volunteer program is good for the humanities aspects of medicine while the research program is good for the science-y aspects. They are both great programs but are hard to compare because they are completely different. Which one would be better for acceptance into one of the direct programs? I'd like to show that I'm really interested in the medical field. And does it matter that the research program is highly selective?</p>
<p>If you’re looking to go to a science-oriented program like Rice, definitely do the research.</p>
<p>I was thinking about that, but I can’t help but think that those programs might not be about only science/academics. If the admissions people are selecting future doctors/medical field workers, wouldn’t they want students who care about the world and helping others as much as they care about science and research?</p>
<p>The volunteer program involves improving health and medicine in rural areas of the world, if that changes anything</p>
<p>woah, sounds like a cool volunteer program! where’d you find that?</p>
<p>anyway, it sounds like you’re pretty passionate about the volunteer abroad program, although i could be wrong. honestly, you should do whichever one you feel more passionate about. that sounds cliche, but it’s true. neither one will really affect whether or not you get into college (i assume those are the admissions people you’re talking about), and it sounds like both will show that you have an interest in medicine, so id say go with whichever one you’re more excited about!</p>