I’m a junior in high school who will be applying as a pre-med next fall.
I just turned 16 this Winter and was not able to volunteer at my nearby hospital last year due to an age restriction.
My SAT tutor who was a doctor and on the admissions board at Brown told me that pre-meds who volunteer in a hospital are sorted into a separate application pile and given priority admissions over those who have not volunteered in a hospital.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, hospitals have closed off volunteering to protect the safety of the patients.
Assuming hospitals will not open up to volunteers before applications are due, what can I do to show interest in the medical field and get firsthand experience before the Fall?
Before this fall? Nothing really. The last thing any hospital or medical facility wants right now is a very young, untrained volunteer using up their limited supply of PPEs. Even 3rd and 4th year medical students have been sent home from clinical hospital rotations to protect their health and to preserve the limited PPE supply.
If you want to help–volunteer to assist those already working in a medical field or volunteer for some organization that assists the most vulnerable among us.
You could volunteer at child care center for medical personnel or babysit (for free) for a nursing home healthcare worker or a home health aide.
You could volunteer for Meals on Wheels or a food bank or a homeless feeding site–anything that gets food and medicines out to those in need.
You could organize a blood donation drive for your local blood bank. (Blood is in a critically short supply because people are afraid to donate.) I’d suggest you donate yourself but you need to be at least 17 to donate blood.
I’m afraid there just aren’t going to be opportunities to observe or volunteer in any type of healthcare facility in the near term future–likely not before next spring.
Really? Does Brown have a major called “pre-Med” because most colleges don’t have this as a named major. You can major in anything to apply to medical school as long as you take the required courses medical schools require for admissions.
So…apply to Brown as some other major or undeclared . That way you won’t have to worry about getting sorted out.
I believe the OP is talking about Brown’s PLME program.
But @Chrane03 if you’re taking about regular admission and not a special program, there is no such thing as a “pre-med” major. Pre-med is an intention, not a specific major. You can major in anything and still be a pre-med so long as you take the required med school pre-reqs courses
I believe there are online EMT certification classes out there. You might check that possibility out. If so, it would be an excellent way for you to demonstrate interest in the medical field.
Taking the class, if eligible, would at least give the OP something to do in the summer that would also express interest in the medical profession, though, no?
My sister was a certified EMT in high school (many years ago). She carried a pager and she and her fellow EMTs would leave class to respond to calls. The ambulance was parked at the school. It was tough, but she found it rewarding. I guess they changed the rules since then. This was in MA.
Admission to EMT coursework in our state requires the applicant provide documentation of a recent physical examination, including proof of immunization compliance and a drug screening test. Applicants for an EMT class must first have completed a Basic Life Support class (CPR and AED training). Additionally applicants for an EMT class must be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check prior to beginning their clinical training.
Many programs require the student to demonstrate they can safely lift 50 pounds.
EMT regulations vary by state. Your best resource is to check with your state Emergency Medical Services Bureau at the Dept of Public Health.