By: Sarah Amaladoss
Here is some advice and suggestions as to how pre-med students can gain clinical experience and volunteer hours despite the present circumstances.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, day to day life has changed drastically as we know it. Across the globe, schools have closed, businesses are being forced to cease activities, and many students alike have lost out on valuable time and opportunities to explore their future career paths; this entails pursuing community service hours and invaluable experiences such as clinical experience, as well as working in a hospital environment. For pre-med students, these opportunities are crucial as they can be the foundation in their medical learning journey, allowing them the ability to gain knowledge from world-class doctors and practitioners, as well as acquire a fundamental understanding of medical specialties pertaining to their interests. For college applications, your volunteering and community service experience can assist in distinguishing you from other applicants and further define your passion.
In accordance with the current protocol, receiving clinical experience through shadowing may be limited to reduce the spread of COVID-19 making it difficult to gain clinical experience for the time being. However, there are other ways to make a safe impact on the community that will not only gain you community service hours, but also help those in need. When considering different volunteer opportunities, be sure you consult the CDC guidelines and consider that it: protects others from harmful transmissions and is something you’re passionate about. On your applications, assessors consider your ingenuity and critical thinking towards your volunteer work.
Use your passion to contribute to the world by helping others in dire need!
Some ideas include:
Musical performances over Zoom for the elderly living in nursing homes deprived of any accompaniment from their loved ones due to COVID-19
Tutoring children who need extra help during this time.
Checking in with charities who may have volunteer positions available for delivering or sorting through various items and ensuring the well-being of those who are impoverished and thus disadvantaged during this healthcare crisis
Checking in with overwhelmed hospitals and offering help whether it be delivering masks, organizing temperature checks, or even doing inventory work to help minimize their workload.
Animal adoption centers can be particularly overwhelmed during crises so offering to lend a helping hand is always greatly appreciated.
If you prefer to volunteer in a medical setting, make sure to inquire at your local hospital about what volunteer positions are available and if you meet the criteria. Many hospitals have very detailed and structured plans during pandemics with specific roles for both caregivers and volunteers. Before carrying out any volunteer work, ensure that you are not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 yourself as it can infect and endanger those that you come into contact with.
Since COVID-19 has brought such sudden and unprecedented change, committees and assessors may take an interest as to how you spent your time during quarantine, what you learned from it, and how it will equip you for the future. Taking it upon yourself to volunteer and make a difference despite the circumstances demonstrates your maturity, responsibility, commitment, and selflessness to not only the admission committee but to yourself as well.
At the end of your volunteering, you’ll be able to walk away knowing that you invested your time and skills towards a good cause, and helped the community when they really needed it. Whilst the experience you gain from volunteering may not be the same as shadowing pediatricians or doing clinical rotations in a hospital, they will be indispensable and manifest in you for the rest of your life.