Once again I have been contacted by several BS/MD applicants who want to know what their odds at admission are. Now, I don’t chance the students I work with and am certainly not going to do so for someone that I know almost nothing about.
But what I often see in these students are great academics, but very weak volunteering. Grades and test scores determine who will be considered for BS/MD programs (and any selective college for that matter). But grades and test scores are not enough. You need to show that you are an interesting person. Someone who has a life outside the classroom.
In my experience the most important factor in admissions for BS/MD programs after grades and test scores, is the amount of volunteering that a student has done. I am not just talking about hours here. BS/MD programs aren’t keeping track of who has the most hours. They are keeping track of who shows the most commitment to others.
You show commitment by volunteering on a regular basis and for an extended period of time. A year of regular volunteering? Good. Three years of regular volunteering? Better.
Volunteering once a month. OK. Volunteering once a week. Great.
You don’t need to commit to volunteering all of your time either. An hour or two a week for most weeks for 3 years shows a true commitment to helping others. And that will impress the BS/MD admissions committee.
2 hours a week once a month seems great to me. my opinion, though. i want to do volunteer work full time. i meant to say that on your other website.