Q: (Initially posted on February 26, 2003) FROM MENTEE AYUSHI R. IN TX
Well I want to be a very successful person, and my aim is to be a heart surgeon. But I don't know how to start it. Everybody says that every person should start getting involve in volunteering for medical school, so can you please tell me how can I start?

February 28, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR DESIREE BUTTER,MD IN PA
Ayushi,
There are many ways to become successful in life, becoming a heart surgeon
will not guarantee you that you will be successful. It is important to know
what is important in life in all respects, professionally, family life and
spiritually. Having said that, volunteer work is looked upon favorably by
medical school admission committees not for the volunteer work itself, but
as a representation that an applicant cares about others and his/her
community and is willing to give of him/herself. Volnteer work can be
anywhere in the community, hospital, crisis centers, homeless shelters,
anywhere where there are people in need.
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A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DIONISIO IN CA
If you want to volunteer in a medical type setting, calling the major hospitals in your city is a good place to try. Ask to be a candy striper or volunteer and tell them your interests and that you are a pre-med major and they are usually very willing to set you up. I volunteered in pediatrics because that's what i want to be but also tried out the E.R. and even got to watch a heart endoscopy because they knew that i was interested in medicine. Just note that you don't have to volunteer in a hospital. You're not limited becuase medical schools just want to see that you're giving back to your community and are doing something that you like. While it looks good to do a lot of things, commitment is more important to med schools becuase they know that some people get involved in activities just to make their resumes look good.
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A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
your local hospital probably has a group of volunteers, and you could volunteer. You'd not only be doing good, helping people, you'd learn what goes on in hospitals - what it's like to be a patient, a nurse or a doctor. So you benefit from learning what those careers are like, as well as getting experience that looks good on applications - and actually doing good for patients. I googled "candystriper" and "candy striper" because girl volunteers are sometimes called candystripers for their pink and white striped uniforms, and found links to local volunteer organizations like this one in Newport Beach, CA: http://www.hoag.org/SupportServices/Auxiliary/About/Candystripers/candystripers.html
You could call your local hospital to find out about volunteering, or ask your own doctor.