LET THIS VIDEO INSPIRE YOU TO DO SOMETHING DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE STILL AVAILABLE DURING COVID-19.

Because medicine is a service profession--meaning the main motivation for medicine should be to serve other people--medical schools want to see that you value serving your community.

Emphasis on service varies, but many schools recommend 200+ hours of community service. Service activities should demonstrate consistent and long-term commitment to helping others, but do not need to be medically related. Community service (English classes, service projects, etc.) done on a mission counts, but engagement in your own local community can be seen as more valuable.

We recommend that you investigate and then pursue service opportunities that are meaningful to you. One former dean of admissions at a medical school once remarked that, he 'wanted students who were deeply saddened to be leaving their service position' to attend medical school. Choose a service opportunity you are passionate about! Would you do this even if you weren't going to medical school?