Volunteer Experience A Plus in Grad School?

Question

I had an argument with my mom earlier today, let's just say I feel like crap and a little depressed from what she said about me.

Anyway. I want to volunteer some before I apply for graduate school (PsyD preferably) because I think they'll take that into consideration. I have an average GPA, not outstanding all on its own. (3.34 acculm and a 3.1 in Psychology, joining the Psi Chi chapter of the school involving Psychology). My mom said that all the school wants is to give students to places to "work them like dogs and treat them poorly" and that me applying for volunteering won't help me one bit, that schools look for GPA and if you have $$$.

I've volunteered 200+ hours in a hospital for high school, as a requirement for an engineering program I was in. I had decent grades and got into a state school. My mom likes to rub in how my friend took honors classes and now goes to a UC (I go to a CSU) and how she never did any volunteering and look where that got her.

No matter what I do to convince her that volunteering is important, she continued to ramble about how I just like to get pushed around and abused by people, as well as insulting my intelligence and all the things that go with my education.

I just want to make sure that my initial thought was correct. Would having a 3.34 GPA and good volunteer experience better my chance of getting into a doctorates program/grad school then by having a 4.0 and zero experience whatsoever?

Answer 1

Your mother is wrong about the money. Most doctoral students do not pay for their degree -- but get financial aid in the form of fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships.

She may well be right about volunteer work, though. Most top doctoral programs take students right out of school. Business Schools are the only ones that I know of where the top schools want students to work in the field first.

Answer 2

I'm sorry your mom treats you this way; sounds like she has some issues of her own! As hard as it might be, try to ignore her and don't argue back! I know - easier said than done!

Anyway, I think the experience you would gain from your volunteering would be a tremendous asset, especially in the field you are going into. You can't learn everything from a textbook, so think of everything you will get to experience first-hand that could help you not only in grad school but also after you graduate. Also, what you experience in your volunteer work can also be used in your application for grad school, so that should help you in the application process. Furthermore, think of the contacts you can make - contacts who can help you get a job later! Networking is very important!

Your mother is wrong about schools only looking at GPA and whether or not you have money. First, they don't know how much money you have, and it's none of their business how you pay for school. Also, you will have to take some kind of standardized test to get into grad school (GRE or Miller's Analogy Test), write an essay, get letters of recommendation, etc. , so they will be looking at a lot more than your GPA (and bank account, if you believe your mother!)

Good luck!

Answer 3

You've got the one teacher rec, so that's good. See if the school will accept one professional rec, and also see if a PhD who is working at one of the digs where you've volunteered, and who knows you fairly well, would be willing to write a recc. I don't agree with the other poster, who said that it's to your benefit to have more professional reccs. It is not, if the school was specific in asking for academic reccs. Some schools are quite specific on this point, and they mean it. If you are going to differ from their requirements, you need to ask them if it's okay. If you must get another teacher recc - if the school says you must - then you'll have to contact an old professor who you liked, and who used to like your work. They may not remember you, but that's okay, because you'll ask if you can send them your resume (and a photo, as a tickler), plus, if you have it, some old classwork, and/or a write up of what you did in class back then, and why your prof, at the time, had said it was special. This can work, and the prof can write a recc based on this.

Answer 4

You already have the professional answers you need here.

I would tend to side with your mom except that your field of pursuit is Psychology. Field hours are invaluable to your personal perspective and outlook; this also will give you filters in your usage classroom knowledge!

What I wanted to say is I can tell your mom really cares a lot about you. It is hard for moms to quit trying to protect their children even long after the time to do so...field knowledge right there, eh? I can understand her trepidation when it comes to your chosen profession, but if that is what you have a burning desire to do...go for it. It sounds to me like you are well on your way!

Answer 5

i would say definitely volunteer, especially for the field that u want to get in so u can get more of a feel for it. Volunteering itself has its rewards and accomplishments. You can look it as a hobby or as something u can do to act as a buffer zone.