Resources > Non-Clinical Experience > Volunteering & Service
Volunteering & Service
What is Volunteering?
Volunteering is the act of giving your time, skills, or effort without pay to support a community or cause. For pre-PA applicants, service is more than "checking a box" — it shows your commitment to helping others and your willingness to contribute outside of academics and clinical work.
Why It Matters
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Demonstrates your compassion for serving others.
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Develops interpersonal skills by working with people from different backgrounds.
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Shows initiative, dedication, and responsibility.
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Aligns with PA values, which are built on a service-oriented mindset.
What Types of Service Are Most Valued?
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Healthcare-related service.
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Underserved or vulnerable populations.
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Long-term commitments, rather than scattered one-time events.
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Leadership in service roles (coordinating events, training new volunteers, or organizing fundraisers).
Finding Volunteering Roles
Choosing Roles
When choosing volunteer opportunities, it's important to be intentional. Not all experiences carry the same weight on your PA school application. While all service shows commitment to giving back, programs tend to value opportunities that directly connect to healthcare and working people in need.
Common Volunteering Roles
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Hospitals and clinics
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Community health fairs
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Nonprofits and free clinics
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Crisis Centers and hotlines
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Senior centers and hospice
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Public health initiatives
Things to Be Cautious About
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Animal Shelters and Similar Roles: While meaningful, they do not directly prepare you for PA school and usually aren't valued as highly.
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One-Time Events Only: A single shift at a food drive or fundraiser is a great community service, but sustained involvement demonstrates more commitment.
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Roles Without Human Interaction: Schools want to see you serving people, not just doing behind-the-scenes work.
FINDING A ROLE