If you’re a pre-health student looking to round out your resume before applying to medical school, and are passionate about supporting those in crisis, virtual mental health volunteering with Crisis Text Line might be the right fit for you! 

Why is volunteering important for Pre-Med and Pre-PA students?

Volunteering for Pre-Med and Pre-PA students is crucial because it allows you to demonstrate your compassion and empathy and to further develop soft skills like communication and teamwork. Skills gained from volunteering are invaluable to a career in the medical field where you’ll work with patients from all walks of life. Also, extracurricular activities are very important to have on your resume or application, to prove your well-roundedness as an applicant! Not only does it show that you are dedicated to community service, but it shows that you do not shy away from new experiences that can challenge you. 

While medical volunteering, such as gaining clinical experience, opportunities are certainly valuable – non-medical opportunities, such as volunteering with a mental health organization such as Crisis Text Line, are also a great way to show more of who you are and what you care about. 

How many volunteer hours do I need to get into Med school or PA school?

According to Jack Westin, a leading Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) preparation company, on average, pre-medical students accepted into medical school typically report around 100 hours of volunteer work. Requirements vary by school as there is no standard requirement across the board. 

Students should prioritize quality over quantity when thinking of where to make this time commitment. If you’re devoted to fewer places that you’re very passionate about, that can go a longer way than many hours spread across multiple organizations. Dedicating a generous amount of your time can also further prove your consistency and dedication towards furthering a specific mission that means something to you. By volunteering with Crisis Text Line, you can reach the volunteer hours you need within a year, as we recommend our volunteer Crisis Counselors to commit to volunteering a minimum of four hours a week, getting you to 200 hours in no time! Learn more about volunteering →

Can Crisis Text Line verify my hours for school credit, internships, or fieldwork?

It depends on your school. If we do not have a current agreement in place with your university, Crisis Text Line is unable to serve as a field placement. Get all the answers to your questions about credits and verification here.

Can Crisis Text Line write me a Letter of Recommendation?

Yes, when a volunteer Crisis Counselor completes 200 hours of volunteer work, they may be eligible for a Letter of Recommendation. Learn more about letters of recommendation from Crisis Text Line here.

Become a virtual mental health volunteer with Crisis Text Line

There are several benefits for students to become a virtual volunteer Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line. This list is not comprehensive! More benefits to becoming a volunteer →

1. Experience in the mental health field

Being a volunteer will give you firsthand experience supporting texters who are experiencing mental health crises. You will learn how to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm one with empathy and patience.

2. 100% virtual and at your own pace

One of the key benefits of becoming a volunteer Crisis Counselor is the ability to do your volunteer work virtually. Since Crisis Text Line offers a 24/7 service, you can volunteer during times that work best for your schedule, making it easy to balance your work life, volunteer life, and personal life

3. Get all the volunteer hours you need

You may have a certain number of volunteering hours in mind that you want to reach. If you volunteer with Crisis Text Line, it is expected that you will reach 200 hours within a year. 

4. Bilingual opportunities

Crisis Text Line offers virtual, bilingual volunteering in English and Spanish, making mental health assistance more accessible to the large population of Spanish speakers in the US.

5. You can make a true impact

Above all, giving back your time as a volunteer has a real impact on lives. Learn more about how our volunteers are literally changing the world.

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Rest assured that not all of the volunteering opportunities for your medical school application necessarily need to be medical-based so long as you’re showcasing what you’re passionate for. Your volunteer experience should show the ways you support and give back to your community and the causes you care about, medical or not! Become a mental health volunteer today.