Community Service

Community service is an opportunity to engage with others while developing a variety of skills and competencies, including problem solving, communication, planning, and empathy. Community service is an important component when applying to professional schools and there are many ways to get involved. Explore the resources and tips below to learn more! 

Volunteer Opprtunities

MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning: Service-learning students contribute their time, energy, and unique talents to nonprofit organizations, schools, hospitals, health care facilities, government agencies, and advocacy groups in ways that help to meet community needs. The service may be connected to a specific MSU course or academic major, or may simply be related to a personal passion.

VolunteerMatch: Explore a variety of volunteer opportunities in your local area using the VolunteerMatch database.

Ideas for Pre-Health Students During COVID-19: The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) offers a list of ideas, articles, and resources compiled by pre-health advisor to help students identify safe and meaningful opportunities during COVID-19.

MSU Pre-Health & Health-Related Student Organizations:
Students involved in MSU's pre-health and health-related RSO's are leaders in community service. Each organization is involved in service at a local, regional, national and/or international level.

Tips for volunteering

• Start with what you are passionate about and ask yourself these questions:
  • What causes are important to you?
  • What populations do you want to work with (i.e. children, elderly, low-income, cancer patients, etc.)?
  • How much time can I commit? 
• Use the resources above to find community service opportunities 
• Join a student organization and participate in group volunteer activities 
• Get creative and consider creating your own fundraiser or charity drive, or developing a student organization that hasn't been created yet
• Track each volunteer experience, including hours, dates, and supervisor contact information using the Pre-Health Co-Curricular Tracker.