u/Capable_Somewhere496

Volunteer hours before MSW application

Hi, I am currently a psychology undergrad student. I decided about a year ago that I wanted to pursue an MSW after graduation (my undergrad school does not offer social work as a bachelor's degree, though they do have a minor program I am in now). My goal is to go into medical/hospital social work. I honestly haven't done a ton to prepare for it, not for a lack of trying (I am disabled and have been unable to drive reliably until this last semester and there is no public transport in my rural college town). I will start my senior year in august, and be working as a sort of case management intern at a home health organization, working in an undergrad psych lab, and volunteering when I can. What I am wondering is if I should drop one of my courses to make more time to volunteer, or just do what I can as is. My top three programs of choice aren't known to be insanely difficult to get into as the application rates are very low in my state. There are no minimum volunteer hour requirements at any of them. Currently I volunteer at a hospice organization, an animal welfare organization, and on occasion a food bank. My hours are low at all of them due to balancing school, work, and a disability.

How many hours are recommended for a school that is not insanely competitive? I don't want to give myself burn out, but I also really want to get into my top choice school. Is it okay to have less if I have experience in case management from the job I'll be starting next semester? Just looking for a ballpark goal.

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u/Capable_Somewhere496 — 3 days ago