research volunteer prior applying for nursing school

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

I will be attending summer school and have a goal to apply for nursing school next year. I did read how admissions look for gpa, work experience and volunteer work to be known as a great applicant in addition to your personal statement, letter of recommendtions and interview. I've received an email to participate in a research project at ucla. I don't want to overwhelm myself and would like to keep a balance to focus on getting a high gpa. Have anyone used the statement "working to pay for college" as an extracurricular activity? Advice will be helpful.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Being a research participant (aka 'lab rat') isn't going to add value to your application to nursing school. But if it can be a relatively low stress source of income, I'd say go for it.

Simply working is not an extracurricular activity unless it is related to your course of study. That term is meant to encompass non-classroom activities that contribute to your educational goals. For instance, working in a patient-care capacity or clinical environment could be included, but working at Pizza Hut. . . not so much. If you want to highlight a job as an extracurricular activity, it would be better to use a phrase such as "working 20 hours per week at XYZ clinic to improve my communication skills and awareness of clinical processes. . " rather than just saying you are doing it to pay your tuition.

Wishing you the much success in your educational journey.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thank you for sharing some insight. The research project will be about mental health and policies with a published professor. I'm currently a mental health worker/cna and have five years of patient interaction. The rearch project will contribute to public health and not necessarily lab work