Clubs and volunteering
Physician assistant: activities that show real interest in this career. Pick a career below to see other ideas.
What colleges actually look for
- Depth, not a long list. Two or three activities over several years mean more than ten short ones.
- Growing responsibility. Leading, organizing, teaching, or starting something.
- Real impact. What changed because your child was there.
No single club guarantees admission.
Read the guide: what US colleges look for →Clubs to look for at school
- HOSA – Future Health Professionals(official website)HealthHealth-careers club with skills competitions and leadership roles.
- Science Olympiad(official website)CompetitionAnatomy and disease detective events.
- Health science class or programExploreMany high schools offer health science or career and technical education (CTE) courses.
- Red Cross club(official website)ServiceBlood drives and first-aid training at school.
Volunteering ideas
- Hospital or clinic volunteeringMany programs start at age 16. Apply early; spots fill fast.
- CPR and First Aid certificationShort courses from the Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- Senior care home visitsRegular visits build comfort with patients and caregiving.
Physician assistant (PA) programs are master’s degrees after college, and most ask for many hours of hands-on patient care. Starting with health volunteering in high school helps your child find out early if they like patient care.
These count too
- A paid part-time job
- Caring for siblings or translating for parents
- Steady service at your temple, gurdwara, mosque, or community group
The Common App has its own categories for paid work and family responsibilities.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026.