A little confused....

[cole219]

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I have two questions that I'm hoping you guys can help me with...

I recently got permission from a DO (who specializes in neurology) to overshadow her, however I was wondering for exactly how long should I overshadow her? Whats the average for DO schools?

Also, I will be applying for DO schools in about a year and I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on applying early, like an early decision, to one school if thats our dream school? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Thanks for your help!

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[czanetti]

http://aacom.org/data/cib/06-mcat-gpas.html

but every school is different

TCOM: mcat - 27/28
GPA-3.52
scienc gpa- 3.44

you should shadow her as long as you think you need to. If she is a good doctor to shadow continue doing it. If not don't. It doesn't matter about her degree she can write you a letter of rec for both schools.

 

[Boner]

The best advice I can give is no matter what your dream school is now, apply early and apply broadly. You will have no idea what your dream school is until you have visited many. Schools are not the same on paper as they are in person. If you apply early enough, you should have little problem finding and gaining admission to the school that fits you best (as long as you have a solid application).

 

[jkhamlin]

I have two questions that I'm hoping you guys can help me with...

I recently got permission from a DO (who specializes in neurology) to overshadow her, however I was wondering for exactly how long should I overshadow her? Whats the average for DO schools?

Also, I will be applying for DO schools in about a year and I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on applying early, like an early decision, to one school if thats our dream school? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Thanks for your help!

Happy New Year Everyone!

My experience is that doctors don't like to be overshadowed. 😀

But seriously, shadow her as much as you have time for and she will allow. Too little shadowing could keep you out of med school, but too much shadowing... well there's no such thing.

 

[TerpDO]

definitely not all doctors like being shadowed, but in my experience the ones that do not will straight up and say that they are too busy to have someone follow them or to write letters of recs. or they will say upfront that they can only have you follow them around for a day. If this doctor did not say anything like that then she probably is welcoming you following her around. Ask plenty of questions while you are there, I would go once or twice (at the max) a week and keep going until you have a major change of schedule or you feel that you can not learn much more from her. Although it is not a "volunteer" experience, it is a strong clinical experience and if you do show strong interest in her work or in medicine in general, this will likely show up in the letter of recommendation you may receive which will be a big boost for your applications. Good luck!

 

[skatalite]

I have two questions that I'm hoping you guys can help me with...

I recently got permission from a DO (who specializes in neurology) to overshadow her, however I was wondering for exactly how long should I overshadow her? Whats the average for DO schools?

Also, I will be applying for DO schools in about a year and I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on applying early, like an early decision, to one school if thats our dream school? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Thanks for your help!

Happy New Year Everyone!

applying early is always good. Just remember to follow up on your applications and make sure they are complete. My letter of recs got lost in the mail and I didn't realize untill a month later. Follow up and just make sure the schools recieve everything. Good Luck! If you are doing early decision try to tour the school b/c you may think you like it and after touring...hate it. have a happy new year!

 

[supersash]

hey cole,

you should feel great that you are able to shadow a DO, alot of peopl on the board have trouble finding someone who will let them (and especially long term).

like others have said, feel it out. you can shadow her as long as your schedule permits, or until you feel you've gotten a good idea of the profession.

i was lucky enough to shadow two different DO's, one a family practice phyiscian who does OMM everyday, and the other an ob/gyn. the FP shadowing was just one day (due to my time constraints) but i learned so much in that one day. the ob/gyn was over the course of three years (i know that sounds insane, but part was summer only, or winter only, although about a year of it was regularly). i learned SO much!

i would say shadow as long as you can. its an amazing experience to literally walk in the shoes of a person in the career you want.

:good luck:

 

[dr.kicia]

hey cole,
Well if you are not too sure then just ask. It always is the best means to have things clear.
Some DOs are great. I have been shadowing mine for 5 moths already and will continue to do so for the spring semester.
All i did just told him a lot about myself and then asked him if i could shadow him or if he knows any DO that would be ok to have a student for shadowing(my DO is a top doctor at the university hospital and very busy so i didn't want to force anything)...he ended up saying i can shadow him all i want and just show up wherever he is that day.
So just ask politely and you will be fine.
The more you can shadow her the better...it's not only for the hours thing but she will also get to know you which will be great when it comes to writing a LOR for you.
GL

 

[mletter]

So, you overshadowed a DO. Did you also upstage the DO. Impressive for a premed. 😀 J/K. Shadow a lot of DO's for as much as you want until you feel that you have really learned what it is that you are getting into going to med school. Do you have any clinical experience??