Do you think volunteering or shadowing should be an important factor in an app ?

[abyssinianson]

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I volunteered at the ER for a few days. All I did was write the person's name down on the admitting form as soon as they walked into the ER.

I also saw a few surgeries but of course understood nothing and I couldnt see much anyway. They dont cut the person open from gut to gill. They only cut a tiny whole in ther person and you cant see anything.

I think volunteering and shadowing are just more hoops to jump through. Waste of time.

dang. you did it over a few days and you found it boring? I did my volunteer work over a 5 year period. Enough said. If you found it boring AND you believe volunteer work is nothing more than "hoops," then you need to be doin something else. Seriously. Volunteer work and shadowing offers a glimpse into what you will be doing for the rest of your career if you become a doctor.

 

[Medicineman20]

sweetpancakes I was in your situation in my freshman year, I really had no passion for other individuals. I was given the opprotunity to volunteer at a local surgical center in my hometown. Here in this surgical center, I was given the responsiblities during surgery. While doing this I also shadowed a primary care physician, he gave me certain responsibilites while shadowing. The more responsiblities I was given, the more dedicated I was towards volunteering and shadowing. My question to you sweetpancakes is do you have a passionate desire to pursue medicine? If so, try to establish trust with the doctor you're shadowing possbily he or she will give you responsbilities and you won't be so bored. Also, if he or she reconizes you being bored, you may get a poor Letter of recommendation. Overall my advice is try to establish trust with your physician and your volunteer supervisor.