H.S. Senior here, going to shadow a Radiologist soon, any way to prepare?

[jbon51]

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Im going to shadow a radiologist for a couple weeks at the Cleveland clinic. Im a high school senior (Ill be attending either Vanderbilt, CWRU, or Boston U to study biomedical engineering this year) and I am very interested in medicine.

I am getting a TB test in a couple weeks (a requirement to shadow in the hospital). Is there anything I should read up on to help make some medicine-related conversation with the radiologist? I consider myself quite social so I shouldn't have trouble talking about normal stuff.

P.S. Out of Vanderbilt, CWRU, and Boston Univ, which school do you think would give me the best chance to be accepted into a medical school? I'll be studying biomedical engineering, so that's a plus 🙂 I know that 78% of CWRU undergraduates are accepted to US Med schools, but I cannot find the numbers for BostonU or Vandy. Thanks a bunch guys.



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[DriNDT]

Jbon,

I shadowed a radiologist as a high school junior and you are in for a fascinating experience! In fact, I think it was that shadowing experience that solidified my interest in pursuing pre-medical studies in college. As for preparation, don't sweat it. There will be lots to talk about b/c most of what you will see will be very foreign to you (unless you have had experience with this sort of thing before). I imagine, if your shadow is anything like mine, that you will converse about preparing for med school, the physician's memories of college and medical school, the advantages of practicing in the radiology specialty (in this case), etc, etc. I am sure that with all you will be seeing and absorbing, there will be no shortage of conversation. And be yourself, have fun - this shouldn't be anything to stress about.

As for your question about which of the schools you listed would give you the best chance of being accepted, you'll learn there is nothing that is certain in this process. Really, there's no way to tell. The only thing you can do is build a strong application, which it sounds like you are on your way to doing. Get involved in EC's in college, do well in your courses, prepare adequately for the MCAT, do some research if possible (supervised or independent) and have a great time doing it!! You'll find that your major doesn't matter as much as you think (though it sounds like it will give you a solid foundation for future studies) and again, that there are no guarantees in the application process. Oh, and limit the amount of time you spend on SDN... it can get addicting, and it looks like you are getting quite an early start😉

Good luck in undergrad, have a blast, and I hope your shadowing experience is as awesome as mine was!! Happy New Year!

 

[Brickhouse]

Sweetie, before some mean person comes along and completely flames you, I am going to take that honor upon myself...

haha, j/k

Listen, best thing you can do is shut up and watch. You're miles from being ready to apply so don't try to act like you know more than you do, just be very receptive and be ready to learn what you can in your experience.

As far as schools go, I think there have been countless threads about how your undergrad institution doesn't especially matter. Just do well at whatever school you attend, those are all very good schools. It had been suggested that you look into what kind of support the premedical students get at those universities, but honestly, I didn't even have a pre-med advisor and it didn't matter.

Bottom line and my .02, enjoy your experiences, especially in college, and do your best. Have fun with the shadowing experience.

 

[Brickhouse]

Oh and by the way, get used to the TB tests! OUCH!

haha....

 

[goobernaculum]

as a h.s. senior, it's gonna be really hard to prep for a shadowing experience. radiologists have huge knowledge base of anatomy, and i doubt you could have had much experience with that in h.s. BUT...don't be afraid to ask simple things like "what's that?" Radiologists love to ponder over images and explain them. If this guy's open to shadowing, he'll most likely be open to the little question. So as for prep...just relax and don't be afraid to be inquisitive.

 

[tugbug]

Make sure to ask the Radiologist about "Throgmorton's sign"... I was enlightened by an ER doc about this one... he got a big kick out of sharing his knowledge on this one😉

 

[bigbaubdi]

Originally posted by jbon51
P.S. Out of Vanderbilt, CWRU, and Boston Univ, which school do you think would give me the best chance to be accepted into a medical school? I'll be studying biomedical engineering, so that's a plus 🙂 Thanks a bunch guys.

Vandy, CWRU, and Boston U are all good schools - pick the one that you think will give you the most rewarding undergraduate experience.

 

[Hallm_7]

I'm assuming you're from Cleveland since you're shadowing at Cleveland Clinic. Since you're from the north I would advise going to Vandy next year. I did an internship in research this last summer up north (I'm from the South and go to school in the South) and the change in scenery and cultures was one of the most rewarding and interesting things about this summer. You'll learn more about people everywhere and the US by moving to a completely different part of the country than you would ever imagine.

Nashville is a completely different city than most up north, and mainly for the positive. It's a very new, clean city that is growing extremely fast so there's always something going on and things being added. If you're into music you can't beat Nashville. And that's not just country either. There are plenty of clubs which feature upcoming rock artists as well. Oh, Nashville has some of the most beautiful women anywhere. I love going to a mall or dowtown just to look at them. 🙂

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Two words,

Pay Attention.

'nuff said

 

[TTSD]

Put a BIG smile on your face.

Dress apropriately.

Thank the doctor afterwards.

The End.

 

[jbon51]

Excellent! Thanks a lot for the help/suggestions/advice, I appreciate it. I'm very eager to pursue a career in medicine, so I can't wait to start shadowing!

 

[Swiper]

Originally posted by jbon51
P.S. Out of Vanderbilt, CWRU, and Boston Univ, which school do you think would give me the best chance to be accepted into a medical school? I'll be studying biomedical engineering, so that's a plus 🙂 Thanks a bunch guys.

That's a great group of schools. Go where you will most enjoy spending your four years, and excel in your classes - that combination will give you the best chance at med school.

Have fun shadowing, and good luck with your school choice!

 

[jbon51]

Oh and 2 more things:

Someone said "dress appropriately. Would dress pants, a shirt and tie be too dressy? Or just a pair of nice khakis and a nice polo or something.

Secondly, are you sure I should ask about "Throgmorton's sign"? Sounds risque lol.

 

[elee20]

When I shadowed and did rounds awhile ago, I didn't know what to wear and I went to the hospital wearing a nice shirt and pants. When I got there, the doctor laughed and said "lets get you in to something a little nicer." He gave me scrubs!! So you can't go wrong with scrubs, you'll fit right in. I felt like a big jacka$$

 

[Jason110]

JBon,

Wow. Sounds like you're following in my footsteps. 😉

I also shadowed a radiologist during high school, and am currently a BME major at WashU.

As for good BME schools, CWRU is really really good. I don't think Vandy or BU would do you harm either. Pick one that's right for you. That's more important than the strength of the program. The school at which you're the happiest, you're most likely to succeed in terms of GPAs and extra-curriculars. Just my two cents.

As for fashion sense. Radiologists do not usually go into scrubs (unless you're an interventionalist). I would say a nice button down shirt with khaki pants and dress shoes are adequate clothing. Always a collared shirt, please.

Here are some issues you might want to think about and ask about shadow the radiologist:

1. Turf battles. The radiology community is seeing a lot of its 'bread and butter' procedures being done by other physicians (namely, surgeons and cardiologists). Ask what his/her opinion is of this.

2. PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). Many more hospitals are using these. Forget x-ray films. Everything is digital and shows up on a monitor. Ask for his/her opinion.

3. Cost. Radiologic procedures are expensive.

Just my 2 cents. If you have any add'l questions, private message me.

Jason

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Listen,

You are at least 3 years away from applying to school. It is great that you are shadowing. Use this opportunity to see what it is like as a radiologist for one day.

I do not think it is a good idea to start throwing around big words. Enjoy the day and enjoy the experience. If you see something interesting during your day, then ask questions. Don't come off looking obnoxious.

I spent a day with an old boss of mine, he was a cardiologist. He brought me into the OR and I watched as he performed cardiac catheterizations and angioplasties. He did most of the talking by showing me how he does things, what they do, why they do it. I was there when he was talking to the patient and the family and we reviewed films together. I felt that if I tried to impress him with cardiological knowledge, I may cause him to lose his train of thought about what he wanted to show me.

The doctor may have already prepared a day for you. Just go, where something nice but casual. Try business casual, nice khakis and a polo shirt. And as I said before, Pay attention. Ask questions as he brings up topics.

Take this opportunity and think about it while you are in college. Right now, you main concern should be finishing HS and starting your first semester.

 

[Tezzie]

All the schools you bring up are considered good schools. If i had to pick one with the most "prestige" that would be Vandy. Although Case and BU are also really good schools. Don't forget that each school has regional power and national power.

Chose wisely on where you want to attend. You have the opportunity to go to three great schools, that are in very different parts of the country. Boston for example is a great place to be a student. But on the other hand Vanderbilt is an awesome institution and you could save some $$$ because the cost of living is better there than Boston. So apart from prestige and %s , chose a school that will challenge you and will offer the educational and social opportunities you seek.

Anyhow good luck when you shadow and have fun in college.

 

[jbon51]

You guys are great. I'm not going to use "big words" to impress anyone, I'm just going to be observant, open-minded, and eager to make conversation and ask questions.

As for my college choice, I'll be visiting Vanderbilt and Boston Univ. next month. I've been to CWRU several times. I guess I can't really go wrong with either school, but I'd like to go to one that has a high acceptance rate of undergraduates to med school.

 

[bigbaubdi]

Originally posted by jbon51
I guess I can't really go wrong with either school, but I'd like to go to one that has a high acceptance rate of undergraduates to med school.

Be careful about these types of stats - some schools discourage people from applying to med school if their stats aren't strong enough.

 

[tugbug]

Originally posted by jbon51
Secondly, are you sure I should ask about "Throgmorton's sign"? Sounds risque lol.

I was actually coming back to make sure you knew that was a joke🙂 ...

A doc I work with got me with it. He told me very seriously to make sure and ask about it after I matriculate... Turns out its a joke name for the idea that on Xrays of male midsection the penis tends to point toward the side of the body with the injury... Pretty funny, but Im glad I never got to ask the question seriously.

Good luck. Enjoy. Shadowing can be amazing and fun. Dont try to look smart.

 

[tugbug]

just wanted to bump so I dont have a mad HSchooler looking for me if he misses that last post...😀

 

[Homunculus]

Originally posted by jbon51
Im going to shadow a radiologist for a couple weeks at the Cleveland clinic. Im a high school senior (Ill be attending either Vanderbilt, CWRU, or Boston U to study biomedical engineering this year) and I am very interested in medicine.

I am getting a TB test in a couple weeks (a requirement to shadow in the hospital). Is there anything I should read up on to help make some medicine-related conversation with the radiologist? I consider myself quite social so I shouldn't have trouble talking about normal stuff.

P.S. Out of Vanderbilt, CWRU, and Boston Univ, which school do you think would give me the best chance to be accepted into a medical school? I'll be studying biomedical engineering, so that's a plus 🙂 I know that 78% of CWRU undergraduates are accepted to US Med schools, but I cannot find the numbers for BostonU or Vandy. Thanks a bunch guys.



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take some potassium iodide tablets 😀