How can I answer an essay question about shadowing an osteopathic physician if I've never done so?

[779663]

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The question asks:

While shadowing an osteopathic physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician?

Now, I'm pretty passionate about being an osteopathic physician, but I've never shadowed one and this question asks pretty directly to talk about the experience.

What can I do here? My shadowing experience is minimal and with allopathic physicians.

 

[kamakazi5]

You say you're passionate about becoming a DO so I would assume that means you've done a decent amount of research on what it means to be a DO, right? Maybe talk about how you haven't yet shadowed a DO but talk about what you do know about the profession. It would likely be good to mention you are in the process of finding one to shadow, or at least speak with.

 

[Necr0sis713]

lol, this is when I would just withdraw my application because I did not shadow a DO.

 

[soccrdoc08]

The question asks:

While shadowing an osteopathic physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician?

Now, I'm pretty passionate about being an osteopathic physician, but I've never shadowed one and this question asks pretty directly to talk about the experience.

What can I do here? My shadowing experience is minimal and with allopathic physicians.

Solution #1 = Shadow a DO
Solution #2 = Withdraw your application
Solution #3 = Go hide in your basement

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[mediator1]

Most important thing is to be honest and sincere. If you haven't then you haven't.. If you want to improve on this aspect, shadow a DO or at least chat with one for a couple of hours like I did and talk about that. Accepted.

 

[DrMikeP]

Do some reading on SDN. You aren't the only one to ask this. This is why I always rec everyone to shadow a do.

Read up on DO and find one to shadow before interviews. It's not required at some schools but you will be glad you did. It could make the difference between getting in and waitlisted.

Good luck

 

[779663]

Do some reading on SDN. You aren't the only one to ask this. This is why I always rec everyone to shadow a do.

Read up on DO and find one to shadow before interviews. It's not required at some schools but you will be glad you did. It could make the difference between getting in and waitlisted.

Good luck

Do you have any advice on landing a shadowing opportunity? I called up many DOs a few months ago trying to shadow one but they all said they weren't interested in accepting a student to shadow them. I can't say I'm surprised, most were just at small clinics

 

[DrMikeP]

Do you have any advice on landing a shadowing opportunity? I called up many DOs a few months ago trying to shadow one but they all said they weren't interested in accepting a student to shadow them. I can't say I'm surprised, most were just at small clinics

I posted a list of a dozen suggestions about a year ago... you could go through my old posts and maybe find it or a dozen similar threads with excellent tips.

Some of the best techniques
Contact nearest DO school and ask (nicely) for a list.
Check out to AACOM website.
Call every DO you find online in your area (this is a numbers game that works).
Volunteer at a hospital, hospice, etc and get to know drs (takes longer).

It takes effort, otherwise it wouldn't be meaningful in the process.

 

[ortnakas]

You say you're passionate about becoming a DO so I would assume that means you've done a decent amount of research on what it means to be a DO, right? Maybe talk about how you haven't yet shadowed a DO but talk about what you do know about the profession. It would likely be good to mention you are in the process of finding one to shadow, or at least speak with.

This is probably what I'd do, but recognize it might not work and get you landed in the reject pile for not actually answering the question. Safe to assume that the way it's worded, shadowing is pretty important to this school.

For what it's worth, I was specifically asked about my relative lack of shadowing at one interview, and I was above their MCAT average and well above their GPA average, with quite a bit (I'm a nontrad) of research and clinical experience. While I didn't find shadowing personally valuable, I'm clearly not an adcom. It's in your best interest to find shadowing hours somehow.