How early is too early for shadowing?

[sleepyDaisy]

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Hi SDN,

Basically the title. I'm afraid of shadowing too early because
1. Doctor won't remember me 3 years from now to write a solid LOR.
2. I don't "know" enough right now. Anything I do know is stuff I've picked up passively from working in the hospital as a Patient Transporter.

But also don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find doctors to shadow.

In relation to when I plan on applying, when should I shadow?

 

[candbgirl]

You don’t need a letter from a doctor. What year are you in? I’m assuming maybe first year? If so make arrangements to shadow next year. You only need 50 hours total and some should be with a primary care doc. Your patient transport is a good job. You can be actively involved with the patients as you move them around. And just a FYI- shadowing is passive. That’s the difference between shadowing and clinical experiences.

 

[jhmmd]

Hi SDN,

Basically the title. I'm afraid of shadowing too early because
1. Doctor won't remember me 3 years from now to write a solid LOR.
2. I don't "know" enough right now. Anything I do know is stuff I've picked up passively from working in the hospital as a Patient Transporter.

But also don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find doctors to shadow.

In relation to when I plan on applying, when should I shadow?

Shadow as often as possible. It kept me motivated along my pre-med journey.
Definitely don't ask a doctor for a LoR several years after shadowing them--this is no bueno.

 

[deleted1102547]

Hi SDN,

Basically the title. I'm afraid of shadowing too early because
1. Doctor won't remember me 3 years from now to write a solid LOR.
2. I don't "know" enough right now. Anything I do know is stuff I've picked up passively from working in the hospital as a Patient Transporter.

But also don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find doctors to shadow.

In relation to when I plan on applying, when should I shadow?

It is never "too early" to shadow. I shadowed a bit in high school and it was what made me decide to be a pre-med college student.

1. I'm not sure why you are discussing a LOR in the context of shadowing because most physicians won't write a LOR for shadowing and most schools don't even require a physician LOR. Most of those that do (like Arizona) will also accept a volunteering coordinator letter.
2. You don't need to know anything to shadow. A good physician will explain as much as they can at whatever level you are at, but there is nothing for you to do other than listen and observe.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Tbh you don’t really want a doctor who you shadowed to write a LOR. Unless you do something above and beyond with the doctor, there isn’t much he/she can write about your qualities or abilities from the time you spend shadowing.

You don’t need any “technical knowledge” to shadow. It’s more of getting a feel for the profession and learning about general dynamics of patient-doctor relationship.

This is just my opinion as an applicant. Perhaps some Adcoms think a letter from a doc you shadowed is a plus but I’ve never heard about it.

 

[Goro]

Hi SDN,

Basically the title. I'm afraid of shadowing too early because
1. Doctor won't remember me 3 years from now to write a solid LOR.
2. I don't "know" enough right now. Anything I do know is stuff I've picked up passively from working in the hospital as a Patient Transporter.

But also don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find doctors to shadow.

In relation to when I plan on applying, when should I shadow?

Shadowing LORs are useless for MD (except for maybe 1-2 schools), but useful for DO

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi SDN,

Basically the title. I'm afraid of shadowing too early because
1. Doctor won't remember me 3 years from now to write a solid LOR.
2. I don't "know" enough right now. Anything I do know is stuff I've picked up passively from working in the hospital as a Patient Transporter.

But also don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find doctors to shadow.

In relation to when I plan on applying, when should I shadow?

It's not too early, and as others have said you don't need an LOR from a doctor whom you have shadowed. You should be able to get better ones.

 

[deleted1100659]

A lot of doctors are nice and write glowing letters/evals by default. I tend to do this, unless the med student/pre med is an awful person for some reason. My motto when you work with me "you're either an A+ or an A-". Though ive had a few med students try to test that motto.

 

[deleted1100659]

Even some medical schools specifically note on their website that physician are of low or no importance in considering a candidate. Only a very few MD medical schools require one, even though many UG advising sites have not caught up with that. It is the act of shadowing itself, what you learn from it, and when added to other healthcare related experiences you may have, how you narrate and express the evidence it shows of you in your motivation and commitment to medicine in both PS and W&A. For example, I have seen many applicants express some interest in helping people in primary care/underserved populations. But if you have no shadowing related to either than what is the point of expressing it?

Do note that many premed committees want one in their evaluation of the student so you may have to get one for that. Also DO schools want a shadowing letter preferably from a DO. BTW, unlike premeds, physicians do not generally distinguished MD/DO. They note each by specialty. So a IM, FP, Ortho, ENT, regardless of their medical degree

Letters of Recommendation Questions - Miller School of Medicine Admissions
(emphasis added)
plan to send letters from the governor, several alumni of the medical school, and physicians whom I have known. Will that help my application?

There are few letters that are more disadvantageous than letters from elected officials who do not know you personally. It looks like you are trying to pull strings and impress the committee with whom you or your parents might know. Letters from physicians you have shadowed have a tendency to be uniformly positive and do not offer the committee any really solid way of distinguishing among applicants. Letters from alumni can be helpful, especially if the alumni is known to members of the admissions committee.

The first paragraph is a really great point for applicants. Very good perspective. Personally, im an attending who works at one of the largest psychiatric facilities in the southeast region, and we primarily see the underserved here such as uninsured/Medicaid/medicare. That experience may look good on a personal statement.

 

[jhmmd]

Also DO schools want a shadowing letter preferably from a DO.

Do not overlook this point O.P.!! You must have shadowed a D.O. so that you can see what their workday is like.
When asking for LoRs say, "Can you write me a GOOD LoR?" If the doctor says no or is vague, then don't include that letter.

 

[Goro]

Do note that many premed committees want one in their evaluation of the student so you may have to get one for that. Also DO schools want a shadowing letter preferably from a DO. BTW, unlike premeds, physicians do not generally distinguished MD/DO. They note each by specialty. So a IM, FP, Ortho, ENT, regardless of their medical degree

Do not overlook this point O.P.!! You must have shadowed a D.O. so that you can see what their workday is like.
When asking for LoRs say, "Can you write me a GOOD LoR?" If the doctor says no or is vague, then don't include that letter.

Not all DO schools specifically require a DO LOR, and as such, it won't hurt you at these schools. However, it will always help you.