how to list shadowing on app?

[LifeTake2]

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I know most ppl list one EC for shadowing and then put details in the description.

But how much detail? Name, title?, what/where you observed?

Part of my question is in the Atlanta area a couple of my shadowing Dr's will be recognized due to their positions, but outside the area obviously that is not likely.

Thoughts?

 

[DbDan]

Unless it is something significantly different than a normal shadowing experience I would just put

EC: Shadowing Physician

Details:
Dr. XYZ, Neurology, 40 Hours
Dr. Cliff Huxtable, FP, 15 Hours
Dr. Jack Sheppard, Spinal Surgery, 20 Hours

At least thats what I did

 

[87DO15]

I know most ppl list one EC for shadowing and then put details in the description.

But how much detail? Name, title?, what/where you observed?

Part of my question is in the Atlanta area a couple of my shadowing Dr's will be recognized due to their positions, but outside the area obviously that is not likely.

Thoughts?

Doesn't matter who you shadowed, they just want to see that you've demonstrated interest in your future profession. You should list MD or DO after each name, as well, mainly for the osteopathic schools. Keep it basic, the ADCOM already knows what you likely did (attempted to stay out of the way for most pre-meds), so you don't need to explain them extensively.

Format from the above post is good.

 

[SLC]

I listed physician's name and contact info. As well as a brief (1 paragraph) description of what types of cases I saw. I figured that way they would know I was paying attention and not just sitting there trying to meet the minimum requirement.

It doesn't really matter a lot though, just make sure you get the hours listed. My only reason for going into detail like I did was to ensure they got to read that I had a good experience with it.

 

[DbDan]

I listed physician's name and contact info. As well as a brief (1 paragraph) description of what types of cases I saw. I figured that way they would know I was paying attention and not just sitting there trying to meet the minimum requirement.

It doesn't really matter a lot though, just make sure you get the hours listed. My only reason for going into detail like I did was to ensure they got to read that I had a good experience with it.

How did you manage this with the character limit? Did you list each as a separate EC? I couldn't fit a sufficient description for each individual experience in one EC category and because of the limit on # of ECs I couldn't list each individually. I opted for what I said above instead. Many secondaries ask about shadowing experiences or experiences with DOs, I was able to talk about my experience there as well as in interviews.

 

[SLC]

How did you manage this with the character limit? Did you list each as a separate EC? I couldn't fit a sufficient description for each individual experience in one EC category and because of the limit on # of ECs I couldn't list each individually. I opted for what I said above instead. Many secondaries ask about shadowing experiences or experiences with DOs, I was able to talk about my experience there as well as in interviews.

Now that you bring it up, I guess my description was for the secondary apps.

For the primary, I listed the hours, and the fields I shadowed in. It's weird, but I've all but forgotten about even completing the primary app.

 

[taylormade2006]

Unless it is something significantly different than a normal shadowing experience I would just put

EC: Shadowing Physician

Details:
Dr. XYZ, Neurology, 40 Hours
Dr. Cliff Huxtable, FP, 15 Hours
Dr. Jack Sheppard, Spinal Surgery, 20 Hours

At least thats what I did

I can't even begin to imagine how awesome shadowing Dr. Sheppard would be.

How did you manage this with the character limit? Did you list each as a separate EC? I couldn't fit a sufficient description for each individual experience in one EC category and because of the limit on # of ECs I couldn't list each individually. I opted for what I said above instead. Many secondaries ask about shadowing experiences or experiences with DOs, I was able to talk about my experience there as well as in interviews.

I only had three or four shadowing opportunities, so it wasn't too hard to fit in a brief description of each. Some where far longer term and more meaningful, so a few of them only had a sentence.

Now that you bring it up, I guess my description was for the secondary apps.

For the primary, I listed the hours, and the fields I shadowed in. It's weird, but I've all but forgotten about even completing the primary app.

Same here. I can barely remember doing any of that stuff and my MCAT 1 year anniversary just passed.

 

[Easy C]

I dont think shadowing should go on your application as an EC. Unless (as has been mentioned) your shadowing experience was different or for a prolonged period of time med schools expect you to have shadowed. Hence the reason you have at least one LOR from a physician. Also this leaves it up to the school to probe into what you know about being a physician and your outlook on it, secondaries and the interview. As I said schools are expecting you to have shadowed so to me unless your hurting for ECs then I would not bother.

Reasons I would put Shadowing as an EC:

1. You shadowed a doctor for a long time. Id say a year or more. This shows many qualities in you and shows that you have done more than a few weeks here a few weeks there.

2. Shadowing gave you some super eye opener experience and is a defining moment in your pursuit to be a physician. Use the whole space to tell the story about it!

3. Your shadowing experience was way different than seeing what a physician does. Maybe you are a phlebotomist and you interacted consistently with patients that came in. Or you helped do paper work or check lab results. If you were consistently doing more with a doctor than "shadowing" then its worth the space on the app.

My thoughts are you want to be as set apart from other applicants as you can. Everyone should have shadowed, so unless you can show that yours was different than others or was important in your journey to becoming a physician its just a waste of time.

 

[Helen Wheels]

IMHO shadowing should definitely be listed on your app as an EC. Med schools expect to see it there and if they don't they will not just assume you have done it. This is a very competitive process, don't assume adcoms know what you have done.

I would list all shadowing as one entry, just as DbDan recommended above.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

IMHO shadowing should definitely be listed on your app as an EC. Med schools expect to see it there and if they don't they will not just assume you have done it. This is a very competitive process, don't assume adcoms know what you have done.

I would list all shadowing as one entry, just as DbDan recommended above.

Good advice. While I see the value in what Easy C said, if there's space for me to tell the adcoms what I've done, I'm going to use it - I don't want to have any details of my app left up to assumptions.

Besides, "if you didn't write it down it didn't happen," right?