Interviewer offered me to shadow

[THaramura]

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My interviewer at a med school is an attending physician. He offered me the opportunity to shadow him for a day in the hospital... I am definitely interested.
I am writing the thank you email right now... Do you guys think if it is better to shadow him before my decision has been made or I should not mention shadowing, and wait after I hear back from the school( like after the interviewer presented at the adcom meeting).

 

[mellie0]

Are you sure they actually offered to shadow them versus just trying to be polite/not really meaning it?

 

[THaramura]

Are you sure they actually offered to shadow them versus just trying to be polite/not really meaning it?

I don't know... I think.. so? He mentioned that to me before I left for the room... Do you think it is polite to request that or better not mentioning it in the thank you email and wait until I get in?

 

[mellie0]

I would say just send a thank-you note and move on. I don’t think it’s appropriate to take them up on their offer until you’ve matriculated at the school.

 

[3toedsloth]

I don't know... I think.. so? He mentioned that to me before I left for the room... Do you think it is polite to request that or better not mentioning it in the thank you email and wait until I get in?

If he offered, go for it. He'll definitely mention that during the committee meeting!

I think it shows confidence, initiative, and that you're truly interested in the school. I'd do it.

 

[libertyyne]

I would wait until the admission decision before shadowing him. There is only a risk that he doesnt like you while shadowing and tanks you to the committee.

 

[DokterMom]

I would wait until the admission decision before shadowing him. There is only a risk that he doesnt like you while shadowing and tanks you to the committee.

I'd email him, thanking him for the offer. You could then say that you would greatly appreciate the opportunity to shadow him, but would also understand if he was just being polite or was too busy. In short, give him an easy out, but also show enthusiasm for the chance.



Briefly also consider if it might be him hitting on you? I hate to go there, but the sad fact is things like this sometimes happen... Try not to let it mess with your head though.

 

[21Rush12]

Consider this: this interviewer thinks you’re really great, but because you shadow with him he may have to recuse himself from the decision for conflict of interest.

Is it likely? I don’t know, but it is possible and it’s best avoided. A genuine thank you note is best here in my opinion.

 

[shortcoatdream15]

Are you sure he wasn't inviting you to shadow him after you matriculate as a student at his school?

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Consider this: this interviewer thinks you’re really great, but because you shadow with him he may have to recuse himself from the decision for conflict of interest.

Is it likely? I don’t know, but it is possible and it’s best avoided. A genuine thank you note is best here in my opinion.

This is my concern as well. If you are applying and getting interviews you shouldn’t need more shadowing experience.
I don’t see you having much to gain and quite a lot to lose...personally I don’t see why your interviewer would offer a shadowing opportunity. Seems fairly inappropriate to me

 

[21Rush12]

I could see it if it were a traditional interviewer and they really did feel they connected with the applicant. Most likely offered as a polite expression of their opinion of the applicant, with the knowledge that most likely it wouldn’t happen.

Keep the person’s name, and if you’re accepted there and you want to shadow still, go ahead and set it up. Being in medical school means you can basically shadow on any service whenever you want if you make the connections.

 

[LizzyM]

Two thoughts came to me:

1) the interviewer sees that you have potential but lack clinical/shadowing and may need to reapply. Wants to help you fill that gap in your application.
2) hitting on you. Possibility of a quid pro quo for admission. 😱

 

[3toedsloth]

2) hitting on you. Possibility of a quid pro quo for admission. 😱

NO.

 

[libertyyne]

NO.

 

[THaramura]

Two thoughts came to me:

1) the interviewer sees that you have potential but lack clinical/shadowing and may need to reapply. Wants to help you fill that gap in your application.
2) hitting on you. Possibility of a quid pro quo for admission. 😱

Dunno exactly... It was towards the end of the conversation, and I asked him about his experience with the school and the hospital... He was there almost all his life and he talked about how he went through med school, chose the current specialty vs another, and how life has been since(like when he got married and had 1,2,3 kids lol). He then mentioned that he often holds students to shadow and see a day of a XXXist. I said yeah I am definitely interested. He said it will take like a week?ish to have paper work done and told me to email him my time availability.

Before I left the room, I said "I hope to see you on campus this fall!". He mentioned again, " oh, definitely, and actually I will see you before that!" ( I guess this means the shadowing?)

I am definitely interested in this opportunity to shadow a very experienced physician in a highly reputable teaching hospital. However I only sent a thank you letter and decided to wait until the decision to ask for shadowing... I don't know if this is the correct way to handle this, but, everything has been done lol.
Just hoping for the best

 

[21Rush12]

I think you made the correct choice, and it sounds like you really hit a homerun with your interview.

 

[3toedsloth]

Oh.

He probably meant at second look Day. Or orientation which is in July or August, not fall.

 

[LizzyM]

Just realize that OP is a guy and interviewer is an oler guy with kids... maybe scenario #2 is less likely than if OP was a young woman. or not... Anyway, OP's additional info makes it seem like the interviewer was just being friendly and perhaps making the offer as a recruiting tool (you'll be more likely to choose that school if the faculty are particularly warm toward you at this point in the process).

 

[Gilakend]

After the decision comes out send him flowers so he's as confused as you are.