Is it pointless to start shadowing now?

[ArmyWife1153]

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I've finally decided to take the plunge and go to med school. After much soul searching, trying different avenues, etc... I realized that I would not be happy unless I at least tried to get in.
I've got my bachelor's degree but only 2 of the required sciences. And since I have a family, I'm only going to take 1-2 at a time so I can focus and do my best.
That puts my application in as applying in 2013 for start of 2014. Geez seems like so far off. But I've got Physics 1,2; Chem2; Bio2; Orgo 1&2; and Biochem to complete.
Anyway, I've contacted a couple of doctors to set up shadowing. I've got a short list of specialities I'm interested in and I was able to get a day with a maternal/fetal as well as anesthesiologist. Both have the option of going long term.
But, since I'm not even applying for 2 more years, is there a point in shadowing this early?
Thanks!

 

[Eva01]

I've finally decided to take the plunge and go to med school. After much soul searching, trying different avenues, etc... I realized that I would not be happy unless I at least tried to get in.
I've got my bachelor's degree but only 2 of the required sciences. And since I have a family, I'm only going to take 1-2 at a time so I can focus and do my best.
That puts my application in as applying in 2013 for start of 2014. Geez seems like so far off. But I've got Physics 1,2; Chem2; Bio2; Orgo 1&2; and Biochem to complete.
Anyway, I've contacted a couple of doctors to set up shadowing. I've got a short list of specialities I'm interested in and I was able to get a day with a maternal/fetal as well as anesthesiologist. Both have the option of going long term.
But, since I'm not even applying for 2 more years, is there a point in shadowing this early?
Thanks!

I don't see why not unless you have real time restraints due to family duties. To go ahead and get some good exposure to medicine can only help you come application time. Plus, most doctors are willing to help mentor prospective medstudents and at the least, it should net you a solid LOR.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

Thanks for your reply.
I guess my concern is if I shadow for say a semester and I get a solid LOR, but it's 2 years old by the time the app committee reviews, will it not hold any weight?

 

[DrMidlife]

Absolutely it's worth it to shadow as early and often as you can. IMHO.

These are your opportunities to find out what you're really getting into. Shadowing is a super inexpensive and convenient way to verify that your ambition has some overlap with the actual job on the other side of maybe a $300k investment. Ask a million questions and be willing to listen to the answers.

Clinical exposure experiences are cumulative. Having some that are more than 2 years old gives you a depth of understanding, vs. just checking off a box on a list.

There's a new memoir of an anesthesiologist with children, and it's a light fun read. Her blog is outstanding as well. "This Won't Hurt a Bit." I've been following her as long as I've been on SDN.

Best of luck to you.

 

[CrushMCAT]

The sooner the better for many of the reasons listed above. Also, you never know what your schedule (or a Dr's) will be like a year or two down the road. You don't want to be scrambling for a shadowing experience as your application date nears and realize you're bogged down with MCAT studying, school, filling out apps, and whatever else life throws at you (especially as a nontrad).

 

[FlyLite]

I think the more time you have to prepare and the earlier you start the better. I am in a situation where I wish I had done a lot of the things I need to do now to put together a decent application a while back. I think one component of shadowing, apart from getting LOR, is to show you have been in the thick of things (pardon the cliches, I kinda like them) and come out believing, perhaps even more strongly, that this is something you still want to do. And believe this would show in your personal statement and in your interview.

I start my volunteering in the ER right across the street from my work next Monday. At the end, I will know for sure whether this is from the core or a mere flirtation because I may be bored with my current job.

 

[turkeybean]

OP, if I were you, I would definitely take the opportunities to shadow these docs. 2013/14 is not too far away and will pass by like a breeze once you get things started. I think it will only show that you began preparation early on (and shadowing is presumably one of the earliest steps that one "should" take to understand the profession) if you actually end up applying 2 years from now.

I think it's great that you have these options and I'm truly envious! I have not been able to locate a shadowing opportunity thus far (but have been balked at) and will likely have to go into this cycle without this experience -- and I know this will limit my choices of schools greatly.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

Thanks for all the advice.
I will definitely start the shadowing for long term.
My ECs are pretty much non existent because I've been a stay at home mom for the past 3 years and before that I was a single mom with full time school so I didn't have the opportunity to get out of the house beyond school.

I was actually surprised how easy it was to get it setup.
The anesthesiologist I just emailed asking if I could shadow. He responded right away and gave me a date to meet him for surgery.

The maternal/fetal I called the office asking about shadowing. They set me up to start with a day to see if I like it then I could go long term if I want. The mf is in the hospital so I'm excited about that.

 

[ArmyWife1153]

@Dr.Midwife- Thanks for the book rec. I'm gonna pick that up.

Also, if I do long term shadowing, do I also need volunteer experience?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Yes, I concur, still worth it to shadow... Not sure if it was already said, but realistically, even if you're applying today, they want to know you are continuing to do things that help your application during your app year. So, until you are accepted and start somewhere, shadowing is a good thing... same with volunteering

Yes, you need volunteering hours as well, it will never hurt you... try to get some 'underserved' groups if you can, soup kitchens, and the like... clinical volunteering is great, but if you can't, any is better than none!

 

[ArmyWife1153]

Would volunteering at a domestic violence shelter doing hospital accompaniment be looked upon as good hours or do I need to find something more clinical?
Or I'm thinking about volunteering at the Women's Pregnancy Center which is a low cost/free center that does ultrasounds, referrals, counseling, etc...
Since my front running specialty at this point is doing advanced maternal/fetal medicine and being double board certified as a neonatal surgeon and ob/gyn, would that be my best bet?

 

[SNDO]

If it's for your dream and your happiness, it's never to late to start anything. Sounds cliche, but so true!

I think volunteering in any place that serves the underserved is worthwhile because it shows you what you're getting into and sometimes tests whether or not you want to stay on the path to medicine. It also shows admission committees that you devoted the time to help the underserved, that you've shown compassion, and that you came out in one piece (lol). So whether you volunteer at the domestic violence shelter or do something more "clinical", I think it's all good in the end 🙂

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Would volunteering at a domestic violence shelter doing hospital accompaniment be looked upon as good hours or do I need to find something more clinical?
Or I'm thinking about volunteering at the Women's Pregnancy Center which is a low cost/free center that does ultrasounds, referrals, counseling, etc...
Since my front running specialty at this point is doing advanced maternal/fetal medicine and being double board certified as a neonatal surgeon and ob/gyn, would that be my best bet?

Do whatever volunteering suits you and your passions... I volunteer at a local food shelf, I love it, I was also a Ski Patrol member for almost 20 years... Do what you are passionate about, they want to see longevity... I tried to volunteer in the hospital ER, but I didn't like it, so I quit, there was no point to it, all I did was clean beds and bring people to rooms and walk out... nothing that I can even say is clinical... sooo, if you like whatever it is, do it!

 

[bryce]

If your husband is on active duty, you may want to swing into the base hospital if that would interest you. While I was still enlisted, I did that and it worked well for me. Many of these docs really seemed to like helping educate service members who take an interest in medicine and enjoy working with us, from my own experience. Either way, good luck, you'll do fine.