Pharmacist/ need advise on asking to shadow a DO and applying qs etc!

[sgkman]

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Hi,

I have been a retail pharmacist for about 4 years and after a long thought, I decided to apply for medical school next year.

I need to shadow a DO as a part of experience and as recommendation letter for my application.

Do I just cold call local DOs around? Is is usually hard to find one to shadow? Would they not like me since I am a pharmacist?

I feel like I can be a great help since I know my ins and outs about how the pharmacy.

Do you think working as a retail pharmacist is considered as clinical experience? (my personal statement is going to be about how I have come to build many relationships with a variety of patients as a pharmacist and wants to pursue medicine to have a greater impact in the community)

I have 1500 hours of clinical rotation during my pharmacy school years and 4 years as a pharmacist. Any other EC before applying?

My cGPA is 3.3 and sGPA 3.6 (not including pharmacology, virology etc) . No MCAT score yet (hopefully at least 500+)

I know I am just slapping bunch of questions here but any advise will be appreciated.

 

[Doctor-In-Training99]

So you can find DOs with this website. It's kinda awkward because you don't know them and you have to call but if you tell them you're interested in becoming a DO I doubt they'll care.

Find a DO | Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, practice their distinct philosophy in every medical specialty. Find a DO in your community.

doctorsthatdo.org

One thing I'll warn you about is I knew someone who was in pharmacy school then left to go DO and they asked him why he left. They want to see if they're a second choice. Be prepared for that question and be able to refute it. DO schools don't want to be a second choice or an after thought. Be able to explain why you want to make the switch.

I think your experience though could make you very competitive if you can get a good MCAT score!

 

[PapaGuava]

One thing you could try is locate a few DOs in your local area and go into the office in-person. That way you can meet the front desk personnel and tell them about your interest in shadowing the said physician. This will also allow them to put a face to name and give your information to the physician. In my experience, it was better to walk into the offices dressed professionally rather than just cold calling them.

@sgkman