Question about shadowing / volunteering

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I'm going to be enrolling in college this fall semester for Bioinformatics / Pre - Medicine (2013). I was wondering if it was possible or recommend to shadow / volunteer during the summer before the semester starts. One of my fathers' friends is a pretty well know plastic surgeon and I was wondering SDN's opinion on this.


-Thanks


- AJS

Why not? Get stuff in before school starts.
 
It is not not recommended. Early exposure is great and gives you a some idea if you actually want to pursue this career. Medicine is a long road, so you need to be dedicated. Learning early you don't want to travel down this road will save you lots of time. But I hope you shadow and learn you love it. Make sure you keep shadowing throughout college because lots of shadowing experience will help make a strong application and give you a glimpse into what medicine encompasses.
 
It is not not recommended. Early exposure is great and gives you a some idea if you actually want to pursue this career. Medicine is a long road, so you need to be dedicated. Learning early you don't want to travel down this road will save you lots of time. But I hope you shadow and learn you love it. Make sure you keep shadowing throughout college because lots of shadowing experience will help make a strong application and give you a glimpse into what medicine encompasses.

So you would recommend it? I was wondering this because I am not sure what you mean in the beginning. Thank you all for the advice; it definite will not hurt. Shadowing will definitly help me in the long run.


Again, Thank you!


-AJS
 
I would recommend it. Nobody is going to tell you not to shadow if you have the opportunity. Just know that most things you do in high school are not important details to medical school, barring some extraneous circumstances/experiences. This one shadowing may not count too strongly towards your application, so make sure you continue to shadow through undergrad. Shadowing should be a continuous, prolonged experience.

Enjoy the shadowing experience, and good luck in undergrad!
 
Definitely volunteer in the ER. Those doctors know everyone. 🙂
 
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