Do you guys think it's better to shadow someone that isn't my cardiologist PI or does it not really matter? I hope to get a LOR from him if that means anything. Thanks!
Shadow my PI or another Dr?
- Thread starter brado
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I think it's better to shadow two or three docs of differing specialties so as to have a broader view of how American medicine is practiced.
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Maybe try to shadow another Dr. so that you have some variety on your app...
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I don't think medical schools care if who you are shadowing happens to be your PI as long as you get the information you need. IMO, if you have the opportunity to follow him around for a couple days just to see what it's like being a cardiologist, you might as well go for it. However, any additional experiences from a different perspective could be helpful.
Regarding LOR, I would go with just the letter from your PI. Generally, schools would rather have letters from professors that know you well (and not necessarily doctors you've shadowed). The doctors that you shadow generally do not know you long enough to write a great letter. So I think if you wanted to incorporate shadowing into a LOR, your PI may be your best bet since he/she will be able to assess you both from a research standpoint as well as your interest in medicine, leading to a very strong LOR.
Regarding LOR, I would go with just the letter from your PI. Generally, schools would rather have letters from professors that know you well (and not necessarily doctors you've shadowed). The doctors that you shadow generally do not know you long enough to write a great letter. So I think if you wanted to incorporate shadowing into a LOR, your PI may be your best bet since he/she will be able to assess you both from a research standpoint as well as your interest in medicine, leading to a very strong LOR.
