Shadowing Email

[ItzYaYa]

Dr. X,

I am a pre-med student at Stonybrook University. I am interested in gaining more insight into your specialty and was inquiring as to whether you would be able to allow me to shadow you. Is there a convenient time that I would be able to come by and see you do some procedures or take care of patients? If not, then I would be more than happy in learning more about becoming a D.O. and your profession.

Cheers,
Yael Saint-Armand

A little too bland and blasé? Or is it just fine? Any critique and advice is welcome.

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[TriagePreMed]

Too bland and would recommend talking a bit about why you're interested in Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine in particular.

 

[Postal]

I would add a little more detail about yourself. What year are you in, when do you intend to apply. Why D.O.?

I used something akin to this when I needed to shadow a D.O. and got some D.O.'s to reply back to me.

"Hello, My name is ___________and I would like to express my interest in shadowing you as a mentee. I am a pre-med at ________, class of 20__. I am applying to osteopathic schools and am excited about the journey of becoming an osteopathic physician. I have read/researched about osteopathic medicine and the philosophy behind the degree. I would like to learn more about the profession/your specialty am looking for a mentor. I would like to spend some time observing you and your practice. I understand that you may be very busy and would appreciate it if you able to accommodate me at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, (xxx) xxx-xxxx, or email at [email protected]. I look forward to speaking with you about this exciting prospect. Sincerely,__________"

 

[rosh18]

👍 i go to stony as well. From my experience it would be better to call their office, but if you find their email go for it. It shouldn't be too hard to find a doc from the university hospital.

 

[ItzYaYa]

Appreciated.

 

[ceadmilefailte]

+1 on what postal said. You want to sell yourself on why you are a good candidate to be allowed a shadowing opportunity. Briefly mention who you are and where you are at in school and briefly mention any applicable medical volunteering you might have and why you want to shadow said doctor. Be sure to indirectly mention why you won't be a hassle. For instance, if you have volunteered in a hospital before and are familiar with hipaa regulation and confidentiality, mention it. That way you will appear to have some familiarity with what you want to do.

I would add a little more detail about yourself. What year are you in, when do you intend to apply. Why D.O.?

I used something akin to this when I needed to shadow a D.O. and got some D.O.'s to reply back to me.

"Hello, My name is ___________and I would like to express my interest in shadowing you as a mentee. I am a pre-med at ________, class of 20__. I am applying to osteopathic schools and am excited about the journey of becoming an osteopathic physician. I have read/researched about osteopathic medicine and the philosophy behind the degree. I would like to learn more about the profession/your specialty am looking for a mentor. I would like to spend some time observing you and your practice. I understand that you may be very busy and would appreciate it if you able to accommodate me at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, (xxx) xxx-xxxx, or email at [email protected]. I look forward to speaking with you about this exciting prospect. Sincerely,__________"

 

[ceadmilefailte]

And always make sure that you appear flexible to their schedule. You are after all requesting that they bend their own time to fit yours!! 🙂

 

[Druggernaut]

Don't email, pick up the phone and call them. It makes it a little more difficult for them to shoot you down, and you can nail it down right then and there, rather than going back and forth whenever they email you. Be polite, but don't be a total pushover. Have an idea what you want to do, and when you want to do it. Don't just leave it up to them.