Shadowing position NOT necessary, according to admissions?

[Evisju7]

Went on a medical school tour today. The admissions board/representative told us that it's really not necessary to have shadowing if we have clinical experience otherwise, due to the limited spaces of shadowing opportunities.

Is this true? Seems iffy.

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[accueil]

The problem with taking any ONE adcom's advice to heart is that it only applies to that one adcom and not to the other 15 schools to which you also applied. At my interviews, the majority (~8/12) of faculty have brought up my shadowing and asked me to discuss it. I obviously don't know what the actual adcom thinks of shadowing, and at many schools it may very well not be a factor into the algorithm that ranks you. However, I think it's still a pretty important part of your application and gives you something to talk about during your interviews. Not to mention the personal benefit of seeing if the day-to-day duties of a doctor are something you really want to be doing with the rest of your life.

 

[Goro]

U Washington requires shadowing, and a significant amount as well.

Having clinical experience doesn't necessarily mean that you know what a doctor's day is like.

Went on a medical school tour today. The admissions board/representative told us that it's really not necessary to have shadowing if we have clinical experience otherwise, due to the limited spaces of shadowing opportunities.

Is this true? Seems iffy.

 

[zzxxzz]

Went on a medical school tour today. The admissions board/representative told us that it's really not necessary to have shadowing if we have clinical experience otherwise, due to the limited spaces of shadowing opportunities.

Is this true? Seems iffy.

I'd shadow as much as possible, if only to have things to talk about in the interview.

 

[Afford]

The problem with taking any ONE adcom's advice to heart is that it only applies to that one adcom and not to the other 15 schools to which you also applied. At my interviews, the majority (~8/12) of faculty have brought up my shadowing and asked me to discuss it. I obviously don't know what the actual adcom thinks of shadowing, and at many schools it may very well not be a factor into the algorithm that ranks you. However, I think it's still a pretty important part of your application and gives you something to talk about during your interviews. Not to mention the personal benefit of seeing if the day-to-day duties of a doctor is something you really want to be doing with the rest of your life.

How in depth did they ask about your shadowing? I did some, but not a lot.

 

[accueil]

How in depth did they ask about your shadowing? I did some, but not a lot.

I shadowed three physicians (~60 hours) so not a lot either. Most often it was super general like "what did you think of your experience" and "do you see yourself choosing (insert specialty here)?"

One of my interviewers was on top of her game and had read my app inside and out (which I appreciated). She noticed that one physician was a sub-specialist in an under-served area and the other was a primary care doctor in an affluent location. She asked me to compare and contrast the patient populations that both doctors served. Questions like this one you likely won't be able to anticipate, so don't stress about it now! (Which I know is hard to do! )

Edit: Tangent on interview tips. The advice that helped me the most to prepare for interviews was to first re-read my application. Then, reflect on my main experiences to see what I learned from each of them. I also thought of specific anecdotes that demonstrated the following FAQ 1)a challenge you overcame, 2) working in a team, 3) working with someone with whom you disagree

 

[IslandStyle808]

I shadowed three physicians (~60 hours) so not a lot either. Most often it was super general like "what did you think of your experience" and "do you see yourself choosing (insert specialty here)?"

One of my interviewers was on top of her game and had read my app inside and out (which I appreciated). She noticed that one physician was a sub-specialist in an under-served area and the other was a primary care doctor in an affluent location. She asked me to compare and contrast the patient populations that both doctors served. Questions like this one you likely won't be able to anticipate, so don't stress about it now! (Which I know is hard to do! )

Edit: Tangent on interview tips. The advice that helped me the most to prepare for interviews was to first re-read my application. Then, reflect on my main experiences to see what I learned from each of them. I also thought of specific anecdotes that demonstrated the following FAQ 1)a challenge you overcame, 2) working in a team, 3) working with someone with whom you disagree

That's a good one. I had a similar shadowing experience with a specialist in an underserved area and an internist in a city. I'd better prepare for that question.

 

[alpinism]

The vast majority of medical schools either require or highly suggest shadowing.

Personally, even if you were an ICU nurse for the past 10yrs I'd still recommend shadowing in at least least 2 different specialties.

 

[Afford]

I shadowed three physicians (~60 hours) so not a lot either. Most often it was super general like "what did you think of your experience" and "do you see yourself choosing (insert specialty here)?"

One of my interviewers was on top of her game and had read my app inside and out (which I appreciated). She noticed that one physician was a sub-specialist in an under-served area and the other was a primary care doctor in an affluent location. She asked me to compare and contrast the patient populations that both doctors served. Questions like this one you likely won't be able to anticipate, so don't stress about it now! (Which I know is hard to do! )

Edit: Tangent on interview tips. The advice that helped me the most to prepare for interviews was to first re-read my application. Then, reflect on my main experiences to see what I learned from each of them. I also thought of specific anecdotes that demonstrated the following FAQ 1)a challenge you overcame, 2) working in a team, 3) working with someone with whom you disagree

Oh wow. Which school had an interviewer who read your app carefully? I'm going to make sure I know everything I wrote down because it would be terrible if my interviewer knows more about my app than me.

 

[Evisju7]

Oh wow. Which school had an interviewer who read your app carefully? I'm going to make sure I know everything I wrote down because it would be terrible if my interviewer knows more about my app than me.

You wrote it though...

 

[Afford]

You wrote it though...

Yeah, but it's been a few months.

 

[accueil]

Oh wow. Which school had an interviewer who read your app carefully? I'm going to make sure I know everything I wrote down because it would be terrible if my interviewer knows more about my app than me.

Baylor, which I believe you have very soon.

On my interview day, many of us commented on how well the faculty knew our application. I thought we were able to have more interesting conversations as they knew the basics and wanted deeper reflection. I found it very refreshing as many interviewers at other schools often knew very little about my app (even when open file!). For me, it showed they really cared as they took the time to prepare and use our time together effectively.

 

[Afford]

Baylor, which I believe you have very soon.

On my interview day, many of us commented on how well the faculty knew our application. I thought we were able to have more interesting conversations as they knew the basics and wanted deeper reflection. I found it very refreshing as many interviewers at other schools often knew very little about my app (even when open file!). For me, it showed they really cared as they took the time to prepare and use our time together effectively.

Yeah I wondered if it was a TMDSAS school or AMCAS school. I had no room to write stuff on the TMDSAS, so I doubt they would know much about my activities from my application alone. Thanks!

 

[Aerus]

Shadowing is a relatively new "premed requirement". I'm not surprised some admissions don't care about it. It's still good to do it, for yourself.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Shadowing is a relatively new "premed requirement". I'm not surprised some admissions don't care about it. It's still good to do it, for yourself.

Back then my state school did not think much about shadowing and at times would tell students not to put it down on the AMCAS (this was 6 years ago, when I heard this). However, I think things have changed quite a bit. Now it is a section on the AMCAS, so I think the school may acknowledge it now.

 

[pjfmullini]

The vast majority of medical schools either require or highly suggest shadowing.

 

[NickNaylor]

Shadowing is a relatively new "premed requirement". I'm not surprised some admissions don't care about it. It's still good to do it, for yourself.

Hey man, if it's not going to get me ahead in some way, then it's not worth doing.

 

[breakintheroof]

n=1: I have had a few different experiences working in health care settings, and I could say that I have informally shadowed some of the providers I have worked with, but I do not have anything tagged "shadowing" on my application. None of my interviewers have mentioned this so far.

 

[Styrene]

I don't really consider shadowing as an important part of my application, though I have done a lot. Far more important to me are the endeavors that have (1) improved my public speaking skills, (2) improved my leadership skills, (3) improved my teamwork, and (4) improved my experiences with diversity. The key was finding activities that combined these four areas within a hospital setting.