Shadowing prior to freshman year?

[Doxorubicin]

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While I understand from reading other threads there are differing opinions on the value of shadowing prior to starting college, I've received a pretty exciting opportunity. I was born at 28 weeks gestation, and was in the NICU for two and a half months. I am friends with my neonatologist's daughter, but never met him in person. However, he knows (through his daughter, I assume) that I am interested in medicine, and offered for me to shadow him this summer.

I don't know how much longer he will be practicing; I think it would be a great experience to shadow my doctor in the NICU, and I would wager it might be a unique experience for him.

I'm not really doing much else this summer, other than hanging out with family and friends before I leave -- what are your thoughts?

 

[NewYorker9]

IMO you would be crazy not to take him up on the offer. Even if you just go in for a day it'll expose you to medicine and probably be a full-circle experience, if for nothing else because you were born premature. I did my first shadowing the summer before college and while I probably didn't pick up or understand as much in terms of science as I do now, it was definitely a good experience to see what the profession is like (office environment, stress, rapport with patients) to realize I could identify with that part of the profession as well. NICU is something that I'd like to see but haven't had the opportunity to. Go for it.

 

[Doxorubicin]

Thanks, guys! Often, I think of how richly blessed I am because of his treatment. I look forward to finally meeting him!

Hopefully, he'll continue practicing for a while so I can shadow him a bit more than just this summer, and eventually include the experience on an application. If/when it comes time, I think it would be a good experience to talk about in an interview.

 

[polymathg]

It will help you experience the medical field, you can learn if it is the right fit for you. He might even introduce you to other doctors that you can shadow afterwards.

 

[BABSstudent]

Go for it. However, I am not sure how much you will really get out of it. If you can prove you are mature then he may allow you to shadow later on in your college career when you will get more out of it. I know I did things freshman year that when repeated as a senior made me appreciate it a lot more.

 

[mapandterritory]

Do it! Even a little exposure is better than none this early on. 🙂

 

[DOCTAfoHIRE]

Sounds like you have an awesome Personal Statement in the works, something about how his help both in your birth and later on led to an eventual interest in medicine. Sounds like a great opportunity. Dont really see the down side. Go for it!👍