Value of shadowing for a shift or two?

[trkd]

So is there any benefit of setting up a couple shadowing shifts at programs that you won't have time to rotate with? I know there is value in seeing the program but I am asking more from an "increase your chances of interviewing" point of view. I am thinking of doing so at a few programs in October. Will it make any difference?

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[dlung]

I wouldn't go out of my way to do it, but if you happen to be in the area, it's worth dropping by to take a look... I don't think curious, unintrussive, unannoying smoozing doesn't hurt... I was planning of doing the same thing when I was interviewing, but was told by a certain program that I wasn't allowed to unless it was a formal rotation (weird)... \Ultimately, it's probably more for your personal benefit than any application smooze-factor. During interview season, I found that just hanging around the ED for a couple hours and chatting with whichever resident or attending wasn't getting hammered was more than sufficient to get a good solid impression from the place...

 

[BKN]

So is there any benefit of setting up a couple shadowing shifts at programs that you won't have time to rotate with? I know there is value in seeing the program but I am asking more from an "increase your chances of interviewing" point of view. I am thinking of doing so at a few programs in October. Will it make any difference?

It might help, but call first. Showing up univited would lead to security problems. Also might be seen as pushy.

 

[trkd]

It might help, but call first. Showing up univited would lead to security problems. Also might be seen as pushy.

Oh, absolutely. I am not a big fan of ED crashing.

 

[EctopicFetus]

Hmm what if you show up as a patient? Then you can learn what it is really like!

 

[leviathan]

Hmm what if you show up as a patient? Then you can learn what it is really like!

Come in for a runny nose x 3 days; I'm sure they'll get a good kick out of it.

 

[trkd]

Come in for a runny nose x 3 days; I'm sure they'll get a good kick out of it.

I can keep coming into my top choice program with some problem until someone does something wrong. I will then threaten to sue if they don't let me into the program. I think this might work!

 

[JackBauERfan]

I can keep coming into my top choice program with some problem until someone does something wrong. I will then threaten to sue if they don't let me into the program. I think this might work!

That would definitely make an interesting 3 or 4 years of residency!