Volunteer/shadowing on application

[amberkas11309]

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When applying to medical schools, would it be beneficial to talk about how I spent 3 weeks shadowing a dentist and 1 day shadowing an optometrist? I know these doctors dont have to go to med school, so I am not sure if it would look bad that I looked into these areas. Any advice? Also, in high school I volunteered at several different places (soup kitchens, special olympics, hospitality networks, etc.) Can I mention these as part of my volunteer/extra curriculars even though they were done 3+ years ago?

 

[Artimacia]

When applying to medical schools, would it be beneficial to talk about how I spent 3 weeks shadowing a dentist and 1 day shadowing an optometrist? I know these doctors dont have to go to med school, so I am not sure if it would look bad that I looked into these areas. Any advice? Also, in high school I volunteered at several different places (soup kitchens, special olympics, hospitality networks, etc.) Can I mention these as part of my volunteer/extra curriculars even though they were done 3+ years ago?

I would probably mention them, so if asked, I can explain that I saw other careers and wasn't as interested in them (I also shadowed an optometrist for a day, just not my thing). Also, if you didn't continue those volunteering activities from high school into college, then don't list them. List only things you've done since starting college or if you've continued from high school to college.

 

[NickNaylor]

I would probably mention them, so if asked, I can explain that I saw other careers and wasn't as interested in them (I also shadowed an optometrist for a day, just not my thing). Also, if you didn't continue those volunteering activities from high school into college, then don't list them. List only things you've done since starting college or if you've continued from high school to college.

Good advice.

 

[Catalystik]

It's fine to mention shadowing other healthcare providers to show you explored other options, but be prepared to answer questions about the differences.

If you could get in some campus volunteering for the same organizations that you volunteered for during high school, you could mention all the hours your participated in that activity on a med school application.

 

[DendWrite]

When applying to medical schools, would it be beneficial to talk about how I spent 3 weeks shadowing a dentist and 1 day shadowing an optometrist? I know these doctors dont have to go to med school, so I am not sure if it would look bad that I looked into these areas. Any advice? Also, in high school I volunteered at several different places (soup kitchens, special olympics, hospitality networks, etc.) Can I mention these as part of my volunteer/extra curriculars even though they were done 3+ years ago?

Yeah, you have to continue your activity through college to list it on your resume. Most of the time I hear people referring to things like a musical instrument that one continues to play in college (in orchestra or something). Volunteering is probably similar, but to be safe I'd make sure and have some hours that you've done during college as well.

I don't think it's bad to have non-MDs that you've shadowed. I think it would be bad if for instance you shadowed them exclusively or shadowed a vet and didn't shadow any MDs. I'd try to find an MD or two and shadow them for an equal or greater amount of time than the other people you've already shadowed.

 

[amberkas11309]

Thanks guys! very helpful!

 

[elektroshok]

I would probably mention them, so if asked, I can explain that I saw other careers and wasn't as interested in them (I also shadowed an optometrist for a day, just not my thing). Also, if you didn't continue those volunteering activities from high school into college, then don't list them. List only things you've done since starting college or if you've continued from high school to college.

This is key. I think at almost all my interviews I got asked "Why MD/DO and not (insert different healthcare field here)"

This could be a good way to answer that question.