How many shadowing hours should I have when I apply? I’m a sophomore and I am currently volunteering at a hospital (will probably have around 200 hours) and applying to research internships this summer (I think I have a good chance of getting in). I have a 4.0 GPA and am ranked 1 out of around 300 students.
I’m sophomore president of key club, in art club, french club, social justice academy, academic team (will be in national honors society junior and senior year).
Haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet. I have taken the PSAT, and I’ll post my scores when I receive them.
I’m a URM (African American and Nigerian).
Ohio resident and live in a fairly small town.
How many hours of shadowing would I need to be competitive?
@stanford200381 There is no set number. Each student may have different situations. For many it is hard to get shadow either due to age or liability insurance or simply no one willing to allow (that is what happened to my D in the last minute when she tried). Try your best and get some exposure. But your are starting this at the right year. So continue to volunteer both clinical and non clinical. Do things which are you passionate (and not for check list) and on a sustained basis over a long period of time (not necessarily long hours - you need to take care of your academic also).
@GoldenRock I have two doctors who said I could shadow them (they are family friends), so I should be fine on doctors to shadow, I just wasn’t sure how many hours I should do. Thank you for the advice!
Shadowing isn’t generally an “it” for UG admissions. (It’s watching, not doing. And usually short term.) What do you do at the hospital? How can you get more involved in healthcare delivery, the actual related work, with those in need, not the soft stuff? Or sometimes, advocacy, with an adult, e4stablished group. (That’s not talking to people, raising money for a distant land, or work with younger kids.) Of course, you also need stem activities in hs.
@lookingforward but shadowing is important for bs/md programs isn’t it? Also I transport patients around the hospital in wheelchairs and help out on the clinical unit sometimes.
My high school doesn’t have any stem related clubs, but I’m the strong math and science person on academic team.
The top BSMD programs are so very competitive. The expectation for some real experiences tops following a doc around for a week or two. (I understand that’s part of applying to med school.) Academic team is good. Just one thing, but good. Now, you need to activate, put your thnking cap on and find the right other challenges. Show them you understand the needs of others, up close, in your community.
adding: I personally think transport is good. A lot of kids are intimidated by that sort of contact. But it’s really only a start. See how you can do more, as time passes.
And you can shadow, sure. You may get more out of it in, say, fall of senior year. It’s just not the tide changer many think it is.
@lookingforward okay thank you! Sorry for so many questions but my mom and my school do not have much experience in these types of things. If I end up doing cancer research during the summer would that help considering I’m very interested in ocular oncology?
Also does social justice academy count as showing them I understand the needs of people in my community? It’s not medical related, but we try to promote diversity in our community as many people In my community and school do not realize that certain things they say and do can be offensive to minorities and other groups. Personally have experienced it myself with teachers who did not realize they were being that way which is what led me to join this group.
Research is good. But it’s not working with healthcare or community needs. The diversity thing is also good, but same issue. You have time to ponder. Any future questions for me, feel free to pm.
I take a bit of a harder line than some. But my feeling is, better safe than sorry. Try to reduce the crapshoot. 