<p>Im gonna apply to colleges next year and was looking for new EC s to put on my application. My dad is a cardiac surgeon , and i was thinking of shadowing him. Can i shadow my dad and put it on my app? Would the colleges think shadowing your own dad is weird? And if not, how do i put it on my application ?</p>
<p>it’s weird.</p>
<p>I’m certain he has friends he can arrange for you to shadow. Besides, shadowing a surgeon is probably not where you want to start, especially cardiac surgery. See if he can get you into the ER (not a trauma unit) or following a pediatrician or family practitioner. Those all tend to have lots of short cases that are easy to follow without too much gore. Although I will say that D did see someone die on her ER shadow of a heart attack, but most cases were more routine. She already knows the term “frequent flyer”.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestions! So if i do shadow a doctor , how should i let the colleges know about it? Does it fall under the volunteering category? Should i include it in my app essay? Should i get a LOR from the doctor?</p>
<p>You should certainly be able to list it on your Common App in some form, how is up to you. It could provide an interesting essay, but since you really aren’t doing anything other than observing, there are probably better topics that make you look better. Unless you get a ton of hours, a LOR is probably not necessary at this point unless you were applying to a BS/MD program. But keep in mind that for entry into med school, they do like to see hours like this, so I would definitely build up a relationship and maybe go back occasionally on breaks as you go through college.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>