<p>Lol, not like calling a random person, but like for example I volunteer at this hospital, so whenever I see a doctor I ask him/her if I can shadow them. I haven’t officially implemented the idea yet, lol, but hopefully it works.</p>
<p>I’m also shadowing, however I am shadowing multiple surgeons within the neurosurgeon specialty. So basically, I’m going to do a hybrid of shadowing in-office and observing neuro-surgeries. I also plan on shadowing an interventional radiologist.
In my opinion it’s much more interesting to observe the hands-on approach of surgeons than simple patient visits, however I aimed to create a combination of the two because it is very important to see both sides of surgery.
If I were you, I’d try and build up a relationship and try and do as much shadowing with two or three doctors; don’t just to an amalgamation of small amount of hours with 12 doctors. In the end you’ll probably not have learned much. You’re trying to absorb the styles of the doctor you’re shadowing, and 8 hours is not too much exposure, don’t you think?</p>
<p>^Yeah, that’s a great point. However, the hospital won’t let me shadow the doctor more than 8 hours, so I’m gonna find another doctor (preferably) a surgeon and try and shadow them. Only problem is, where in the world am I (a 15 year old kid) supposed to find a surgeon?</p>
<p>Also, just email as many people as possible. That always helps.</p>
<p>^You’re saying I should email surgeons at my local hospital to get shadowing opportunities? Excellent idea, do you know where I would get their emails though? Maybe hospital website?</p>
<p>“to get 150+ hours of shadowing.”</p>
<p>-Crazy huge number. But if you enjoy it, go ahead. I am not sure if my D. had that many even for volunteering. However, she knew exactly what she was getting personally out of every experience. She did not let anybody question if it was appropriate or not, she was able to stand on her position and explain in details how it has influenced her.<br>
Again, it is your personal decisions, do not taylor your experiences too much to any specific applications or other people, it does not work this way. D. has had both experiences, applying and getting accepted to several bs/md’s and also applying out of her program to other Med. School “regular route”. Her strength has been pursuing her personal interests and by doing so getting some unusual for pre-med experiences that enabled her to stand out somewhat, made her more interesting as a person. However, stats will get you in a door to begin with. Interview will get you accepted or rejected though. </p>
<p>Best wishes, whatever you do. Do not hung up too much on getting into combined programs either. If you do nto get in, there are still very good chances going "regular route’ if you continue working hard. D. is starting in few days at Med. School outside of her combined program.</p>
<p>Alright there’s tons of great info on this post. But I’m still a little bit confused about how to get these shadowing opps. I’ve started volunteering in a hospital just last month but I don’t actually get to talk to any of the doctors…so how am I supposed to ask them? As for the research internships- I’d love to hear from experience how those worked and what I could do to try to get one. Do I go to a university website and try emailing all the professors? (and btw… What professors would I be looking for to do research with exactly? Biology?) Ty.</p>
<p>@practical: the 8 hour shadowing thing you’re planning to do- is that with a doctor you knew or from the hospital you volunteered in orrr was it somebody you just emailed?</p>
<p>@moonman676: how did you get to shadow all of these surgeons…esp. during the surgeries (that actually sounds pretty interesting)? Did you know all of these surgeons beforehand? Because I don’t personally know any doctors and I’m having a hard time trying to get opps. for shadowing or internships.</p>
<p>Thank you Miami, I really appreciate it. LaPrincesa, I don’t actually talk to any of the doctors either during my volunteering, but it helps to be friendly. Go up and politely introduce yourself and ask for a shadowing oppurtunity. Believe me, they won’t bite :)</p>
<p>Haha sounds like a good idea. I suppose I’ll try it next time I go to volunteer. Btw, I’ve heard there are some internship programs at Stanford/Berkeley which you could apply to but I have no idea how hard it is to get into something like that. Has anyone done an internship through one of those programs?</p>
<p>Shadowing opportunities could be with your Primary care, your opthamologist, dermatologist, other specialties, parents of your frineds or randomly visiting some health care web sites, getting telephone numbers and start calling. Nobody is going to kill you for that. The more you call, the better your chances. However, D. has not had 150 hrs, you need to spend ton of time just looking for opportunites if you want to have that many hours.</p>
<p>thanks! i guess i’ll try to call and email as many doctors as possible. any ideas about what i can do for internships (maybe for next summer, i think it might be too late for this summer)?</p>
<p>^If you are still in HS, the only way to get them as far as I know is thru connections. If you are in college, D. had no problem getting great Med. Research Lab internship at her UG, lasted for few years, great way to get LOR and some recognitions/honors at graduation.</p>
<p>I am still in high school… 
is there anything else I can do besides shadowing/internships related to the medical field that would make me stand out?</p>
<p>How essential is shadowing anyway? Most applicants to BS/MD programs would be in high school, and as previous posters indicated, it is hard to get shadowing opportunities without connections. I asked my dad, who’s a doctor, about possibly going to work with him and observing what he does, but the hospital said you have to be 18 years old and in some sort of medical-related school program (not sure what they mean by that).</p>
<p>It’s not that essential. I know MANY people who have gone to top bsmd programs without it.</p>
<p>I bet the people who got into the top BS/MD programs without shadowing must have had a ton of other impressive extracurricular activities which demonstrated their passion for medicine. Or… they won the top science competitions/ had plenty of research experience. In either case, its hard to find opportunities for research/volunteering as so many high school students want to get accepted into a combined med program. </p>
<p>Also, at least you guys have the opportunity to volunteer in a hospital. I mean, that is also considered a medical extracurricular. At my local hospital there is literally a waiting list just to volunteer there… You have to pretty much apply in Freshman Year and if you’re lucky you’ll get a chance in Junior Year. In my opinion, the shadowing is just the “icing on top”. Being in that hospital atmosphere is a huge step forward and is certainly an enriching experience.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>^Agreed</p>
<p>10char</p>
<p>Hey, how many hours of shadowing is recommended for PLME and HPME? Like 100+? This is assuming you also have volunteering. Also, what other ways can I show my passion for medicine? (Besides research)</p>
<p>It is possible to get shadowing opportunities/internship opportunities without connections. I live in a Boston suburb, and if any of you live in the metro area, TEC(The Education Cooperative) offers GREAT internship opportunities, that include shadowing, and rotations in different departments.</p>
<p>Other large metro areas might also have these opportunities. Ask your high school guidance counselor!</p>
<p>That being said, connections help an awful lot, haha. I feel like I missed out on great opportunities by not knowing any nearby doctors.</p>
<p>^Agreed. Can someone answer my question please.</p>