Physician Shadowing for BS/MD

Read Time: 3.5 minutes

Good morning parents and future doctors,

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In the path to BS/MD acceptances, gaining shadowing experience has become a non-negotiable prerequisite. Every student needs to objectively demonstrate their exposure to medicine informing their choice of profession, especially when BS/MD admissions officers are skeptics trying to select the right students. More importantly, shadowing offers your student a firsthand look at the medical field, ensuring they better understand their choice in medicine.

However, it can be tough to get involved in physician shadowing without the luck of connections. Below are our key pieces of advice for how your high schooler can maximize physician shadowing opportunities for their BS/MD application.

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Start Early: The Sooner, The Better

The process of finding shadowing experiences should begin as early as possible. An excellent starting point is for your son or daughter to express interest in medicine by reaching out to family physicians or local healthcare providers. This early initiative sets the stage for more substantial opportunities later on through an expanding network. Simply having a conversation or sending an email showing their interest is a great starting point.

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Leverage Personal Networks

It is great if you can utilize your personal and professional networks to find physicians open to shadowing. A personal connection can often lead to more meaningful and extended shadowing experiences. LinkedIn can be another place to connect with physicians and request to shadow. Finding current BS/MD students from your area on LinkedIn can be even more effective, connecting with a BS/MD reference and asking them for contacts of physicians they’ve shadowed.

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Explore Local Hospitals and Clinics

Many healthcare institutions have formal shadowing programs. Your student can consider researching and applying to these programs, focusing on those that align with their specific medical interests. Be careful to make sure the program allows you to directly shadow physicians with a specific number of hours. You may find that many hospitals require a minimum age for compliance; looking for outpatient offices is a good way to circumvent this obstacle.

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Remember to Be Persistent

Securing shadowing opportunities often requires persistence and follow up emails. Guide your student in following up on shadowing requests politely and to not be discouraged by initial rejections. Persistence shows dedication and intention, which are important when approaching providers. When sending emails, it is important to think about what information you can provide to make it as easy as possible for the physician to have you shadow–such as your availability, your familiarity with the shadowing process, and your reason for shadowing.

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Diversify Experiences

A variety of shadowing experiences across different specialties can provide a well-rounded view of medicine. This also offers more experiences for future BS/MD essays and interviews. Pursue exploration beyond a single specialty to include primary care, surgery, pediatrics, and more. Try to sustain a minumum of 15 hours with any one speciality to gain the necessary depth for your resume and application essays. One easy practice is to ask physicians you are currently shadowing to connect you with other providers in another speciality.

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Document and Reflect

It’s important to keep a detailed journal of shadowing experiences, reflecting on the skills observed, patient interactions, and personal feelings about the medical field. This reflection will be invaluable in crafting personal statements and interviews for BS/MD applications. Taking 10-15 minutes immediately after a shadowing shift to write down thoughts is a simple task that makes application steps much easier.

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Respect Privacy and Professionalism

Remember the importance of confidentiality and professional behavior in healthcare settings. Respecting patient privacy and acting maturely will leave a positive impression on the physicians they shadow. It is best practice to dress professionally and quietly observe when a patient is present. Asking questions is important, but always wait until after leaving the patient room and are not interrupting the provider’s workflow.

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Physician shadowing is more than just a checkbox on a BS/MD application; it’s an experience that impacts a student’s understanding of medicine. By starting early, leveraging networks, and approaching each opportunity with enthusiasm and professionalism, your high schooler can gain shadowing opportunities even when it seems difficult to find.

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Yours in Success,

Rishi Ray

Outperform BS/MD Coaching

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Our team at Outperform BS/MD Consulting is dedicated to guiding you through the BS/MD application process. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss strategies tailored to your student’s unique story.