When should you start shadowing for medical school?

It's best to start shadowing before submitting your primary medical school application. Researching potential doctors and reaching out to them takes time, as does waiting for responses. To give yourself enough time, consider seeking shadowing opportunities during your sophomore year.

How far in advance should I ask to shadow?

Introduce yourself, explain your professional interests, and communicate what you hope to gain from a job shadow experience. Make your job shadow request several weeks in advance of when you hope to shadow so the person you are asking has time to add you to his or her schedule.

How many shadowing hours should I have for med school?

Many medical schools have a minimum requirement for shadowing hours. This may vary; some schools require 12–24 hours, while others require more than 75 hours. Generally, the range is between 40 and 100 hours.

Does shadowing look good on med school application?

Having some shadowing experience is of course better than having none, but remember that your application will be viewed holistically – admissions committees will consider your application as a whole, weighting and contextualizing your various metrics and experiences together.

Can you get into med school with no shadowing experience?

Shadowing may not be absolutely necessary, but it will maximize your chances of being seriously considered at a broad range of medical schools. Remember that many schools will simply not consider your application if there is no evidence of shadowing. And it makes sense to appeal to as many medical schools as possible.

How to SHADOW a Doctor: EVERYTHING You Need to Know

Is 40 hours of shadowing enough for med school?

For shadowing experience alone, aim to have at least 100 or more hours. 100 to 200 hours will show you've taken the time to learn in a medical setting, especially if you also have a variety of other clinical experiences to discuss in the activities section of your application.

Is 20 hours of shadowing good for medical school?

While clinical experiences, including shadowing, are a crucial part of an application, the number of hours each school expects can vary significantly. According to the most recent 2023 survey by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average shadowing expectation is around 80 hours.

Is 200 clinical hours enough for med school?

Many advising departments note that the average number of clinical hours needed is around 100. Keep in mind that in many cases, a specific number is not explicitly stated by med school admissions departments. Doing more than the minimum requirement can improve your chances of getting into med school.

What type of doctor should I shadow?

Don't assume that you need to shadow a primary care doctor or a surgeon or any other specialty. You don't need to prove to anybody that you're interested in everything. Go out and do what you enjoy. Build a relationship with the types of physicians that you enjoy being around.

Is 500 clinical hours enough?

There is no set amount of time required to obtain clinical experience. All you need is a good quality experience done over a long enough time to demonstrate commitment. It's not very unusual for med students to have over 500 hours under their belt.

How many different doctors should I shadow for medical school?

For shadowing you should definitely shadow a PCP and 1 or 2 other doctors to be safe but realistically you can shadow as much as you'd like if you can find doctors and you enjoy it.”

How many days should I shadow one doctor?

You may only want to spend one day with them, or you may want to shadow a few hours a week for several weeks or months. If you have the time in the summer or over a break, you may want to shadow full time for an entire week. Find out what the doctor is comfortable with or what has worked well in the past.

Is virtual shadowing okay for med school?

The majority of med schools acknowledge value in virtual shadowing, but relying on those experiences alone to boost your application may put you at an admissions disadvantage.

Should I bring a notebook to shadow a doctor?

ALWAYS go to your shadowing experience with a small notebook in your pocket. Write down diagnoses, medicines, and symptoms that you hear about that day. When you get home, look up these things- you will learn so much, and it will really enhance your shadowing experience.

Can I shadow my own doctor?

A good place to start is by reaching out to your own doctor, if you have one, or perhaps a pediatrician or family doctor you saw growing up. Chances are that they'll be more likely to let you shadow them due to your pre-existing relationship.

Should I ask the doctor or front desk if I want to shadow?

Leave a message with their receptionist advising you'd like to shadow the doctor and the reasons why. Naturally, be polite, pleasant and professional when you make contact. You can ask them to call you at their convenience or ask the receptionist when it would a good time to call back.

Can I wear jeans to shadow a doctor?

Business casual attire is typically recommended for shadowing a doctor. This includes items like dress pants or khakis, collared shirts, blouses, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid jeans, shorts, and other casual wear​​. When shadowing a doctor, the emphasis on attire leans heavily toward business casual.

What do you get a doctor after shadowing?

You don't actually need to give a “gift” to the physicians you shadow. By this, it means not having to buy flowers or plaque, etc. The best way to thank your physician is to send him/her a handwritten thank you note.

What to ask the doctor I'm shadowing?

Sample Questions to Ask during Job Shadowing or Observations: How did you become interested in (field)? How did you get started in your field? What career path did you take to reach your current position?

How many clinical hours is impressive for med school?

We recommend that you check the respective admissions websites of your chosen schools to confirm their admissions requirements and recommendations. Generally speaking, having at least 100-150 hours of clinical experience, ideally completed in a consistent schedule over a few months, is considered competitive.

Is 1000 clinical hours good for med school?

The answer to this question varies – it depends on which medical schools you'll apply to. Some schools will provide guidelines as to how many hours you should earn. Other schools will provide exact requirements. We recommend at least 100 hours and up to 150 hours.

How long does it take to get 2000 hours of clinical experience?

Most schools require between 500 – 2000 hours, which equals anywhere from three months to a year of full-time work.

Does online shadowing count?

In general though, most schools have adjusted their admissions requirements to accept online shadowing hours. Remember that the goal isn't a certain number of hours to check off on your CV, but the experience you gain through shadowing.

How do I track my shadowing hours?

Be sure to record the name of the professional you are shadowing, their preferred contact information, the date you started and completed the experience, how many hours you shadowed. Also write down what you observed, what you learned about the profession, patients and yourself.

How do I get shadowing opportunities?

Attend job fairs and speak to representatives to enquire about work shadowing opportunities. If the particular role you had in mind is unsuitable for shadowing, the company may be able to offer a different form of experience, such as virtual work experience.