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Posted on 01.25.11 by Todd Johnson 4 Comments

Why Doctor Shadowing is Important

I have mentioned several times that to be competitive a BS/MD student must shadow at least one doctor.  Why is that important?

BS/MD programs want to make sure that the students they admit understand what it really means to be a doctor. The long hours, the interrupted meals, the care for the patient are all part of a doctor’s life. Many of the students who begin college thinking they want to be a doctor change their minds because they don’t really understand what it means to be a doctor.

Doctor shadowing, or simply following a doctor around, gives students a better understanding of what the life of a physician is like. With that understanding, they are more likely to be ready to commit to medical school early.

How much doctor shadowing is necessary? There is no clear answer to that question but I generally recommend that my students try to follow a doctor around for at least a week. This doesn’t necessarily need to be a continuous week. I have had some students shadow a doctor for 2 hours a week for 30 weeks. That is fine.

I also recommend that students try to shadow more than one doctor if possible to give them some different experiences. The more experience and understanding you can show the medical school, the stronger your application will be in that respect.

Next time I will answer the most common question about doctor shadowing: How do I find a doctor to shadow?

Want more information about BS/MD programs? Check out the Guide to BS/MD Programs.

You can trust us to help you find the best college for your needs. We offer a FREE 1/2 hour consultation to discuss your needs for college admissions counseling. Give us a call now at 888-970-BSMD(2763) or drop us an email.

Categories: Activities, BS/MD Programs, College Admissions Counseling Tags: BS/MD Programs

Todd Johnson's avatar

Todd Johnson

Todd Johnson is the founder of College Admissions Partners. Todd regularly teaches other independent college admissions counselors and is the country's leading expert in BS/MD admissions. He is also the author of a best selling book on BS/MD admissions.

Trackbacks

  1. Guide to BS/MD Programs - College Admissions Counseling says:
    May 24, 2011 at 5:02 am

    […] Why Doctor Shadowing is Important […]

  2. Virtual Doctor Shadowing - BS/MD Admissions by College Admissions Partners says:
    January 30, 2022 at 4:56 pm

    […] when applying to a BS/MD program. I have discussed before who to shadow and the number of recommended hours of shadowing. But Covid has caused many doctors and clinics to stop offering shadowing opportunities. If you are […]

  3. Do You Have To Attend A BS/MD Program If Accepted? - BS/MD Admissions by College Admissions Partners says:
    April 14, 2022 at 6:04 am

    […] up to the time you finish medical school. Students opt out most commonly because they realize that medicine is not the right route for them. Others opt out because they have decided to apply to a medical school other than the one […]

  4. Does It Matter Who You Shadow? - BS/MD Admissions by College Admissions Partners says:
    June 30, 2022 at 6:05 am

    […] answer is no, it does not matter who you shadow as long as you are shadowing a physician. Either an MD or a DO is perfectly fine to shadow. Medical schools absolutely do not care what […]

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