How to Get the Most Out of Your Premed Shadowing Experience [Episode 620]
Medical school admissions committees expect applicants to have accrued shadowing hours by application time, but what you get out of the experience depends entirely on how you approach it. In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Rachel L. Schreiber, a board-certified allergist/immunologist and past president of the Greater Washington Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Society, to discuss how premed students can maximize their shadowing opportunities.
One of the most overlooked strategies? Keep a journal. Dr. Schreiber and Dr. Wherley agree that writing down what you saw, heard, and learned during every shadowing session is one of the most valuable things a premed student can do – not just for personal growth but for the medical school application itself. From memorable patient interactions to specific clinical insights, those notes become the stories you draw on for your primary applications, secondary essays, and interviews years later.
The conversation also tackles the practical logistics that trip up many students: how to find shadowing opportunities post-COVID, whether to reach out directly to physicians or go through office managers, when it is appropriate to ask questions during patient encounters, and how many different specialties you should aim to explore. Dr. Schreiber, who hosts shadowing students regularly, shares what she personally looks for and what raises red flags.
Finally, Dr. Wherley and Dr. Schreiber address the nonnegotiable topic of patient confidentiality. From HIPAA requirements, to what you can safely write about in your application essays, to the risks of discussing patients on social media, the bottom line is this: you must conduct yourself with professionalism from the moment you walk in the clinic, including after you walk out. If you are preparing to apply to medical school, this episode will change how you think about every hour you spend shadowing.
Related Resources
- Bio for Dr. Rachel L. Schreiber, board-certified allergist/immunologist
- Best Clinical Shadowing Tips for AMCAS and AACOMAS Applications
- M3 Journaling: How It Can Help Your Residency Application
Related Episodes
- Inside Baylor College of Medicine: Admissions, Curriculum, and What Makes a Strong Applicant [Episode 618]
- Inside the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell: Admissions Insights and an Innovative Approach to Medical Education [Episode 617]
- Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Drafts? Writing a Standout Med School Personal Statement [Episode 612]
