You might say, “I’m interested in being a doctor, and I’d love to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the job. Do you know of any doctors in the area that offer shadowing opportunities for students?” If you know the medical specialty you’d like to go into, try, “I’m interested in becoming a cardiologist, and I’d like to learn more about the field. Do you know of any cardiologists that allow students to shadow them in the area?”
To find more connections, make a social media post asking if anyone knows of doctors that may be interested in letting you shadow them. Write something like, “I’m interested in shadowing a doctor to learn more about the medical field. If you know of any doctors who might be interested in having a student shadow them, message me!”
Make a list of 5-10 doctors you might be interested in shadowing. This may sound like a lot, but having plenty of options will boost your chances of hearing back.
Find more info on a potential shadowing program by searching the website for a volunteer or educational opportunities page.
If you’re applying to a shadowing program, it may take a few weeks or even a few months to process your application and get accepted. Apply early to make sure that you can shadow when you would like to.
Example email:“Dear Dr. Molina,I hope you are doing well! My name is Kelsey Smith, and I am reaching out because I am very interested in working in medicine. I am currently a junior at Washington High School and am 16 years old. I would love to learn more about the medical field and am interested in going into dermatology. To gain more experience, I was wondering if I could potentially shadow you during your practice over summer break this year? If so, I would be happy to talk more about scheduling over email or by phone. Thank you for your time and consideration,Kelsey Smith”
Example follow-up call:“Hi Dr. Curtis, my name is Susan Reyes. I’m following up regarding an email I sent about potentially shadowing you during your practice. I’m a senior in high school and am currently 18 years old. I’m very interested in going into pediatrics and would love to learn more by shadowing a pediatrician like yourself. I can be reached by phone or by email. Thank you for your time!”
If you’re shadowing a surgery, you may be asked to wear scrubs. If you aren’t sure, contact the doctor you’re shadowing ahead of time to ask if these will be provided for you.
If you’re taking public transportation, be sure to look up the bus or train route ahead of time. Be sure to factor in how long it will take to walk from the bus or train stop to the hospital.
Your notes may also help you remember important details to include in your college applications.
What drew you to this specialty in particular? What is the most rewarding aspect of being a doctor? Do you have any tips on choosing a college or medical school?
Example thank you note: “Dear Dr. Brown,I am reaching out to say thank you for allowing me to shadow you this past winter break. I had an incredible experience and learned so much from the opportunity. Thank you so much for your time and help. All the best,Matthew Stephens”
To ask for a reference, be sure to thank the doctor for their time and express gratitude for their help. You might write, “Thank you for the incredible opportunity to shadow you this past summer. I learned so much from the experience and am so grateful. I am reaching out to see if I could list you as a reference for future opportunities in the medical field? Thanks again and hope you are well!”
