Gaining Experience

Shadowing a healthcare provider is a great way to find out if a career in medicine is the right path.  It allows for better understanding of what a healthcare providers’ typical day is like and may provide good experience to present in applications and interviews for medical programs.

How to find a healthcare professional to shadow:

• If students have a relationship with any healthcare providers, we recommend to start by asking them.
• Ask teachers, professors, and premed advisors if they know any healthcare providers that other students have shadowed in the past.
• Contact hospitals through their volunteer office, or search online for local healthcare providers.
• Always send thank you notes or emails after participating in a shadowing experience.

Continue or begin gaining clinical experience in places such as:

Conducting research is one way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, commitment to learning and discovery, ability to work in a team, and understanding of scientific literature. Working in a lab setting can make for a competitive applicant and help build a strong foundation for a continued science and medical education. It will also help to determine if medical research is the right path for you.

How to get started:

• The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity connects students from all disciplines to research, creative, and scholarly projects.
• Check department bulletin boards or websites, such as Biology and Chemistry, to learn about research opportunities.
• Approach faculty about any research they might be conducting.

Pipeline and post-bacc programs are designed to prepare and inspire students to pursue careers in medicine and can also enhance an applicant’s competitiveness for admission. Information for each state is available at the AAMC website, and many programs are open to students interested in a variety of healthcare professions.

Volunteering is a great opportunity for students to show personal interests and aspirations in the application. Getting involved on campus and joining clubs is a way to find community outreach experiences. Check out the Premed Clubs and student organizations on True Blue Connects and consider volunteering in your community.

When gaining experience it is important to reflect on what competencies are being gained and how they can apply to being a healthcare professional. Admissions committees evaluate applicants based on interpersonal skills such as the AAMC Core Competencies for students applying to medical school.