Growth Through Appreciation

As the end of the year approaches, I'm looking back on 2014 and I am counting my blessings. This has been such a transitional year for me. In 2014 I turned 25, I graduated from college, and I started a new job. With this being said, I have much to be thankful for. The holidays are a time of atonement (regardless of your religious views), a time of family, and a time of thanks giving.

I went to church last week and the lesson I learned was growth through appreciation, this has prompted this blog post. With out getting too metaphysical, I will explain the take home message. The pastor said that we should not only be appreciative of the opportunities, the goods and services provided, but also be appreciative of the obstacles and challenges. For they facilitate growth and understanding the most. Its the obstacles and challenges that mold a persons character.

2014 was also the year I started blogging about my premed journey. I started this blog to be educational and informative.... But it has turned into so much more. Accepted.com runs an interview series with med school applicants and they loved my blog so much  they wanted to feature it. You can check it out here: http://blog.accepted.com/2014/12/15/meet-toni-an-optimistic-realistic-pre-med-with-a-solid-plan-b/ This opportunity will allow my blog to have a broader reach.

In the beginning of the year I  started a self love journey. I got the idea from Andrea Lewis a fellow blogger (http://missandrealewis.com ).

We as humans tend to be so hard on ourselves, without looking at the silver linings (this is said from personal experience). I realize that I needed to work on counting my blessings and treating myself better and that's how  this self love journey began. It entails taking some time once a month (on avg) to list my blessings. (I provided some below)

I am healthy - working in allied health care for 6 years I have witnessed and empathize with many sick patients which allows me to be grateful

Having a great relationship with my parents - working at st Marys Hospital for children I saw many children without parents.

Being more in touch with who I am-  is a blessing because I now know exactly what I need to succeed physically, mentally and socially.

This will be my last post in 2014. I want to thank you all for reading. See you all next year !

An underrepresented minority’s perspective on Affirmative action

 I have a few provisos that I would like to put forth before I delve in.

1.       This is my opinion and I will try my best to be comprehensive, play devil’s advocate and encourage discussion. In this “PC” world we live in, people are afraid to state their opinion. 

                    "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." - Alexander Hamilton

2.       As an educated person, I am open-minded, I appeal to reason and my opinions are not fixed. I love and encourage healthy debate. Learning and becoming more informed helps with dealing with diversity. 

3.       The definition of URM that I am using is that of the AAMC: "Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population."

4.       I want to discuss what happens to typical URM, the obstacles that lead to lower college retention which eventually leads to lower medical school admission.

5.       I will ask questions, some will be answered with quotes and others indirectly with my own opinion.

6.       I will NOT discuss the controversial topic of white privilege, but I will refer you to this website. http://occupywallstreet.net/story/explaining-white-privilege-broke-white-person 

7.       Last but not least. My views are a lay interpretation of my surroundings, current events and my experiences (I am aware there are many sides to every story).  Embracing social diversity is necessary to promote a variety of perspectives and an exchange of ideas.

Please note:  “When babies are born, they are unaware of racial difference and attach no intrinsic value to skin color. We know that they begin to notice racial differences and their effects between the ages of two and four. Throughout their childhood, they are bombarded with stereotypes, misinformation and lies about race.”- Paul Kivel http://www.paulkivel.com/component/jdownloads/finish/1/103/0?Itemid=31

Why are there less minorities compared to “other groups” entering medical school?

AMSA’s study reveals:

“… factors contributing to the lack of progress in minority enrollment has been the inability of elementary and high school systems attended by minorities to adequately prepare students for college level science and provide role models in the medical profession to students. In addition, financial barriers exist for minority students pursuing college and graduate studies.”

http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Libraries/Committee_Docs/study_meded.sflb.ashx

According to Daphne W. Ntiri’s “Access to Higher Education for Nontraditional Students and Minorities in a Technology-Focused Society” :

 “…One of the realities confronting the United States is that a major proportion of racial and ethnic minority students in this country have unequal access to higher education…”

http://uex.sagepub.com/content/36/1/129.abstract

What can be done to increase the numbers (what are the numbers)?

US Census Bureau:

“…In 2000, minorities comprised approximately 30% of the population of the United States (US Census Bureau). By 2050, it is projected that the minority population will represent approximately 50% of the total U. S. population, meaning ethnically and racially diverse people may no longer be a numerical minority…”

http://www.asha.org/practice/multicultural/recruit/litreview.htm

According to the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME):

“…increasing the number of URM students who successfully advance through the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary academic pipeline is the first step to enlarge the potential number of these students eligible to enter medical school.”

http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/bhpradvisory/cogme/Reports/seventeenthrpt.pdf

My answer: Meet URM students in the middle (middle school that is) provide them with enrichment opportunities that allow them to see past their environment. This past summer (2014) I had the opportunity to work as a Teacher assistant for STEP a science-focused, college-preparatory program a part of a National Early College Initiative that helps prepare low income, underrepresented youth to transition from high school to college. As a Teaching assistant, I worked with a high school Biology and middle school general science teacher in a laboratory. In this capacity, I guided students with apparatus set up, data collection and lab report writing. What stood out to me the most, is the difference in attitude between the middle school students and the high-school students. The Middle school students were eager to learn, apply brute force, examine and ask questions. The high-school students didn’t share the same enthusiasm. This lead me to believe that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome ( i.e. higher college acceptance rates among minorities) 

Is affirmative action still necessary? (and for those who have benefited from affirmative action does it mean you were not qualified)?

Let’s look at the famous case of Fisher vs. University of Texas. The back story is Abigail Fisher, a white female who had a GPA of 3.59 and score of 1180 out of 1600 on the SAT was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. She alleged the University had reversibly discriminated against her based on race and was in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. She argued that minority students with fewer impressive credentials than hers had been admitted.

“…The University of Texas at Austin considers race as one of various factors in its undergraduate admissions process. The University, which is committed to increasing racial minority enrollment, adopted its current program after this Court decided Grutter v. Bollinger…” excerpt from - http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/11-345.pdf

The Fisher vs. University of Texas results: In a 2-1 decision, the Fifth Circuit found in favor of the school in its decision to use race as a part of a holistic admissions approach to achieve diversity.

*Side note: Grutter vs. Bollinger similar story: In 1997, Barbara Grutter, a white female resident of Michigan, had a 3.8 undergraduate GPA and a 161 LSAT score was denied admission to the University of Michigan Law School. The Law School admits that it uses race as a factor in making admissions decisions. The Supreme Court ruled that the use of affirmative action in school admission is constitutional if it treats race as one factor among many.

My answer: I wanted to start this discussion by looking at those two cases because I wanted to frame the argument while considering all sides. I felt giving examples would put this argument in perspective. Should grades be the only factor that’s considered in admission? And for those that will quickly Jump and say yes, I urge you to consider the factors that lead to higher grades—do only the smartest people get good grades, and if you get lower grades does that mean you are intellectually inept? Let’s look at why the majority on average (considered from the largest context) get higher grades. Many will say better preparation, better role models, superior socioeconomic status...etc. I personally believe that greater work effort and cultural approach, not innate cognitive ability is the reason for the higher grades and if that is the case (which I highly suspect). Grades CANNOT BE THE ONLY FACTOR considered for admission

I believe that looking holistically at each applicant is a far better admission criterion than looking at grades alone. Since there are numerous factors that lead to high grades all of which may or may not depend on academic ability. Please note affirmative action may get someone to the door but THAT is its extent.   

Appreciating your journey… filling out “secondaries”

I decided to write this post  in response to a FB status that I read recently that said “We've been fooled into think(ing) our little accomplishments mean something until we reach the real world and none of that sh&$ matters”.

I immediately responded with: “Your accomplishments mean something! You can't measure ur (your) success by looking at others. You (you’re) always gonna (going) to find someone smarter, richer and more attractive. (remember that(‘s) goes vice versa- there's those that haven't even graduated)”

For some reason I went to bed with this post on my mind. I thought to myself could this be true. Do my accomplishments “really” matter? This led me to think about my dreams of becoming a physician. I then began to reflect on the questions medical schools asked me on my secondary applications. They asked for example: tell us one thing about yourself that would help the admissions committee determine if you should be admitted to our program,  discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone, and describe a personally rewarding experience.  

I asked myself what all these questions have in common.

I realized they all wanted answers that SHOW not just tell. In order to show why you are deserving of a seat, you must reflect.  For you to reflect you must have accomplishments worth the reflection. In other words every experience/accomplishment makes you into the person you are. In order to differentiate yourself from another candidate you have to be proud of what you have accomplished and realize that not only the big accomplishments like graduating from college or overcoming an extreme academic difficulty matter.  Any time you stand up for social injustice, encourage your peers and underclassman, anytime you learned from a mistake and put yourself in others’ shoes:  you accomplish something that “really” matters in the “real world”. It is crucially important to not compare yourself to others “You (you’re) always gonna (going) to find someone smarter, richer and more attractive”.

Post bacc programs for underrepresented minorities

I have decided to write a post about post bacc programs for underrepresented minorities who need academic enhancement. The truth of the matter is many of us (URM pre meds) are late bloomers. We were not preparing to go to medical school at the age of eight, many of us did not have the opportunity to volunteer or travel or the role models/guidance that many of our more competitive peers may have had.

But it is never too late to grow, to change, to learn and achieve your dreams. Getting a post bacc certificate or a master degree can only add  and strengthen your application, thus solidify your knowledge (after all you are devoting your life to a career that takes a great deal of insight and circumspection)

“A student with a cumulative undergraduate GPA in the upper 2s or low 3s (with an equal or slightly lower science GPA) and an average or below-average MCAT score could benefit from a strong science based program”.

Post bacc programs for underrepresented minorities (two categories).

1.       Rejected from medical school admission then referred/invited to the postbac program; you may not apply directly to the program. They choose you. Most of these programs include conditional acceptance into medical school but some do not (note: for links that are not provided use a search engine to inquiry)

·         Associated Medical Schools of NY: students who have a 21 or higher on the MCAT, and are not accepted at any medical school. (Preference is given to New York State residents). Students do not apply to the program but are recommended by one of the participating schools (http://www.amsny.org/initiatives/diversity-medicine/post-baccalaureate-program): 

·          The Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) program : https://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AcademicPrograms/ProfessionalStudiesintheHealthSciences/PremedicalPrograms/DrexelPathwaytoMedicalSchool.aspx

·         UC San Diego and UC Irvine : also offer a special type of postbaccalaureate, a conditional acceptance program. Students who complete the program successfully are admitted to medical school. 

·          Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) University of Arizona: The Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) Program is coordinated through the UA College of Medicine-Tucson Offices of Admissions and Diversity and Inclusion. P-MAP is a 12-month, full-time, intensive medical school preparation program designed for students who have experienced greater than average challenges in preparing to become competitive medical school applicants. The program includes a Master of Science degree in Cellular & Molecular Medicine, customized academic plans and seminars. Those who successfully complete the program requirements will receive conditional admission to the UA College of Medicine-Tucson campus. 

·         The Ohio State University College of Medicine Medical Careers Pathway Post Baccalaureate Program (MEDPATH): is a one year program aimed at developing and enriching the academic knowledge base and skills of students prior to their entrance into medical school. (http://medicine.osu.edu/students/diversity/Programs/medpath/Documents/MEDPATH%20Success_2013.pdf)  

·         Diversity Recruitment and Enrichment for Admission into Medicine (DREAM) University of South Alabama

·         Bryn Mawr Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program: Bryn Mawr offers large selection of consortial medical schools, and you may apply to one of these schools during the postbac program. If qualified, you will be accepted on a conditional basis and will begin medical school immediately after completing one-year program. 

·         Boston University School of Medicine’s early acceptance medical program “has helped boost minority enrollment”, said Jonathan Woodson, an associate dean at the school. The program provides a more gradual transition into the curriculum through provisional acceptance into medical school at the completion of two years of undergraduate study. 

·          The Early Identification Program (EIP) is a cooperative venture between The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the following colleges and universities: University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and Tougaloo College (http://brown.edu/academics/medical/academics/medical/admissions/eip) 

·          *Med Scholar - Saint Louis University School of Medicine: http://www.slu.edu/x25733.xml 

2.       Programs at medical schools or universities students can apply directly. Students do not have to have already applied to health professions school, but they will have taken their core science courses. (two categories):

1.      Non-Degree Post-Bac Program

2.      Special Master’s Programs

Non-Degree Post-Bac Program:

1. Health Careers Pathways Program--Post Baccalaurate Program - University of Kansas School of Medicine : http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/office-of-cultural-enhancement-and-diversity/student-programs-/post-baccalaureate-program-instructions.html

2. Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies Program- Lewis University: http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/post-bac-pre-med/

3. Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program - Caldwell College: http://www.caldwell.edu/academics/health-professions/pre-med-post-bac

4. MEDPREP- SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: http://www.siumed.edu/medprep

5. BMS, Post Bacc Pre Medical Studies- Dominican University: http://www.dom.edu/pbmedical

6. Premedical Studies - Purchase College SUNY: https://www.purchase.edu/Departments/AcademicPrograms/LAS/Sciences/Premed/

7. Postbaccalaureate in Pre-Medicine certificate program - Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: http://www.cdrewu.edu/

8. Avila University Postbaccalaureate Program - Avila University : http://www.avila.edu/

9. Postbaccalaureate Prehealth Certificate Program - Northeastern State University: http://academics.nsuok.edu/prehealth

10. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Health Professions - Stephens College : http://www.stephens.edu/

11. UCLA Reapplication Program - UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA: http://www.medstudent.ucla.edu/offices/aeo/rap.cfm

12. Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program - Washington University in St. Louis : http://ucollege.wustl.edu/postbacpremed#

13. NEOMED-CSU PostBacc/M.D. Partnership for Urban Health - Cleveland State University : http://www.csuohio.edu/md

14. Pre-Health Certificate - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth : http://www.umassd.edu/premed

15. Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program - Elms College: http://www.elms.edu/

16. Pre-Health Professions Certificate Program - San Francisco State University : http://online.sfsu.edu/~brothman/formalindex.html

17. MEDPATH Post Baccalareate Program - The Ohio State University : http://medicine.osu.edu/students/diversity/Programs/medpath/Pages/index.aspx

18. The Program In Premedical Studies - The City College of New York : http://www2.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/science/pps/

19. Pre-Medical Program - West Chester University : http://www.wcupa.edu/

20. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program for Pre-Health Professionals - California State University - Los Angeles : http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/biol/certprehealth.php

21. PreMedical Graduate Certificate Program (CERT) - Virginia Commonwealth University : http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/audience/prospective.html

Special Master’s Programs:

1. Masters in Medical Science with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Medical Science (IMS) - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine : http://health.usf.edu/medicine/osde/msms.htm

2. Master of Science degree with majors relevant to medical education (There are 3 majors: Biomedical Professions, Anatomical Science, Life Science Research ) - Lincoln Memorial University : http://www.lmunet.edu/academics/pmsp/

3. Master of Arts in Medical Sciences - Loyola University Chicago : http://luc.edu/biology/mainmedicalsciences/ , http://www.luc.edu/biology/ma.shtml

4. Master of Science in Toxicology - Colorado State University : http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/academics/erhs/cem/

5. Biomedical Sciences Program - Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine : http://www.marian.edu/medicalschool

6. Master of Science in Biology, Non-Thesis - Chatham University : http://www.chatham.edu/msbio/

7. Master of Biomedical Sciences - UMDNJ-GSBS-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/education/gsbs/msbio.html

8. Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) program - Drexel University College of Medicine: http://www.drexelmed.edu/IMS

9. Medical Science Masters Program - Hampton University : http://science.hamptonu.edu/prehealth/

10. Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences - University of South Carolina, School of Medicine: http://www.med.sc.edu/Post.Baccalaureate.Certificates.asp

11. Post Baccalaureate Premedical Program - Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: http://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/BMSC.html

12. UCSF Interprofessional Health Post Baccalaureate Program - University of California, San Francisco : http://meded.ucsf.edu/outreach

13. Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program - Florida State University College of Medicine: http://www.med.fsu.edu/

14. Masters in Biomedical Sciences - UMDNJ-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at NJ Medical School : http://njms.umdnj.edu/gsbs/index.cfm

15. Master's of Biomedical Science - The Commonwealth Medical College: http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/

Miscellaneous websites worth checking out: http://images.cell.com/images/EdImages/celljobs/editorial/diversity.pdf  

http://www.columbia.edu/node/8321.html   --- pays special attention to this website, Seven Myths about Affirmative Action in Universities. Many of us (URM) feel bad about programs aimed at helping us enhance our academics. I have personally read numerous posts and blogs that try to make me (students with similar academic backgrounds) feel bad about seeking assistance. This website explains the myths and educates those who are ill informed. Affirmative action is not reverse discrimination and you (my fellow URM) should not feel bad about your past mistakes as well as seeking out assistance and opportunities that help you grow educationally as well as professionally. 

Verified

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.... We cannot change our past... The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it…”
-Charles R. Swindoll

My application is now “verified”…excited not really. I woke up this morning not in the best mood. I decided to make this post not to have a “pity party” but to encourage other premeds that may feel the same way. I truly believe that turning obstacles into opportunities not only keeps you in the right frame of mind it facilitates growth. (Don’t worry I will explain the first sentence soon enough)

Many nontraditional premeds say to me “my earlier grades are weak, will I ever be able to move past this? Can I demonstrate improvement?” My response is always you will never be able to hide your “skeletons” (bad grades) but you can grow. You must first move past a defeatist mind set (something I know well). Go over the basics. Like many nontraditional, underrepresented minorities who attended inferior public schools, you may not have a strong foundation in the natural sciences. Get a High School textbook go over, review, relearn and rehash. Filling in the gaps is KEY. Key to assessing the path you will take.

As I grow, I learn that living your truth is the key to happiness or at least the password. So here it is: I am a first generation American. My parents are immigrants from Jamaica, West Indies. My dad works 12 hours a day as a cab driver and my mom works two jobs (16 hrs a day) as a nurse’s aide. My parents have sacrificed so much to provide me, as well as my siblings they left behind, with opportunities that they didn’t have. (I’m sure many of you can relate to this)

I grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens and I attended the local high school, a school that had a graduation rate of approximately 30 percent. My graduation class was its last; the following year the board of education closed it down because of a long record of poor academic performance. Not surprisingly, my high school did not prepare me for college. With this being said I floundered for two years at the college of Staten Island- CSI (Did I forget to mention I worked full time as a certified nurses aide, a physically demanding job). Transferred to Brooklyn college, got my grades up (learning the basics is the only way to do this) and decided to seriously pursue medicine.

I joined clubs, took on leadership roles and utilized every tool and resource Brooklyn College provides. I submitted my application to medical school. Since My Brooklyn college transcript says a 3.0 I was confident that I at least meet the minimum requirements to have my application reviewed (at least at some schools don’t worry I am realistic). My application gets “verified “ (dun Dun DUNNN!!!) Lets just say my skeletons from CSI aren’t hidden.

I am not giving up. I will most likely have to attend a Post bac program.

This journey is not for the swift !!!

How to choose the right medical school…

I decided that post bacc programs are my most likely route. I will make another post devoted to choosing the correct post bacc for your situation. With that being said I decided to look at table 25 to decide if my chances of me being accepted in my current situation are viable. After conferring I decided to apply to post bacc programs leading to master degrees and medical schools that have missions in line with the type of physician I want to be.

The basic purpose of medical schools is to educate physicians to care for the national population and with that intention, a sufficient number of minority physicians in the workforce is necessary. That is why AAMC is committed to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medical education.

When choosing I first wanted to look at schools that accepted lower GPA and MCAT scores. (My thinking is these schools are more likely to look at my application) That information I found at Medical School Admissions Requirements, an invaluable resource that I highly recommend paying for.

Next I wanted to filter out Medical schools that are devoted to the social mission of medical education; training primary care physicians, increasing access to health careers for minority students, and improving health care services in regions that are undeserved. I used Medical School Admissions Requirements as well as The social Mission look at table 1 for the medical school ranking (my thought is schools that score higher on this list are devoted to producing a certain number of minority physicians). You might also want to read : https://www.wdhstore.com/hispanic/data/pdf/june6-debunking.pdf , http://web.jhu.edu/prepro/Forms/AAMC%20Premed%20Resources.pdf

After that I decided to narrow my search to schools that are in the middle of the country especially considering that more applicants will apply to schools that are coastal and/or in major cites US news tips for selecting medical schools.

Next I looked at their curriculum I wanted a school that matched my learning style.

Last but not least  apply to your dream school. You will regret it if you don't !!

I  want to stress that I do not think it matters which medical school you attend in "the end" as long as you attend schools that are in the states, when considering between a state school and an Ivy-league. Every student in the nation will take the same board exams . So no matter which school you choose to attend you will still graduate as a doctor.

Also note that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), have agreed to a unified system  for graduate medical education programs in the United States.

A single graduate medical education (GME) accreditation system will evaluate and provide accountability for the competency of physician residents consistently across all GME programs.  Making it that much harder for foreign graduates to get residencies. Thus providing you with another reason to stay in the states.


Useful websites : Selection factors https://www.aamc.org/download/261106/data/aibvol11_no6.pdf
Advice guide: http://premed.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Not-so-short-guide-to-getting-in-to-med-school.pdf Choosing:  http://www.beagooddoctor.org/pcpr/choosing-a-medical-school

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Who am I....

My name is Toni J. I just graduated from Brooklyn College CUNY, in New York with a bachelors in chemistry this spring semester.  I am planning on applying to Medical School this cycle. But I know that it is wise to have a plan B, especially since I am not the most competitive applicant.

Just to tell you little about myself,  My Brooklyn College GPA is a 3.0 and my current practice MCAT score is 26. I have taken the MCAT and I am waiting for the score.

I have faced numerous obstacles, that have hindered me from being able to show my academic abilities. Some reasons for the poor academics are academic deficiency leaving high school, immaturity, work schedule and family structure.

Thankfully towards the end of my undergraduate years I was able to demonstrate improvement. Which I attribute to self introspection and a more priority driven work life balance. I truly believe that with my life experience (i.e. patient care experience, living in a health care deprived community and research)  and my persistence.

I will be a great physician someday!

For a more recent update of who I am check out my "Verified" post

Check out these success stories/websites that keep me positive: A not so strong MCAT, Should I still apply... ,From 3.0 to 4.0 ,What Does it Mean to be Disadvantaged? ,poor test taker

My third day shadowing the surgeon.

I arrived at 12:45 in the afternoon. I had a watch, a pen and a note pad. Short lab coat, comfortable clogs, black pants and a business appropriate top.

I have severe flat feet and so I can not stand or walk for too long. I didn't let that stop me. I followed the physician as he went from one patient to the next (total approx. 30 patients). The majority of the patients I saw had breast issues; typical "mammogram pathology report suggests suspicious  mass that needs further investigation".

The first two days of shadowing consisted of me getting my bearings. I was so nervous. The physician I am shadowing is a professor and he's use to having students that he can barrage, teach and inspire.

I tried to make my presence as "shadow" like as possible, I didn't want to get in his way. When I heard a term I didn't know I wrote it down, I tried to assist patients when I could and ask educated questions.

The operative word is "try", some of my attempts failed. For instance a patient with a cast needed assistance with putting on her bra. So I jumped at the opportunity to help. I asked the patient if she needed further assistance with putting on her shirt. She said no. The physician looked at me like I had three horns on my head.

I say all of this to say: "Take the initiative" ( in many cases you do not have to ask).

Moving forward I will. At least I will "try"... And you should to.

Useful information regarding shadowing: Doctor Shadow , How To Effectively Shadow a Physician as a Premed Student , How Do I... Shadow a Doctor? , Career Junkie