How to Get Premed Shadowing Hours (with email templates)

Introduction

As a premed, you know shadowing physicians is crucial on your path to medical school. But you may not know how to go about getting that experience. Following the MedEdits 75-1-3 rule, a typical applicant should shadow four different physicians for a total of 75 hours to ensure a rounded shadowing experience.

What is one of the most common ways to get a shadowing experience?

The most common way premeds get shadowing experience is by reaching out to physicians they know, such as those who have cared for you or your family, or acquaintances in your social and family circles. If you can’t see the physician in person, email them to inquire. If unsure of their email, call their workplace and ask for the email address.

Sample Shadowing Email Templates

Here is a sequence of sample shadowing email templates:

Initial Email:

				
					Dear Dr. Smith,

I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the [summer, fall, winter, spring]. I am writing to ask if you would allow me to shadow you in the [office, hospital, emergency department] for whatever amount of time might work for you. I am happy to be flexible as I know you have a very busy schedule. As a premed at XXX College majoring in XXX, I am eager to gain more exposure to clinical medicine as I start my journey to medical school.

I have attached my CV for your reference. Please feel free to reach out however is most convenient for you: email, text, or cell. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,  
[Your Name]

Follow-Up Email (One Week Later):

				
					Dear Dr. Smith,

I wanted to follow up regarding the email I sent last week. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,  
[Your Name]

Phone call script (After second email follow up five days later):

				
					Hello! I sent an email to Dr. Smith about one and two weeks ago to inquire about shadowing. I know she is very busy so I wanted to call and see if this could be a better way to get in touch with her to inquire about shadowing.

If Dr. Smith is available on the phone:

				
					Hi Dr. Smith,

Thank you so much for taking my call! I know how busy you are, and I sent a couple of emails asking if I could shadow you. I wanted to follow up with a phone call as I know how quickly emails can pile up and get buried.

[Your Name]

Shadowing Experience Follow-Up

After your shadowing experience, send a thank-you email or a handwritten note. Expressing gratitude is a great habit. You can also bring home-baked cookies or chocolates to the office on your last day to go the extra mile.

Other Ways to Get Shadowing Experience

Check in with your premed advisor for resources on local physicians or hospitals that accept shadowing students.
Reach out to your college’s alumni network.
Consider shadowing in rural settings, even if it means traveling from home.
Smaller hospitals might have more opportunities.
Look for formal shadowing programs that build shadowing into a curriculum or larger clinical education program for undergraduates.

Shadowing an Osteopathic Physician (DO)

If you plan on applying to osteopathic medical school and need a letter of recommendation from a DO, we recommend shadowing an osteopathic physician. The American Osteopathic Association keeps a database of physicians who accept shadow students. Ask for the recommendation letter when the shadowing experience is completed.

Premed Virtual Shadowing

During the pandemic, virtual shadowing was a great alternative, but it is now recommended only for personal education, not for your medical school application.

For How Long Should I Shadow?

Follow the MedEdits 75-1-3 rule: shadow in four to eight-hour shifts, either doing several shifts in a week or over a month, or a single shift a week over a few months. Keep track of your hours and maintain a diary or online log of your observations.

Premed Shadowing is the Foundation

Shadowing is often one of the first premed extracurricular experiences, serving as an introduction to the field of medicine. As you progress, your clinical exposures should become more hands-on to demonstrate a greater impact and refine your interests.

By following these steps and utilizing the provided email templates, you can effectively secure valuable shadowing experiences that will enhance your medical school application.