Logging shadowing hours

[mlsclm]

I apologize for the newbie question, but what is the documentation process for shadowing?? Is it generally an honor system thing? Assuming you have not requested an LOR from a specific PA you have shadowed, do the schools contact this PA to verify?

 

This is most definitely not a get-in-by-fudging thought process, I just haven't seen this topic in any pre-pa threads. Thanks!

[fakingpatience]

In most cases they just look at what you log in CASPA, which is on the honor system.  However a few schools will require you to get verifications from the PAs you shadowed.  

[Scoped]

I agree with the above. I was actually disappointed when I went to PA school information sessions or talked with the admission staffs and they told me that it was an honor system. I think applicants should prove all the hours they use to quality or get credit for. Its too easy to pencil whip hours or state volunteer time. 

[rev ronin]

If shadowing or non-medical volunteer hours were actually meaningful, then I agree.  I hope the lack of verification reflects the lack of emphasis on shadowing that most schools have.  I get that schools who don't require a single hour of paid HCE should and probably do require shadowing in lieu of actual experience, and would expect that they would be more likely to verify such shadowing.

[mlsclm]

This is frustrating to hear, particularly when the person I contacted at the program I most want said shadowing would be ideal. Hmm...

[fakingpatience]

HCE isn't verified either on CASPA; in fact I've only had 1 school require verification, and they only wanted proof of 2000 of the hours