The medical preceptorship (one credit, graded P/N) provides students with the opportunity to shadow a physician for one academic term. While participating, students shadow their physician preceptor for a minimum of 27 hours, and are permitted to shadow as many hours as they can.

The preceptorship is competitive, and applicants should meet the following criteria:

1. Junior or Senior class standing (preference is given to students applying and/or graduating within the next year.) This opportunity is limited to current OSU students seeking their first bachelor’s degree.
2. Completion of sophomore level pre-medical coursework (general biology, general and organic chemistry)
3. 3.25 cumulative OSU GPA
4. This experience is intended for students with minimal or no previous shadowing experience.

If you do not meet all of these criteria, you are encouraged to wait to apply.

Application process

Please submit your completed preceptorship application form by 5 PM on Friday of Week 9 two terms ahead of your intended placement. Applications are due Friday of Week 9 in Fall for Spring placement, in Winter for Summer or Fall placement, and in Spring for Winter placement. For example, if you wish to participate in Winter term, you would submit your application by Week 2 of Fall term. Late applications will not be considered. If you meet minimum requirements, you will be invited to participate in a group interview. We do not conduct interviews or accept applications during the Summer.

If you have any questions about the application process, please e-mail Hannah Steinmetz, Hannah.Steinmetz@oregonstate.edu

Program requirements

If you are accepted into the program, you will need to complete an orientation module, and meet the requirements of the medical facility to which you are assigned. This may include submitting immunization records (including evidence of COVID-19 vaccination), sufficiently passing a 10-panel drug screen and background check, and attending additional training. Because the program is competitive, students are encouraged to seek out opportunities to shadow physicians in their hometown or through other channels. Do not rely on the medical preceptorship to gain the necessary shadowing experience to apply to medical school.

Participants are responsible for any expenses associated with their placement in a clinic, including the cost for background check, drug screening, additional vaccinations and so forth. Please do not complete these screenings ahead of being accepted into the program. In some instances, previous drug screens or background checks may fulfill clinic requirements.

Deadlines

Fall

• Applications are due Friday of Week 9 previous Winter quarter.
• Interviews are held Week 1 of preceding Spring quarter.

Winter

• Applications are due Friday of Week 9 previous Spring quarter.
• Interviews are held Week 1 of preceding Fall quarter.

Spring

• Applications are due Friday of Week 9 previous Fall quarter.
• Interviews are held Week 1 of preceding Winter quarter.

Summer

• Applications are due Friday of Week 9 previous Winter quarter.
• Interviews are held Week 1 of preceding Spring quarter.

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the start dates of the academic terms.