azcom DO LOR's necessary?

[nrddct]

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Since AZCOM strongly recommend a LOR from a DO, does this lower my chances if I hav'nt had the chance to shadow a doctor?

 

[NDESTRUKT]

yes

 

[MDmiracle]

I read the application procedures as it was a required letter? Am I wrong?

 

[nrddct]

yeah I just got a reply, its required. Is this an unusual request by DO or MD schools?

would it be possible to get my fee returned from accom?

 

[Chronotropic]

It would probably just be easier to call an area DO and just ask him to write you a letter.

 

[Robz]

its not an unusual request by DO schools. Almost all of them ask for one save a few schools. I dunno about getting your secondary fee back as they stated it on thier application and on the aamcos website.

 

[nrddct]

Originally posted by danwsu
It would probably just be easier to call an area DO and just ask him to write you a letter.

You think?, it won't be weird to call one up out of the blue and ask of a LOR? not that I would have any other choice, but still...

 

[Chronotropic]

Thats pretty much what I did. The worst that can happen is that the doc says no.

 

[nrddct]

um stupid question, but how did you look them up? from the yellow pages? or from the alumni section of the DO schools?

 

[Robz]

No lie. I just called them. I checked on the AACOM website to see that they had a link to a directory. Only problem is that there were no numbers on that site. So I printed out a hard copy and then went on yahoo's yellow pages to find the numbers. Called them up and talked to their nurses. I pretty much asked to have them call me back to talk about their profession and when they did I asked if they would be willing to meet or have a shadow to talk about being an osteopathic physician. I really wanted to learn more about it and after shadowing a few of them I actually had two DO's ask ME if I wanted them to write me a letter of rec. Wow.....I am still a bit humbled.

Anyway, go for it. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about primary care.

 

[Chronotropic]

I asked my family physician if he knew a DO. He gave me a name and I looked it up in the phonebook and gave him a call. The conversation was a bit odd at first but it worked out.

 

[AZDOC]

If you want to go to AZCOM you need a letter from a D.O. It would be best to get a letter from a D.O. known by the admissions committee deciding on your application. How do you do this? Contact the clinical ed. office and ask for a list of the preceptors and a list of the divison directors for each specialty. Call and ask if you can shadow them and then ask for a letter of rec. It is very easy and it will be fun. I am a fourth year at AZCOM and if you have any questions let me know.

 

[ameier14]

Interesting how people who don't even attend AZCOM are making comments on what is required to go there. I am living proof that you DO NOT need a DO LOR to get into AZCOM. I worked for several years in an OR and never worked with nor shadowed a DO. An MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon that I worked with wrote my LOR for my "physician letter".

Just to clarify the confussion... Yes you need an LOR from a physician. Does it NEED to be from a DO? It's definitely preferred, unless you have an EXCELLENT letter from an MD that sets you apart from the normal applicant.

 

[AZDOC]

ameier14,

The best advice for applicants is to have a letter from a D.O. I am glad to hear that we let you in with a letter from an M.D., but this is an exception. What class are you in?

 

[irish79]

ameier,

What made you decide to go DO?

 

[ameier14]

Of course its preferred to have a DO LOR. I never disputed that. I only said that a physician LOR does NOT have to be from a DO. ( Your chances are better with one) I would venture to guess that there are various others here who never got a DO letter either. You have to remember that in some parts of the country, Osteopathy is sparse. I attribute my "exception" to my previous medical experience. My LOR was from somebody that knew me over a period of years and could comment well on my potential to become a good physician. For me personally, a DO LOR was never an issue on my application. I applied to various DO programs and was accepted by every one that I applied to. I attended a couple of lectures with DO's during undergrad and sought advice from faculty that work with DO's, but thats it.

Irish: I'm surprised your not watching ND on TV right now. Washington State was handling them in the first half. How's Biochem and Histo/Embryo coming along? To answer your question: I chose Osteopathy for various reasons. Too many to list here. My personality, beliefs about medicine, life experiences, etc. lend more toward Osteopathy. Probably the same reasons you chose AZCOM. It wasn't hard.

I am in AZCOM Class of 2007.

 

[AZDOC]

Good Luck with first year. Did you guys just finish your first week?

 

[ameier14]

Thanks AZDOC. Good luck with your rotations. How are they coming along? The firehose analogy is pretty acurate in explaining my first week of school. It's not hard, just voluminous. One thing is for certain. I am very happy to be here. I wouldn't be anywhere else. AZCOM is awesome! I'd encourage any of you pre-osteos to come and visit if you can. You wont find a better program. It's truly impressive.

 

[irish79]

ameire, I was watching the ND game. Started out not so great--but I guess GOD was on their side in the end ;o)

Biochem and histo are going pretty well. As of now, we haven't covered anything I didn't study in undergrad. I am sure it will get harder--but so far, studying hasn't been over intense. How are you finding classes?

 

[AZDOC]

ameier14,

Rotations are going well. I submitted my residency applications last week. My advice to the first years would be to stay on top of the material. The volume and amount of material increases with each quarter. Its going to get much harder (sorry). Next quarter you will have the same classes except you will add physiology to the mix.