Better to have a mediocre/average D.O letter than none at all?

[amakhosidlo]

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I just got off the phone with Western, and realized that I've somehow forgotten to send my LOR's to each individual school via interfolio (I guess I expected AACOMAS to take care of my letters like AMCAS, dunno why)

I was previously under the impression that schools already had my letters, which included a letter from a D.O that I'm sorta iffy about. But since I've already received an interview from one of my top choices, I was starting to breathe a sigh of relief as I thought my letters had already been read and hadn't condemned me.

Now I'm finding out that nobody has my letters, which include my D.O letter. It's from a forensic pathologist whom I never shadowed or worked with in a clinical setting, and I'm not sure exactly what it says. (I asked for a LOR, we sat down and talked for a bit about my application, and she agreed to write it).

I'm in the process of sending my letters out, but now I'm wondering, for the schools that don't require a D.O letter (like Western), how crucial a D.O letter actually is.

If the letter is mediocre/bad, and schools without a hard-and-fast requirement are ambivalent, I don't want to needlessly torpedo my chances by sending it in. On the other hand, if an "average" LOR from a D.O would provide a significant advantage at these schools over not having one, I'd definitely want to include it in my packet.


I guess what I'm asking is: For schools that don't have a D.O letter requirement, does having a letter from a D.O provide any signficant benefit over not having one?

 

[spence]

I just got off the phone with Western, and realized that I've somehow forgotten to send my LOR's to each individual school via interfolio (I guess I expected AACOMAS to take care of my letters like AMCAS, dunno why)

I was previously under the impression that schools already had my letters, which included a letter from a D.O that I'm sorta iffy about. But since I've already received an interview from one of my top choices, I was starting to breathe a sigh of relief as I thought my letters had already been read and hadn't condemned me.

Now I'm finding out that nobody has my letters, which include my D.O letter. It's from a forensic pathologist whom I never shadowed or worked with in a clinical setting, and I'm not sure exactly what it says. (I asked for a LOR, we sat down and talked for a bit about my application, and she agreed to write it).

I'm in the process of sending my letters out, but now I'm wondering, for the schools that don't require a D.O letter (like Western), how crucial a D.O letter actually is.

If the letter is mediocre/bad, and schools without a hard-and-fast requirement are ambivalent, I don't want to needlessly torpedo my chances by sending it in. On the other hand, if an "average" LOR from a D.O would provide a significant advantage at these schools over not having one, I'd definitely want to include it in my packet.


I guess what I'm asking is: For schools that don't have a D.O letter requirement, does having a letter from a D.O provide any signficant benefit over not having one?

The only benefit that I would see in sending a mediocre D.O. letter to the schools that don't require one is that it would show you are at least somewhat serious about going into osteopathic medicine in the sense that you took the time to at least talk with a D.O. about the profession. Other than that, if the school didn't require it and you are able to demonstrate your interest in the field in other ways I would personally rather send a great letter from a faculty member or other recommender.

 

[salazaar]

I would send it. I doubt that the doctor would even bother to write a negative letter. I don't think that extra letters of recomendation will reflect poorly on you.

 

[droogdoc]

Well, I wouldnt assume the LOR is "bad". If she never worked with you but still agreed to write one based on other things I highly doubt it is a bad LOR. As I said before, why would anyone write a bad LOR? Just dont write it at all.

While it isnt bad there is a good bet it is most likely average and not exactly a glowing letter, as she doesnt know a whole lot about you. I guess you could ask her but technically she cant tell you what is in the letter. I dont think an average letter will hurt your chances though.

 

[spence]

I agree that the letter probably isn't bad either. All the D.O.'s I have met are extraordinarily nice people and I really doubt they would write a bad letter for anyone who is interested in going into osteopathic medicine. If you have the option of sending in all the letters you want, definitely go for it. Even if it is an average letter it still shows that you took the time to learn more about the profession.

 

[p30doc]

If it is mediocre I wouldn't send it unless you have to. I think a mediocre letter would hurt you, but that is just my 2 cents.

 

[HoboCommander]

If it is mediocre I wouldn't send it unless you have to. I think a mediocre letter would hurt you, but that is just my 2 cents.

What if it is a good letter but somewhat generic, because you've never worked with the doctor, just spent 2 hours talking about your application and interest in medicine for the sake of the letter?