Content of DO letter

[artist27]

What are adcoms looking for in the DO letter of rec? Do they want to read about how the student has a deep passion for becoming an osteopathic doctor? Does it need to relate with the DO philosophy?
I volunteer with a DO who is writing me a letter of rec but what we do is nothing specific to being a DO.
I doubt anything in her letter will even discuss osteopathic medicine.
Is this fine? Are adcoms just looking for any letter that is signed by someone with DO after their name?

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[123456ers]

What are adcoms looking for in the DO letter of rec? Do they want to read about how the student has a deep passion for becoming an osteopathic doctor? Does it need to relate with the DO philosophy?
I volunteer with a DO who is writing me a letter of rec but what we do is nothing specific to being a DO.
I doubt anything in her letter will even discuss osteopathic medicine.
Is this fine? Are adcoms just looking for any letter that is signed by someone with DO after their name?

When speaking to my DO LOR writers, they told me it's not best to cater it to osteopathy per say. The exception to this would be if you had some really unique experience with OMM.

Both my LOR writers, who are a DO surgeon and IM doc respectively, said the most important thing is that you showed a passion for medicine when they worked with you and were "the kind of doctor I would like to work with."

So long story short, it just needs to be heavy on your ability to be a physician, at least according to these guys. One of them is on the staff of an allopathic school for what it's worth, not sure if that makes him more or less credible. But if I were you, I would not explicitly ask for DO related things to be in the letter. The fact that you found a DO to shadow and get to know well enough for a letter demonstrates you get waht being a DO is all about.

good luck dude

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

As long as it says good things about you and is signed Joe Smith DO it's good to go.

 

[Goro]

Quit fussing...they all same the same thing:

"artist27 shadowed me for (X time period) in my practice at (place). I think s/he will make a great doctor"

What are adcoms looking for in the DO letter of rec? Do they want to read about how the student has a deep passion for becoming an osteopathic doctor? Does it need to relate with the DO philosophy?
I volunteer with a DO who is writing me a letter of rec but what we do is nothing specific to being a DO.
I doubt anything in her letter will even discuss osteopathic medicine.
Is this fine? Are adcoms just looking for any letter that is signed by someone with DO after their name?

 

[JoeUSA]

What are adcoms looking for in the DO letter of rec? Do they want to read about how the student has a deep passion for becoming an osteopathic doctor? Does it need to relate with the DO philosophy?
I volunteer with a DO who is writing me a letter of rec but what we do is nothing specific to being a DO.
I doubt anything in her letter will even discuss osteopathic medicine.
Is this fine? Are adcoms just looking for any letter that is signed by someone with DO after their name?

When I write letters, I always add a line that states that the individual understands and supports the basic tenets of osteopathic philosophy. In my opinion, it is essential.

 

[AlteredScale]

What are adcoms looking for in the DO letter of rec? Do they want to read about how the student has a deep passion for becoming an osteopathic doctor? Does it need to relate with the DO philosophy?
I volunteer with a DO who is writing me a letter of rec but what we do is nothing specific to being a DO.
I doubt anything in her letter will even discuss osteopathic medicine.
Is this fine? Are adcoms just looking for any letter that is signed by someone with DO after their name?

It would be ideal to find a DO who practices OMM since that is truly a differentiating factor between MD and DO and allows you to really see an important side that makes a DO a DO (meaning learning OMM).

That said, if it is coming from a DO who is not practicing OMM, it would important for you to at the very least reflect through your PS or your experience working with the doctor on how that DO practiced differed.."osteopathically" meaning holistically or something comical like that. Essentially rehash the description below from the AOA web page:

"Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. Emphasizing a whole-person approach to treatment and care, DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well.

DOs receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones. By combining this knowledge with the latest advances in medical technology, they offer patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

Osteopathic physicians focus on prevention, tuning into how a patient's lifestyle and environment can impact their wellbeing. DOs strive to help you be truly healthy in mind, body and spirit -- not just free of symptoms."