DO letter

[Fp02c]

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On average.... how long after you started shadowing a DO did you ask him/her for a letter of recomendation.

 

[pingouin]

Moving to pre-osteo..

 

[prionsRbad]

I let my DO know up front that I needed a LOR. If you haven't already told them, they are probably expecting it anyway.

Just tell them that you would appreciate a LOR when they feel comfortable writing you one that can attest to your excellent patient skills and deep understanding of osteopathic medicine. 😉

Good Luck

 

[TexasTriathlete]

This reminds me of that scene in "Swingers" where they're talking about how long you have to wait after getting a girl's phone number before you can call her.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

By the way, from volunteering in the ER, I got a DO to write me a killer letter. I never shadowed him, and he was hardly my best buddy or anything, but I was around a lot, and he definitely knew who I was. I just came up to him, and asked, and he had no problem with it. Just a nice guy who was more than willing to help.

At least I think it was a good letter. I never saw it, but it was a couple pages long, according to Interfolio.

I never formally shadowed anyone, but volunteering in a busy trauma center, surrounded by DO's, seems to be a far better way to go if that is an option for you.

Actually, I know quite a few DO's from there, and several of them would have bent over backwards to help me, or so it seemed. I think that I was able to show them more about myself than I would have during any kind of formal shadowing. They got to see me working and helping out, rather than just following them around.

Just my opinion. Nothing better than a situation where you can be around a bunch of docs.

 

[TheLegendofEdel]

On average.... how long after you started shadowing a DO did you ask him/her for a letter of recomendation.

Well...I believe most people don't just shadow doctors for no reason, so I'm assuming that the DO knows that you want him/her to write you an LOR. Just ask the doctor if he/she would write you an LOR when they feel that they have enough information to judge your character and work ethic and whatnot. I did this, and my DO told me to write the letter for myself and then he would sign it and send it out. Couldn't have worked better.

 

[olivetofu]

When I was setting up times to come in for shadowing, I immediately brought it up and the doctor was more than willing because he expected it. In fact, he told me I only needed to be there for a few days. I was there only for a few days (about 24 hours), and he felt ready to write a strong LOR.

I think there's no set amt of time you need to spend with a DO in order to get a letter. You should be up front about it.

Good luck!

 

[ComicBookDude]

I asked my DO for a letter after shadowing him for the third and last time. Then again, the DO was a family friend so he already knew me before.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

i think i kinda overdid compared to you guys...
i shadowed my DO on more than 15 separate occasions in durations exceeding 4 hours each =/
but i ended up having to write my own letter as well! (well im actually writing it right now)
-matt

 

[ziggy10]

I've just started considering to pursue DO, so I haven't worked on my shadowing. I know a couple of schools that accepts MD LOR. Would this hurt my application if I get a MD LOR instead of a DO LOR? Plus is there a lot of school out there that accepts either MD/DO LOR? How many hours per week and what time frame would be considered good shadowing?

I'm having a hard time finding someone to shadow. My strategy right now is to look at the phone book and ask doctors. I've been out of school and working so the doctor that I've been around from my ER volunteer probably don't remember me since I hardly talked to him during the time. Care to share what's your strategy on getting a shadowing opportunity?

 

[slim78]

I've just started considering to pursue DO, so I haven't worked on my shadowing. I know a couple of schools that accepts MD LOR. Would this hurt my application if I get a MD LOR instead of a DO LOR? Plus is there a lot of school out there that accepts either MD/DO LOR? How many hours per week and what time frame would be considered good shadowing?

I'm having a hard time finding someone to shadow. My strategy right now is to look at the phone book and ask doctors. I've been out of school and working so the doctor that I've been around from my ER volunteer probably don't remember me since I hardly talked to him during the time. Care to share what's your strategy on getting a shadowing opportunity?

I had an MD letter. Won't hurt you if you can convince them of WHY you want to be a DO. I know for sure the LECOM schools gave me a hard time about it but they too eventually offered me an interview.

The rest of the schools on my MDApps (you can look) didn't seem to mind.

Provided the rest of your APP is good I don't think it will be a problem.

 

[prionsRbad]

I've just started considering to pursue DO, so I haven't worked on my shadowing. I know a couple of schools that accepts MD LOR. Would this hurt my application if I get a MD LOR instead of a DO LOR? Plus is there a lot of school out there that accepts either MD/DO LOR? How many hours per week and what time frame would be considered good shadowing?

I'm having a hard time finding someone to shadow. My strategy right now is to look at the phone book and ask doctors. I've been out of school and working so the doctor that I've been around from my ER volunteer probably don't remember me since I hardly talked to him during the time. Care to share what's your strategy on getting a shadowing opportunity?

I think you should go ahead and get a LOR from a DO since you have the time. Sounds like you're not applying until the summer, right? You can find DOs in your area here: http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=findado_main or just do some googling/phone book searching and call around . . . it shouldn't be hard to find someone. It also depends on which schools you're interested in, as some of them require a letter from a DO. You can do a search or look up LOR requirements on each schools website to see which ones require it.

Good Luck

 

[Flushot]

It seems I will be doing this as well. I'm glad to know it worked out pretty well for everyone, since I would feel better just being upfront and saying that I need a letter.

Question though: would it be too imposing to tell the DO over the phone (while scheduling shadowing times) that you need a letter? Or do you all think that it is better in person?

 

[aliDO]

On average.... how long after you started shadowing a DO did you ask him/her for a letter of recomendation.

6 months, although i'm sure I could have asked earlier.

 

[ziggy10]

It seems I will be doing this as well. I'm glad to know it worked out pretty well for everyone, since I would feel better just being upfront and saying that I need a letter.

Question though: would it be too imposing to tell the DO over the phone (while scheduling shadowing times) that you need a letter? Or do you all think that it is better in person?

I don't think it would be imposing to tell the DO over the phone that you would be needing a recommendation. If you ask the DO in person, it might seem like you are putting him/her on the spot to say yes. Plus, DOs know that DO schools require a recommendation and they're probably expecting that you'd ask anyway. I asked the DO I'm currently shadowing over the phone right after we scheduled my shadowing and she seemed very okay when I asked her.

 

[Flushot]

Well, my problem is that the DO shadowing I scheduled was done with the receptionist, so I didn't even get to talk to him. I still have to ask him though, so I figure why not in person.

Even over the phone, it would be difficult for the DO to say no. I mean, if they don't have time, they might just ask you to write it, although I hope that isn't the case for me.

Anyhow, I'm scheduled for next week so I'll let you guys know how he reacts, although I bet it'll be nothing special.

 

[Alfalfa Bill]

Most physicians are really willing to write LORs. Many feel it is their duty to help along others. Just like you, they had to shadow a DO and ask them for a LOR. Unless you come off as a complete jerk, most DOs will be more than happy to write one, also they like to show off.

I would recommend finding a DO to write a letter then just using MDs. It certainly makes things easier when it comes down to the interview. That removes one possible criticism of you application.