Does anyone have any idea on which schools will give you an invite or allow your secondary to be complete without a LOR from a DO? I'm currently struggling to find a DO to shadow, and have finally found one to meet with and set up shadowing opportunities, but I'm unsure how long it will take to receive a letter. Also, does anyone have any tips or advice on how long to wait/how to ask for one? Thank you all!
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Hi, I know that northeast schools that don't are PCOM, NYIT, and rowan university. I'm not sure about other areas though
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It sounds like you've got your foot in the door. I shadowed for 5 days before asking and felt really shy about it too. After all... what can a physician letter say? "sat quietly in a corner," "came well dressed," "asked smart questions they will forget the answer to about things they won't learn until 2 years from now?"
Just ask. Be up front and say it's part of the DO application process. They will understand I am sure.
Just ask. Be up front and say it's part of the DO application process. They will understand I am sure.
Definitely be up-front and make sure they are willing/have the time to write you a letter before shadowing. Better to find out that they are unable to early on than to spend a week shadowing and then have to search for other opportunities. Also make sure to send a thank you letter and provide them with a resume/CV and personal statement if they agree.
As a caveat, even the schools that do not REQUIRE THEM mention that its strongly recommended. This is pure speculation, but I think if you don't have a letter you'd better have a D.O. who is a family member, not live within driving distance of a D.O., or have shadowed a lot of them.
This. Even if not required, it's becoming increasingly important to have a DO letter.
In my experience, DOs are usually really cool about LORs.. I shadowed three and they all offered before I got the chance to ask. The quickest one offered was after two days. I definitely would shadow for 8+ hours and actively get to know them before springing it. This also just increases the quality of the letter.
Good luck op!
Remember this... You don't really have to shadow someone to get a letter. A lot of physicians are just way too busy or their are too many requirements in their practice or hospital to take pre-med students for shadowing. But, keep in mind that most of these DO's had to have letters themselves and understand your plight. Use the phones, offices, emails, faxes... whatever you can to get your foot in the door. Keep in mind, though, that the people answering the phones and checking the faxes are often very protective of their doctor. You have to be persistent. Remember too that persistence can pay off. As a LECOM graduate there is a form that I or my fellow graduates can fill out that will give you a guaranteed interview if we feel you deserve it. Don't know if other schools offer this or not.