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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
DO Shadowing
Started by L@vishly4rugal
no, no, 0.
You should shadow a DO that practices OMT just so that you have an idea what you are getting into. Asking for a LOR isnt as awkward as you think. Most doctors had to go through the same hoops, and if they allow you to shadow them there is an unspoken assumption that they will be willing to write you a letter.
Also, these are questions you should be asking your pre-med advisor.
You should shadow a DO that practices OMT just so that you have an idea what you are getting into. Asking for a LOR isnt as awkward as you think. Most doctors had to go through the same hoops, and if they allow you to shadow them there is an unspoken assumption that they will be willing to write you a letter.
Also, these are questions you should be asking your pre-med advisor.
Oh come on, I think most of us are glad we didn't listen to what our pre-med advisors told us.
I'm new to sdn and didn't know the rules for posting. DO isn't even a path discussed with the advisor. I'm in the process of going back to school. Thanks for all of your help
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Well, most premed advisors are extremely proficient at looking up deadlines for schools they know - for people who don't have the internet.
I got a great letter from a DO I shadowed twice. As well as a great one from a DO I shadowed continuously for over a year. As mentioned above, most physicians, DO or MD, understand we need letters, and are more then happy to help. So find one you whose specialty you are really interested in, and get as much out of it as you can. If they allow you to shadow them, you will most likely have no problem getting a letter too. Good luck.
I never had to ask for a letter. My DO told me, "let me know when you need the letter." He's such a great doctor. All doctors know the process and have a letter, they just insert your name and maybe say a couple nice things specifically about you.
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Wasn't that nice to hear?
Haha it definitely was. It saves me that little awkwardness of asking for it. But it made seem like I was using him for a letter haha which is not false by any means either. I do need the letter but I also need the experience lol
Yea, I wasn't sure how to react either. I was thankful because I wasn't sure how too ask for a letter after only shadowing for a couple days (less than 30 hours at the time) and make it seem like I wasn't just there for the letter. I still shadow him about once a month even though I'm accepted. I'm not sure how someone can truly know you in such a short period of time, but I guess they don't have to. The important thing is just get a letter to fulfill the requirement.
Hey, do you guys think if you worked for a D.O as a medical assistant or something in that nature and they wrote you you a LOR you still need to have hours shadowing the D.O? Sorry if the answer is obvious I just began looking into DO schools and I don't know too much about the application process
That would count and would be very important. I am thinking you are applying next year. This year is kinda late now.
Yes I'm not applying till next year
