Do vs md letter

[dreamer1994]

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This might be a petty question. I recently received a DO letter for my application to DO schools. I was thinking of sending it to MD schools as well but it says things like “demonstrates unique interest in osteopathic practice and omt”. would this potentially hurt my chances if sent to MD schools? thanks

 

[ppushpak]

I don't think it hurts your chances but I think Adcoms might question your judgment if you send a DO letter to an MD school, especially since you know it could be a DO specific letter (you do know this but Adcoms don't know that you had a chance to read it)

 

[dreamer1994]

I don't think it hurts your chances but I think Adcoms might question your judgment if you send a DO letter to an MD school, especially since you know it could be a DO specific letter (you do know this but Adcoms don't know that you had a chance to read it)

Thanks for your reply, I think I just won't risk it as you stated not using the best judgement

 

[candbgirl]

Letters from physicians carry very little if any weight in the MD application process unless specifically required.

 

[chemdoctor]

Agree with the above. Send the DO letters to DO schools. Don’t send it to MD schools

 

[dreamer1994]

Letters from physicians carry very little if any weight in the MD application process unless specifically required.

thanks for your insight, and taking time to reply, appreciated.

 

[dreamer1994]

Agree with the above. Send the DO letters to DO schools. Don’t send it to MD schools

okay, thanks for the advice!

 

[drtribbiani]

Which MD schools are you applying to that require a letter from a doc?

 

[Isoval]

If the letter is a good letter from a physician you spent a lot of time with and who knows you well, send the letter.

If it's a letter you got at the 11th hour to satisfy the DO letter requirement of some of the DO schools, don't send the letter.

In other words, to parrot what everyone else has been saying, the impact of a physician letter is not high in and of itself with most MD schools. The fact that it is a physician letters doesn't do a whole lot. Judge the letter on its own merit before you decide to send or not send. If you think you can get a better letter, that's probably the better option here.

 

[dreamer1994]

If the letter is a good letter from a physician you spent a lot of time with and who knows you well, send the letter.

If it's a letter you got at the 11th hour to satisfy the DO letter requirement of some of the DO schools, don't send the letter.

In other words, to parrot what everyone else has been saying, the impact of a physician letter is not high in and of itself with most MD schools. The fact that it is a physician letters doesn't do a whole lot. Judge the letter on its own merit before you decide to send or not send. If you think you can get a better letter, that's probably the better option here.

I know for fact the letter is a good letter as she let me read it. I also scribed for her so it wouldn’t be a generic shadow letter. I was just nervous about the “demonstrates interest in osteopathic practices” part for an MD school. As opposed to the basic MD letter I have as I only shadowed him

 

[Isoval]

I know for fact the letter is a good letter as she let me read it. I also scribed for her so it wouldn’t be a generic shadow letter. I was just nervous about the “demonstrates interest in osteopathic practices” part for an MD school. As opposed to the basic MD letter I have as I only shadowed him

My present understanding is that this is not an issue unless the letter talks about your inherent love for OMM or something.

 

[stairway2seven]

you can ask her to copy and paste this letter for AMCAS with the DO-specific aspects redacted

 

[dreamer1994]

My present understanding is that this is not an issue unless the letter talks about your inherent love for OMM or something.

ok thank you!

 

[dreamer1994]

you can ask her to copy and paste this letter for AMCAS with the DO-specific aspects redacted

that's a great idea

 

[gyngyn]

Physicians are known to write everybody a gushy letter. That is much of the reason that they are disregarded.
If there is any restriction on the number of letters at a particular MD school, lose this one.
There are a handful of MD schools that request a "clinical" letter. If you are applying to one of these, go ahead and use it.

 

[dreamer1994]

Physicians are known to write everybody a gushy letter. That is much of the reason that they are disregarded.
If there is any restriction on the number of letters at a particular MD school, lose this one.
There are a handful of MD schools that request a "clinical" letter. If you are applying to one of these, go ahead and use it.

ok. And this is regardless of my scribing for her, right?

 

[gyngyn]

ok. And this is regardless of my scribing for her, right?

Was she your employer?

 

[dreamer1994]

Was she your employer?

it was more volunteer scribing, she would allow me to type during her examinations. however I also have a letter from my pharmacist who would serve as more my employer/manager that I will be using.

I see where your going with this though, understood.