Former DO Adcom weight

[SpicyFalafel]

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I am currently shadowing a DO/ former Adcom/ former clinical assistant professor as well. He is trying to prep me with everything possible from shadowing/offering a job at his practice/LOR.
My question is how much his LOR/ connection to adcom at certain schools could weigh/factor in acceptance?
@Goro,@gyngyn , @DrMidlife

 

[WedgeDawg]

It's probably not going to make a difference.

 

[AwayFromReality]

It's probably not going to make a difference.

Wouldn't it help OPs chances at the former ADCOMS previous school of employment?

I would imagine a former ADCOM recommending an applicant for admission will hold a lot weight with those actually familiar with the former ADCOM

 

[WedgeDawg]

Wouldn't it help OPs chances at the former ADCOMS previous school of employment?

I would imagine a former ADCOM recommending an applicant for admission will hold a lot weight with those actually familiar with the former ADCOM

What is the LOR going to say that will be helpful to the current admissions committee?

I suspect it will at most get OP a courtesy interview. If OP's app is good, it will stand by itself. If it's mediocre or poor, one LOR from a former adcom member OP is shadowing isn't going to help it out.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

Wouldn't it help OPs chances at the former ADCOMS previous school of employment?

I was thinking this^ or atleast from my state DO school, I have seen 3rd and 4th years students doing some kind of rotations at the clinic. I thought he might be well known at X school to send their students there.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Having a somewhat-connected person say "I recommend this person" is meaningless without the "because" and there doesn't really seem to be a "because" here.

You can either take my word for it, or you can wait until Goro comes and tells you the exact same thing.

 

[AwayFromReality]

What is the LOR going to say that will be helpful to the current admissions committee?

I suspect it will at most get OP a courtesy interview. If OP's app is good, it will stand by itself. If it's mediocre or poor, one LOR from a former adcom member OP is shadowing isn't going to help it out.

I agree 100%, a bad app cannot be salvaged by a great LOR. But being a former ADCOM, one might assume that his/her standards of choosing who to write LOR for would be pretty high. Therefore the OP must have impressed the person enough for them to recommend them. Its all conjecture of course, for all we know that former ADCOM has no different standards than a typical physician writing a LOR for a student that shadowed him/her.

I was thinking this^ or atleast from my state DO school, I have seen 3rd and 4th years students doing some kind of rotations at the clinic. I thought he might be well known at X school to send their students there.

So are you assuming he/she is a former ADCOM because of the 3rd/4th year students doing rotations or you know for a fact he/she is?

 

[mathnerd88]

It depends on the OP's stats. If they are not good at all, then a great LOR won't help. If they are above average/average then it would help get his foot through the door.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

So are you assuming he/she is a former ADCOM because of the 3rd/4th year students doing rotations or you know for a fact he/she is?

I seen a certificate showing that he was a clinical assistant professor at X school. I completely understand if my stats are good, my app will stand by itself, but I am non trad student.

Edit: I have solid GPA with my current US course work/ no MCAT yet.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Just because someone is faculty doesn't in any way mean they are also an adcom.

 

[IslandStyle808]

It will help only in the sense of how long he/she has assessed students. For example, an associate professor letter will not carry as much weight as a full professor and even less so than a chair of a department. This is because of the years they have taught and assessed students (5 years vs. 20 years). Being an adcom won't make a difference in comparison to someone who has assessed students for an equal amount of years and is not an adcom. In the end, an excellent letter of rec. from someone who knows you takes priority. However, in a tie breaker the one who has taught the longest will take priority.

 

[Goro]

His word I'll take more seriously. This is someone who knows what other Adcoms really want. But I do agree with the sentiment that if the stats are poor, this won't be enough to salvage someone.

You have to keep in mind that when I craft a LOR for someone, I pitch it to Adcoms with exactly what they want to hear, and it's indeed with "accept because...", not merely "accept".

So I'm hoping that this LOR writer will do the same for OP!

I am currently shadowing a DO/ former Adcom/ former clinical assistant professor as well. He is trying to prep me with everything possible from shadowing/offering a job at his practice/LOR.
My question is how much his LOR/ connection to adcom at certain schools could weigh/factor in acceptance?
@Goro,@gyngyn , @DrMidlife

 

[WedgeDawg]

It will help only in the sense of how long he/she has assessed students. For example, an associate professor letter will not carry as much weight as a full professor and even less so than a chair of a department. This is because of the years they have taught and assessed students (5 years vs. 20 years). Being an adcom won't make a difference in comparison to someone who has assessed students for an equal amount of years and is not an adcom. In the end, an excellent letter of rec. from someone who knows you takes priority. However, in a tie breaker the one who has taught the longest will take priority.

Yes, but keep in mind OP is only shadowing this person. A shadowing letter isn't going to say anything substantial that can really compare OP to other students.

"ATL shadowed the best out of every student who has ever shadowed me!"

 

[WedgeDawg]

His word I'll take more seriously. This is someone who knows what other Adcoms really want.

Very well, I stand corrected.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

Just because someone is faculty doesn't in any way mean they are also an adcom.

you're right, but he would not lie to me saying he was ADCOM or even bother bragging about it. his reputation speaks volume anyway.

 

[AwayFromReality]

you're right, but he would not lie to me saying he was ADCOM or even bother bragging about it. his reputation speaks volume anyway.

Ahh, you didn't mention that in your post when I asked you if you knew for a fact he is a former ADCOM. You simply said he was a faculty member. @WedgeDawg was going off of you not really confirming that he is in fact an ADCOM

 

[SpicyFalafel]

His word I'll take more seriously. This is someone who knows what other Adcoms really want. But I do agree with the sentiment that if the stats are poor, this won't be enough to salvage someone.

You have to keep in mind that when I craft a LOR for someone, I pitch it to Adcoms with exactly what they want to hear, and it's indeed with "accept because...", not merely "accept".

So I'm hoping that this LOR writer will do the same for OP!

Goro, thanks for your input.
he is not allowing to shadow him only, he is trying to recruit me as part time at his practice to gain more clinical experience as well.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Yes, but keep in mind OP is only shadowing this person. A shadowing letter isn't going to say anything substantial that can really compare OP to other students.

"ATL shadowed the best out of every student who has ever shadowed me!"

I agree this type of letter doesn't carry as much weight versus a volunteer experience or being a student. However, they can still make assessments on how proactive he is and personality traits, since this person has evaluated medical students in the past unlike a physicians who haven't.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I agree this type of letter doesn't carry as much weight versus a volunteer experience or being a student. However, they can still make assessments on how proactive he is and personality traits, since this person has evaluated medical students in the past unlike a physicians who haven't.

I still maintain that shadowing letters are next to useless, but given that many DO schools require a physician letter, I acknowledge that this is probably the best of those OP is going to get.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

It's probably not going to make a difference.

I disagree. Even though a letter wouldn't salvage this person if they had a terrible CV, someone that has been an ADCOM/faculty writing a letter to the particular school they worked in will be weighed more seriously. This person knows the curriculum and has had experience recruiting students.

 

[mathnerd88]

The OP has a cGPA and sGPA of around 2.5 according to his prior posts from October 2014. I'm not sure if this LOR would save someone with that cGPA and sGPA. Also, the OP got his undergrad degree from a foreign university, so I'm not sure how that plays out. It seems that the OP has only taken around 30-40 credits in a US based institution. This is truly a unique situation.

What's your MCAT, OP?

 

[Grace184]

The OP has a cGPA and sGPA of around 2.5 according to his prior posts from October 2014. I'm not sure if this LOR would save someone with that cGPA and sGPA. Also, the OP got his undergrad degree from a foreign university, so I'm not sure how that plays out. It seems that the OP has only taken around 30-40 credits in a US based institution. This is truly a unique situation.

What's your MCAT, OP?

Ooooh and the truth comes out

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

The OP has a cGPA and sGPA of around 2.5 according to his prior posts from October 2014. I'm not sure if this LOR would save someone with that cGPA and sGPA. Also, the OP got his undergrad degree from a foreign university, so I'm not sure how that plays out. It seems that the OP has only taken around 30-40 credits in a US based institution. This is truly a unique situation.

What's your MCAT, OP?

With a 2.5 no letter will get you in, and honestly, even if they could get in, chances are they'd fail the curriculum.

 

[costales]

Does this "former adcom" know about your GPA? If so, I would question his judgment/optimism.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

The OP has a cGPA and sGPA of around 2.5 according to his prior posts from October 2014. I'm not sure if this LOR would save someone with that cGPA and sGPA. Also, the OP got his undergrad degree from a foreign university, so I'm not sure how that plays out. It seems that the OP has only taken around 30-40 credits in a US based institution. This is truly a unique situation.

What's your MCAT, OP?

Yes, both of GPA's listed above is correct, but it is a foreign course work. I am aware of my prior academic performance very well. I am currently doing a 2nd bachelor degree to be equivalent to any trad/non trad US applicant. Also, I am aware that AACOMAS will not include/calculate any GPA for any foreign/transferred into US institution. Therefore, I do not see a a reason to bash me about my GPA. I have more than 50 hours under my belt so far with a solid 4.0 and one single B in calculus. I am proud of what I have done so far considering the fact I work a very demanding physical job/supporting myself/ maintaining my academic/ doing all necessary to have a solid App.

I discussed my situation last year with Goro, and he recommended a post-bacc course work. I am only considering DO schools, and one MD school where I was told by the director of admission that they were only going to look at my US course work regardless if it is all A's or even C's. I see alot of trad/non trad pre-med who are trying to replace old grades/poor grades to gain interview and ultimately acceptance.

In the mean time I have done my search on specific DO schools that require only US course work/ 90 credit hours in the US. I have found that VCOM evaluate applicant on the last 120 credit hours, KCU-COM, MSU-COM, Rocky vista and TCOM.

Edit: no MCAT yet.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

Does this "former adcom" know about your GPA? If so, I would question his judgment/optimism.

The ADCOM knows that I have a foreign transfer credit hours and a 4.0 for my current US course work.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

With a 2.5 no letter will get you in, and honestly, even if they could get in, chances are they'd fail the curriculum.

I never said that I would apply with 2.5 at all. My current course work shows significant trend compared to my academic performance before when I was immature with no motivations or goals in life.
I am confident that I will not fail the curriculum, I see where I stand among other pre-med at my school and on SDN.If someone else could do it using grade replacement and get in, I believe I can do it with out.

 

[SpicyFalafel]

@Goro, do not you think every DO school would emphasize more on my current US work or they would average both, considering the fact that AACOMAS told me school will be able to see your GPA based on US course work only(meaning US cGPA/sGPA only). I would have to list my foreign course work under the original institution abroad. thoughts!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I never said that I would apply with 2.5 at all. My current course work shows significant trend compared to my academic performance before when I was immature with no motivations or goals in life.
I am confident that I will not fail the curriculum, I see where I stand among other pre-med at my school and on SDN.If someone else could do it using grade replacement and get in, I believe I can do it with out.

 

[Goro]

The US work will be weighted more. We have no idea how to assess work done overseas.

@Goro, do not you think every DO school would emphasize more on my current US work or they would average both, considering the fact that AACOMAS told me school will be able to see your GPA based on US course work only(meaning US cGPA/sGPA only). I would have to list my foreign course work under the original institution abroad. thoughts!