How bad would it be for me to not shadow a DO and not get a LOR from DO?

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Hi, I have shadowed a DO but it was for dermatology and the dermatologist basically told me DO and MD are same thing, which I do not agree with. I actually wanted to ask the dermatologist about being a DO in terms of education, training and treatment technique, but the dermatologist didn't really even acknowledge the difference. I have no intentions of getting a LOR from the dermatologist because I stopped shadowing months ago and never made a good connection.

I have a LOR from a MD who I have shadowed for several months. The MD wrote me a generic 2 paragraph LOR, which basically said I was smart and can grasp things quickly. I have no intentions of using the LOR for MD schools, but only got it in case a DO school I was applying to required a physician letter.

I know some DO schools require a LOR from a DO and I know in either the essay or interview I will be asked about my DO shadowing experience and I would like to have something meaningful to say besides how it's "holistic" and "looking at the patient as a whole person." I think the best position for me would be to shadow a DO who is a primary or internist and one that does OMM.

If I am able to start shadowing in mid July and shadow for about 2 - 3 months, then obtain a generic LOR from a DO, would that be too late even though DO schools have longer cycles?

 

[asdf123g]

not that bad. Only bad for the few schools that require a LOR from a DO. Plenty of people get in without DO LOR and shadowing. It just doesnt hrut to have those things.

 

[radian313]

Im going to take a different stand on this and say, you should by all means try to get one. Yes not everyone has access to a DO, but if you can it will only help and I mean it does help quite a bit. This is because you can relay your message in non-verbal ways that you are all about Osteopathic medicine. I mean how else can one relay this?

Ive spoken to a lot of DO admissions directors, and the fact that many students are taking the new MCAT, there is more emphasis on GPA and ECs now than ever before. This is because the MCAT is a new exam, and so far the scores are all over the place.

 

[Goro]

Well, it kills your chances for those schools that require a DO LOR, for one.

If you live in an area of the country that's DO-rich, like the Midwest, you could be dinged for both bothering to to learn about your future profession (this has happened at my school).

The bold is the best thing that you can do!

IF you live within driving distance of a DO school, go visit them and chat up the DO faculty. My DO colleagues love it when people do this. My Dean likes high MCATs and these DOs will go to the wall for someone with a, say, a 24-25 (which is normally lethal at my school), who impress them as I described.

Hi, I have shadowed a DO but it was for dermatology and the dermatologist basically told me DO and MD are same thing, which I do not agree with. I actually wanted to ask the dermatologist about being a DO in terms of education, training and treatment technique, but the dermatologist didn't really even acknowledge the difference. I have no intentions of getting a LOR from the dermatologist because I stopped shadowing months ago and never made a good connection.

I know some DO schools require a LOR from a DO and I know in either the essay or interview I will be asked about my DO shadowing experience and I would like to have something meaningful to say besides how it's "holistic" and "looking at the patient as a whole person." I think the best position for me would be to shadow a DO who is a primary or internist and one that does OMM.

If I am able to start shadowing in mid July and shadow for about 2 - 3 months, then obtain a generic LOR from a DO, would that be too late even though DO schools have longer cycles?