Medical How important are physician LoRs?

[TheBoneDoctah]

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My committee letter packet includes letters from an MD and DO. I am applying to both MD and DO schools but am wondering if I should work on getting an additional MD letter. Not sure how much of a difference that would make. Thanks in advance for your input!

I think two physician letters is fine. The more important thing is that you are getting letters from people that know you VERY WELL so they can write you a strong, PERSONAL letter.


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[gyngyn]

Two is more than enough.
Most MD schools don't want them at all and a single DO letter is fine for DO schools.
Some undergraduate schools use physician letters (as a committee requirement) to assure that you have shadowing experience (or so I'm told).

 

[tantacles]

MD letters are not at all necessary, and may not even be particularly special for an MD application, so I wouldn't go out of my way to get another one.

 

[Goro]

MD letters are not at all necessary, and may not even be particularly special for an MD application, so I wouldn't go out of my way to get another one.

Only a handful of MD schools require these.

Most clinician LORs are fluff.

DO schools want to see them because they want to know that you've done due diligence, especially by seeking out a DO. That said, lacking a DO LOR wont' hurt, but having one always helps.