I havent shadowed a DO

[katatak79]

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I have only shadowed an MD who will be writing me a letter. However, I am still interested in applying to some DO schools. Will schools still look at me even if I don't have any LORs from a DO? The rest of my stuff is pretty decent: research, volunteering, EKG tech, etc.

 

[Ypo.]

Some schools require letters from a DO, others don't. DMUCOM doesn't, KCOM does, COMP does, I think LECOM does, MSUCOM doesn't.

It depends on the school. If you don't shadow a DO you probably won't get accepted-they want to know if you understand what you are getting into and osteopathic philosophy.

 

[DrMom]

OSU-COM requires a DO letter.

 

[cooldreams]

u dont have to shadow one to get in im sure. it is a bit of a negative to not have one though. but if you can get to an interview, they are probablly saying they are willing to overlook it for now and will then be asking you in your interview if you can tell them what you know about osteopathy.

something else to keep in mind, and i think its been said on here before, there ARE fewer DOs out there right now, so it IS harder to get a letter from one. but really, it is still quite easy, just call up your state AOA, and have them put you in touch with one who is willing to let you shadow him/her. it is real easy to do that, and shows interest beyond what the typical premed calling up a doc's office might otherwise be showing.

 

[redsox24]

Correction, yposhelley...KCOM requires that you have a LOR from a physician, MD or DO.

 

[Ypo.]

Correction, yposhelley...KCOM requires that you have a LOR from a physician, MD or DO.

Sorry, I forget-its been so many secondaries...my bad

 

[Mr. Seeds]

Correction, yposhelley...KCOM requires that you have a LOR from a physician, MD or DO.

COMP also only requires an LOR from a physician, MD or DO. They do say, like everyone else, that they prefer one from a DO (which I don't have 😳 )

I have 3 MD letters though, so hopefully 3 MD's will equal 1 DO. 😀

 

[bostongirl22]

I can't remember if UNECOM required a DO letter or not, but I would highly recommend trying to get one regardless. If you cannot do this I would recommend at least shadowing a DO for a day. Having served on the interview committee as a student interviewer, I can tell you that a very common question was "what do you know about osteopathic medicine and have you ever shadowed a DO?" It would only be to your benefit.

Good Luck!


UNECOM MSIII

 

[docbill]

UNECOM doesn't .. but they prefer you do. I don't think I would have gotten an interview with out one.. but than again you never know.

 

[Wahoowa]

u dont have to shadow one to get in im sure. it is a bit of a negative to not have one though. but if you can get to an interview, they are probablly saying they are willing to overlook it for now and will then be asking you in your interview if you can tell them what you know about osteopathy.

something else to keep in mind, and i think its been said on here before, there ARE fewer DOs out there right now, so it IS harder to get a letter from one. but really, it is still quite easy, just call up your state AOA, and have them put you in touch with one who is willing to let you shadow him/her. it is real easy to do that, and shows interest beyond what the typical premed calling up a doc's office might otherwise be showing.

I agree with you completely. Here is what I did. I got onto the AMA website (yes AMA), and went to the "Find a Physician" section of the website. Surprisingly, there are quite a few DO's that are members of the AMA listed with the MD's. I contacted a few of them and narrowed it down to the most promising ones. Then I set up appointments to meet with them and discuss my goals and give them a CV. I got an excellent letter this way and got to understand osteopathic medicine through my contact with a particular DO that was completely helpful.