Is shadowing the way most people procure a DO LOR

[nm825]

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I am applying this June for osteopathic schools. I have been shadowing an ER DO since December for a total of 50 hours or so. Before I apply, I'll have 75 hours from her. I don't really ask too many questions during it, as she seems so busy, so I wouldn't say she knows a lot about me. I would say this is probably the case for most shadowing experiences. Should I still ask her for a LOR especially considering that I need a DO letter, and this is really my only option?

Also, I'm going to ask for this letter around the start of May. I'm not shadowing again until the end of April, and I don't want to ask via email. Let's say conservatively that I get the letter 2.5 months letter in mid-July. If I have everything else submitted, how much will this month and a half delay hurt me considering I have relatively strong stats (3.67, 3.43, 35)?

 

[DarkMatter0]

I am applying this June for osteopathic schools. I have been shadowing an ER DO since December for a total of 50 hours or so. Before I apply, I'll have 75 hours from her. I don't really ask too many questions during it, as she seems so busy, so I wouldn't say she knows a lot about me. I would say this is probably the case for most shadowing experiences. Should I still ask her for a LOR especially considering that I need a DO letter, and this is really my only option?

Also, I'm going to ask for this letter around the start of May. I'm not shadowing again until the end of April, and I don't want to ask via email. Let's say conservatively that I get the letter 2.5 months letter in mid-July. If I have everything else submitted, how much will this month and a half delay hurt me considering I have relatively strong stats (3.67, 3.43, 35)?

Yes, definitely. Both of my DO letters are related to my shadow experiences (1 FM and 1 EM). I think 50-75 hours spread over several months with one physician is good exposure. Your timeline sounds great.

 

[doctuh_2b]

LOR's are your chance to prove that you are more than just numbers. Do you really want a doctor, who knows nothing about you, to write a letter for you? It may go something like this: "nm825 wants to be a doctor. He/she shadowed me for 75 hours". The next time you shadow, why don't you speak up more and converse with the doctor - ask questions, etc. I can say with confidence that each of my LORs were individually catered towards me through the unique interactions I had.

But then again, you have the high stats, so i'm uncertain how much of an impact LOR's will have for you. It won't be a pushing factor for you 🙂

 

[DarkMatter0]

Since the physician seems very busy, try to make it easy for her to give you what you need(a quality DO LOR). When I ask for LORs, I provide the writer with a curriculum vitae, personal statement, and résumé. Ideally, this will give them sufficient background information and an understanding of the direction you want to go. In addition, I provide them with a thank you letter that touches on the unique experiences that we shared. A DO LOR is a requirement for acceptance at many DO schools. There have been shadow experiences were I was able to actively participate in the caregiving process and others where I was a passive observer. It depends on the situation. My ER shadowing experiences were mostly passive experiences, but I was able to interact and ask questions from physicians, residents, interns, and med students. You have several months before the next application cycle. Good Luck

 

[hallowmann]

I wouldn't give the letter writer 2.5 months to write it unless she's going out of town or something. Give her all the info like DarkMatter said, and give her like 1 month tops. Really it should take her no time, but giving her too much time might just be guaranteeing that she forgets about it until you remind her again.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

In short, yes. How else is someone to get to know you besides shadowing? You've put in the time. I wouldn't hesitate to write a letter if I were the attending (which Im not, but almost)