Letter from DO doctor w/ low shadowing hours

[77fatcats]

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I'm planning on applying in the upcoming cycle to both MD and DO schools. I've shadowed a few MD doctors and have a decent amount of hours + a letter from the doctor I scribed under. But since many DO schools require a letter from a DO, I decided to shadow a DO doctor as well and he offered to write me a letter after I shadowed him once (for just a few hours).

Would it look bad to have a letter from a doctor who I clearly don't know well, especially since schools will see under my activities section that I only was with him for a few hours? He seemed pretty busy and I doubt he really wants to deal with the extra responsibility of having me shadow as well. I also don't know how to get to know a doctor well through just shadowing so I'm unsure if the letter would be more personalized if I shadowed him a few more times. Is there a certain amount of shadowing hours I should meet from the doctor I get a letter from?

 

[ecobio]

Every DO school I applied to didn't require a DO letter, although some "recommended" it. Im under the impression that most dont need it. You're already in a good place with some DO shadowing. Probably better to omit a weak letter.

 

[Goro]

I'm planning on applying in the upcoming cycle to both MD and DO schools. I've shadowed a few MD doctors and have a decent amount of hours + a letter from the doctor I scribed under. But since many DO schools require a letter from a DO, I decided to shadow a DO doctor as well and he offered to write me a letter after I shadowed him once (for just a few hours).

The bolded is no longer true.

 

[Breadman10]

I was in the same situation as you last year. I asked for a letter from a DO I shadowed for ~ 6 hours and he wrote me one. Didnt seem to effect my application at all.

 

[bankedsynapse]

Every DO school I applied to didn't require a DO letter, although some "recommended" it. Im under the impression that most dont need it. You're already in a good place with some DO shadowing. Probably better to omit a weak letter.

Seconding this. I have gotten several II and A's from DO schools this cycle and had 0 DO shadowing and 0 DO LORs. I would prioritize letter writers who can write a strong letter vs the DO who doesn't know you.

 

[Hollow Knight]

If a doctor asks to write you a letter, take it. They’re probably chill and cool and will write something at least mildly positive. It’s not like they’re gonna trash you in it or anything.

The vast majority of letters I read are generic and useless anyway. It is very, very rare for a letter to tell me anything other than you aren’t a serial killer probably

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The vast majority of letters I read are generic and useless anyway. It is very, very rare for a letter to tell me anything other than you aren’t a serial killer probably

Music break.

You mean, Psycho Killer. 🙂

 

[esob]

If you have a premed committee or similar at your school, getting as many letters as possible never hurts. The advisor/faculty who helps to assemble your packet should read your letters and let you know if any need to be left out and what order they should go in.