Letter from physician that I haven't shadowed?

[MedKC]

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This may be a dumb question but here goes. I have had contact with a DO that is out of state and he has helped me a lot with this pre-med journey, so is it wise to get a letter from him? The reason I would ask him is because he knows how determined I am in becoming a DO. Obviously I would shadow him given the chance.

Thanks for your time and thoughts!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

This may be a dumb question but here goes. I have had contact with a DO that is out of state and he has helped me a lot with this pre-med journey, so is it wise to get a letter from him? The reason I would ask him is because he knows how determined I am in becoming a DO. Obviously I would shadow him given the chance.

Thanks for your time and thoughts!

I think the best that you could get is what is called a "character letter." Since you havent really done anything with that person, I would probably avoid it. My school for example will not include letters such as this in their committee letter... just thought I would add that.

 

[MedKC]

I think the best that you could get is what is called a "character letter." Since you havent really done anything with that person, I would probably avoid it. My school for example will not include letters such as this in their committee letter... just thought I would add that.

Ok, good to know, AS. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Ok, good to know, AS. Thanks for the reply.

Sure... I tried this because I was really strapped for time. In the end I ended up taking an extra year to apply and it has been great. Gave me the chance to get an awesome research job and to get the opportunity to shadow a couple DOs (one for like 3 months), and get a good letter out of it. Food for thought.

 

[swinsh01]

This may be a dumb question but here goes. I have had contact with a DO that is out of state and he has helped me a lot with this pre-med journey, so is it wise to get a letter from him? The reason I would ask him is because he knows how determined I am in becoming a DO. Obviously I would shadow him given the chance.

Thanks for your time and thoughts!

I used a letter from my primary care DO that I've known for over 12 years as a letter of reference. I also had a letter from a DO that I shadowed plus my committee letter. So I would agree with Awesome Sauceome, and it would be more of a character letter, which isn't a bad thing to have if you have other letters as well!

 

[MedKC]

I used a letter from my primary care DO that I've known for over 12 years as a letter of reference. I also had a letter from a DO that I shadowed plus my committee letter. So I would agree with Awesome Sauceome, and it would be more of a character letter, which isn't a bad thing to have if you have other letters as well!

Great idea. I'll have other letters as well, but thought it would be nice to have one more.

 

[MedKC]

Sure... I tried this because I was really strapped for time. In the end I ended up taking an extra year to apply and it has been great. Gave me the chance to get an awesome research job and to get the opportunity to shadow a couple DOs (one for like 3 months), and get a good letter out of it. Food for thought.

Thank you, sir.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

This wouldn't be a problem. I would prefer someone that has spent time getting to know you over a guy you shadowed for 2 days.

 

[MedKC]

You should go for it. I also got a character letter from a DO and it helped me get into a school.

Awesome, I will do it. Do I send character letters like I do LORs? How do they know the difference between the two?

 

[MedKC]

Character letters are the same as your other LOR's and carry the same weight. Also, most schools say on their websites that they accept 3 letters. It's better to call them and ask what the actual limit is. For most schools I sent 6 letters!

Nice! I'll do that! More the better, I suppose.