Letters from DO's for MD programs

[Dr Fleischman]

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Are they worth anything? Obviously, being a DO student who has worked with several great DO physicians, I think, "Of course they should be." But being pragmatic, I understand some allopathic programs might not consider a LOR from a DO as much as they would one from an MD. Is this true? I live in Kansas City, a highly DO-populated city, and my school has set me up with mainly DO's to rotate with.

What are some ways to get letters from MD's without actually rotating a month with them? Non-traditional measures. Maybe a weekend with them when you're off from your rotation, something like that. Would that work?

 

[It'sElectric]

Are they worth anything? Obviously, being a DO student who has worked with several great DO physicians, I think, "Of course they should be." But being pragmatic, I understand some allopathic programs might not consider a LOR from a DO as much as they would one from an MD. Is this true? I live in Kansas City, a highly DO-populated city, and my school has set me up with mainly DO's to rotate with.

What are some ways to get letters from MD's without actually rotating a month with them? Non-traditional measures. Maybe a weekend with them when you're off from your rotation, something like that. Would that work?

Get 2 strong SLORs from allopathic programs during the beginning of 4th year. Then feel free to throw 1 or 2 additional letters in from whomever. Some say more letters from EM docs, others say get them from other services (not sure there's really a right answer there). Ultimately, the SLORs are what they care about. Not sure how your 3rd year EM experience is set up (if any at all), but if it's in the community, I would try and get it somewhere that you can work with an attending(s) who is board certified.

 

[Bitsy]

You will definitely want your letters from physicians that you have done a rotation with. Schedule your sub-i's at places with strong ER residency programs (if ER is what you're wanting to do) at the very beginning of your 4th year and make sure to get letters of recommendation from them.

 

[docB]

I rotated at Einstein in Philly and I got letters from both Doug McGee (the PD) and Jack Kelly (the chair), both DOs and I think they helped. I was (am) an MD. I think it has more to do with the quality of the letter and the writer than the degree.

 

[theunc31]

Both of my letters were 'program letters' that were written by a D.O. They were from allopathic programs though.

 

[xuou0510]

My SLORs came from osteopathic physicians and I match (2nd choice 🙂) but it was at a place that I rotated. If you get your SLORs from osteopathic physicians just be prepared to get asked about them on every interview cause I did.

 

[MSmentor018]

I used 2 DO and 2 MD letters (ERAS only allows 4). plus brought in extras during the interview from other MD PD's. all were very strong and I figured it couldn't hurt. no problems at all in matching into MD program