LOR from an MD??

[LilJay]

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I have called several DO's in my area, and pretty much received no response from any of them...im guessing its cause they all work in private practices...

Anyways, Im sure I can get a LOR form an MD...but I know Osteopathic Schools prefer DO ones. With this in mind, how much of a disadvantage are you at if you have only shadowed and received a LOR from an MD, and not a DO? I will probably keep searching for a DO to shadow, but I want to get a LOR in now so my applications can be completed faster.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I have called several DO's in my area, and pretty much received no response from any of them...im guessing its cause they all work in private practices...

Anyways, Im sure I can get a LOR form an MD...but I know Osteopathic Schools prefer DO ones. With this in mind, how much of a disadvantage are you at if you have only shadowed and received a LOR from an MD, and not a DO? I will probably keep searching for a DO to shadow, but I want to get a LOR in now so my applications can be completed faster.

A DO letter is undoubtedly helpful for your DO app, especially at schools that REQUIRE or HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. That being said, an MD letter from someone who knows you well can be much more helpful than one from a DO who doesn't. Keep trying to pursue the DO letter, especially if you're applying to schools that require it, but it's not the end of the world.

 

[Bond8204]

An MD letter will do, even from schools that "highly recommend" a DO letter as said above. What you should make sure to get if you go that route, though, is some personal experience (e.g. shadowing as you said) with a DO so that you can talk about experience with one in an interview type setting. Schools are looking for somebody to confirm your healthcare experience.

 

[FightOn]

I have called several DO's in my area, and pretty much received no response from any of them...im guessing its cause they all work in private practices...

Anyways, Im sure I can get a LOR form an MD...but I know Osteopathic Schools prefer DO ones. With this in mind, how much of a disadvantage are you at if you have only shadowed and received a LOR from an MD, and not a DO? I will probably keep searching for a DO to shadow, but I want to get a LOR in now so my applications can be completed faster.

I submitted a M.D. LOR and did not have a problem from any of the schools I applied to. In addition, I did not shadow a D.O. before applying to D.O. schools (M.D.'s only). However, I work as a registered nurse and worked very closely with the MD that wrote my letter. She was able to write a very strong letter.