LoR from DO that I shadowed for one day?

[winterwind_23]

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Is it OK for me to get a letter of recommendation from a DO I shadowed for only one day? I shadowed a DO for a day last week, and at the end of the day, he asked me to send an email with a paragraph about myself and a paragraph about what I learned that day. He then sent me a short outline of a letter, which I fleshed out and sent back to him for submission. Does it look bad if I get a letter from a DO I shadowed for only one day?

Thanks!

 

[Major]

You can't shadow him anymore?

 

[winterwind_23]

You can't shadow him anymore?

I didn't bring it up, but he offered to write me the letter at the end of the day. Even if I were to shadow him more, I'm already in communication with him about the letter (I just sent him a draft). So it might not make a huge difference in what actually goes in the letter.

 

[Major]

You didn't answer the question...

 

[MiaMia14]

My letter was from a DO I just met and talked with for a half
hour or so. Shadowing really doesn't give the person much to talk about anyway besides hopefully "has a passion for medicine". I honestly don't think it's a big deal. I was never asked in med school applications about who wrote my letters...probably meant they were probably pretty average but I still got accepted so it obviously didn't matter. If you want to continue shadowing for your own edification that's good, but if you really just want the letter, I don't see any problem with it.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I technically never shadowed the DO I got an actual letter from (I did work with him for six months tho). A DO letter is just another check mark on the list for most schools. If he will give you a decent positive letter, I suggest you take it and run. I work in the hospital and had a bear of a time getting a DO letter. It doesn't need to be awesome, but your case will really be helped if you have one (I didn't get accepted to any DO school till I did, and I don't think its a coincidence, they care a lot about this IMO).

 

[Roxas]

Is it OK for me to get a letter of recommendation from a DO I shadowed for only one day? I shadowed a DO for a day last week, and at the end of the day, he asked me to send an email with a paragraph about myself and a paragraph about what I learned that day. He then sent me a short outline of a letter, which I fleshed out and sent back to him for submission. Does it look bad if I get a letter from a DO I shadowed for only one day?

Thanks!

Go for it. All of my shadowing experiences were so awkward that more time with them undoubtedly did more harm than good. Get your letter and gtfo

 

[Bones 2020]

I told my college of science pre-med advisor that I had not shadowed a DO when she brought up getting a letter from one. She said that once you shadow (I already have for an MD), it is pretty much all the same. I have been treated by a DO for years, and she said just meeting him a day or two to talk about DO should suffice

 

[winterwind_23]

You can't shadow him anymore?

I didn't ask at the end of the day, and at this point, I think it is too late to request another shadowing date. Also, the DO's clinic is close to an hour away, so I'd honestly rather not make the trip again. So no, I'm not shadowing him again.

And thanks everyone for the responses! I'll go ahead and submit this letter when I apply. It'll be a positive letter, though short and generic. At least it shows I have some exposure to osteopathic medicine and doesn't say anything bad about me! Good to know that others have had similar letters but still got in. 🙂

 

[JeBrAs]

Just another example here. I never got the chance to shadow a DO, but I did get to interview one in his office for an hour and talk about Osteopathic Medicine. They guy was so nice he offered to write me a letter before I got the chance to ask. Good thing I had a resume and my PS prepared to give him, he also sent me off with a couple of books to read to use in preparation for the app cycle. Just having a DO letter was all that was needed, I had plenty of shadowing with MDs. I was only asked about my DO letter by the a school I interviewed at that my DO letter writer graduated medical school from.

 

[Crookster]

Just another example here. I never got the chance to shadow a DO, but I did get to interview one in his office for an hour and talk about Osteopathic Medicine. They guy was so nice he offered to write me a letter before I got the chance to ask. Good thing I had a resume and my PS prepared to give him, he also sent me off with a couple of books to read to use in preparation for the app cycle. Just having a DO letter was all that was needed, I had plenty of shadowing with MDs. I was only asked about my DO letter by the a school I interviewed at that my DO letter writer graduated medical school from.

Was just wondering what books he recommended or that you recommend someone read before osteopathic interviews? I've heard the DO's by Gevitz is a good one to read any others?

 

[JeBrAs]

Was just wondering what books he recommended or that you recommend someone read before osteopathic interviews? I've heard the DO's by Gevitz is a good one to read any others?

One of the books he sent me out with was just like a coffee table book, a historical picture book about Osteopathic Medicine. The other was the one that you mentioned, The DOs by Gevitz.

 

[shaggybill]

I didn't shadow the DO I got a letter from either. We met for the first time over sushi, we talked, he agreed to write me the letter, then he paid for my sushi and I never saw him again.

 

[petyr_baelish]

I didn't shadow the DO I got a letter from either. We met for the first time over sushi, we talked, he agreed to write me the letter, then he paid for my sushi and I never saw him again.

This made me LOL for some reason. That is an efficient way to go about things.

 

[MarshMedic]

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[xBODOMx]

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[dapdrow]

I was able to recently meet with a DO. We spent a little over an hour talking about what she does and what my plans are. Then we scheduled a day where I could shadow her the entire day. She is pretty busy so I won't push for more---she's the only person I got a response from so I will take it and run.

 

[umfc7181]

I think it's natural to be hesitant, but like many have said most docs know the game you have to get this letter and are usually very happy to help out. Seems like you did well and obviously he offered so I think more shawdowing would just be for your benifit. Shadowed a DO for one afternoon and got a letter. Although he is my primary care doc now lol so that might have helped