LOR from DO Without Shadowing???

[gemshell]

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Hi, I'm a Canadian applicant hoping to go to NSU, which requires an LOR from a DO. Here in Canada, there are not many DO's and in Ontario, I think there are only 3-4 practicing DO's. I contacted one of them, and although I am not able to shadow him at this time (he works in the ER), he offered to write me an LOR as long as I provide him with my CV and a letter describing my medically-related experiences. I also plan to shadow an osteopathic practitioner (that's what you are when you train in Canada!) to get experience with OMT. I'm wondering if this will be acceptable - getting an LOR from a DO without shadowing. My GPA and MCAT are above average, so I'm hoping this will be okay. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Khenon]

I hadn't actually shadowed the DO that wrote my letter. We had worked together in a research lab (I actually trained her) and that's how we got to know each other. Then she also asked for my CV and such to write me a letter. At the time I was applying that was the only DO I even knew, much could ask for a letter. I did have other shadowing experience (from an MD . . . did not ask for a letter) and I had contacted another DO to hopefully get some direct shadowing experience. I included all this information in my application and secondaries. I got in, so obviously it wasn't completely necessary for me to shadow the person actually writing me a letter. Granted I never pointed out the fact that I hadn't directly shadowed her . . . and they never asked. 🙂 I guess maybe I "bent" the rules a little with that one.

 

[cdreed]

Hi, I'm a Canadian applicant hoping to go to NSU, which requires an LOR from a DO. Here in Canada, there are not many DO's and in Ontario, I think there are only 3-4 practicing DO's. I contacted one of them, and although I am not able to shadow him at this time (he works in the ER), he offered to write me an LOR as long as I provide him with my CV and a letter describing my medically-related experiences. I also plan to shadow an osteopathic practitioner (that's what you are when you train in Canada!) to get experience with OMT. I'm wondering if this will be acceptable - getting an LOR from a DO without shadowing. My GPA and MCAT are above average, so I'm hoping this will be okay. Any help is appreciated!

I never shadowed or met in person the DO who wrote my LOR. I did speak to him by phone and provide him with my CV and personal statement. Guess it worked. I start my MSIII rotations in three weeks. 🙂

 

[DocGina]

I never shadowed the DO who wrote my LOR. However, I was a patient of his for 16 years, so I think I learned more from him than what I learned from all the physicians (DO and MD) I've shadowed!

 

[Funkdoctor]

I contacted one of them, and although I am not able to shadow him at this time (he works in the ER), he offered to write me an LOR as long as I provide him with my CV and a letter describing my medically-related experiences.QUOTE]

I know that you will think that this is a really stupid question, but what the hell is a CV?

 

[VUMD2be]

I know that you will think that this is a really stupid question, but what the hell is a CV?

cv = curriculum vitae.
fancy and more professional way to say resume. docs' and prof's cvs generally include a list of their research pubs.

 

[docbill]

he's a good guy.... tell him docbill sais hi.

 

[FutureDocDO]

I know that you will think that this is a really stupid question, but what the hell is a CV?[/QUOTE]



I was wondering about the same thing, but didn't have the gut to ask 🙂 . We're in the same boat.

 

[gemshell]

Thanks everyone for your help. Don't worry, I didn't know what a CV was until last year anyways!

 

[drgreeneatutk]

I didn't shadown the DO who is writing my LOR. My dad (an MD) works with him sometimes in the OR and I took SCUBA diving lessons with his daughter and that's about the extent to which I know him. I did go over to his house though and talk with him for about 1.5 hours about a bunch of different DO/Medical School related things and he offered to write me a letter before I even asked, so it was all good. Although I'm just applying now so I can't say with any certinty if it will affect me later in the app. process.
FutureDocDO, most definetly not a dumb question, but be glad you found out what it is on here unlike me. I went to my clinical immunology prof (in my med tech program) who is an MD and asked him to write me a LOR and he said he'd be happy to but wanted a copy of CV. I just stood there looking ******ed as I asked him what a CV was and the only reply I got was "curriculum vitae"; which, needless to say, didn't shed any light on the situation for me. Oh well, I just said sure that I'd get it to him and then looked it up on the internet.

 

[misparas]

Speaking of letters... I have read that some schools require a non-relative (by blood, or marriage) to write the letter. My wife's sister's husband is a DO and is my main source of info. He has written a letter for me already. First, is the in-law of my in-laws too close a relation? Second, do you know what schools have this requirement?

 

[docbill]

why would you disclose this information to the schools. Blood relative?

Brothers wifes cousins uncle's son is OKAY.

 

[gagolden]

Just call Nova-
Im sure that they will wave the required DO letter in exchange of a MD letter if you just tell em your situation. If they say no, thier stupid for turning down a qualified applicant bacause they live in Canada, apply somewhere else.

 

[mx_599]

Speaking of letters... I have read that some schools require a non-relative (by blood, or marriage) to write the letter. My wife's sister's husband is a DO and is my main source of info. He has written a letter for me already. First, is the in-law of my in-laws too close a relation? Second, do you know what schools have this requirement?

Different last name...right? With thousands of letters, admissions doesn't have time to look up Family Trees.

 

[docbill]

Just call Nova-
Im sure that they will wave the required DO letter in exchange of a MD letter if you just tell em your situation. If they say no, thier stupid for turning down a qualified applicant bacause they live in Canada, apply somewhere else.

actually I asked last year and they refused to make acceptions. They said there is still lots of time to get to know a DO in the US or in Canada.

 

[lktm831]

im having the worst time trying to find a DO to shadow and have them write me a letter. Every office i've called they told me that they don't have the time and there aren't any opportunities for me to meet w/ the physician.

any suggestions on what i should do? should i write a letter? come in the office?

 

[BradenDO]

Just curious, but how many LORs do you actually need from a doctor? Is one enough?

Braden