LOR/Shadowing Question with DO and MD applications

[irishnerd26]

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Hi everyone!
So right now I have 4 recommendation letters submitted to my pre-med committee:
1. Science Professor I've known since Freshman year
2. Science Professor/Professor for course I TA'd - known since Freshman year
3. Research PI (also one of my science professors, also the head of pre-med committee)
4. Volunteer Advisor - known since Freshman year

I am applying to DO and MD schools, would it be beneficial to send the DO letter to the MD schools (I've known the letter writer for 2 years personally and professionally)? I've read that any physician letters are considered fluff for MD schools in general, but didn't know if it would help me provide ADCOMs another perspective of me?

Also as far as shadowing goes, I tried to do a search but came up empty, would it be beneficial to include my DO shadowing hours on my MD application or leave them out?

 

[dr.0ne]

read my signature

I am applying to DO and MD schools, would it be beneficial to send the DO letter to the MD schools (I've known the letter writer for 2 years personally and professionally)? I've read that any physician letters are considered fluff for MD schools in general, but didn't know if it would help me provide ADCOMs another perspective of me?

do letter to MD: no, i dont think so. i would strongly advise against this

is the md physician a PI for research? if yes, then give it. if it's for shadowing, it's not worth it.

Also as far as shadowing goes, I tried to do a search but came up empty, would it be beneficial to include my DO shadowing hours on my MD application or leave them out?

no. md adcoms will ask you why you aren't doing DO instead. and if you say you've applied to both, you shoot yourself in the foot. bad move

 

[Catalystik]

Also as far as shadowing goes, I tried to do a search but came up empty, would it be beneficial to include my DO shadowing hours on my MD application or leave them out?

It's fine to include any physician shadowing, MD or DO, on the activities portion of an MD application, along with specialty, total hours, and contact info.

 

[gyngyn]

I've read that any physician letters are considered fluff for MD schools in general, but didn't know if it would help me provide ADCOMs another perspective of me?

Also as far as shadowing goes, I tried to do a search but came up empty, would it be beneficial to include my DO shadowing hours on my MD application or leave them out?

The shadowing letters are fluff at MD schools, not the shadowing experience.
That is all yours to use as part of your personal narrative. No one else is going to do a better job of it.
Just put the shadowing in the activities portion of the primary (as indicated by @Catalystik).

 

[thebigdawg]

👍I sent a DO letter to MD schools and it worked out fine, just be ready for the why MD over DO question in interviews.

 

[irishnerd26]

Thank you everyone for your replies, it is all very helpful as always!