MD vs. DO Letter of Rec

[xxabi]

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Hi everyone,

First of, I know this question has been answered before however the most recent response to my question was answered in 2005, so I figured an updated answer wouldn't hurt anyone considering applying DO this June.

I will be applying to both MD and DO schools. For DO schools, I know many say they "prefer" a DO physician LOR. How true is this? Would love to hear from experiences of those of you who have applied to DO schools (and interviewed/been aceepted) in the past couple years.

I have a MD physician that I did research with who I plan to get to write me a LOR, however how imperative is it that i also have a DO letter? Unfortunately, I do not know any DO doctors well enough to say shadow them and ask for a rec, and since it's already April I'm getting a little worried about this since I may not be able to get a DO rec.

Thanks for all your feedback!

 

[DloopF2]

I think that a DO rec is almost an unwritten requirement at most DO schools. A DO school wants to see that you at least put in the time to shadow a DO.

When I got my DO letter I didn't know anyone either. I just did a quick DO google search for physicians in my area and cold called. Yes, it was a pain to get through to the doctor but you got to be presistent and polite.

Most will be surprising receptive to letting a student shadow. They were students once and did the same thing so they understand.

 

[AM508]

A few of the schools require a DO letter. In the case of ones where it is strongly preferred, think about it this way. The school has a whole pile of applications with decent numbers, good EC's, good personal statements AND a DO letter. Then they have a pile with equivalent stats, ECs, and personal statements but no DO letter and they specify that a DO letter is strongly preferred, who do you think will get the interviews? More likely the folks with the DO letters...With that being said I applied with both an MD and DO letter as I couldn't see not covering all my bases.

 

[neontetras]

I sent in my application around December/January with a MD letter only. And then, I followed up with a DO letter in late January (after which I received a flurry of interview invitations).

Also, it doesn't really matter what kind of DO you shadow! I found only DO specialists in my area (GI, neonatology, endocrinology) and the schools I interviewed at were fine with that. My experiences with DOs came up in every interview. I would recommend shadowing a DO physician, being upfront about needing a letter, and asking about their thoughts about OMM/the osteopathic medicine philosophy.

If you're in NYC and looking for a DO to shadow, feel free to PM me! Good luck to you!

 

[Goro]

At my school, we're OK with an MD LOR, but if you have a DO LOR, it's like a bonus. It shows that you've gone the extra mile. You have plenty of time to find a DO to shadow and get a lOR. I would recommend this if you live in a DO-rich region of the country, like the Midwest or the East Coast.

I will be applying to both MD and DO schools. For DO schools, I know many say they "prefer" a DO physician LOR. How true is this? Would love to hear from experiences of those of you who have applied to DO schools (and interviewed/been aceepted) in the past couple years.

I have a MD physician that I did research with who I plan to get to write me a LOR, however how imperative is it that i also have a DO letter? Unfortunately, I do not know any DO doctors well enough to say shadow them and ask for a rec, and since it's already April I'm getting a little worried about this since I may not be able to get a DO rec.

 

[xBODOMx]

.

 

[acapnial]

You don't need a DO letter. The CIB (http://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/cib/2015_cibfull-web.pdf?sfvrsn=8) shows letter requirements under supplemental application requirements. If you don't get a DO letter you can just apply to schools that say MD or DO.

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I had a friend who got into 3 DO schools with just an MD letter. The DO letter is a big bonus more than a hidden requirement for most schools.

 

[xxabi]

Thank you all for your very helpful feedback! I think that my plan of now is to get in contact with a DO physician once I return to my hometown after graduation in May in hopes of shadowing through the summer. Worse come to worse, I'll be able to submit my MD LOR first with my application in early summer, and follow up with a DO recommendation in Aug/Sept.

Thank you again!