My dad is a DO, do I still need to shadow another DO?

[coolbeans151]

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I already have clinical experience in the ER so my question isn't about the clinical exposure, it's more about the formality of shadowing a DO (in a "DO-rich area" as described in a sticky)? Will it benefit my application if I find another DO to shadow or should I find a better way to spend my time/build my resume?

 

[AlteredScale]

I already have clinical experience in the ER so my question isn't about the clinical exposure, it's more about the formality of shadowing a DO (in a "DO-rich area" as described in a sticky)? Will it benefit my application if I find another DO to shadow or should I find a better way to spend my time/build my resume?

I'd say just shadow a DO in primary care who can show you the ropes of OMT in their practice. Beyond that you don't need any more outside DO experience so as long as you've had a substantial amount of time shadowing physicians in general and know what you're getting yourself into. I'm confident you've had that since your dad is a DO.

 

[AM508]

If you want a DO letter of recommendation you will have to come across a DO elsewhere as most schools preclude family from writing letters.

 

[coolbeans151]

I'm not going to get a letter from my dad lol, that seems almost insulting to the adcom But do I still need the letter as a mere formality? Because as far as people have been saying around here, the main purpose of the DO letter is to primarily show that you know what a DO is/does. Because AlteredScale said, I obviously know the ins/outs of being a DO and for me finding another one to shadow wouldn't be about showing that.

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[karling]

I'm not going to get a letter from my dad lol, that seems almost insulting to the adcom But do I still need the letter as a mere formality? Because as far as people have been saying around here, the main purpose of the DO letter is to primarily show that you know what a DO is/does. Because AlteredScale said, I obviously know the ins/outs of being a DO and for me finding another one to shadow wouldn't be about showing that.

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I don't see how shadowing a DO for a few days could do anything but help, especially if you take AlteredScale's advice and find someone who practices OMM. It just gives you more to write about in secondaries and talk about in interviews. You could compare and contrast what you saw your father do and how another DO works. And yes, a DO LOR certainly helps. I believe some schools require it (LECOM, for instance).

Edited for typos...

 

[evooo8]

You have sufficient clinical exposure, but some schools will require a DO letter and others strongly recommend it. I would try to shadow another DO just for the sake of having the letter.

 

[Instatewaiter]

probably a good idea to show you are definitely interested

 

[s5260205]

Several DO schools explicitly require a DO letter and would not accept MD letter at all. You should still shadow a DO to get the LOR.

 

[AM508]

Several DO schools explicitly require a DO letter and would not accept MD letter at all. You should still shadow a DO to get the LOR.

Not to mention that the OP would be competing with many other applicants who do have DO letters.

 

[deleted407021]

Hey, yeah. Hijacking the thread a bit, but I think it's pertinent. Am I correct in thinking that there are a few schools which require DO LORs but set applicants up with a DO who will provide that letter if they don't have it, already. I seem to have read something about that a few times.

 

[IncuriousGeorge]

Hey, yeah. Hijacking the thread a bit, but I think it's pertinent. Am I correct in thinking that there are a few schools which require DO LORs but set applicants up with a DO who will provide that letter if they don't have it, already. I seem to have read something about that a few times.

That is completely false as far as my experience goes.

 

[coolbeans151]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

However, maybe I didn't convey my question well or I'm really misunderstanding what you said.

My question is more about what would be the actual purpose of having that extra DO letter? Correct me if I'm wrong (or tell me if I'm right), but it really seems even more so of simply a formality (or requirement). Here is my reasoning:

A lot of people apply to DO schools as a backup for MD schools due to one reason or another. A DO letter shows that the applicant knows what a DO is and what a DO does. It also shows some level of commitment as the applicant decided to dedicate time to find a DO and to observe them and learn from them.

Personally, I know the ins/outs of what a DO does. I've seen OMM performed (by my father) many times and it's actually kind of cool to watch. I also know what I'd be getting myself into regarding the whole MD/DO discussion.

However, you guys told me to get another letter anyways, because for example, I will be competing with other individuals that do have a DO letter. Doesn't this imply that the simple fact of having a DO letter offers an advantage other than what I already described here (knowing what a DO is)?

I love shadowing and I didn't make this post as an excuse to be lazy; of course having extra clinical experience will only help and not hurt me. The issue is that we do not live in an ideal world. Time is sparse and there are several other things that I could be doing to boost my application besides shadowing a DO. So, if it is a simple formality to have a DO letter, I will gladly go out and get one. However, currently, I still do not understand the reasoning for it other than to fulfill the formality.

Again, please let me know if I am wrong in my thinking.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Knowing what a DO does and having it in writing are two different things. When schools look at your application, they like to see a certified physician sign off saying that you have shadowed him and you have the apporpriate characteristics for medical school regardless of how well you describe your exposure in your PS and secondaries. If your dad wrote the letter, it just looks bad because of course it will come across as biased. So if you choose to skip shadowing another DO and get a letter, then you will not be considered at some schools and you will have a disadvantage. Just how the world works my friend and its better to figure it out now than later. And I dont think it is a formality. Schools need proof and a signed letter is evidence they can keep in file.

 

[songl4a]

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[ortnakas]

How many applicants actually have a DO letter? Looking on the AACOMAS handbook, there was a chart showing how many applicants even knew about DO which was at ~40%.

It depends on the school.

Some schools, like LECOM, require a DO letter. You can get an interview without it, but not accepted without it. SDN lore says they used to offer DO letters on the day of the interview, but I don't know if that's the case, or how strong of a letter it would be (obviously, a letter from someone you've at least shadowed would be better than someone you met for half an hour). At other schools, like RVUCOM, a DO letter is not required but is "strongly recommended."

 

[AM508]

Most schools say that a DO LOR is "strongly recommended". At the end of the day, the OP is at a disadvantage not having one when a school has a pile of applicants with DO LOR's and one applicant saying "gee my dad is a DO so I know all the things". I can't see why he/she would want to start out with a disadvantage, the process is arduous enough as it is.

 

[ananasmed]

Most schools say that a DO LOR is "strongly recommended". At the end of the day, the OP is at a disadvantage not having one when a school has a pile of applicants with DO LOR's and one applicant saying "gee my dad is a DO so I know all the things". I can't see why he/she would want to start out with a disadvantage.

Yeah, this. Basically you don't want to give the adcoms any doubt that you really want this. There are rumors that sometimes the children of physicians can be scrutinized in terms of their commitment to medicine - I guess because there have been applicants who just think they can "fall into medicine" and since their parent is a doctor, they mistakenly think they don't have to show the same types of experiences. Adcoms might think these applicants are being pushed into medicine by their parents or that they feel they are privileged/have some inherent advantage that they don't really have. OP, I don't think you are any of those things, so please don't take this post as an attack. I also have a physician parent, and felt I had to be wary due to these stereotypes when I applied this cycle. You should absolutely be able to talk about your dad as an inspiration for becoming an osteopathic physician, but don't forget to talk about all of your other experiences (that YOU sought out independently, due to your interest in the field!) that have made you choose this path. Having a letter from another DO will simply help to show that your experience with osteopathic medicine is widereaching, and that your motivation for wanting to be a physician truly comes from you.

 

[songl4a]

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[sLaughter]

If you've already shadowed a DO other than your father, get a letter of recommendation from that person. Otherwise, go shadow another DO (can't think of a better use of your time if you want to be one).

 

[IncuriousGeorge]

To OP:
I completely understand where you are coming from.
It's basically like asking your previous boss to write you a recommendation letter when applying to a new job in a field that you've been working in for 20+years.
You obviously have the knowledge and skills of that job, which you can show in person if you were ever given a chance.

HOWEVER, like @PlaqueBuster has said, LOR is different from exposure/knowledge. DO LOR can talk about your passion, knowledge, personality, commitment, enthusiasm, dedication, and other characteristics that just growing up under your DO father can't.

And come on, how hard can it be to find a DO who will let you shadow and write a great LOR when your father is a DO.

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

I actually disagree with the above posters. The DO letter is to show that you are familiar, comfortable, and interested in osteopathic medicine. With a parent as a DO, you kinda have that... covered.

I think that having a DO parent will help you immensely, but you will still want physician LORs.

Just my 2cents!

 

[67552931811]

I actually disagree with the above posters. The DO letter is to show that you are familiar, comfortable, and interested in osteopathic medicine. With a parent as a DO, you kinda have that... covered.

I think that having a DO parent will help you immensely, but you will still want physician LORs.

Just my 2cents!

I concur.

 

[Decremaster]

I actually disagree with the above posters. The DO letter is to show that you are familiar, comfortable, and interested in osteopathic medicine. With a parent as a DO, you kinda have that... covered.

I think that having a DO parent will help you immensely, but you will still want physician LORs.

Just my 2cents!

I agree with this as well. My dad is a DO and I had no DO letters. I had no problem getting in. As long as the school doesn't require a letter from a DO. I think it is more to show your familiarity with the profession and that you aren't purely applying as a backup to MD. I was able to talk about my dad during interviews and I think it was looked at favorably. Good luck!

 

[IncuriousGeorge]

@TeddyBoomBoom and @Decremaster
There isn't really anything to disagree on.
Getting a DO letter is beneficial to apply to DO schools in most, if not all cases (especially if the school requires it). Are there those who get in without DO LOR, of course. But they have a little more jobs on their hands to talk about DO field and they sure aren't qualified to apply to schools that require DO LOR.
Schools aren't going to assume you know ins and outs of DO just because your parent is a DO. They need proof and your job is to provide that proof by getting a DO letter.

Interview is the 3rd step in the process (usually). The letter comes in before the interview (in most cases). In order for someone to get an interview and talk about their experiences and knowledge of the DO field, he/she needs to get the interview in the first place. In order to get an interview, you need to provide as much information as you can in the first 2 steps of the application process, which includes a DO LOR.

Who cares if your parent is a DO if your can't get an interview to talk about it?
Do the most you can to get an interview to talk about yourself, which includes getting an DO LOR to show your initiative in DO field.
DON'T let schools just assume you know. Show you know.

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

@TeddyBoomBoom and @Decremaster
There isn't really anything to disagree on.
Getting a DO letter is beneficial to apply to DO schools in most, if not all cases (especially if the school requires it). Are there those who get in without DO LOR, of course. But they have a little more jobs on their hands to talk about DO field and they sure aren't qualified to apply to schools that require DO LOR.
Schools aren't going to assume you know ins and outs of DO just because your parent is a DO. They need proof and your job is to provide that proof by getting a DO letter.

Interview is the 3rd step in the process (usually). The letter comes in before the interview (in most cases). In order for someone to get an interview and talk about their experiences and knowledge of the DO field, he/she needs to get the interview in the first place. In order to get an interview, you need to provide as much information as you can in the first 2 steps of the application process, which includes a DO LOR.

Who cares if your parent is a DO if your can't get an interview to talk about it?
Do the most you can to get an interview to talk about yourself, which includes getting an DO LOR to show your initiative in DO field.
DON'T let schools just assume you know. Show you know.

I'll give credit where credit is due!

Good post!

 

[Dr1zzy]

I am applying to DO schools next cycle and need to find a DO to shadow

 

[lotus seed]

I think it would be better to shadow your dad's friends instead. I am sure they are willing to help!