Need help w/ DO application process

[medworm]

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Hi,

I recently decided to apply to DO as well as MD. I am familiar with the AMCAS process, but not the DO (whatever that's called).

I hear that I need to shadow AND get a letter of rec from a DO? Is it too late to get started w/ volunteering for 2006 apps? I figured I can put in only about 50 hours this summer for it to count for 2006 apps. How many volunteer hours should I get?

Thanks

 

[Nate]

The reason a letter from a DO is required or recommended at most schools is to show that you have investigated what a DO does in practice and taken the time to wet your feet in a clinical setting. I have heard of people applying successfuly without the letter but I would recommend getting it if at all possible. Fifty hours is more than enough, in fact a week or two part time is probably plenty. Just be proactive and ask questions of the DO so he/she can write a good letter for you. If you are unable to get the letter, you should still get some clinical experience to show that you know what you are getting yourself into and be prepared to answer questions about Osteopathic Medicine in your interviews. Reading the book "The DOs" by Norman Gevitz is a great way to be prepared. Good luck

 

[LVDoc]

Don't mean to be rude, but I think you need to do some more research before you even consider applying.

It would be in your best interests to get a letter from a D.O., as a little bit less than half of all osteopathic schools require one; not having one could preclude you from applying to certain schools.

More importantly than the letter, IMHO, you should have some shadowing experience down, preferably at least some of which was/will be under a D.O.

It's only too late when the deadline for applications has passed. Get in whatever experience you can. Since virtually all schools are on rolling admissions, again, applying early is a better choice. If this means applying early with no experience, however, that would be a different story.

There's no actual hour requirement for extracurricular experiences. Do what fits you best. One thing I will warn you of though, is that committees generally like to see your experiences having been over a long period of time, rather than 1-2 weeks at a time; this applies to everything, not just shadowing. In your case, as I said before, do whatever you can - be able to describe your experiences in length by the time you have finished.

The applications to osteopathic medical schools is through AACOMAS. http://www.aacom.org/ It has an entire FAQ devoted to all your needs, here at https://aacomas.aacom.org/html/ins_gen_instructions.htm

 

[dr.z]

I got acceptance without DO letter. It is possible. You just have to pick the right school to apply.

 

[Megalofyia]

I didn't have any DO shadowing experience. The DO letter I got was after I met the guy for 15 min, it was a technicallity to apply to some of the schools I wanted to apply to. Now that said, I had a tremendous amount of health care related work and I have indirectly worked with DOs. What I really think helped me with my applications was that when I went to my interview I had a pretty strong idea what OMM is. But I did a lot of reading on OMM before I went. There is a journal club type of thing in the Osteopathic forum and that was of great help. I also really do like the philosophy of DO on paper... now the thing is I'm fully aware that as an MD anyone could apply the DO philosophies so what does make a DO different is the knowledge of OMM.

 

[Peace&Health]

Hi,

I recently decided to apply to DO as well as MD. I am familiar with the AMCAS process, but not the DO (whatever that's called).

I hear that I need to shadow AND get a letter of rec from a DO? Is it too late to get started w/ volunteering for 2006 apps? I figured I can put in only about 50 hours this summer for it to count for 2006 apps. How many volunteer hours should I get?

Thanks

If you have time to volunteer this summer, it is something you can talk about at your interviews. FYI, I did not have time last summer, so I met with two DOs and learned about their experience and shared a little about myself. Then at the end of the meeting, I asked them if they would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I did shadow one of the DOs for the afternoon and got to see OMT.

I contacted them by first sending a letter to a few DOs and saying that I was interested in osteopathy and would like to meet with them to learn about their experience. Also, I told them I was applying this summer and after they met me, if possible I would like them to write me a letter of rec. I sent out 5 letters, got 3 responses. And met with two DOs who both wrote me letters.

As for volunteer hours, if you get 50 that should be okay. Most volunteer programs are 100 hours. But as long as it gives you enough time to understand what osteopathic medicine is about, that is what is more important.

Good-luck!

 

[DO it right]

As mentioned above the point of the letter is to show that you know about the field and more importantly you would know why you would like to be an osteopathic doc...be prepared to strongly defend your decision.....at the interview you not only have to make a case of why you want to be a doc but also why an osteopathic one. If you are not seriously prepared to do this, I suggest not wasting your time or money on the DO schools because you most likely won't get in. Good luck w/ apps this year!