never shadowed a D.O.

[sdnstud]

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for those of you who've never shadowed a DO before, what did you say when the question came up during the interviews. I've shadowed a MD before, but never a DO...would that hurt my application since that could imply im applying to DO as backup?

 

[drbrowneyes]

I don't know how much it hurts your application, but I know that it definitely helps. You may have to go back to that DO and request an LOR which is a requirement for some DO school applications

 

[Robz]

for those of you who've never shadowed a DO before, what did you say when the question came up during the interviews. I've shadowed a MD before, but never a DO...would that hurt my application since that could imply im applying to DO as backup?

Well, it seems like you are. Kinda of like what would you say if they asked you point blank in an interview if your applying to a DO program as a backup?

I know cause I was asked that in an interview...more than once.

As for shadowing a DO? You still got LOTS of time buddy! I mean you have all summer long before secondaries are even released let alone the time until October when interviews are given. Take a little time and go shadow a DO. Pick an area your interested in. I shadowed MD and DO's. Of the DO's I shadowed I did peds, IM, FP, and head, neck, and basal skull surgery. The latter was a fellowship trained DO that was the only fellowship trained physician (MD or DO) in that in East Tennessee. It was awesome.

The best advice I can give is check it out. Shadow a doc. Plus take each school you apply to and see what it has to offer. Each one is a little different and unique. Like my penn state interview was MUCH different than my LECOM one. My ETSU interview was much different than my Meharry one. My UT-memphis interview again was really different than my AZCOM one. Get the most information and it will show up in your interviewing style. The more accustomed to the medicial world you are the more relaxed you are in your interviews....

Heck...in one of my interviews it was so relaxing I talked about muppets....yup muppets!

 

[sdnstud]

when do the earliest interviews happen? I am planning to take hte august mcat so i don't think i will have time to shadow a DO until after the mcat. but, i will definitely look around after the mcat. thanks

 

[Robz]

when do the earliest interviews happen? I am planning to take hte august mcat so i don't think i will have time to shadow a DO until after the mcat. but, i will definitely look around after the mcat. thanks

August MCAT scores are released in october.....then you get secondaries and then you get interview invites....

first interviews are late september and early october and they range untill spring.

Good luck on the MCAT.

 

[Maisy]

I didn't shadow a DO and I got in. I had shadowed MDs only, and no one asked at the interview. It wasn't that I didn't want to, there just aren't any DOs where I live. I had, however, previously visited DO schools and understood what it was all about. I applied to both types of schools and was accepted at both, but chose DO.

I hope this helps. I am sure it depends on which DO schools you are applying to.

 

[tazzysoze]

How important is shadowing a doctor? I have clinical volunteer experience in a couple settings, but have never formally 'shadowed' a physician. I have a recommednation from an MD, but not for shadowing. What do you think?

 

[Amy B]

for those of you who've never shadowed a DO before, what did you say when the question came up during the interviews. I've shadowed a MD before, but never a DO...would that hurt my application since that could imply im applying to DO as backup?

Some school require a letter of recommendation from a DO and will not waive that requirement. I never shadowed a DO but was able to get a letter from one after he offered to interview me. We met for 45 minutes and he read through my personal essay and my application and we talked. He wrote the LOR from that meeting.

It did come up in my VCOM interview as to why I didn't shadow a DO. I told him that I was not able to find any DO in a 30 mile radius that would allow me to shadow. I was told by the doc that wrote my letter that since he had a private practice he did not allow pre-med students to shadow him.

 

[Amy B]

How important is shadowing a doctor? I have clinical volunteer experience in a couple settings, but have never formally 'shadowed' a physician. I have a recommednation from an MD, but not for shadowing. What do you think?

I shadowed a pediatric oncologist for 3 months. I did it for my own interest. And I did not include it in my application.

I got a LOR from the MD that I volunteered with at a free clinic for 3 years.

If you have clinical ECs then you don't really have to shadow a doctor.

 

[Aaron Earles]

I agree with the above posters. I definitely have time to find a DO to shadow. At least 3 to 4 months. But I would start asking around now or very soon. If you have the letter to the schools before you interview, it will show that you are interested in Osteopathy and not just applying as a backup. I would be a good idea (if possible) to get a letter from a DO that graduated from one of the schools that you are applying.

Good Luck

Aaron