No DO letter of rec

[ChaChaDocta]

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I specifically applied only to DO schools that did not require a letter of rec. from a DO. The only DO I've ever met (my doctor) was lousy, unimpressive, and I wouldn't want anyone basing opinions of me based on her. I understand the importance of these letters, but I have no one to get them from and no time to make up for it.

My stats: 3.1 GPA from Big10 school, 30 MCAT, 6 years CNA (currently in ICU), Volunteer 12 hours/week at EMS, my little bro has Osteogenesis Imperfecta... he's my inspiration!

Am I at a disadvantage for not having one of these letters? Many schools I'm applying to highly recommend one.
😕

 

[ShyRem]

where are you applying, chacha? I applied to several DO schools without a DO LOR and got so far 4 interviews out of 7 schools.

 

[ChaChaDocta]

KCOM, NYCOM, OUCOM, UMDNJ, UNECOM, PCOM. I'm a little premature yet, I just applied in January. Did they specifically ask about a lack of a DO LOR in your interviews?

 

[jbone]

You will be fine. I had a letter from a MD and they accepted it w/ no problem. I was accepted into 8 DO schools w/ out a DO letter (even though they recommended it 🙄 ) So you should be fine. Good luck.

 

[ShyRem]

Ok. Like I said, no DO LOR here. I didn't apply to UMDNJ, didn't submit OUCOM's secondary because they wanted a 5 year contract after residency for you to work in Ohio. I got flat out rejected from KCOM (they're REALLY into the DO thing, so lack of DO LOR may hurt you here), no word from NYCOM. Got PCOM-Ga interview invite, admitted to UNECOM. No one asked about my lack of DO LOR. I also got interviews at DMU and MSUCOM. I hear DMU REALLY REALLY wants a DO LOR, tho.

 

[CatsandCradles]

My stats: 3.1 GPA from Big10 school, 30 MCAT, 6 years CNA (currently in ICU), Volunteer 12 hours/week at EMS, my little bro has Osteogenesis Imperfecta... he's my inspiration!

Have you maybe thought about getting an LOR from an MD? I don't see how it would hurt and would help you out one way or another.

Of course if you send an MD LOR to KCOM they might have a problem, but many other schools that's not a problem.

Even if you don't send an LOR, you have a respectable shot at a DO school. You have a 30 MCAT and that's plenty good right there and you're in the hospital setting at an ICU so your a better canidate than many of us already.

C&C

 

[dr.z]

You will be fine. I had a letter from a MD and they accepted it w/ no problem. I was accepted into 8 DO schools w/ out a DO letter (even though they recommended it 🙄 ) So you should be fine. Good luck.

I second this. I didn't have a letter from DO, but I got accepted to places I applied to.

 

[Nate]

Looks competitive for UMDNJ; hopefully you presented yourself well in the secondary essay and your LORs are good. Good luck

 

[jbone]

Ok. Like I said, no DO LOR here. I didn't apply to UMDNJ, didn't submit OUCOM's secondary because they wanted a 5 year contract after residency for you to work in Ohio. I got flat out rejected from KCOM (they're REALLY into the DO thing, so lack of DO LOR may hurt you here), no word from NYCOM. Got PCOM-Ga interview invite, admitted to UNECOM. No one asked about my lack of DO LOR. I also got interviews at DMU and MSUCOM. I hear DMU REALLY REALLY wants a DO LOR, tho.

Actually, at DMU (where I was accepted and probably will be attending) they didn't even bring it up at all. Like I said, no big deal.

 

[NewNick]

Ok. Like I said, no DO LOR here. I didn't apply to UMDNJ, didn't submit OUCOM's secondary because they wanted a 5 year contract after residency for you to work in Ohio. I got flat out rejected from KCOM (they're REALLY into the DO thing, so lack of DO LOR may hurt you here), no word from NYCOM. Got PCOM-Ga interview invite, admitted to UNECOM. No one asked about my lack of DO LOR. I also got interviews at DMU and MSUCOM. I hear DMU REALLY REALLY wants a DO LOR, tho.

KCOM is fine with MD's LOR.

 

[jnpeacoc]

I specifically applied only to DO schools that did not require a letter of rec. from a DO. The only DO I've ever met (my doctor) was lousy, unimpressive, and I wouldn't want anyone basing opinions of me based on her. I understand the importance of these letters, but I have no one to get them from and no time to make up for it.

My stats: 3.1 GPA from Big10 school, 30 MCAT, 6 years CNA (currently in ICU), Volunteer 12 hours/week at EMS, my little bro has Osteogenesis Imperfecta... he's my inspiration!

Am I at a disadvantage for not having one of these letters? Many schools I'm applying to highly recommend one.
😕

ChachaDocta,

I applied to KCOM and CCOM last year with stats very similar to yours, and a very strong letter from an MD. I got into KCOM no problem, and got an interview invite for CCOM which I turned down b/c I had decided I wanted to go to KCOM (which I love 🙂 )

-Jesse

 

[ChaChaDocta]

Just a quick note of thanks to all your advice and comments. I'll sleep better at night knowing I have no need to run out bat my eyelashes at DO's to get a LOR in the next few weeks (JK, that wouldn't work. I don't know what I'd do..!) 😉

 

[MikeyLu2010]

lemme guess...DO is your backup plan considering you waited until january to apply??
That of course is ok as long as you will be content and happy with the DO profession..as far as your stats..it seems good for most of those school..you will definately get into somewhere..but be sure to answer/defend "why DO" in your interview as it is apparent at least time-wise that you are not a gung ho pre-DO student.

 

[DarkWingDuck]

You must know someone, who knows someone,........ that knows a DO. Ask for a favor.

 

[Beau Geste]

I plan on applying to KCOM and CCOM in '07, but I just want to make sure that I read this right - some of you had letters from MDs only for these schools? Due to me working 40+ hours and school in the evenings, I may not get to shadow a DO.

Thanks!

 

[rahulazcom]

I applied to AZCOM with a letter from an M.D. It didn't hurt me.

If your school requires a letter from a DO, you should call several DO offices i and ask if you can shadow one for a day or two. Most will be happy to oblige. Remember that DO's were students like yourself at one time so they understand. You might encounter one that is demanding and may ask you to shadow him for an extensive period of time. I would then proceed to find another DO who is more understanding of your time constraint. Offer to buy him or her lunch and tell them you to want to ask them questions about their profession etc. Most will understand.

 

[ac101ac]

Yeah, that is understandable. I was more concerned with the time allotment than anything.

There is one DO that I refer a lot of my clients to (I'm a speech-language pathologist), so I'm sure he'll probably be ok with me shadowing him sometime. I just can't make it a regular thing.

Thanks!

Hey Megboo do you plan to continue working when you are in med school? Maybe ECI would be best due to flexibility?