No DO shadowing - how bad?

[DocRawk]

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I'm 25/m. Graduated in May with a BA in Music. Took all of the premed prereq's during my last year and a half of school. Was a music therapy major before deciding to go DO. Have not shadowed a DO. Wanting to go to TCOM. I'm a Texas resident. Here are my stats:

31O: VR11 PS9 BS11
Science GPA: 3.83
Cumulative GPA: 3.78
EC: 2 years work as Lab Tech III with my Bio I prof as PI (great LOR); Self employed private guitar teacher for 6 years (started and grew business to pay for school); 5 semesters music therapy practicum experiences including one semester in the neuromuscular rehab unit of a children's hospital (this is what led me to pursue DO).

I'm not trolling for an ego boost here or anything. I really have next to no experience with any of this, and I don't know how big of a deal the DO shadowing is. My academic adviser is from the music building, and I wouldn't have even gotten this far if the chair of the premed committee hadn't helped me through to this point. Things I need to do to step up my app any? Time is very limited with 2 full time jobs.

 

[SmallTownEMT]

As far as the shadowing, check the requirements of the schools you are applying to. Their websites should tell you if a DO letter is required, or simply strongly recommended. It is probably best that you do shadow, but if you can't make sure you don't apply to a school that wants that letter.

 

[DocRawk]

TCOM's admission requirements page doesn't say anything about DO shadowing or a LOR from a DO.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I am almost certain that they "highly suggest" that you have a DO letter. Now how much they actually need it is up in the air. With your numbers and decent clinical experience, along with other experiences, I'd think that there aren't many schools in the country that won't at least give you a look.

Of course, I have no real clue what I'm talking about. But to the untrained eye, I'd think you're looking pretty good.

 

[Jpc984]

Do you atleast have a MD letter?

 

[DocRawk]

Nope. No shadowing or letter from any physician.

 

[Jpc984]

You need at least one physician letter at the majority of schools.

 

[Beau Geste]

Most, of not all require a physician letter (MD or DO). Some schools strictly request a DO letter.

Sorry, dude, but you're gonna have to get it.

 

[DocRawk]

So, there are lots of DO's around here. TCOM is only 40 min away. Do I just call one and see if I can meet them and talk to them? Secondary's are due Oct. 15. Will I be able to get one of them to write a letter after meeting me once or twice?

 

[Beau Geste]

So, there are lots of DO's around here. TCOM is only 40 min away. Do I just call one and see if I can meet them and talk to them? Secondary's are due Oct. 15. Will I be able to get one of them to write a letter after meeting me once or twice?

Yes, just call. Tell them what you're looking for.

 

[OLYWA]

Stupid question here...but where or what part of your apps do you put shadowing experiences at?

Is this a primary/EC issue...or a secondary thing?

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[ShyRem]

I didn't have one, and at the time less than half "required" a DO or physician letter. I did, however, have a letter from my boss from my time as a paramedic. No one said bunk about it (but it could have been because I had so much medic experience).

I would suggest calling each school and asking what they require. Then pick up the phone book if you need to and start looking for a doc to shadow. Worse case scenario, call your local AOA chapter and ask for a doc you can shadow and tell them why.

 

[DocRawk]

The TCOM secondary app asks for it. I just met with a DO who's office is practically next door to mine. Gonna shadow him on Thursday afternoons for the next few weeks (I've only got 4 till my secondary is due).