Only 8 hours of shadowing (rural DO primary care doc)

[studentp0x]

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I'm ~90% going to have a day-shadowing experience with a rural ER doctor who's a DO. He would write me the LOR... which will hopefully emphasize my interest in rural medicine. I've been unable to find any other shadowing opportunities (though I do have ~200 hours of very direct patient oriented clinical volunteering with many clinical observations made) due to my location and logistics.

What's the most I can make of this day-shadowing experience for my app (lets say it becomes a 10 hour thing, same thing lol)? The ER is about a 2 hour drive away and the doc is mainly willing to do this as a day thing. Thing is, was hoping to put some emphasis on this (my interest in rural primary care) for my PS.

 

[WesternRedCedar]

Thats not very much to get a good LOR, are you able to get a better MD LOR?

I wouldn't use that for empahsis on your PS. 1 day is not a lot...

 

[RaidenXVC]

I probably wouldn't try to get a letter from a doctor after only a day or two of shadowing as they haven't really gotten to know you and therefore can't speak of some of the intangibles that med schools try to evaluate such as empathy, or an ability to connect with people. If you do get a long term experience out of it though I would say that most people out there know that DOs are just as much doctors as MDs are so I wouldn't be worried about that fact when collecting a letter if that's what you are worried about when applying to an MD school.

 

[studentp0x]

I'm a Canadian applicant (I'm applying to Canadian MD/US MD and US DO) and for international students... if a DO LOR is "suggested" that should be interpreted as "required" basically. Shadowing is very very difficult to come across up here (and that's for MDs) and some people head on 2-5 hour road trips (into the US) with overnight stays to get some shadowing exp/a LOR (and I know several people in my shoes who have gotten such LORs and gotten multiple acceptances). And I know one applicant who got 6 acceptances and said the DO told him he'll write a very strong letter (after 5 hours of shadowing). Thing is, wouldn't that come off as a little odd, strong letter w/ so little time with the student? Anyway guess it worked lol..

So what's the most I can make of this? The doctor wants my CV as well ahead of time.

 

[RaidenXVC]

Based off of the conversations that I have had with DO students, I don't think that it really matters that much for most schools. It can certainly help, but not required especially if you are from a DO-less area.

 

[lmcdavidkim]

better something than nothing... Just be able to genuinely express your interest in the rural medicine during the interview and your golden.

 

[WesternRedCedar]

"if a DO LOR is "suggested" that should be interpreted as "required" basically. "

There is no difference between internationals and Americans for LOR requirements. Most schools don't care about MD vs DO letter - they want one where it can be a strong letter. They know internationals and americans in areas with less DO's have more trouble.

I would shadow, but not use that as your primary physician letter... unless you have good stats, in which case it wont matter.

What are your stats? My cousin was an international(British though, not Canadian) and was accepted into a DO school - but went to a MD school instead.

Where in Canada are you - if you're in Ontario you can go to Michigan easy, they have a lot of DO's.

 

[WesternRedCedar]

"Thing is, wouldn't that come off as a little odd, strong letter w/ so little time with the student"

Exactly this, unless the DO is lying about how many hours you actually shadowed them. 5 hours is nothing...and to get an "exceptional" letter is just paying lip service.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

If the doc is into technology, stay in touch and get to know him or her. Then your letter will be stronger.

 

[studentp0x]

"if a DO LOR is "suggested" that should be interpreted as "required" basically. "

There is no difference between internationals and Americans for LOR requirements. Most schools don't care about MD vs DO letter - they want one where it can be a strong letter. They know internationals and americans in areas with less DO's have more trouble.

I would shadow, but not use that as your primary physician letter... unless you have good stats, in which case it wont matter.

What are your stats? My cousin was an international(British though, not Canadian) and was accepted into a DO school - but went to a MD school instead.

Where in Canada are you - if you're in Ontario you can go to Michigan easy, they have a lot of DO's.

Well @Goro has mentioned that having a DO letter does matter and it shows you've gone an extra step. Some schools explicitly state they want a DO letter anyway, so it opens more options.

And well Michigan is a >3 hour drive away.. (~4 hours basically). Not sure if spending 2-3 nights in Michigan to have 15-20 hours vs. 10 hours in one day will really make much of a difference considering the logistics of it. I have to do the MCAT june 21st anyway and submitting my primaries on June 1st, so not much time to fit in shadowing considering my main EC takes up 20 hours a week.

 

[Goro]

At our school the DO LOR is optional. We understand that people live in places where there aren't many DOs. The only time the DO vs MD LOR can hurt is more of a shadowing issue. If you live in an area that's DO rich (say, like the midwest) then I'd expect you to take the time to find a DO.

Well @Goro has mentioned that having a DO letter does matter and it shows you've gone an extra step. Some schools explicitly state they want a DO letter anyway, so it opens more options.

And well Michigan is a >3 hour drive away.. (~4 hours basically). Not sure if spending 2-3 nights in Michigan to have 15-20 hours vs. 10 hours in one day will really make much of a difference considering the logistics of it. I have to do the MCAT june 21st anyway and submitting my primaries on June 1st, so not much time to fit in shadowing considering my main EC takes up 20 hours a week.

 

[studentp0x]

At our school the DO LOR is optional. We understand that people live in places where there aren't many DOs. The only time the DO vs MD LOR can hurt is more of a shadowing issue. If you live in an area that's DO rich (say, like the midwest) then I'd expect you to take the time to find a DO.

Thing is, getting a shadowing position beyond a day or two here in Ontario is next to impossible unless you're close buddies with a doc. Since I know a few people with stats in the DO range that got multiple acceptances, who had just what I had, can't imagine it would be a major factor.

 

[Goro]

Acceptances with no shadowing? I could see it as posssible with the constraints you're under. But what about your own family doctor? Can you shadow him/her?

Thing is, getting a shadowing position beyond a day or two here in Ontario is next to impossible unless you're close buddies with a doc. Since I know a few people with stats in the DO range that got multiple acceptances, who had just what I had, can't imagine it would be a major factor.

 

[studentp0x]

Acceptances with no shadowing? I could see it as posssible with the constraints you're under. But what about your own family doctor? Can you shadow him/her?

They all had a day or two shadowing experience (with a DO) which was basically 8-10 hours. One of them got 6 acceptances with a 3.55 GPA and 30 MCAT/decent ECs.

But generally no, family doc shadowing isn't really an option at all (except for rare cases).

 

[Goro]

I think this one you're going to have to take on the chin, and be able to articulate that you know and understand whata doctro's day is like.

 

[studentp0x]

I think this one you're going to have to take on the chin, and be able to articulate that you know and understand whata doctro's day is like.

Yea true. What do you mean by take on the chin?

 

[Goro]

Meaning you're going to have to try it with your app as is, warts and all.

Yea true. What do you mean by take on the chin?