Opinions on DO LOR situation?

[WalSlave]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi all! I was just looking for advice on a situation I'm in. Basically, I have had a heck of a time trying to find a DO to shadow in my city. It seems that most of them work in the same couple of hospitals. I've been all set up twice now to actually shadow, but then I received word that my school isn't contracted with the hospital, so my shadowing has been cancelled... Twice!

Anyway, I finally found a DO at a different hospital who agreed to let me shadow for a day (10 hours). It went very well. We got along great and I really enjoyed the experience. Before I left, I asked him if he would be willing to let me shadow a couple more half-days, and I didn't realize that the office manager overheard, because she quickly interjected that my school wasn't contracted with them and that I couldn't shadow anymore past the one day. He just kind of nodded sympathetically after her spiel, but before she showed up, he seemed to be about to agree. I was a little caught off guard so I just thanked him profusely and left. He also said to let him know if I need anything.

So I'm bringing a fruit basket in tomorrow to the office as a thank you gift for letting me shadow. I hate to ask him for a letter after a day, but this is kind of my last ditch effort to get a LOR from a DO. How should I bring this up? I was thinking about putting it in a handwritten thank you note, but I don't know. I know getting a letter after one day of shadowing isn't ideal, but it is the difference between being restricted to applying to 5 schools vs all schools, so it's worth it to me to ask. If anyone has any advice from experience, I'd be incredibly grateful!

 

[iWillOneDay]

Do what you gotta do.
But do remember that many people get in to DO schools WITHOUT a DO letter.
I'm sure it helps though.
As long as you can clearly state why you want to be a DO and explain what you saw while shadowing, you should be good. At least, that's what I'm going to do this cycle (if I get any interviews).

p.s. Unless you are particularly looking to go to a school that requires one, such as LECOM.

 

[WalSlave]

I would really love to apply to DMU and KCUMB which both require physician letters, unfortunately. Thank you for the input!

 

[iWillOneDay]

I would really love to apply to DMU and KCUMB which both require physician letters, unfortunately. Thank you for the input!

DMU and KCUMB do not require both letters... They require EITHER. Either MD or DO.
One or the other. One from DO "OR" one from MD.
Not one from DO "AND" one from MD.
(trying to get the message across)

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/osteopathic-medical-school-requirements-and-costs.1062447/

Check out the spread sheet I created a couple weeks ago.
I double checked it on College information book.

 

[iWillOneDay]

Both schools require Biochem though.

 

[WalSlave]

Oh, I know. I don't have a MD letter either, which is why I specified "physician".

Haha, I actually made a similar spreadsheet. Yours is nicer though, very cool! I'm going to absolutely use it.

And my masters is in biochem, so that requirement shouldn't be an issue.

 

[iWillOneDay]

Oh, I know. I don't have a MD letter either, which is why I specified "physician".

Haha, I actually made a similar spreadsheet. Yours is nicer though, very cool! I'm going to absolutely use it.

And my masters is in biochem, so that requirement shouldn't be an issue.

Ah I see~ Good luck this cycle.

Sometimes, you have to do awkward things if you need something really badly.
You already broke ice so asking him for an LOR shouldn't be that bad. And f&*^ that office manager.

 

[WalSlave]

Ah I see~ Good luck this cycle.

Sometimes, you have to do awkward things if you need something really badly.
You already broke ice so asking him for an LOR shouldn't be that bad. And f&*^ that office manager.

Thank you! I agree. I'm just getting anxious at the thought - but the worst he can say is no, so screw it, lol.

 

[dudeliness]

OP, I gather from the Dr's comment, "let me know if you need anything else" that he is basically giving you an open invitation to ask him for a LOR. While it may be preferable to have someone write a letter for you who has known you more than a day, that doesn't mean he couldn't write you a great letter still.

What I would do is ask him to write you a letter, but come prepared with some info for him to help him out. For each of my letter writers I provided them with a copy of my personal statement (or at least something similar to that), a list of my relevant work history and extra curriculars, and so on. The idea being to help them to get to know you a little better.

For my non-medical letter writers, I included some info about what osteopathic medicine is and why I was pursuing it.

For all letter writers, I at least offered to sit down with them interview-style to let them ask questions about me to get to know me better.

Plus, as has been mentioned, most schools require a letter from an MD or a DO. There are even some, like LECOM, that have offered the option of interviewing a DO at the school on the day of the interview in order to have them write a letter for you.

Good luck

 

[rkearl27]

I was in a similar situation with trying to find a DO to shadow. I ended up finding one who practiced near a where my sister lives (about 2 hours away from me). I was able to shadow for three days straight and it was by far the most insightful shadowing experience I've had! Im even considering designating it as on of my most meaningful experiences. I asked for a letter on the last day. Kinda awkward even though I had been there for 30 hours but a person's gotta do what they gotta do! P.S. I love your avatar!!!

 

[WalSlave]

Thanks everyone! Such thoughtful replies. I suppose I am just nervous about asking at an awkward time or something and annoying him since he is so busy. I always overthink things. I'll just slip in with the basket and see if he is in his office and go from there!

 

[MerickManual]

Thanks everyone! Such thoughtful replies. I suppose I am just nervous about asking at an awkward time or something and annoying him since he is so busy. I always overthink things. I'll just slip in with the basket and see if he is in his office and go from there!

"Hello Dr. X. I brought in this fruit basket as a small thank you for letting me shadow you in your office. I really wish I could have shadowed a bit more with you since I learned so much, but I understand your office has a policy. Although we have only spent one day together, do you think you would be able to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf for my medical school application? I would understand if you are busy, but I thought to ask since I really enjoyed my experience with you and your office."

Get it done. Good luck 🙂

 

[Mad Jack]

f&*^ that office manager.

That's one good way to get a LOR, I suppose.

If this DO doesn't work out, just focus like crazy on getting an MD, ANY MD to let you shadow and write you a letter. I applied to 11 schools with only an MD letter and got 8 interview invites, it really didn't hurt me at all. A lot of doctors will understand, so long as you phrase your request in a way that sounds appropriate for the amount of time you have shadowed. I asked by saying something along the lines of, "Could I ask you for a LOR? Several of the medical schools I am applying to require one, and I don't have one yet. It doesn't need to be crazy- the biggest thing they are trying to find out is if I am going into the field for the right reasons." Good luck! And hopefully that fruit basket pulls through!

 

[MerickManual]

Yea, not cool of the office manager. Don't see why the doctor let her push him around like that, but oh well...

 

[WalSlave]

For the record, the office manager was otherwise a sweetheart and the only reason I got to even shadow a day. I'm sure it's just policy bs with the hospital... Which is why I'll take my fruit basket in the back way