Problems getting DO letter

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So I've been verified and I've been working on secondaries for AT Still KCOM and SOMA. Problem is, it won't let me submit my secondary without information for my physician LOR..

I've shadowed a DO for quite a while and he agreed to write me a letter but he hasn't been responding to my emails or calls. He asked me to send him my resume as well, but hasn't really responded since. This was a while ago and I've given up on getting a letter from him after many calls and emails.(how good could it be if he's so uninterested in writing it?)

Now I'm stuck with a bunch of schools that require DO letters and don't have anyone to write one. I also submitted my AZCOM secondary but it won't be complete until they receive a DO letter that isn't coming. I've been scrambling to find someone to shadow, but I feel like it's too little too late.

So what should I do? Just continue with the secondaries and hope I find someone to write me a LOR soon? Every day that passes is just delaying my application. Is it recommended to call the schools and let them know? When I've talked to them in the past, they've made it clear that a letter is absolutely required.

 

[WillburCobb]

Go remind him/her in person.

 

[TreadLightly]

Go remind him/her in person.

I've done that about a week ago but I don't know if it'll do any good.

 

[bionerd89]

I've done that about a week ago but I don't know if it'll do any good.

Do you have an MD LOR?

 

[TreadLightly]

Do you have an MD LOR?

I don't. I've shadowed an MD, but not long enough to be able to ask for a LOR.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I don't. I've shadowed an MD, but not long enough to be able to ask for a LOR.

How long did you shadow? I shadowed two doctors. The first one for 60 hours. He didn't really mention anything about writing me a LOR (and to be honest I'm happy he didn't because I didn't think he would write a great letter).

Second one I've previously done internships/shadowing throughout high school By the end of the 40 hours, he said whenever you need a med school LOR just come to the hospital and stop by my office.

My friend shadowed a DO for 15-20 hours and got a letter from him. I'm pretty sure if you ask your MD doctor to write you a letter if you don't think your DO LOR will be completed.

 

[TreadLightly]

How long did you shadow? I shadowed two doctors. The first one for 60 hours. He didn't really mention anything about writing me a LOR (and to be honest I'm happy he didn't because I didn't think he would write a great letter).

Second one I've previously done internships/shadowing throughout high school By the end of the 40 hours, he said whenever you need a med school LOR just come to the hospital and stop by my office.

My friend shadowed a DO for 15-20 hours and got a letter from him. I'm pretty sure if you ask your MD doctor to write you a letter if you don't think your DO LOR will be completed.

I shadowed the DO for about 50 hours. The MD was like 10 hours.

 

[deleted307836]

It sounds like your main options at this point are to try again for the DO letter, or to not have it at all. If he needs to be reminded this often, then you're right that it probably won't be the strongest letter, but getting it to fulfill the requirement at certain schools would be better that not having it. I would maybe just go for broke and keep reminding him, or stop by again in person. I would only use the letter at schools that require a DO letter, though, if you do end up getting it. It's an unfortunate situation for someone to agree to write a letter for you and to not follow through when you are counting on him.

 

[edgerock24]

Try and get that letter and try to shadow another DO as well.

Honestly, letters are just formalities. It doesn't really have to be strong. But if you get a letter, then it shows schools you actually care about becoming a 'DO' specifically.

 

[verynice]

I've done that about a week ago but I don't know if it'll do any good.

Nice username 😎

I would go in person one more time and remind the doc. Make sure he/she knows that you don't mean to be annoying but that this is a very important part of your app. Then if they agree to it, go home and write a thank you card specifically for the LOR and include a $5 gift card to Starbucks and send it to them through snail mail.

This same situation happened to me so I definitely understand your stress.