require or not, I'd recommend one. DO schools want to know why you are interested in osteopathic medicine. They expect to be treated as a first choice, not just a "if-I-don't-get-into-a-MD-school" option.
Network. Use the phone book if you don't know any. Call the schools and ask for alumni in your area. Its all about networking (as it will be when you want to get a fellowship too). TBH, I've spoken with a lot of DOs, so many that I have specific ones writing letters to specific schools in addition to the "general" letters that are part of my pre-med packet. That is just me though - I'm outgoing and I love osteopathy so I talk with EVERY DO I meet and I go out of my way to meet new ones (I'm driving ~2 hours to shadow one this week).
Just an overachieving schmoozer-
A 😀
