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Schools not requiring physician LOR?

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let-me-take-my-mcat

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2+ Year Member
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Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:
  • LECOM
  • ICOM
  • Lincoln
  • NYITCOM
  • UNECOM
  • DMU
  • VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
  • PCOM
  • Campbell
  • Rowan
  • Michigan
  • Burrell
  • Noorda
 
I have an MD letter only because of one of my professors is a retired MD, PNWU and NOVA said they would accept the letter as a physician letter but would need 2 other letters from science faculty who graded your work at well. I’m not sure if this helps anyone
 
Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:
  • LECOM
  • ICOM
  • Lincoln
  • NYITCOM
  • UNECOM
  • DMU
  • VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
  • PCOM
  • Campbell
  • Rowan
  • Michigan
  • Burrell
  • Noorda


RVU I believe also waived the physician letter but require a "healthcare" recommender.

Where do you see that DMU does not require one??
 
RVU I believe also waived the physician letter but require a "healthcare" recommender.

Where do you see that DMU does not require one??

Good to know -I have one more AACOMAS slot left, so while I could easily get an EMT I work with to write one, I'm saving that slot because I'm setting up some physician shadowing (hopefully next week) and I'm hoping he'll agree to write me a LOR.

DMU doesn't have that listed as a requirement on their interview process page. More anecdotally, I'm in the process of interviewing there now so if I missed that requirement during my search, it may not be a hard requirement.
 
Good to know -I have one more AACOMAS slot left, so while I could easily get an EMT I work with to write one, I'm saving that slot because I'm setting up some physician shadowing (hopefully next week) and I'm hoping he'll agree to write me a LOR.

DMU doesn't have that listed as a requirement on their interview process page. More anecdotally, I'm in the process of interviewing there now so if I missed that requirement during my search, it may not be a hard requirement.


Thanks for the info, I'll likely add DMU then!
 
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Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:
  • LECOM
  • ICOM
  • Lincoln
  • NYITCOM
  • UNECOM
  • DMU
  • VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
  • PCOM
  • Campbell
  • Rowan
  • Michigan
  • Burrell
  • Noorda

Is this list accurate? Because it says Des Moines still requires a physician letter here: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine DMU-COM - Choose DO
 
Gotcha. I did just check the DMU website and it does say a Medical Letter is required here: How to Apply | Des Moines University

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It says Recommends up top. I have my zoom part of my interview with them tomorrow, I've managed to get this far without one, and it says your file won't be complete/passed to the committee for review until all LOR's are received. I really think for them it's a strong recommendation.