Secondary Q: Which LOR is better?

[sKanKY hOe]

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So I've heard that sending an LOR from a DO is much better than getting one from an MD. I've been working with an MD for over a year and she knows me well, so I know she'll write me a good one. Should I bother shadowing a few times with a DO that will barely get to know me, just so I can have the LOR that is written from a DO?

 

[MCATTT]

So I've heard that sending an LOR from a DO is much better than getting one from an MD. I've been working with an MD for over a year and she knows me well, so I know she'll write me a good one. Should I bother shadowing a few times with a DO that will barely get to know me, just so I can have the LOR that is written from a DO?

Some schools require DO LOR (For eg, CCOM). For school that don't require DO LOR, MD LOR would do the job. To tell you the truth, however, shadowing a DO is actually more for you than for the school. So, I highly recommend you shadow a DO even if you don't need the LOR.

 

[gasapple]

Some schools require DO LOR (For eg, CCOM). For school that don't require DO LOR, MD LOR would do the job. To tell you the truth, however, shadowing a DO is actually more for you than for the school. So, I highly recommend you shadow a DO even if you don't need the LOR.

CCOM does not require a DO letter. Letter from MD is fine.

http://www.aacom.org/colleges/ccom.asp

As a rule of thumb, if the school requires a DO letter then you've got to get one - about half of the schools require a DO letter. Otherwise, the MD letter is fine in lieu of the DO letter.

Some of us don't have the opportunity to shadow a D.O. As a matter of fact, the DOs in the university hospital where I live do not take shadow students. The MDs do. Go figure.

As has already been mentioned, shadowing a DO is for your own good but not necessary.

 

[Kappy1]

So I've heard that sending an LOR from a DO is much better than getting one from an MD. I've been working with an MD for over a year and she knows me well, so I know she'll write me a good one. Should I bother shadowing a few times with a DO that will barely get to know me, just so I can have the LOR that is written from a DO?

I would agree with MCATTT. However if you want to get the DO letter I would suggest getting one from and alumni of the school you plan on going to. ADCOM's take their alumni's advice and that in it of itself can get you to the interview stage.

DO school understand for the most part that it is hard to get a letter from a DO. DO's only make up 5% of the physician's and it could be likely that you will not have the oppertunity to meet one. Therefore many schools accept the MD letter in place of the DO letter. Check with each school to see what the school's policy is regarding using a MD letter in place of a DO one.

I hope you are accepted to the school of your choice. Good Luck!!!