Shadow a DO or MD?

[ceng2doc]

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I'd like to apply to MD schools, but I've been mostly in reach to DOs solely because of that somehow they seem more helpful to pre-meds in this shadowing errands.

Should I shadow MDs if I wanna apply to MD schools?

 

[TheFamilyDoc]

I'd like to apply to MD schools, but I've been mostly in reach to DOs solely because of that somehow they seem more helpful to pre-meds in this shadowing errands.

Should I shadow MDs if I wanna apply to MD schools?

Yes, and remeber if you think that DO are more helpful then definetly shadow them also. You can't go wrong. Do what YOU feel will benifit you as an aspiring physician. But im sure you will probaly want to shadow MDs also for MD school.

 

[silverhorse84]

My only shadowing experience was a DO, and MD schools didn't care.

DO schools, however, do want you to shadow a DO.

 

[familyaerospace]

I've shadowed MDs, but I want to shadow a DO too. I've contacted several DOs through their mentorship program but I haven't had that good of luck. (I did get asked to be on a research project by a DO though in lieu of shadowing.) I figure it can't hurt to shadow both.

 

[willen101383]

I hadnt met anyone at MD schools who cared who I shadowed. I actually only "shadowed" one doctor and he was a DO. DO schools want you to shadow a DO because of the supposed differences in patient care between DO vs MD...although they dont exist in most places.

 

[Morsetlis]

Actually, they want you to shadow a DO so that people don't apply to DO schools at the last minute without having thought about the process beforehand.

Duh.

 

[DocMcCoy]

You forgot that MD DO difference only matters to kids on SDN. Shadowing a doctor is shadowing a doctor. I only shadowed DOs and I will be going to an MD school this summer.

 

[willen101383]

Oh excuse me sir. I am fairly certain both answers are correct...and I already went through the process so I have a pretty good grasp of medical school admissions. But thanks for being a douche.

👍

 

[Morsetlis]

😍

 

[willen101383]

You forgot that MD DO difference only matters to kids on SDN. Shadowing a doctor is shadowing a doctor. I only shadowed DOs and I will be going to an MD school this summer.

Certain kids on SDN....the ones who are seeking validation that comes with the "MD" initials....to make up for other "inadequacies" in their lives.

 

[Morsetlis]

You look like you could use a psychologist!

 

[willen101383]

You look like you could use a psychologist!

Nah I am quite happy with my life..but thank you. 😉

 

[ceng2doc]

You forgot that MD DO difference only matters to kids on SDN. Shadowing a doctor is shadowing a doctor. I only shadowed DOs and I will be going to an MD school this summer.

I'm pretty serious in that because I've been working for full-time and I'd like to apply next year, which means this summer is golden for me for shadowing.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Finding a willing doc to shadow really isn't easy in my opinion ... shadow whoever will allow you to do so (MD or DO).

 

[DocMcCoy]

I'm pretty serious in that because I've been working for full-time and I'd like to apply next year, which means this summer is golden for me for shadowing.

I am absolutely serious as well. It really does not matter. It wasn't an attack on your original post it is just the truth. It was easier for me to find DOs to shadow because the AOA publishes a list of physicians by state that are willing to allow students to shadow them. It cut down on a lot of the leg work in looking for doctors to shadow. If anything it would say to adcoms that you are just that more familiar with medicine in simply knowing that DOs and MDs both are both physicians and surgeons.

 

[DocMcCoy]

My only shadowing experience was a DO, and MD schools didn't care.

DO schools, however, do want you to shadow a DO.

Some do, not all. Many will accept a letter of rec from any practicing physician.

 

[ceng2doc]

I am absolutely serious as well. It really does not matter. It wasn't an attack on your original post it is just the truth. It was easier for me to find DOs to shadow because the AOA publishes a list of physicians by state that are willing to allow students to shadow them. It cut down on a lot of the leg work in looking for doctors to shadow. If anything it would say to adcoms that you are just that more familiar with medicine in simply knowing that DOs and MDs both are both physicians and surgeons.

McCoy,

Since the medical school applications just turned out to be a puzzle (or the rumors made it so at SDN), I'd like to make sure before doing anything.

It's also what I'm talking about: AOA is a really successful medium to get in touch with DOs all around. Personally, I'm not biased in shadowing a DO or MD, but since I've been working full-time and will be applying next year, I don't wanna waste any bit of my time. This summer is especially important fro me.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I apologize, my original statement wasn't directed to you. It was a preemptive strike to avoid the inevitable flame war that starts up on these types DO MD threads. If you really have time to plan it out and if I could do it again, I would have researched doctors in practice that either graduated or did residency through the medical schools that I wanted to apply to. If I were you I would also try to shadow a variety. Include docs in primary care, something surgical, and some specialties that you are interested. The hard part is doing the leg work. In addition to the AOA website, I used a phonebook and just started cold calling offices. About one out of ten doctors actually called me back and were interested in allowing me to shadow. Hospitals may have additional requirements for you to fulfill before you can shadow as well.

 

[jm192]

I think you'd be wise to shadow a DO.

For the sake of shadowing, MD schools don't care who you've shadowed, so long as you've shadowed. They just want to know that you know what you're getting yourself into, and that you're for real interested in it.

If you were to apply to DO schools, they want to see some DO experience, and almost all require a DO letter.

So, my suggestion would be to shadow a DO. Then you have your shadowing experience, and can get a fine letter for MD schools. And if you decide to apply DO, you've already gotten that letter lined up as well.

 

[ceng2doc]

I think you'd be wise to shadow a DO.

For the sake of shadowing, MD schools don't care who you've shadowed, so long as you've shadowed. They just want to know that you know what you're getting yourself into, and that you're for real interested in it.

If you were to apply to DO schools, they want to see some DO experience, and almost all require a DO letter.

So, my suggestion would be to shadow a DO. Then you have your shadowing experience, and can get a fine letter for MD schools. And if you decide to apply DO, you've already gotten that letter lined up as well.

This was what I've thought of, too... Hope it touches base with the expectation of MD schools (I really donna, their websites don't mention that, at all. At least, those of that I'm interested in.)

 

[ceng2doc]

I apologize, my original statement wasn't directed to you. It was a preemptive strike to avoid the inevitable flame war that starts up on these types DO MD threads. If you really have time to plan it out and if I could do it again, I would have researched doctors in practice that either graduated or did residency through the medical schools that I wanted to apply to. If I were you I would also try to shadow a variety. Include docs in primary care, something surgical, and some specialties that you are interested. The hard part is doing the leg work. In addition to the AOA website, I used a phonebook and just started cold calling offices. About one out of ten doctors actually called me back and were interested in allowing me to shadow. Hospitals may have additional requirements for you to fulfill before you can shadow as well.

No worries McCoy, I knew where you were coming from.

Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

Congrats for your admission, and I wish you all success at your new journey.

 

[Sandlot13]

I say shadow both if you can, the more doctors you see and the better idea you have as a whole when getting into this medical field is a plus regardless of who you are shadowing.