Shadowing D.O. vs. M.D.

[dcalbano]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello!

I am currently a Sophomore at UC Berkeley. My father works at the Veteran's hospital in Sacramento as a nurse that is predominantly staffed by M.D.'s. I was wondering since I plan on applying to D.O. schools, if it will matter who I shadow. I would have excellent opportunities to apply and shadow M.D.'s through my father's hospital but should I instead work to find some D.O's to shadow? Also, I've mapped out the rest of my college plan while at Berkeley and I will not be able to fit in the physics series. I only just decided Spring of last year to go the medical route and I am way behind on the prerequisites on top of my major prerequisites (Psychology). I know it's been said before but just for reinforcement, there is nothing wrong with taking a couple of classes at a CC after graduating right? I planned on taking a year off before applying anyways. Thanks for the help! 🙂

 

[BigBoosting]

A lot of DO schools recommend that you have a DO letter. Some don't mind having an MD letter only though. You should look at the requirements for the schools you're interested in. If possible, you should try to shadow both.

You can take classes at CC, you may be asked why though. But I don't think it's a big deal. Just take Physics before you take the MCAT.

 

[tumartin10]

Hey i would for sure shadow a DO. MANY schools on the east coast all require that you have a letter from a DO. Along with getting a chance to talk to them about what being an osteopath mean, you show that you are interested in osteopathic medicine and its philosophy.

 

[Sinfest]

Do both, there's no reason to limit yourself to one.

Shadow a MD at your dads hospital, and find a DO to shadow elsewhere.

 

[JokerSeven]

Taking CC courses is absolutely fine, and Sinfest is absolutely right. You should try to shadow both an M.D and a D.O if possible. It's pretty insightful to talk to a D.O that actually uses OMM, since it IS after all one of the major differences in med school between M.D and D.O.

 

[dcalbano]

Thanks for all the help!

Triage: I was definitely thinking about taking my classes through Berkeley extension after graduating 👍

 

[wolverinepwns]

I believe as an Applicant, it will be a big POSITIVE on your app if you shadow both a MD and a DO (shows that you cared enough to go and see if there are any differences).

 

[blinkboy1156]

Do both, there's no reason to limit yourself to one.

Shadow a MD at your dads hospital, and find a DO to shadow elsewhere.

.

 

[MossPoh]

Shadow a variety of specialities and try to get a D.O. in there somewhere. You most likely won't see any real difference, but for letters it is helpful. In general, it is just a good idea to get exposed to a wide array of specialities. I never saw shadowing one doctor as all that useful.

 

[blueflower]

I agree with sinfest ... do both. But more priority should go into the DO shadowing first just because as others have mentioned, about 1/4 of the DO schools require a DO LOR. However, I'll say right off that bat that if you have high stats by the time you apply and you plan to stay on the west coast, you will not need that DO LOR; Touro-CA, Touro-NV, Western, AZCOM, SOMA, etc. will all take an MD LOR.