Shadowing from MD vs DO

[Certified Corsair]

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Hi all,

Saw a thread that got me thinking. When trying to get into DO school, most say "highly recommended" to shadow a DO. When living at school I was able to for a very brief time, but that is not the case anymore. I currently have/continue to get shadowing hours with an OB/GYN MD and a cardio-thoracic MD willing to write me letters. Despite those two, would I still be at a disadvantage in admissions without a DO specific letter? How important do they weigh that aspect?

Thanks!

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

A DO letter is pretty important. It shows you want to join the profession enough that you sought out an opportunity to learn more about it. I would get one.

 

[Alienman52]

A DO letter is pretty important. It shows you want to join the profession enough that you sought out an opportunity to learn more about it. I would get one.

Exactly. More DO shadowing hours and a DO letter indicate that the Osteopathic route isn't a "backup" for you. Will it make or break your application? Most likely not, but it would really help.


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[Dr.Pilot]

Hi all,

Saw a thread that got me thinking. When trying to get into DO school, most say "highly recommended" to shadow a DO. When living at school I was able to for a very brief time, but that is not the case anymore. I currently have/continue to get shadowing hours with an OB/GYN MD and a cardio-thoracic MD willing to write me letters. Despite those two, would I still be at a disadvantage in admissions without a DO specific letter? How important do they weigh that aspect?

Thanks!

I agree that a DO letter and lots of DO shadowing is a good thing to have, but it is not absolutely important. About 15-20% of my shadowing hours were with a DO, yet my physician letter was done by an MD. Even without the DO letter I still got 4 DO acceptances

 

[HuntDoc]

I agree that a DO letter and lots of DO shadowing is a good thing to have, but it is not absolutely important. About 15-20% of my shadowing hours were with a DO, yet my physician letter was done by an MD. Even without the DO letter I still got 4 DO acceptances

I was like Dr. Pilot in most of my hours were MD and my letter was from an MD. When I applied, I only had MD hours and had 4 II out of 9 secondaries submitted. I did eventually find a DO to shadow however it was several months into the cycle. If it is at all possible, find a DO to shadow. I wouldn't say it is make or break however, it does make you a more competitive candidate and is in your best interest since you are interested in osteopathic medicine.

 

[Certified Corsair]

I was like Dr. Pilot in most of my hours were MD and my letter was from an MD. When I applied, I only had MD hours and had 4 II out of 9 secondaries submitted. I did eventually find a DO to shadow however it was several months into the cycle. If it is at all possible, find a DO to shadow. I wouldn't say it is make or break however, it does make you a more competitive candidate and is in your best interest since you are interested in osteopathic medicine.

Thanks guys! I have some MDs but ever since I moved home its been like where's waldo finding a DO around here but I will find one nonetheless

 

[nightowls]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a similar question. I had a hard time finding a DO to shadow (not many in my state and many places don't allow it) but I finally got someone to shadow for just a day. They pretty much implied that they don't take many pre-meds for shadowing so it would be difficult to shadow again. And since a DO letter is highly recommended or required for some schools, should I still ask for a letter even though I know it won't be as strong?

 

[TheLeadSeed]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a similar question. I had a hard time finding a DO to shadow (not many in my state and many places don't allow it) but I finally got someone to shadow for just a day. They pretty much implied that they don't take many pre-meds for shadowing so it would be difficult to shadow again. And since a DO letter is highly recommended or required for some schools, should I still ask for a letter even though I know it won't be as strong?

An average/generic letter is better than no letter!


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[JB50]

It's merely a requirement