shadowing MD, but somewhat more interested in DO?

[RuralPhysician8]

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Hey, I have yet another obnoxious pre-med question (surprisingly the automatic forum search did not produce a related thread). I have finally found a physician that may allow me to shadow him; he is somewhat close to my family. He is an MD and I honestly due not have an extreme preference for Osteopathic over Allopathic Medicine, or vice versa; I plan on applying to both types of institutions post undergraduate, but I was reading that some Osteopathic schools will frown upon recomendation letters from/ shadowing experience with MDs. I understand that it is possible to shadow multiple physicians; however, my area is extremely strict on who is allowed in medical facilities so if I get a shadowing position I will be holding onto it for aslong as possible (It has taken almost four months just to get to this point). If I can only shadow an MD, should I be aware of any potential drawbacks when it comes time to apply to Medical School? I am an incoming freshman so I understand this thinking extremely far ahead and things will likely change, but it has taken alot of time just to get at the "maybe" mark on shadowing, so I want to make my position as secure and salubrious as possible. Thanks.

 

[hallowmann]

Hey, I have yet another obnoxious pre-med question (surprisingly the automatic forum search did not produce a related thread). I have finally found a physician that may allow me to shadow him; he is somewhat close to my family. He is an MD and I honestly due not have an extreme preference for Osteopathic over Allopathic Medicine, or vice versa; I plan on applying to both types of institutions post undergraduate, but I was reading that some Osteopathic schools will frown upon recomendation letters from/ shadowing experience with MDs. I understand that it is possible to shadow multiple physicians; however, my area is extremely strict on who is allowed in medical facilities so if I get a shadowing position I will be holding onto it for aslong as possible (It has taken almost four months just to get to this point). If I can only shadow an MD, should I be aware of any potential drawbacks when it comes time to apply to Medical School? I am an incoming freshman so I understand this thinking extremely far ahead and things will likely change, but it has taken alot of time just to get at the "maybe" mark on shadowing, so I want to make my position as secure and salubrious as possible. Thanks.

I'm a premed mind you, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I have at least gone through the application cycle once and I would say that I don't think osteopathic schools "frown upon" shadowing an MD. I would say that they value shadowing a DO more, and in some cases not having a DO letter of recommendation may hurt your chances.

Most DO schools require a physician (either MD or DO) letter of recommendation that is usually received after shadowing. There are some schools that flat out require a DO letter, like LECOM (all campuses), LMU-DCOM, OSUCOM, PCSOM, RVUCOM, VCOM, and WVSOM. Also many strongly recommend getting a DO letter, including UMDNJ, UNECOM, Western (both campuses), MWU (both campuses), PCOM (both campuses), and NYCOM.

That's basically most of the DO schools. That being said, the sheer fact that most say they want physician letters means they probably like MD letters, but for most you'd also need a DO one.

Try this for finding DO's to shadow, you may have some luck: http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/find-a-do/Pages/default.aspx

 

[DrEnderW]

I second what the previous poster said. I don't think any DO schools will frown upon MD shadowing but may prefer to see some experience with a DO. Keep up your MD shadowing but try and get a few hours in with a DO and get a DO letter to be safe.

All my shadowing experience was with MDs and this was never addressed in any of my interviews. However, this is just my experience so take it for what it's worth.

 

[DocVapor]

Some (maybe Many) DO schools require a letter of reference from a DO that you shadowed. Usually this means at least 40 hours of shadowing.

It would be a good idea for you to contact the DO schools you are interested in individually and ask if they require a DO letter.

 

[HalfListic]

Most people also don't care that much DO or MD.

No school will frown on MD letter, some will require a DO letter.

 

[MedPR]

Some (maybe Many) DO schools require a letter of reference from a DO that you shadowed. Usually this means at least 40 hours of shadowing.

It would be a good idea for you to contact the DO schools you are interested in individually and ask if they require a DO letter.

😕

 

[DocVapor]

😕

The 40 hour mark may be exaggerated, but some schools do require DO letters.

From the 2013 Osteopathic Medical College Book (link: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2013cib/2013CIB_whole_web.pdf), page 6:

"Colleges of osteopathic medicine encourage applicants to learn more about the profession by identifying an osteopathic physician to shadow. Many of the colleges require applicants to get to know a DO and request a letter of recommendation as part of the application process. Applicants should meet and spend time shadowing the physician. This provides the applicant with exposure to the osteopathic profession and enhances awareness of osteopathic medical philosophy. Working with a physician will prepare the applicant for the application interview. Completing this crucial step also demonstrates the applicant’s commitment to the osteopathic profession."

The OP can determine which actual schools require a letter from a DO by following the link, going to the individual school pages, and then looking under the "Supplemental Application Requirements" section.

 

[MedPR]

The 40 hour mark may be exaggerated, but some schools do require DO letters.

From the 2013 Osteopathic Medical College Book (link: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2013cib/2013CIB_whole_web.pdf), page 6:

"Colleges of osteopathic medicine encourage applicants to learn more about the profession by identifying an osteopathic physician to shadow. Many of the colleges require applicants to get to know a DO and request a letter of recommendation as part of the application process. Applicants should meet and spend time shadowing the physician. This provides the applicant with exposure to the osteopathic profession and enhances awareness of osteopathic medical philosophy. Working with a physician will prepare the applicant for the application interview. Completing this crucial step also demonstrates the applicant’s commitment to the osteopathic profession."

The OP can determine which actual schools require a letter from a DO by following the link, going to the individual school pages, and then looking under the "Supplemental Application Requirements" section.

Yea I was just wondering what you were getting at with 40 hours.

 

[DocVapor]

Yea I was just wondering what you were getting at with 40 hours.

Yeah I had some docs that were family friends that said they wanted a student to shadow them for that long before they would write a letter for them. Only my n=1 experience, but I had heard that same sort of thing many other times as well, including from some admissions folks.

Of course no adcom is going to call to check on how many hours you shadowed a physician, but generally the longer you shadow the physician the better and more personal letter they can write for you. Unless, of course, you don't impress them.

 

[hallowmann]

Yea I was just wondering what you were getting at with 40 hours.

Yeah, I definitely thought the same thing. Even though I have more than that with the DO I shadowed, I really don't think there is an explicit hourly minimum. Most schools require/strongly recommend a DO letter, but only some say that it should/must be from a DO you shadowed, let alone for a minimum of hours.

Yeah I had some docs that were family friends that said they wanted a student to shadow them for that long before they would write a letter for them. Only my n=1 experience, but I had heard that same sort of thing many other times as well, including from some admissions folks.

Of course no adcom is going to call to check on how many hours you shadowed a physician, but generally the longer you shadow the physician the better and more personal letter they can write for you. Unless, of course, you don't impress them.

For sure YMMV, and I'm sure most docs want you shadowing them for at least a few days (let's say 5 days 6-8 hours a day, that's around 40) before they write you a letter. Its funny though, my doc was ready to write a letter for me right after our first meeting, but I said I'd prefer if I'd shadow him for a while first.

 

[weirdmutt]

I got a letter from only 9 hours of shadowing. I don't think it has been a problem for my application.

 

[Goro]

You have four years to find a DO, so you have plenty of time to follow the MD. Go with what works right now.

Not all DO schools require a DO LOR, so if it's an issue, don't apply to them.

In the mean time, chill.

Hey, I have yet another obnoxious pre-med question (surprisingly the automatic forum search did not produce a related thread). I have finally found a physician that may allow me to shadow him; he is somewhat close to my family. He is an MD and I honestly due not have an extreme preference for Osteopathic over Allopathic Medicine, or vice versa; I plan on applying to both types of institutions post undergraduate, but I was reading that some Osteopathic schools will frown upon recomendation letters from/ shadowing experience with MDs. I understand that it is possible to shadow multiple physicians; however, my area is extremely strict on who is allowed in medical facilities so if I get a shadowing position I will be holding onto it for aslong as possible (It has taken almost four months just to get to this point). If I can only shadow an MD, should I be aware of any potential drawbacks when it comes time to apply to Medical School? I am an incoming freshman so I understand this thinking extremely far ahead and things will likely change, but it has taken alot of time just to get at the "maybe" mark on shadowing, so I want to make my position as secure and salubrious as possible. Thanks.

 

[RuralPhysician8]

You have four years to find a DO, so you have plenty of time to follow the MD. Go with what works right now.

Not all DO schools require a DO LOR, so if it's an issue, don't apply to them.

In the mean time, chill.

Thanks everyone, I have a general idea of what Medical schools I want to apply to, but I have been focused mainly on preparing myself for undergraduate work and extracurriculars. Is it recomended that I put together a personal top twenty list of Medical schools or something of that nature? I have already set goals for my college GPA and MCAT. I will definetly look at the link provided by an early poster for DOs in my area, thanks.

 

[darklabel]

Thanks everyone, I have a general idea of what Medical schools I want to apply to, but I have been focused mainly on preparing myself for undergraduate work and extracurriculars. Is it recomended that I put together a personal top twenty list of Medical schools or something of that nature? I have already set goals for my college GPA and MCAT. I will definetly look at the link provided by an early poster for DOs in my area, thanks.

While not imperative, it definitely helps! You'll have leverage over others because you can easily answer questions such as "Why DO?" and all that.

You'll have the edge over people with similar stats and if you want a specific DO school, you definitely should edge yourself as much as possible. You won't believe how many people apply to DO school without a DO letter. (No source, just anecdotes).

 

[113]

My roommate got a DO letter without even shadowing.

He just called up a few local DOs. Most just avoided him. "Leave your number with my assistant, and I'll get back to you." One guy just straight up said, "You need a DO letter, right? What's your email address?"

He got his DO letter a couple hours later. lol

 

[darklabel]

My roommate got a DO letter without even shadowing.

He just called up a few local DOs. Most just avoided him. "Leave your number with my assistant, and I'll get back to you." One guy just straight up said, "You need a DO letter, right? What's your email address?"

He got his DO letter a couple hours later. lol

Were you forced to do it the hard way and actually follow a DO around?

My DO wants me to shadow him every Friday 9 - 5

 

[113]

Were you forced to do it the hard way and actually follow a DO around?

My DO wants me to shadow him every Friday 9 - 5

I've never shadowed a DO.

I do have a letter from one MD. And yes, I had to follow the guy around. He was a pathologist. It was boring.

 

[MedPR]

Were you forced to do it the hard way and actually follow a DO around?

My DO wants me to shadow him every Friday 9 - 5

How many Fridays?

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[darklabel]

How many Fridays?

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Until the end of the semester. Only DO I could find in the area willing to let me shadow and its the most boring specialty of all...psych.

 

[MedPR]

Until the end of the semester. Only DO I could find in the area willing to let me shadow and its the most boring specialty of all...psych.

Have fun

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[darklabel]

Have fun

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Yeah..Got to do what needs to be done. I wish I was in your position of just having an acceptance (MD or DO). I would just eat massive amounts of crap until med school starts.

 

[MedPR]

Yeah..Got to do what needs to be done. I wish I was in your position of just having an acceptance (MD or DO). I would just eat massive amounts of crap until med school starts.

I'm doing the opposite. Working out and watching my diet. 👍

Everything is worth it though, I promise. For example, I shadowed 2 DOs and still think it was worth it even though I'm going MD.

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[RuralPhysician8]

While not imperative, it definitely helps! You'll have leverage over others because you can easily answer questions such as "Why DO?" and all that.

You'll have the edge over people with similar stats and if you want a specific DO school, you definitely should edge yourself as much as possible. You won't believe how many people apply to DO school without a DO letter. (No source, just anecdotes).

Are you saying yes to the top twenty list or just the shadowing a DO? I started considering Osteopathy after taking a huge interest in how the organ systems interact in the terms of one whole organism; I understand that Allopathic takes a similiar approach, but it seems more prevalent in Osteopathy from what I have read. I am also most interested in Family Medicine, so it fits well in my current plans. Thanks again everyone.

 

[MedPR]

Are you saying yes to the top twenty list or just the shadowing a DO? I started considering Osteopathy after taking a huge interest in how the organ systems interact in the terms of one whole organism; I understand that Allopathic takes a similiar approach, but it seems more prevalent in Osteopathy from what I have read. I am also most interested in Family Medicine, so it fits well in my current plans. Thanks again everyone.

It's not more prevalent in either. You practice how you want to practice.

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