Should I even bothering applying if I haven't shadowed with a DO yet?

[liposome]

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I am trying my best to find a DO to shadow with, but that probably won't happen until later in the summer. I also want my primary in right away. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have used the search function here, and found multiple threads on the subject, but there doesn't seem to be any consensus on what to do. This may also be useful for those with the same question. Please help!

 

[snowy117]

I think you should.
A letter for a D.O is RECOMMENDED (not required) for a lot of schools and you never know what might happen in next couple of months! who knows, you might find a D.O to shadow and have the letter ready once you are done with the primary app.

I am trying my best to find a DO to shadow with, but that probably won't happen until later in the summer. I also want my primary in right away. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have used the search function here, and found multiple threads on the subject, but there doesn't seem to be any consensus on what to do. This may also be useful for those with the same question. Please help!

 

[spicedmanna]

I am trying my best to find a DO to shadow with, but that probably won't happen until later in the summer. I also want my primary in right away. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have used the search function here, and found multiple threads on the subject, but there doesn't seem to be any consensus on what to do. This may also be useful for those with the same question. Please help!

Have you shadowed any physician? I think most osteopathic schools require a LOR from a physician. Many will accept a letter from an MD, and a few require DO letters.

 

[liposome]

Have you shadowed any physician? I think most osteopathic schools require a LOR from a physician. Many will accept a letter from an MD, and a few require DO letters.

Thanks, Snowy, Manna!

I'm a nontraditional student, and it's been years since I've shadowed a physician. He won't remember me at all. 🙁 I do have a summer shadowing experience lined up, but I'm unsure whether or not it will be with an MD or DO. I'll probably get a letter from the physician, but it would be later in the summer. So with that in mind, should I still apply?

 

[fightingirish]

Go ahead and apply. But get on it ASAP. I'll be perfectly honest and tell you that I shadowed a DO from Thanksgiving to Christmas (NOT RECOMMENDED, way too late), got a LOR by Jan 1 and I was able to get in to LECOM Bradenton. I'm fairly sure if I had my shadowing done sooner and my LOR sooner (and some secondaries done sooner too), I would have had a few more acceptances to add to that list. By the time you send in the primary, it'll be a month or a month and a half until you get secondaries back. So you still have some time to get the shadowing done.

On the other hand, if your experience somehow turns you off from DO, then you might be wasting a few bucks. I didn't find it too hard to find a good DO to shadow, but if you live in certain areas it might be a little tougher. Just work up some courage and give a few docs a call, it'll be easier than you think.

 

[spicedmanna]

Thanks, Snowy, Manna!

I'm a nontraditional student, and it's been years since I've shadowed a physician. He won't remember me at all. 🙁 I do have a summer shadowing experience lined up, but I'm unsure whether or not it will be with an MD or DO. I'll probably get a letter from the physician, but it would be later in the summer. So with that in mind, should I still apply?

Yeah, if all else in your application is good, then apply. However, you should immediately secure a letter from a physician, a DO if you can, but if you can't, then a LOR from an MD will do for many schools. If you can't get a DO letter, then just don't apply to the schools that require one.

You can easily shadow your family doctor, or the like. If you aren't able to, then ask him or her to recommend one who you can shadow and obtain a letter from promptly. An FP is a good source because they do a lot of referring, so it is likely that he or she will know a doctor who might be able to help you, if he or she can't do it personally. Heck, he or she might even know a DO that you can shadow and obtain a letter from.

Also, check the nearest academic hospital near you. They are accustomed to students, so it could be easier for you to create the opportunity for some shadowing, etc.

 

[liposome]

It looks like I will be sending out my primary soon, and then trying desperately to get a letter from a physician--preferably a DO. Thank you all for the great advice!

 

[PlasticMan]

Apply. I never shadowed a D.O. only an M.D.

 

[azmo07]

I am currently retaking the MCAT on July 24 and need some help regarding MCAT sent to AACOMAS.

I have already taken the mcat last year and did horrible because I was very ill on mcat day. If I am apply for 2008 cycle is it better to wait and send my MCAT score after taking it in July or should I sent my old mcat score first and than send my newer score afterwards.

I am asking because I got an 18N and probably think admisssion will not even look at my app if they see a low mcat score and send me a rejection or put it to a lower mcat pile.

I am averaging around 25-27 score.

 

[ShyRem]

I never shadowed at all. But I did work for more than a few years in the healthcare field with LORs from my supervisors. Applied early, accepted by October 5 with letter in hand. If I recall, only a couple of schools were severe sticklers about "MUST HAVE DO LOR". I didn't apply to those places, and frankly can't remember which ones they were. Most said "don't worry about it" when I called.

Apply. If they bring it up, tell them you are set up to do it in the fall.