To use the DO LOR or not to use, that is the question...

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unc_jack_of_A

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I got a DO LOR through shadowing, and they shared it with me, it had my name wrong, and several major grammatical and spelling errors, and it said nothing of actual substance and they ad-libeled me asking random questions that make me sound like I have half a brain, as a poor example of I'm guessing my display of curiosity. But it does end on a good note.

I kindly asked them to make the spelling and grammar corrections and correct my name, which they then said they did and resubmitted but I never saw.

But it was clear that this was a very low effort and badly written LOR, but with the spelling/grammar edits it’s possible that it’s maybe bearable now. (Or at least that’s what I’m wishfully thinking)

Sorry if this sounds bad but it could have been nice if they just said no to my request.

But its a DO letter, any chance I should still use it?
Mainly I'm worried with if using it would hurt my chances vs help my chances.

Thanks.

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Goro said:
Don't take a chance. A bad LOR will end your chances at med school.

While having a DO LOR is always good, you won't be penalized for not having one

I was afraid that this was the case. Just sucks that it was a great experience and felt really welcomed by the team there, seemed like the doc was supportive, but I guess asking for a LOR was maybe too much. 🙁

Thank you!
 
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You can still write about the shadowing experience in one of your DO application entries, you don't have to have a letter from the physician you shadowed to do so.

Agreed! This was still a valuable DO experience and writing about it can definitely help show this to DO schools.

Thanks!
 
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UPDATE:

I made the necessary edits without changing the message of the LOR and politely asked if they could resubmit that “I was hoping it would draw on some specifics from my PS” and they agreed!

🙂
 
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