using a d.o. lor for m.d. application?

[r0703]

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Hey guys

I have a really good letter from a do i worked with this summer. Would it be appropriate to use that for my amcas? or will they ask me why I have a do letter and not an md one?

Thanks

 

[theseeker4]

Hey guys

I have a really good letter from a do i worked with this summer. Would it be appropriate to use that for my amcas? or will they ask me why I have a do letter and not an md one?

Thanks

Do the MD schools you are applying to require a physician letter? If not, they are usually pretty useless. If you just want it to be a character reference, as long as the letter isn't "this person would make a great DO because..." it should be fine to use. If the school requires a physician letter, you can always call the admissions office and ask if it has to be from an MD and not a DO.

 

[r0703]

No, I don't think the schools require one but when I talked to one of the admissions officers at a particular school, she said they recommend getting a physician letter, because if there isn't one they'll wonder why not. It doesn't say that on their website or anything, the girl just told me that when I toured the school :/

 

[dbeast]

My pre-med committee required a physician letter. I chose a DO. I'm now at a top 20 program. n=1

😀👍

 

[r0703]

My pre-med committee required a physician letter. I chose a DO. I'm now at a top 20 program. n=1

😀👍

yay, congrats! that's encouraging 🙂

 

[tantacles]

No, I don't think the schools require one but when I talked to one of the admissions officers at a particular school, she said they recommend getting a physician letter, because if there isn't one they'll wonder why not. It doesn't say that on their website or anything, the girl just told me that when I toured the school :/

A D.O. is a physician. No one who actually works in healthcare makes that big of a fuss about the letters after a name with the exception of, perhaps, a residency director.

 

[khrisskhoras]

My pre-med committee required a physician letter. I chose a DO. I'm now at a top 20 program... n=1

😀👍

this

 

[alpharez]

Most MD schools don't require a physician letter, but having one (DO or MD) will be good for your AMCAS application if they can vouch for you, your exposure to medicine, etc.

It is the DO schools that usually require a physician letter. Some require DO letters, and others prefer DO over MD letters.

 

[r0703]

Sounds good thanks! I just spoke with an admissions officer about the DO letter, she said it doesn't matter as long as it's someone in a clinical setting. I think I have an MD letter now anyway. I know it's not required but some schools "recommend" it so that's why I was a little nervous about it!