Volunteering at a clinic run by DO

[Delish]

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Hi everyone,

My plan is to apply broadly to both MD and DO schools, and, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to include volunteering at a health clinic run by a DO in my MD application. At this clinic, I get to interact with patients, shadow the DO, help out with the pharmacy, and guide patients around the facility.

I originally started this experience because I wanted to explore the option of DO and eventually get a LOR. Instead of just following around the DO, I became a lot more involved in the clinic. I think that the experiences here would help my application but I'm kind of hesitant simply because I would be using a "DO activity" for an "MD" application. How will ADCOMS perceive this experience? Would it be beneficial or seen in a slightly negative light?

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[Lucidity]

Hi everyone,

My plan is to apply broadly to both MD and DO schools, and, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to include volunteering at a health clinic run by a DO in my MD application. At this clinic, I get to interact with patients, shadow the DO, help out with the pharmacy, and guide patients around the facility.

I originally started this experience because I wanted to explore the option of DO and eventually get a LOR. Instead of just following around the DO, I became a lot more involved in the clinic. I think that the experiences here would help my application but I'm kind of hesitant simply because I would be using a "DO activity" for an "MD" application. How will ADCOMS perceive this experience? Would it be beneficial or seen in a slightly negative light?

Let me know what you guys think!

They are a doctor that you shadowed/volunteered with in order to further your understanding of medicine. I would use it...

 

[somethingdeep]

Hi everyone,

My plan is to apply broadly to both MD and DO schools, and, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to include volunteering at a health clinic run by a DO in my MD application. At this clinic, I get to interact with patients, shadow the DO, help out with the pharmacy, and guide patients around the facility.

I originally started this experience because I wanted to explore the option of DO and eventually get a LOR. Instead of just following around the DO, I became a lot more involved in the clinic. I think that the experiences here would help my application but I'm kind of hesitant simply because I would be using a "DO activity" for an "MD" application. How will ADCOMS perceive this experience? Would it be beneficial or seen in a slightly negative light?

Let me know what you guys think!

The SDN is strong with this one 🙄

In all seriousness, you would not be deceiving anyone if you neglected to mention that the "health clinic" that you volunteered at was run by a DO rather than an MD.

 

[dsoz]

I put down on my AMCAS that I shadowed two different DO physicians.

IMO, physicians are physicians. The DOs didn't do much different than the MDs that I shadowed. Since I interviewed at two MD schools, and was accepted to one and waitlisted at the other, I don't think it hurt me to admit that I shadowed DOs.

In fact, in the interview I had a good conversation with my interviewer at an MD school about the differences between the MD and the DO physicians that I shadowed.

dsoz

 

[Cuongoff]

Yea, if it was an MD that was running it, would you have mentioned that he was MD in your PS? No, you wouldn't. Just say you work at a clinic that allows you to shadow a doctor. When writing it for DO schools though, it'd be beneficial to state that the doctor was DO.

 

[touchpause13]

 

[Delish]

All good points everyone. Thanks everyone!

 

[as1212559]

Don't do it. MD schools will know you participated in the herb/root rubs and incense burning at the DO clinic and your app will get tossed in the trash.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Don't do it. MD schools will know you participated in the herb/root rubs and incense burning at the DO clinic and your app will get tossed in the trash.

I lold.

J/k

👎

 

[as1212559]

DO's are just glorified shamans.

But srs OP, is your MD apps for real? No acceptances with a 36 lolwut?

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

But srs OP, is your MD apps for real? No acceptances with a 36 lolwut?

Another example?

Lol. Keep 'em coming.

:troll:

 

[as1212559]

Lol I'm matriculating at DO school. Strong sarcasm/10 in my posts. Am legit interested if OP's mdapps is serious or not though..

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Lol I'm matriculating at DO school. Strong sarcasm/10 in my posts. Am legit interested if OP's mdapps is serious or not though..

Long day at work, forgive the grumpiness/lack of sarcasm fluency.

Some people can nail the MCAT and supremely suck in other areas. 😀

Not judging OP, but who knows?

 

[Beargryllz]

The proper way to word this to an MD program is that you shadowed a doctor while volunteering at a clinic

The proper way to word this to a DO program is that you shadowed a DO while volunteering at a clinic, and then you make sure you send his LOR

This is a win/win situation for you

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

The proper way to word this to an MD program is that you shadowed a doctor while volunteering at a clinic

The proper way to word this to a DO program is that you shadowed a DO while volunteering at a clinic, and then you make sure you send his LOR

This is a win/win situation for you

👍

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

It hurt me to admit that I haven't shadowed a D.O. (during interviews at D.O. schools of course). Talk about an uphill battle..

 

[Delish]

Long day at work, forgive the grumpiness/lack of sarcasm fluency.

Some people can nail the MCAT and supremely suck in other areas. 😀

Not judging OP, but who knows?

Not going to lie, I didn't prepare very well/ write very good essays and didn't do any looking up of info at SDN. So thumbs down to me haha. Trolling would be fun..but i'm nowhere near capable of doing it...as of now 😀

 

[nysegop]

MD = Doctor
DO = Doctor

Include it. Hell, even if you volunteered at a clinic run by your grandma, you should include it.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Not going to lie, I didn't prepare very well/ write very good essays and didn't do any looking up of info at SDN. So thumbs down to me haha. Trolling would be fun..but i'm nowhere near capable of doing it...as of now 😀

There are tons of resources to help with anything you feel may be holding you back. I, personally, wouldn't mind reviewing a PS for a critique so long as everything is anonymous. I also thought the med edits book by Jessica Freedman was helpful.

I wanna clarify that I'm not saying you suck, but that it is possible to fail to gain admission, even with a sick MCAT like that or better as well as with perfect grades, or both. Forgive my strong phrasing.

Good luck, OP.

 

[Delish]

Don't worry about it haha. Nothing wrong about the way you said it. I'm just glad to be part of the community now!

Thanks for the support!