-
The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum. -
Bring your 2026 application questions to our open office hours with Emil Chuck, PhD, Director of Advising Services for HPSA, and get them answered live. Personal statements, secondaries, interview prep, school list strategy. Sunday, May 17 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Which schools don't require LOR's from docs.???
Started by yzf600
I think all of them do require LOR from a physician.
MSU doesnt.
If the volunteer coordinator is NOT a physician, then NOOOOOO-- it doesn't count as a physician letter. Some schools require a DO letter and nothing else counts. The words "require" and "DO" are pretty easy to understand. Some schools like DMU, however, do NOT require a physician letter; rather, they require a letter from someone who can verify patient contact experience. A letter from a volunteer coordinator WOULD count in that case.
You ned to look at the requirements of individual schools because they are all different.
In the case where they just "strongly suggest" a letter from either a physician or DO in particular, you would be stupid not to get one because it could put you at a disadvantage if you don't. I've heard a gazillion premeds complain that, "getting a DO letter is hard because there aren't many in my area." Well...that's just too damned bad, because finding a DO to write you a letter is a whole hell of a lot easier than passing first year med school anatomy. If you think that's hard, then you've got a lot to learn.
for DMU it can. and also there are at least a handful (if not more) DO programs that dont require physcian letters. However, this is extremely easily accessible info, so go to AACOM.
Would it be better to have a lukewarm DO letter or not have one at all?
UNECOMs secondary says not at all. But i beg to differ.
I would urge you to try to aquire a LOR. If you can't find a DO, then find an MD to make an LOR for you.
I'm pretty sure it's optional for TCOM but I turned one in anyway. But as the others said, it's very beneficial to have one at hand.
