Worth it to meet a DO 1 month before application?

[MegaSpectacular]

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I have an MD letter but no DO letter. I wonder if it would be better to:

A. Meet a DO in June and ask him/her to write a letter in July

B. Just use MD letter

 

[sylvanthus]

The DO is not going to get to know you that well in 1 months time, so if you can't spend more time with the DO, then keep the MD letter. I had a good MD letter and so did not seek out a DO to write a letter for me and was able to apply to 16 of the DO programs with that letter. It did not seem to hinder me.


Hope that helps.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

The DO is not going to get to know you that well in 1 months time, so if you can't spend more time with the DO, then keep the MD letter. I had a good MD letter and so did not seek out a DO to write a letter for me and was able to apply to 16 of the DO programs with that letter. It did not seem to hinder me.


Hope that helps.

This isn't necessarily true, if you are shadowing this DO more than once a week then I'm sure he/she will be able to give you a good recommendation letter for your application. You don't have to shadow a DO for a definite amount of time in order to get a good recommendation letter.

 

[PistolPete]

I'd try to get the DO letter if you can. It can only help you.

 

[iatros]

they know the drill. they know you need letters and docs are smart enough to figure you out within a month's time. if you feel like it's going well, dont be surprised if he is more than willing to help you when you approach him about the letter. just be professional and courteous and listen to his advice.

 

[randomusername]

If you know which schools you're going to want to apply to and none of them specifically require a DO LOR, then you can get by with just the MD letter. If you're not certain, definitely try to get a DO letter if you can, just because there are some schools that require a DO LOR, and by not having one you'll be limiting yourself in terms of where you can apply, plus it does seem to show a bit of interest in the profession if you've gone out and shadowed a DO for a bit (not to mention the shadowing is just another thing to toss into your application).

 

[rawman]

I just met a DO during this application cycle in the middle of November since I decided to apply to medical schools at the last minute. I got several interviews and acceptances just fine.

However, if you feel your MD letter is strong, use that. But for schools that require a DO letter, your option A would be a solid idea.

 

[Xaden60]

I used an MD letter and got accepted to my top choice school (DMU). I'd go with whichever would be the stronger letter. A great MD letter >> a lukewarm DO letter

 

[bleeker10]

I would try to shadow and get the letter from the DO. Not every school requires the letters to be in before they interview you. At my school, I didn't turn my DO letter in until after I interviewed. They just hold your app until they get everything. By the time you need to turn in the letter, it could be a couple months down the road. Plus it will probably take you 4-6 weeks for AACOMAS to verify your app so you have plenty of time to get a good letter.

 

[bigyihoroi]

I honestly told the D.O. that I would like her to write me a positive letter of recommendation in July before my shadowing began. I explained to her that it was urgent and I was in the middle of my application process. Surprisingly, she was totally fine with it and wrote me one right away, but then I shadowed her for a total of 80 hours later. Just be honest and ask. They will understand your situation.

 

[PasLuvTshaj]

thanks for all the suggestions...this is very helpful for me too.

 

[vegas2014]

Definitely shadow the DO and put it on your application. None of the schools I applied to required a DO letter, so I just used the MD one and never asked the DO I shadowed for a letter. However, all my interviews asked specifically about my DO experience, so it is one of the best things you can do. But like others have said, look into which schools you are applying too.

 

[group_theory]

Moving to Pre-Osteo