worthwhile to shadow a resident??

[avandreel]

Hi, I tried searching for this topic but couldn't really find anything specific...
I am applying to osteopathic schools this summer, and have shadowed one DO who said he would be willing to write me a LOR, but I have been having a hard time getting a hold of him, and so I'm thinking of finding some more DOs to shadow just in case this falls through... my question is this: there is a DO/MD family practice residency in the area, and from what I understand it is not too hard to get to shadow residents here. Would it make a difference if I shadowed and got a LOR from a resident DO, instead of a DO who has been practicing for a while? thanks for your replies

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[MaximusD]

Hi, I tried searching for this topic but couldn't really find anything specific...
I am applying to osteopathic schools this summer, and have shadowed one DO who said he would be willing to write me a LOR, but I have been having a hard time getting a hold of him, and so I'm thinking of finding some more DOs to shadow just in case this falls through... my question is this: there is a DO/MD family practice residency in the area, and from what I understand it is not too hard to get to shadow residents here. Would it make a difference if I shadowed and got a LOR from a resident DO, instead of a DO who has been practicing for a while? thanks for your replies

Chances are that the school won't attempt to make the distinction...

A DO letter is better than no DO letter... A well-known alumni of the school is best...

 

[avandreel]

Thanks for your reply/advice. I definitely wish I had the luxury of finding an alumnus from the school I want to go to, but I'm having a hard enough time just getting in touch with doctors period! So it goes, i guess. what would applying to med school be without a bunch of hoops to jump through? thanks again

 

[HarveyCushing]

This is a little off topic, but to be honest the times I was able to shadow residents at teaching hospitals was the most valuble and insightful experiences I have had during my road to med-school.

 

[NPEMTIV]

This is a little off topic, but to be honest the times I was able to shadow residents at teaching hospitals was the most valuble and insightful experiences I have had during my road to med-school.

Agreed. The residents I shadowed were awesome and very open to answering all of my million questions. They also had a lot of insight into medical school as they were all recent grads.

 

[spicedmanna]

Hi, I tried searching for this topic but couldn't really find anything specific...
I am applying to osteopathic schools this summer, and have shadowed one DO who said he would be willing to write me a LOR, but I have been having a hard time getting a hold of him, and so I'm thinking of finding some more DOs to shadow just in case this falls through... my question is this: there is a DO/MD family practice residency in the area, and from what I understand it is not too hard to get to shadow residents here. Would it make a difference if I shadowed and got a LOR from a resident DO, instead of a DO who has been practicing for a while? thanks for your replies

Yes, it's worth shadowing a resident for the experience and knowledge, but probably not for your LOR. Get an attending to write it, if possible.

 

[misspiti]

i actually shadowed both a resident and a fully practicing physician and got letters from both.
I asked a few schools a while ago whether a letter from a resident would be ok, they said it would be ok but not as strong by itself. they also said a letter from a DO resident and an MD letter would be fine.

what school are you looking to attend?

 

[GreenShirt]

The residents have the DO degree and initials behind their name, so I don'tt see why its would be a problem. The whole reason they want you to shadow is to learn about Osteopathy, no reason a resident can't tell you that. To be on the safe side, contact a few schools about it.

 

[avandreel]

awesome, thank you everyone for your replies. this all seems like good advice, and i will take it into consideration. the good news is that just this morning i got in contact with a physiatrist DO at a local neuro-spine center, and have already scheduled times to shadow. so hopefully this problem is fixed. i still might think about shadowing some residents as suggested though, if only for the experience.

i for sure plan on applying to DMU, CCOM, KCOM, and maybe KCUMB if i think i can make their biochem requirement before i graduate next year. I would really like to stay in the midwest if at all possible. I may add others once I'm actually applying too, who knows... I still don't know whether it is worth it to apply to MSU-COM and OSU-COM, since I hear they are very selective for in-state applicants...
thanks everyone

 

[madscientist50]

Hi, I tried searching for this topic but couldn't really find anything specific...
I am applying to osteopathic schools this summer, and have shadowed one DO who said he would be willing to write me a LOR, but I have been having a hard time getting a hold of him, and so I'm thinking of finding some more DOs to shadow just in case this falls through... my question is this: there is a DO/MD family practice residency in the area, and from what I understand it is not too hard to get to shadow residents here. Would it make a difference if I shadowed and got a LOR from a resident DO, instead of a DO who has been practicing for a while? thanks for your replies

In my interview they liked that I had shadowed both MDs and DOs, and I did some shadowing at a Residency Program and the interviewers also liked that I had gotten to see medicine from a young physicians point of view, as well as older established ones. Good luck, and go for it, shadowing hours never seem to hurt.

 

[Dr JPH]

The clinical experience may be helpful, but the letter you get would probably be worthless (and yes, they would probably put "resident" in their title).

I dont think the letter would be worthless at all. A LOR from anyone, so long as its positive, is good to have.

Would a letter from an attending be better? Absolutely.