Would I be considered to have a DO in the family?

[OceanPotion]

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My step-grandmothers, first cousins, wife is a DO. I have recently had the opportunity to shadow her and was curious as to whether I should list her as family on the AACOMAS app. I think it may be beneficial to state that I have a DO in the family (although exteremely distant). But will my LOR and shadowing experience not be looked as highly upon b/c it was family??? What do you guys think??

(oh, and I had never met her prior to shadowing)

 

[laboholic]

My step-grandmothers, first cousins, wife is a DO. I have recently had the opportunity to shadow her and was curious as to whether I should list her as family on the AACOMAS app. I think it may be beneficial to state that I have a DO in the family (although exteremely distant). But will my LOR and shadowing experience not be looked as highly upon b/c it was family??? What do you guys think??

(oh, and I had never met her prior to shadowing)

I dont think it will help your app to list that. The mere fact that you shadowed a DO will make the biggest difference.

 

[supersash]

i am not sure what looks better, a DO in the fam, or a great letter, but i am thinking the letter is more important to adcoms.

not sure about all school's, but NYCOM's website explicitly states:

A personal evaluation by an osteopathic physician not related to the applicant, although not required, is strongly recommended.

this would lead me to believe other schools may have similar policies. i think a great letter from a great DO (who is hardly related to you know anyways- i don't think there is a category on AACOM for step-grand-cousin whoevers anyways) is much better.

take the letter, they don't need to know how distantly related this DO is to you!

 

[USArmyDoc]

Well, I am going to weigh in on this topic. My father is a DO and I must say I really felt it helped. I never got a Why DO? question. Half the time at my father's school was spent talking about how my father likes the additions to the school. While I had good stats (3.82, 26) for most osteopathic schools out there, I think its def a possibility that it helped me out. I got into every school I applied to and my stats arn't rediculous (MCAT is low).

 

[supersash]

i think it's different in army's case, since it's his dad. i agree if it is a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent), but since its kind of a far stretch, i think the letter will have more weight. but that's just my opinion in your situtation ocean. and i don't have a DO in the fam, not even distantly, so it doesn't effect me in the slightest, although i do have a great DO shadowing experience, and even better letter (i think!).

do what you think is best. ask this family member what they think. they've been through the process they know.

 

[USArmyDoc]

i think it's different in army's case, since it's his dad. i agree if it is a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent), but since its kind of a far stretch, i think the letter will have more weight. but that's just my opinion in your situtation ocean. and i don't have a DO in the fam, not even distantly, so it doesn't effect me in the slightest, although i do have a great DO shadowing experience, and even better letter (i think!).

do what you think is best. ask this family member what they think. they've been through the process they know.

It probably does depend on how close the person is to you. So, in your case, might be better to take the letter.

 

[OceanPotion]

It probably does depend on how close the person is to you. So, in your case, might be better to take the letter.

Thanks to all for replying...I guess everyone agrees the letter is the best choice...thanks again!