Schools not requiring physician LOR?

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:

• LECOM
• ICOM
• Lincoln
• NYITCOM
• UNECOM
• DMU
• VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
• PCOM
• Campbell
• Rowan
• Michigan
• Burrell
• Noorda

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[1ightningz]

TCOM is only a weak recommendation for one from what i've heard. SHSU doesn't require one either.

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

TCOM is only a weak recommendation for one from what i've heard. SHSU doesn't require one either.

Thanks! Do you mean Touro? I also just found Oklahoma isn't requiring one this cycle.

 

[phrenicnerve]

I have an MD letter only because of one of my professors is a retired MD, PNWU and NOVA said they would accept the letter as a physician letter but would need 2 other letters from science faculty who graded your work at well. I’m not sure if this helps anyone

 

[1ightningz]

Thanks! Do you mean Touro? I also just found Oklahoma isn't requiring one this cycle.

North Texas

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

Kinda don't want to do TMDSAS (or whatever it is) at this point, it'd take forever to get verified. Thanks though!

 

[Med20212025]

Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:

• LECOM
• ICOM
• Lincoln
• NYITCOM
• UNECOM
• DMU
• VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
• PCOM
• Campbell
• Rowan
• Michigan
• Burrell
• Noorda

RVU I believe also waived the physician letter but require a "healthcare" recommender.

Where do you see that DMU does not require one??

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

RVU I believe also waived the physician letter but require a "healthcare" recommender.

Where do you see that DMU does not require one??

Good to know -I have one more AACOMAS slot left, so while I could easily get an EMT I work with to write one, I'm saving that slot because I'm setting up some physician shadowing (hopefully next week) and I'm hoping he'll agree to write me a LOR.

DMU doesn't have that listed as a requirement on their interview process page. More anecdotally, I'm in the process of interviewing there now so if I missed that requirement during my search, it may not be a hard requirement.

 

[Med20212025]

Good to know -I have one more AACOMAS slot left, so while I could easily get an EMT I work with to write one, I'm saving that slot because I'm setting up some physician shadowing (hopefully next week) and I'm hoping he'll agree to write me a LOR.

DMU doesn't have that listed as a requirement on their interview process page. More anecdotally, I'm in the process of interviewing there now so if I missed that requirement during my search, it may not be a hard requirement.

Thanks for the info, I'll likely add DMU then!

 

[DOctoredUp]

LECOM and Campbell don't require them? I thought they both did

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

LECOM and Campbell don't require them? I thought they both did

They don't require one. Unless they changed it after I applied (or I missed it), but I did search their websites very thoroughly.

 

[FutureDocGPG97]

Hey everyone, I can delete this thread if it's bothersome. I know myself and a few other applicants were unable to get physician LOR's due to COVID, and I thought maybe having an aggregate thread for us to post about schools that aren't requiring one would be helpful. For example, I didn't know that Lincoln isn't requiring one this year, and if I hadn't stumbled upon that fact, I wouldn't have applied. Lincoln used to require one, but like I said because of the pandemic, they aren't. So I was wondering if other schools have sent updates to their current applicants that they aren't requiring one (and since we/I don't have a physician LOR, we/I wouldn't have gotten that email and known). I'll start:

• LECOM
• ICOM
• Lincoln
• NYITCOM
• UNECOM
• DMU
• VCOM (although they require a DO letter within 30 days of acceptance)
• PCOM
• Campbell
• Rowan
• Michigan
• Burrell
• Noorda

Is this list accurate? Because it says Des Moines still requires a physician letter here: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine DMU-COM - Choose DO

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

Is this list accurate? Because it says Des Moines still requires a physician letter here: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine DMU-COM - Choose DO

I've found Choose DO to be pretty inaccurate about not only LOR requirements, but also course requirements. I scoured DMU's actual website pretty thoroughly and I haven't come across a physician LOR requirement for them.

 

[FutureDocGPG97]

I've found Choose DO to be pretty inaccurate about not only LOR requirements, but also course requirements. I scoured DMU's actual website pretty thoroughly and I haven't come across a physician LOR requirement for them.

Gotcha. I did just check the DMU website and it does say a Medical Letter is required here: How to Apply | Des Moines University

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

Gotcha. I did just check the DMU website and it does say a Medical Letter is required here: How to Apply | Des Moines University

It says Recommends up top. I have my zoom part of my interview with them tomorrow, I've managed to get this far without one, and it says your file won't be complete/passed to the committee for review until all LOR's are received. I really think for them it's a strong recommendation.

 

[FutureDocGPG97]

View attachment 317633

It says Recommends up top. I have my zoom part of my interview with them tomorrow, I've managed to get this far without one, and it says your file won't be complete/passed to the committee for review until all LOR's are received. I really think for them it's a strong recommendation.

ahh okay, that makes sense! I might just apply then haha

 

[let-me-take-my-mcat]

Yeah go for it!