MD vs DO

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dmd299

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Okay, I read the sticky, but I have a few more questions.

GPA: 3.3
Age: 22
B.S.: Business Administration

Due to my current degree, I have thought about posting this in the Non-Trad forum, but I thought I might get better answers here. People in the Non-Trad forum are usually a lot older than I am and generally have lower undergread GPAs. I just started taking my pre-reqs so I can't really post a BCPM GPA. My math is strong (A's), but I took off-shoot science classes (meteorology, astronomy) for my general science credits.

Here is what I want to know:

-Are there any advantages to becoming a DO?

-Are there any advantages to becoming a MD?

-If DOs have the same curriculum as a MD, but with the added OMM, why are they thought of to be a "lesser" doctor by "some people" (prestige wise, not that I care about prestige. DOs have an extra class the way I see it). I know that DO schools are supposed to be easier to get into. Is admission the reason why DOs are viewed this way?

-According to medschoolready.com, DOs may find it harder to get into the residency of their choice. Is this true?

-I want to go osteopathic simply because my chances of getting into a med school is greater than that of at allopathic school. Since most DOs don't practice OMM, is this a bad choice?

-I am graduating with a Bachelor's in Business. However, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I origanlly wanted to be a doctor, but thought I couldn't stand the amount of school (now I love school, that's just me). Will graduating in a non-science degree hurt me signifacantly?

-If I get an A in all of my post-bacc science courses, that will only bring my GPA up to about a 3.48. I know med colleges won't count that as my total GPA. Is a 3.3 undergrad GPA bad?

-Do I HAVE to shadow DOs? If I shadow MDs, will it count the same for admission purposes? (there are more MDs than DOs).

-Why do you guys use the term "matriculate" instead of admission or admittance? Do you feel special for using that term that? Do you find pleasure in making me go to dictionary.com? (that was a joke, but seriously).

-Anyone here know how hard it is to get into Penn State Hershey Medical Center? (yeah, a little off topic, I know, but that is my first choice).

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
 
dmd299 said:
Okay, I read the sticky, but I have a few more questions.

GPA: 3.3
Age: 22
B.S.: Business Administration

Due to my current degree, I have thought about posting this in the Non-Trad forum, but I thought I might get better answers here. People in the Non-Trad forum are usually a lot older than I am and generally have lower undergread GPAs. I just started taking my pre-reqs so I can't really post a BCPM GPA. My math is strong (A's), but I took off-shoot science classes (meteorology, astronomy) for my general science credits.

Here is what I want to know:

-Are there any advantages to becoming a DO?

-Are there any advantages to becoming a MD?

-If DOs have the same curriculum as a MD, but with the added OMM, why are they thought of to be a "lesser" doctor by "some people" (prestige wise, not that I care about prestige. DOs have an extra class the way I see it). I know that DO schools are supposed to be easier to get into. Is admission the reason why DOs are viewed this way?

-According to medschoolready.com, DOs may find it harder to get into the residency of their choice. Is this true?

-I want to go osteopathic simply because my chances of getting into a med school is greater than that of at allopathic school. Since most DOs don't practice OMM, is this a bad choice?

-I am graduating with a Bachelor's in Business. However, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I origanlly wanted to be a doctor, but thought I couldn't stand the amount of school (now I love school, that's just me). Will graduating in a non-science degree hurt me signifacantly?

-If I get an A in all of my post-bacc science courses, that will only bring my GPA up to about a 3.48. I know med colleges won't count that as my total GPA. Is a 3.3 undergrad GPA bad?

-Do I HAVE to shadow DOs? If I shadow MDs, will it count the same for admission purposes? (there are more MDs than DOs).

-Why do you guys use the term "matriculate" instead of admission or admittance? Do you feel special for using that term that? Do you find pleasure in making me go to dictionary.com? (that was a joke, but seriously).

-Anyone here know how hard it is to get into Penn State Hershey Medical Center? (yeah, a little off topic, I know, but that is my first choice).

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
Click to expand...

u r beatting a dead horse here.
All these were answered like gazilion times.Use the search button.
This type of threads are either ignored here or turn into flame wars or are imedietly closed by Nate.
I guess you didn't really read the sticky since if you did would would known not to name your thread MD vs. DO😀
It seems like you need some kind of reasurance and rely on DO just in case MD doesn't work.
Try to search around a little, shadow a DO and go from there.
 
dr.kicia said:
u r beatting a dead horse here.
All these were answered like gazilion times.Use the search button.
This type of threads are either ignored here or turn into flame wars or are imedietly closed by Nate.
I guess you didn't really read the sticky since if you did would would known not to name your thread MD vs. DO😀
It seems like you need some kind of reasurance and rely on DO just in case MD doesn't work.
Try to search around a little, shadow a DO and go from there.
Click to expand...

gotta love it ...
 
dmd299 said:
Due to my current degree, I have thought about posting this in the Non-Trad forum, but I thought I might get better answers here. People in the Non-Trad forum are usually a lot older than I am and generally have lower undergread GPAs. I just started taking my pre-reqs so I can't really post a BCPM GPA. My math is strong (A's), but I took off-shoot science classes (meteorology, astronomy) for my general science credits.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with the first responder. You've asked the standard FAQ. With only 5 posts, we can get thin-skinned because you look like a one-way discussion participant.

Being a business major doesn't really make you non-traditional. Med schools don't care what your major is. Also calling out the nontrads for having lower grades isn't going to earn you any friends, especially when you're asking about a 3.3.

I say matriculate when I'm talking about starting school. You can be admitted to many schools well before you have to start, but you will only matriculate at one. It means two different things to say that you need this or that to apply for admission versus you need this or that prior to matriculation.

It's not uncommon for DO schools to ask for LOR's from DO's.

Penn State should have their stats available either in an MSAR or on their website.

If you've just started your prereq's, it's too soon to be asking whether or not you'll be competative. Baby steps. So do your best in those classes first, assess your progress, do your best on the MCAT, assess your progress, evaluate your app, then come for advice. The future will be much less cloudy at that point. Build a competative app the first time before applying, as some places aren't particularly friendly to re-applicants.
 
dmd299 said:
-Are there any advantages to becoming a DO?

-Are there any advantages to becoming a MD?
Click to expand...

In practice, both perform the same role in healthcare; they are both physicians. The DO will have some extra training in OMM, an extra modality that they can use to treat and diagnose patients. The training is a little different; the approach to patient care is more holistic. However, this is no longer unique to DO's, because now both schools are implementing a biopsychosocial approach to patient care. It only makes sense, of course. DO's have historically viewed patients in context with their environment and think of treatment as more than just addressing the presenting signs and symptoms. They tend to understand that all systems are connected and value a preventive approach. The original focus was on maintaining neuromusculoskeletal system health, but quickly expanded into include all aspects of evidence-based biomedicine. Another way of looking at the approach is like this: Imagine a plant that is spotted from disease. Is it the result of the plant virus, or is it the result of poor soil that made the plant vulnerable to disease? The DO philosophy tries to address both components in order to achieve lasting wellness. That's my take on it anyway.

You really can't play this pro/con game, because it's more about which approach fits you better. That's how I like to frame it, anyway. I'll indulge you somewhat, however:

The advantages to DO is that you will know more about manipulative medicine and be able to diagnose much better with through palpation, etc. It's like having an extra tool in your chest of healing modalities. Also, you'll have a better time if you jive with the general philosophy. DO's have the option of matching into their own residencies and/or that of the MD's.

-If DOs have the same curriculum as a MD, but with the added OMM, why are they thought of to be a "lesser" doctor by "some people" (prestige wise, not that I care about prestige. DOs have an extra class the way I see it). I know that DO schools are supposed to be easier to get into. Is admission the reason why DOs are viewed this way?
Click to expand...

Oh, boy. This is done to death. Just do a search and you'll get plenty of conjecture on this. The type of thinking that you describe is fairly rare in the field; both types of physicians have mutual respect for one another. They work side-by-side without any problems. I recently visited a military hospital and it was filled with DO's.

The DO curriculum is similar to the MD curriculum, with OMM and other Osteopathic elements included. But it's more fluid than that. In fact, several schools have curriculums that are widely used because they are so good at preparing physicians for primary care, etc.

DO schools are easier to get into numberwise. They evaluate somewhat differently than their MD cousins and less competition in general (although this is quickly changing). A lot of MD schools are interested in rankings and try to bring their rankings up through higher numbers, etc. DO's tend to look beyond numbers at the whole person for their potential to practice medicine. This is true to their philosophy.

-According to medschoolready.com, DOs may find it harder to get into the residency of their choice. Is this true?
Click to expand...

Depends on the residency. If you want it, you can achieve it. Enough said.

-I want to go osteopathic simply because my chances of getting into a med school is greater than that of at allopathic school. Since most DOs don't practice OMM, is this a bad choice?
Click to expand...

It's not a bad choice; a doctor is of course a doctor. Ideally, you should make sure that you LIKE the Osteopathic philosophy. If you don't, it won't be a fun ride at all. You need to prove to DO schools that you value their philosophy, which might not be easy at all, if you don't like what makes them unique.

-I am graduating with a Bachelor's in Business. However, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I origanlly wanted to be a doctor, but thought I couldn't stand the amount of school (now I love school, that's just me). Will graduating in a non-science degree hurt me signifacantly?
Click to expand...

Your degree doesn't matter. Your major is insignificant. Do what you enjoy, but do it well. What worries me is your motivations for becoming a doctor and that you know that you have a tremendously long road ahead of you, filled with much work. You'll need to prove this to medical schools.

-If I get an A in all of my post-bacc science courses, that will only bring my GPA up to about a 3.48. I know med colleges won't count that as my total GPA. Is a 3.3 undergrad GPA bad?
Click to expand...

Nope. It's okay. They look at trends and your MCAT, too.

-Do I HAVE to shadow DOs? If I shadow MDs, will it count the same for admission purposes? (there are more MDs than DOs).
Click to expand...

Some require DO recommendations, some are okay with MD or DO. Check the individual school. I believe most schools highly recommend a DO letter, even though they are okay with an MD letter. I recommend shadowing a DO, even if you don't get a recommendation from them. It's critical that you understand the philosphy, etc.

-Why do you guys use the term "matriculate" instead of admission or admittance? Do you feel special for using that term that? Do you find pleasure in making me go to dictionary.com? (that was a joke, but seriously).
Click to expand...

You know that matriculate is a common term used in academia, right?
 
I recently visited a military hospital and it was filled with DO's.
Click to expand...

Ah....apparently the exterminators have been slacking off *JOKING* :laugh:

why are they thought of to be a "lesser" doctor by "some people" (prestige wise, not that I care about prestige. DOs have an extra class the way I see it). I know that DO schools are supposed to be easier to get into. Is admission the reason why DOs are viewed this way?
Click to expand...

It's basically because of historical BS that really doesn't apply outside of the premed world or the circle of old docs who were around in the days when DO's really were viewed as second class citizens. Of course the AOA doesn't help matters anyhow but that's a topic for another thread......
 
..we might want to consider being a little nicer to newbies that ask legitimate questions. How are they supposed to know that these threads start all the time and they just end in flame wars? Kindly direct to FAQ.
 
Read "The DO's" by Gevitz.

Do a search for some of your other questions.

Come on back if you're still wondering.

I think anyone considering the profession should read that book I mentioned.
 
MJB said:
Read "The DO's" by Gevitz.

Do a search for some of your other questions.

Come on back if you're still wondering.

I think anyone considering the profession should read that book I mentioned.
Click to expand...

which book? sorry, too lazy to search.
 
MJB said:
Is this a joke? I'm a little off this morning... 🙂

The book I mentioned in the post you quoted.
Click to expand...

hahahaha...sorry...it's time for new glasses...
 
fyi: math doesn't matter... for your science gpa on the application for osteopathic schools but it does on your for md.
 
czanetti said:
FYI your wrong!

TCOM, UMDNJSOM, TOUROCOM all require math and include it in your science GPA. TCOM 3 credits, TOUROCOM 4, UMDNJSOM 6.

http://aacom.org/data/cib/04-prereqs.html
Click to expand...

ummm.... the OP was refering ot the sci gpa as BCPM and pointed out that they had all As in math, so the previous poster was just informing him(hence the fyi).... a lil aggressive today, are we?😎
 
Thanks for all your replies guys, especially spicedmanna.

Yes, I am a newb, sorry. (You were once newbs too!)

I'll do some searching and check out that book.

Thanks again.

P.S. This was probably a bad title for the thread, my bad.
 
ma·tric·u·late (mə-trĭk'yə-lāt') Pronunciation Key
tr. & intr.v. ma·tric·u·lat·ed, ma·tric·u·lat·ing, ma·tric·u·lates
To admit or be admitted into a group, especially a college or university.

n. (-lĭt, -lāt')
One who is admitted as a student to a college or university.
dictionary.com

Sorry, I was confused confused about the term.
 
dmd299 said:
ma·tric·u·late (mə-trĭk'yə-lāt') Pronunciation Key
tr. & intr.v. ma·tric·u·lat·ed, ma·tric·u·lat·ing, ma·tric·u·lates
To admit or be admitted into a group, especially a college or university.

n. (-lĭt, -lāt')
One who is admitted as a student to a college or university.
dictionary.com

Sorry, I was confused confused about the term.
Click to expand...

well that is not what it means in the medical admission process. Mirriam-Webster:
Main Entry: ma·tric·u·late
Pronunciation: m&-'tri-ky&-"lAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin matriculatus, past participle of matriculare, from Late Latin matricula public roll, diminutive of matric-, matrix list, from Latin, breeding female
transitive verb : to enroll as a member of a body and especially of a college or university
intransitive verb : to become matriculated
 
to the op:

take more science courses to show the adcoms you can cut it. though they're largely useless, the first two years basically consist of taking upper-level science courses in fast-forward.

raise your mcat score. 24 would be ok but 26 or 27 would be better.

even then, you'll get a lot more action from DO schools than MD schools.

in the end, it really doesn't matter where you go. most of the people who care about the MD vs. DO are douchebags or premeds. or both. you'll find quickly that there really are stereotypes in the field that mostly hold true. personally i'm more concerned that my classmates and coworkers are pleasent to be around and competent at actually taking care of people as opposed to what school they slogged through the mostly useless basic sciences at.

it's kind of canned advice, but your question is sort of played out (as others have mentioned). that said, i'll stand by my advice.

ps i'm a 2nd yr MD student who applied to more DO schools than MD schools, but sold out for in-state tution.
 
Would it be possible for Both MD and DO be awarded MDs and if a physician has a completion of OMM just add MD-O to their title for philosphy and distinguish..? for example, just as FACS, AAFP, FAAP, etc. Maybe the year 3007? Now we are all on the same page! Btw, just curious is there a current physician with both title..MD and DO as Dr. still? I'd be lucky whatever schools accepted first, today there are more students wanting to going into medicine than ever before...dont know if a bandwagon or serious.
 
Gentle_Touch said:
Would it be possible for Both MD and DO be awarded MDs and if a physician has a completion of OMM just add MD-O to their title for philosphy and distinguish..? for example, just as FACS, AAFP, FAAP, etc. Maybe the year 3007? Now we are all on the same page! Btw, just curious is there a current physician with both title..MD and DO as Dr. still? I'd be lucky whatever schools accepted first, today there are more students wanting to going into medicine than ever before...dont know if a bandwagon or serious.
Click to expand...

as serious as your "gentle touch" ...
 
Gentle_Touch said:
Would it be possible for Both MD and DO be awarded MDs and if a physician has a completion of OMM just add MD-O to their title for philosphy and distinguish..? for example, just as FACS, AAFP, FAAP, etc. Maybe the year 3007? Now we are all on the same page! Btw, just curious is there a current physician with both title..MD and DO as Dr. still? I'd be lucky whatever schools accepted first, today there are more students wanting to going into medicine than ever before...dont know if a bandwagon or serious.
Click to expand...
It's been discussed before on here......in the Osteopathic forum I do believe.
 
DropkickMurphy said:
It's been discussed before on here......in the Osteopathic forum I do believe.
Click to expand...

Agreed. As of right now, OMM is what makes DO's unique from their MD counterparts. However, as time passes, the percentage of DO's that actually use OMM steadily decreases. I predict that soon this percentage will be negligible to a point where 1.) DO's and MD's will eventually have a combined match 2.) LATER DO's and MD's will share the same title (maybe all MD's but who knows). This probably will not be in our lifetime though.

Corrections and criticism are welcomed.

jays2cool4u 😎
 
The only thing stopping it from happening is the small and extremely vocal minority who believe there is some grand difference between the two camps. Personally I see no problem with osteopathic schools granting MD degrees and a certificate of completion or a masters or whatever in OMM.
 
DropkickMurphy said:
The only thing stopping it from happening is the small and extremely vocal minority who believe there is some grand difference between the two camps. Personally I see no problem with osteopathic schools granting MD degrees and a certificate of completion or a masters or whatever in OMM.
Click to expand...


Yep, M.D.-O or MSOM, MD
 
jays2cool4u said:
Agreed. As of right now, OMM is what makes DO's unique from their MD counterparts. However, as time passes, the percentage of DO's that actually use OMM steadily decreases. I predict that soon this percentage will be negligible to a point where 1.) DO's and MD's will eventually have a combined match 2.) LATER DO's and MD's will share the same title (maybe all MD's but who knows). This probably will not be in our lifetime though.

Corrections and criticism are welcomed.

jays2cool4u 😎
Click to expand...


I agree...but I think it will be sooner.
 
I think the talk of MD-O degrees is sort of silly. Either you're different or you're not. If the training is different enough to warrant a separate degree, be proud of it. The practice privilages are already the same.

You can pay a carribean MD school to basically give you an MD degree as a DO... but why would you? It wouldn't change a thing about how you practice medicine.

Your patients will call you Dr. regardless of the degree you have. They will judge you on how you interact with them, not where you went to school. The vast majority could care less.
 
sunnyjohn said:
Yep, M.D.-O or MSOM, MD
Click to expand...
Actually it would properly be MD, MSOM (although I imagine not a lot of people would bother putting the osteopathic credential after their MD)

I believe the MDO designation is already taken by some oddity of alternative medicine
 
stoic said:
Your patients will call you Dr. regardless of the degree you have. They will judge you on how you interact with them, not where you went to school. The vast majority could care less.
Click to expand...

👍
 
Thanks for your input everyone.

I recently asked my mother about DOs, and she listed many doctors (many of which have cared for me throughout my life) that she was really fond of. She (like many of you) said a doctor is a doctor. She didn't know what the difference was between MDs and DOs, but she only commented on the person, not the degree. She has been an RN for over 30 years, btw.

Again, I am sorry for starting what some of you may see as a useless thread, but I did get some good information out of it. (Regardless of what dictionary you want to use :laugh: )

Thanks again everyone. I really am happy I found this board. It has been very helpful to me.
 
dmd299 said:
Thanks for your input everyone.

I recently asked my mother about DOs, and she listed many doctors (many of which have cared for me throughout my life) that she was really fond of. She (like many of you) said a doctor is a doctor. She didn't know what the difference was between MDs and DOs, but she only commented on the person, not the degree. She has been an RN for over 30 years, btw.

Again, I am sorry for starting what some of you may see as a useless thread, but I did get some good information out of it. (Regardless of what dictionary you want to use :laugh: )

Thanks again everyone. I really am happy I found this board. It has been very helpful to me.
Click to expand...

glad to have you. sdn has been good to me over the years. you can learn a ton. just don't get too caught up in the craziness of pre-allo!
 
stoic said:
ps i'm a 2nd yr MD student who applied to more DO schools than MD schools, but sold out for in-state tution.
Click to expand...
That sounds like something I would do.
 
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