DrBMX said:
Hi guys,
My close friend is debating b/w WVSOM and SGU. Both are very expensive (SGU = 240k, WVSOM = 300k). What do you think? please give him some thoughts.
Thanks
First off, I think the $60,000 difference is a relatively trivial consideration in such a major decision.
With that said, there are many good arguments to be made for and against both schools. Ultimately, only your friend will have to decide which option is a better 'fit' for them.
As I see it, the benefits to going the osteopathic route are:
1. An LCME school and all the benefits contained therein
2. A degree well regarded and recognised within the US and a number of other countries worldwide
3. Oppurtunity to compete for allopathic and osteopathic residencies
4. The 'convenience' of not having to uproot to another country
5. Many ( esp. primary care physicians ) value the osteopathic approach to evaluating and treating patients
The following should also be considered when considering the osteopathic
route:
1. Many ( unfortunate, but undeniably true) are unaware of the D.O. degree and question the D.O. physician about their qualifications. After residency few question MDs as to their medical school. Once a D.O. however, always a D.O., and many will continue to ask for explanations regarding what exactly it is a D.O. does ( please do not interpret this as a derogatory comment on D.O.s or their training)
2. While the D.O. degree has great acceptance in the U.S. and a good number of countries internationally, it is not as well recognised generally as the MD/ MBBS. To many, this consideration is only slight, as they feel assured that they will never immigrate beyond the 50 states and its territories. For me, this however, was a major deterrent in evaluating the D.O. route.
I think both options are quality routes for your friend. Interestingly, a recent thread in the anesthesiology forum posed the question about preferential hiring of a Harvard grad versus another grad in private practice. The reply of one of the most respected attendings who frequents the Board was quite telling. In it , the attending wrote that he would sooner hire a Ross grad who could work with people than a Harvard grad who had people skill problems. When another poster asked if this was true of all fields of medicine, another attending in private practice attested to the fact that it was. I guess what I am attempting to get at is that if you go to either of these schools with the above considerations in mind, and are personable, you should go far. I would suggest your friend peruse the DO forum for the ubiquitous DO vs. MD threads. I would also suggest they take a look at residency placement lists for the past number of years. Take care.
