Western COMP or Carribean MD....Please Advice

jathan007 · May 21, 2007

Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

simpleman · May 21, 2007

the decision is up to you, but I recommend sticking to the DO. I was considering Carribean, but with DO, you have a lot of more opportunities. Carrib med schools take people with 12s on their MCATS and 2.5s GPA, and you certainly dont wanna be with people who are not committed to be there. But let me tell you, those people are the ones who dont make it through first semester and schools like Ross end up weeding out 150 people from there entering class of 420 students. Ross has an average of admitting people with a 17 on their MCAT and 2.83 science and CGPA.

In the US, ur chances are ranked accordingly: US Allopaths> US Osteopathics> Carrib Grads> FMGs from every where else.

Stay here in the country being comfortable with the lifestyle and gain a better education b/c anywhere u go in the carrib, u r studying on your own from day one; meaning that professors are not there to teach you.

Here you have professors to help you, a comfortable lifestyle, and a better education and above all being a US Graduate. DO=MD, no inferiority present. Being inferior to someone else is when that person is in a higher specialty than you. EX: I would feel inferior to an Orthopedic or a Neurosurgeon, if I am a Radiologist. THis might be a bad example, but truly the surgeon is, in my opinion, far above than a Radiologist, despite Radiology being a reputable position. This kind of inferiority is present. My dad, a Forensic Pathologist, always feels inferior to the Dermatologist at my Church, despite both being MDs.

Anyway, DO much better than Carrib. Go with Western!! Its a good school.

spicedmanna · May 21, 2007

jathan007 said:
Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

There is some negatively amongst premeds about MD vs. DO, but by-in-large, it isn't prevalent in the professional world. MD's and DO's work side-by-side, without any snags; there is strong sense of mutual respect and collegiality. I'm sure there is misinformation floating around and there will be some prejudice; that's natural if you consider that DO's represent about 5% of the physicians in the United States. DO's are a minority group. That said, I haven't heard any compelling arguments that suggest DO's have difficulty fitting into a mostly MD world. You might need to explain your degree from time to time and do some basic educating, but I think that's the extent of it.

If you attend a Caribbean medical school, the consensus here is that you'll have it more difficult than if you attended a US medical school. First of all, the attrition rate is significant and the luxuries are few. Second of all, when you graduate, you'll be considered an IMG which will work against you in the match process. On the other hand, you'll earn the right to place "MD" after your name, if that's important to you. Just know that if you are going to attend a Caribbean medical school, you will likely be placing yourself in a less secure situation.

If you absolutely don't want a DO degree and you can't appreciate OMM, then I'd say go to the Caribbean medical school. There's no sense becoming a bitter DO that never wanted to be one. However, that said, I think going the DO route will give you more options and will be easier.

emaj1n · May 21, 2007

jathan007 said:
Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

I recommend staying the DO path. Here is why (briefly):

If you want to be a physician to help others, it doesn't matter what's after your name. You'll have the same opportunities.

There are differences in philosophies of allopathy and osteopathy, but that won't affect how your practice. MDs and DOs practice the same medicine, with a seldom exception being OMM.

The stigma about osteopathy is quickly disappearing. Currently, a percentage of the older MDs are the only people who see osteopathy as an inferior medicine (and that's mainly because allopathy is the "traditional" way). I think you'll find that youger MDs couldn't care less because they are working with DOs in residencies, private practices, and so on. Current MD students and young MDs are seeing that DOs are just as qualified, and it's not an issue. Physicians judge each other by their performance as physicians, not by their MCAT and GPA. Once the older population of practicing MDs retires, I think you'll see that there isn't a stigma anymore.

In truth, the only people who think DOs are "inferior" are those worried about preserving a "tradition." Those people are a dying breed. If you are worried about what traditionalists think about DOs, then you probably don't want to go to the Caribbean, as that "stigma" among traditionalists is even worse.

Finally, and this is my personal opinion, I think you place yourself in a better position for a competitive residency as a DO student than a Carribean MD student. I could be wrong about this, Carribean MD students, and if so, I apologize. But the last time I saw a set of numbers, some DO schools were getting competitive residencies at same rate as in-country MD schools. (If someone has numbers to support or contradict this, please post.)

Both careers can lead to an equal career outcome. From my perspective, going to the Caribbean will just make reaching that equal career more difficult.

Best of luck! PM or email me (link on my blog) if you have any other questions.

StringerBell · May 21, 2007

spicedmanna said:
If you absolutely don't want a DO degree and you can't appreciate OMM, then I'd say go to the Caribbean medical school. There's no sense becoming a bitter DO that never wanted to be one.

Go for the Caribbean school, whatever unidentified one that you may be talking about, instead of your definite acceptance to Western.

I, for one, would actually like to attend Western, so as a waitlister, I could use the spot. 👍

Dr2Bee · May 21, 2007

jathan007 said:
Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

You should take your acceptance at Western and be happy with it. Its the better option. Western is a decent school and its located in nice California weather. Going to a DO school will put you at a far better advantage at getting a good residency than a carribean school. You will be better trained at a US school than one overseas. Plus, as a DO student you can apply to both MD and DO residencies.

If you are still insecure about having "DO" after your name, going to a carribean school to get that MD wont solve your problem...when people ask you where you went to school.

There will always be some form of stigmatism...only thing you can do is be confident in yourself and do your best in your medical education. Once you become a competent doctor and good at what you do, no one is gonna care where you went to school or what type of medical degree you have.

IWant2BeADoctor · May 21, 2007

simpleman said:
the decision is up to you, but I recommend sticking to the DO. I was considering Carribean, but with DO, you have a lot of more opportunities. Carrib med schools take people with 12s on their MCATS and 2.5s GPA, and you certainly dont wanna be with people who are not committed to be there. But let me tell you, those people are the ones who dont make it through first semester and schools like Ross end up weeding out 150 people from there entering class of 420 students. Ross has an average of admitting people with a 17 on their MCAT and 2.83 science and CGPA.

In the US, ur chances are ranked accordingly: US Allopaths> US Osteopathics> Carrib Grads> FMGs from every where else.

Stay here in the country being comfortable with the lifestyle and gain a better education b/c anywhere u go in the carrib, u r studying on your own from day one; meaning that professors are not there to teach you.

Here you have professors to help you, a comfortable lifestyle, and a better education and above all being a US Graduate. DO=MD, no inferiority present. Being inferior to someone else is when that person is in a higher specialty than you. EX: I would feel inferior to an Orthopedic or a Neurosurgeon, if I am a Radiologist. THis might be a bad example, but truly the surgeon is, in my opinion, far above than a Radiologist, despite Radiology being a reputable position. This kind of inferiority is present. My dad, a Forensic Pathologist, always feels inferior to the Dermatologist at my Church, despite both being MDs.

Anyway, DO much better than Carrib. Go with Western!! Its a good school.

The only person that can make you feel inferior to someone else is yourself. Just because someone is a Neurosurgeon doesn't mean their any better than a Family Doc. The Family Doc may have made an even better neurosurgeon but choose to practice family medicine instead.

With that said I believe only God can judge whose inferior and whose superior. And in the end nothing else matters except for God's judgement.

StringerBell · May 21, 2007

simpleman said:
This kind of inferiority is present. My dad, a Forensic Pathologist, always feels inferior to the Dermatologist at my Church, despite both being MDs.

I must preface this by saying that this is meant humorously only (for those of you out there who don't get humor.)

I had a nephrologist describe that the doctor's pecking-order is dependent upon where on the body the specialty occurs. He said of himself, as a nephrologist, that he was inferior to the cardiologists, who were in turn inferior to the neurosurgeons. And of course, podiatry was at the bottom.

(I think he cheated a little by saying neurosurgeon instead of neurologist, but I'm not going to split hairs on his anecdote.) 🙂

IWant2BeADoctor · May 21, 2007

StringerBell said:
I must preface this by saying that this is meant humorously only (for those of you out there who don't get humor.)

I had a nephrologist describe that the doctor's pecking-order is dependent upon where on the body the specialty occurs. He said of himself, as a nephrologist, that he was inferior to the cardiologists, who were in turn inferior to the neurosurgeons. And of course, podiatry was at the bottom.

(I think he cheated a little by saying neurosurgeon instead of neurologist, but I'm not going to split hairs on his anecdote.) 🙂

Prestiege and pecking order is over rated. My motto is do what you love. If your happy with what you are. Who gives a **** what other people think. No matter what you do there will be people who think poorly of you.

misspiti · May 21, 2007

StringerBell said:
Go for the Caribbean school, whatever unidentified one that you may be talking about, instead of your definite acceptance to Western.

I, for one, would actually like to attend Western, so as a waitlister, I could use the spot. 👍

haha i second this!

ana · May 22, 2007

StringerBell said:
Go for the Caribbean school, whatever unidentified one that you may be talking about, instead of your definite acceptance to Western.

I, for one, would actually like to attend Western, so as a waitlister, I could use the spot. 👍

Oh, you dog... :laugh:

To the OP: don't give it a 2nd thought. Go to COMP. You will never have regrets over attending a US medical school vs. somewhere offshore.

spicedmanna · May 22, 2007

jathan007 said:
Which path will lead to a better career outcome?

The most honest answer is that career outcome isn't necessarily path-dependent; it is more dependent on you and how you face the hoops that you have to jump along the way. Both paths have the potential to lead you to where you want to go; after all, you are a physician regardless of which one you take (assuming you graduate and do at least 1 yr of residency somewhere in the US). The difference is the level of ease and risk associated with each. I personally think that the US medical school path is the path here that has fewer risks and greater ease.

StringerBell · May 22, 2007

ana said:
Oh, you dog...
To the OP: don't give it a 2nd thought. Go to COMP.

I must confess, I am a dog.
But the OP has an actual acceptance to COMP and may potentially want to forego it for the possibility of Caribbean MD, sight unseen. It's like splitting 10's in blackjack. You know I had to take advantage of it. 🙂

PlAnEjaNe · May 22, 2007

StringerBell said:
I must confess, I am a dog.
But the OP has an actual acceptance to COMP and may potentially want to forego it for the possibility of Caribbean MD, sight unseen. It's like splitting 10's in blackjack. You know I had to take advantage of it. 🙂

Actually, you are supposed to split 10s in blackjack when the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6. You are also supposed to always double-down on an 11, regardless of what the dealer is showing b/c the probability that you will get 21 and/or dealer busts is greater than you hitting until u get >17 (or > than w/e the dealer is showing). Also, another helpful tidbit when u r trying to win your med-school tuition: when you lose you are supposed to double your bet each time until you win i.e. you bet $10 and lose, next deal bet $20, if you lose again next deal bet $40 (this is why they have maximum bets, in theory, if someone has enough money, they could keep doubling their bet until they got their money back every time they lost and thus, they would never lose and would always win....the maximum bet puts a cap on this, so eventually one will inevitably lose). However, if you lose more than three in-a-row, you are supposed to walk away because the cards have shifted in the houses' favor. This is just a little advice from someone who has always walked away a winner in vegas. Hell, I just got back from vegas and I won $400 in 1.5 hours of gambling.

To the OP: It's more like hitting on a 13 when the dealer is showing a 6. I hate it when people do that!

-PlAnEjaNe

DropkickMurphy · May 22, 2007

IWant2BeADoctor said:
Prestiege and pecking order is over rated. My motto is do what you love. If your happy with what you are. Who gives a **** what other people think. No matter what you do there will be people who think poorly of you.

Well said...... 👍

StringerBell · May 22, 2007

PlAnEjaNe said:
Actually, you are supposed to split 10s in blackjack when the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6.

Ok, yes, fine, when a bust card is showing.
But the analogy is about throwing away what is more of a sure-thing.
In all honesty, I'll double-down a soft 20 with a bust-card showing. 😉

Also, another helpful tidbit when u r trying to win your med-school tuition: when you lose you are supposed to double your bet each time until you win i.e. you bet $10 and lose, next deal bet $20, if you lose again next deal bet $40 (this is why they have maximum bets, in theory)

True...though you gotta love the prospect of putting down $2560 to win $10. 😉

Hell, I just got back from vegas and I won $400 in 1.5 hours of gambling.

I'm more of a craps guy, myself, but I found myself playing a daily Hold 'em tourney on the day before my Touro-NV interview. Placed 4/40 which was in the money, $170 on my $65 dollar buy-in. You should come to Touro-NV, too...we could have a grand ol' time. 🙂

Dr JPH · May 22, 2007

jathan007 said:
Which path will lead to a better career outcome?

That all depends on how hard you are prepared to work.

mitawa · May 22, 2007

StringerBell said:
Ok, yes, fine, when a bust card is showing.
But the analogy is about throwing away what is more of a sure-thing.
In all honesty, I'll double-down a soft 20 with a bust-card showing. 😉

True...though you gotta love the prospect of putting down $2560 to win $10. 😉

I'm more of a craps guy, myself, but I found myself playing a daily Hold 'em tourney on the day before my Touro-NV interview. Placed 4/40 which was in the money, $170 on my $65 dollar buy-in. You should come to Touro-NV, too...we could have a grand ol' time. 🙂

"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done..." 😀

I better get some sleep...

PlAnEjaNe · May 22, 2007

StringerBell said:
Ok, yes, fine, when a bust card is showing.
But the analogy is about throwing away what is more of a sure-thing.
In all honesty, I'll double-down a soft 20 with a bust-card showing. 😉

True...though you gotta love the prospect of putting down $2560 to win $10. 😉

I'm more of a craps guy, myself, but I found myself playing a daily Hold 'em tourney on the day before my Touro-NV interview. Placed 4/40 which was in the money, $170 on my $65 dollar buy-in. You should come to Touro-NV, too...we could have a grand ol' time. 🙂

Hmm, yes well, I think this is out of the question because my in-laws live in vegas and they can be a bit... :banana:

if you know what I mean...besides, they already bug me with all sorts of medical crap that I don't know, as if being pre-med some how qualifies me to answer questions about ones health care 🙄

Oh, and I always walk away after losing 3 in a row...I am poor so the idea of having to put $40 down on one hand is :scared:

😱

I tend to like blackjack better b/c it's the game that players have the most control over and, if you know how to play and if the people at your table know how to play, and if your table plays together...as a team, the odds are in your favor and against the house's.

To the OP: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush 😀

-PlAnEjaNe

StringerBell · May 22, 2007

PlAnEjaNe said:
Hmm, yes well, I think this is out of the question because my in-laws live in vegas and they can be a bit...

Your in-laws can be a bit...dancing bananas?

if the people at your table know how to play, and if your table plays together...

One of these days, I'll tell you about the worst blackjack player i've ever seen. 🙂

PlAnEjaNe · May 22, 2007

StringerBell said:
Your in-laws can be a bit...dancing bananas?

One of these days, I'll tell you about the worst blackjack player i've ever seen. 🙂

I laughed out loud for real when I read that.. :laugh:

Do tell, do tell...

-PlAnEjaNe

StringerBell · May 22, 2007

PlAnEjaNe said:
Do tell, do tell...

I put it in a private message, so that we can let this thread go back to its original intent, which is...

"Western COMP or Carribean MD....Please Advice" 😉

CommanderRiker · May 22, 2007

Computer, establish uplink. Authorization Riker-One.

Western is an excellent school. I know nothing about Caribbean institutions. Good luck!

Papillon11 · May 22, 2007

Hi, I think you definitely should choose Western over the Caribbean MD school. Western is a very good school and success in the medical field is really up to you, not the school you go to. Plus, a lot of people would take your spot any minute, so don't give it up if you have it. Think of it that way...

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