Pathology for D.O.'s

myofibroblast · Jan 12, 2008

Hey Guys!! I just had a really quick question for you. I have been interested in pursuing forensic pathology since I was 14 years old. It is the entire reason that I moved three hours away to get a forensic science degree and it is the entire reason that I decided to go to medical school. I want to keep an open mind but I am pretty sure forensic pathology is where I want to end up. I am interning (for my bachelor's degree) at the M.Es office this semester watching autopsies for about 16 hours a week and I am loving every second of it. However, I was just kinda wanting to know from those of you that have experienced it, how difficult is it to get a pathology residency? I know the forensic path fellowships shouldn't be too hard to get. I will be going to a D.O. school and I know that means that I will have to take the USMLEs on top of the COMLEX in order to get a pathology residency. Are any of you D.O.s that have decided to do pathology and can give me some in sight on what you experienced? Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

josara · Jan 13, 2008

Forensic pathology has always been at the top of my list as well. I went to TCOM, did not take the USMLE and had no problem getting into a good pathology residency program in Texas where I wanted to stay (UTMB). Your grades, board scores, letters of recommendation and personal statement will be what get you an residency interview (very similar to getting into medical school, but not as bad, I thought). While in medical school, definitely do at least 2 electives in pathology so you get an idea of other areas of pathology and can get letters of recommendation. But do rotations in a lot of other areas of medicine because you will never see them again.

Patrick O · Jan 13, 2008

I entirely agree with the previous post. I am also a DO, and a third year path resident. I only took comlex and had no problem getting interviews at good programs. Just do decent in med school and well on the boards and you'll be fine. Good luck!

myofibroblast · Jan 13, 2008

Thanks guys!! You have made me feel a lot better!! After I posted last night, I looked at the pathology residency information for Oklahoma University (the only one in my state) and even though they are an allopathic school, I saw that they accept the COMLEX scores as well. I'm just nervous that if I don't take the USMLE's I will regret it. Do yall think it would have opened up more doors or made it easier if you would have taken both boards?? Or is a pointless horrible thing to put yourself through?

josara · Jan 14, 2008

I think there are definitely some programs out there that would rather have USMLE scores to compare and probably some that won't even consider COMLEX scores, but there aren't that many of those and I wouldn't want to go to one anyway. It depends where you want to go, if you are looking at really competitive programs, it would probably be good. But if you do take it, you need to ace or it's not worth your time and money. If I had to do it over, I still wouldn't take it.

dwil75 · Jan 15, 2008

One of our best residents, a chief resident, is a DO. I don't think you should have any problem. As far as I know, he didn't, when he applied.

myofibroblast · Jan 15, 2008

Thanks!! I appreciate it!! I feel alot better that I won't have to take both boards. I talked to one of the forensic pathologists yesterday, who is a D.O. and he said that he didn't take the USMLEs either. That means that all yall and him said the same thing. I am goin' with that!!! The MCAT was my biggest weakness getting into medical school. I have a 3.9 GPA and four years of biomedical research experience, good volunteer work, etc but I couldn't break a 23 on the MCAT even after studying for seven months and taking over 16 practice tests and takin' the damn thing twice. So, I am not countin' on being able to blow the USMLEs out of the water or anything so I think it would be a waste of my time. I am just going to do the best I can in my classes and try to rock the COMLEX. Thanks for all your help guys!
Oh, one more question.....what is a day in the life of a pathology resident like?

SLUsagar · Jan 15, 2008

myofibroblast said:
Thanks!! I appreciate it!! I feel alot better that I won't have to take both boards. I talked to one of the forensic pathologists yesterday, who is a D.O. and he said that he didn't take the USMLEs either. That means that all yall and him said the same thing. I am goin' with that!!! The MCAT was my biggest weakness getting into medical school. I have a 3.9 GPA and four years of biomedical research experience, good volunteer work, etc but I couldn't break a 23 on the MCAT even after studying for seven months and taking over 16 practice tests and takin' the damn thing twice. So, I am not countin' on being able to blow the USMLEs out of the water or anything so I think it would be a waste of my time. I am just going to do the best I can in my classes and try to rock the COMLEX. Thanks for all your help guys!
Oh, one more question.....what is a day in the life of a pathology resident like?

MCAT and USMLE in my opinion don't correlate all that well. while test-taking skills/strategy/ability etc. do carryover a bit, i wouldn't sweat it b/c you may very well tear up the Steps despite a moderate MCAT.

vegasdo · Jan 15, 2008

I took the usmle and I believe I wouldn't have gotten some interviews if I hadn't. You don't have to ace it either, just don't bomb it. And if you bomb it you don't have to submit your score anyways. I believe that taking the USMLE even though I didn't have to demonstrated my commitment and desire to get into some programs. As everyone has mentioned so far you definitely do not have to take it, but I believe it helped my situation.

myofibroblast · Jan 15, 2008

Oh ok!! Cool, thanks for the advice!! I think I am jumping the gun a little anyway. Medical doesn't even start for me for another eight months!!! I need to concentrate on the first two years and decide a long the way what I should do. Knowing my over achieving super anal ways I will probably end up taking them anyway. Like you said, you don't have to show the scores unless you want to. I appreciate everything guys! Have you ever known someone that wanted to get a pathology residency and couldn't? I think that is my biggest fear. Knowing the specialty you want to go into and there being a chance that you might have to settle for something else.....

Pathology for D.O.'s

myofibroblast

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josara

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Patrick O

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myofibroblast

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josara

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dwil75

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myofibroblast

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SLUsagar

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vegasdo

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myofibroblast

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