Can i go from a do to a md

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BOBBY M

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I just graduated from college. I am going to a post bac program before i apply to medical school. My medical school advisor said that in case i do not get good enough grades i should consider applying for a do degree instead of a md degree. I was wondering if anybody knows that if i decide to go to a do degree if it is possible to change to a md degree either during or after i finish d.o medical program so that eventually i will be a md.
 
You will not be able to change your degree from a DO to a MD. It wouldn't matter anyway.
 
Why would want to do this?

Just to make you happy OP, there is a website where you can do this and get an MD degree from some third world country island (no joke). It probably targets the same marketshare as extenze.
 
Oh Lord, here we go again... :yawn:
 
Pinkertinkle said:
It's happened before, could happen again.
Click to expand...

No, for all intents and purposes, it could not happen again. The College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (DO school) was turned into the California College of Medicine (MD school) and DO degrees were converted to MD degrees due to the passing of a proposition in 1962. The Supreme Court of California later determined it was an unconstitutional restriction on trade and reinstated the osteopathic licensing board (thus DO degrees could be handed out again). Not to mention that the AOA (American Osteopathic Assoc) would NEVER allow it to happen, as it would undermine the DO degree...and there is already rampant misinformation out there on the degree...even on thy holy SDN.😱

Edit: http://www.lib.uci.edu/themerger/new-beginnings-for-dos.html Tells the whole story.
 
BOBBY M said:
I just graduated from college. I am going to a post bac program before i apply to medical school. My medical school advisor said that in case i do not get good enough grades i should consider applying for a do degree instead of a md degree. I was wondering if anybody knows that if i decide to go to a do degree if it is possible to change to a md degree either during or after i finish d.o medical program so that eventually i will be a md.
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Literally the stupidest thing I have ever read on SDN. No offense.
 
Pinkertinkle said:
I guess that's not too hard in the one whole month you've been a member.
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Yeah seriously Octa, do a search for DO vs MD threads....needless to say, you will be unpleasantly surprised...
 
Pinkertinkle said:
I guess that's not too hard in the one whole month you've been a member.
Click to expand...

Very true. OP by the way...they frown on posting the same questions in multiple threads...

Whoever sees the please go into the pre-osteo and see the responses there, especially from texas triathlete.
 
I've actually heard of a few people on here (who knows how reliable🙂), who have transferred from a DO school to an MD school after the first two years before they start the clinical rotations. You would have to have done very well your first two years and have a VERY good reason for wanting to switch schools. A complex about the initials after your name will not be good enough. Mature up and get over it.
 
Thriller said:
I've actually heard of a few people on here (who knows how reliable🙂), who have transferred from a DO school to an MD school after the first two years before they start the clinical rotations. You would have to have done very well your first two years and have a VERY good reason for wanting to switch schools. A complex about the initials after your name will not be good enough. Mature up and get over it.
Click to expand...

While it has happened, that occurrence is so rare it's not worth mentioning. Paths you cannot follow aren't really paths.
 
wow. people really try to rip others apart on these forums. I think what everyone is getting at is that you may want to question why it is you would go for DO then switch to MD. The only reason I can think of that someone would want to do this is because of the lower standards to get into a DO program. I would assume that it would not be enough for that person to practice medicine without the MD tagline after their name. If that is the case it would seem like one wasn't so interested in helping people, but the prestige.
 
tyE said:
wow. people really try to rip others apart on these forums. I think what everyone is getting at is that you may want to question why it is you would go for DO then switch to MD. The only reason I can think of that someone would want to do this is because of the lower standards to get into a DO program. I would assume that it would not be enough for that person to practice medicine without the MD tagline after their name. If that is the case it would seem like one wasn't so interested in helping people, but the prestige.
Click to expand...

Nah, It's not that people rip others apart on the forums. It's that THIS TOPIC has been so inflammatory over the years that SDN has had to put of many stickies on the osteo boards explaining the degree for people who actually want to know. When one posts MD/DO threads, they ALWAYS degenerate. So most of the good citizens on here bristle when someone tries to spark such a flame war. Asking how you can get an MD to replace your DO is generally interpreted as an attempt to degrade the DO degree. So responding hostilely is not "ripping someone apart", it's responding in kind.

The bottom line is that both an MD and a DO are terminal degrees that allow you to practice medicine. At many hospitals residents with either degree work side by side in the same fields.
 
tyE said:
wow. people really try to rip others apart on these forums. I think what everyone is getting at is that you may want to question why it is you would go for DO then switch to MD. The only reason I can think of that someone would want to do this is because of the lower standards to get into a DO program. I would assume that it would not be enough for that person to practice medicine without the MD tagline after their name. If that is the case it would seem like one wasn't so interested in helping people, but the prestige.
Click to expand...

It's not that people enjoy ripping other people apart. It's the fact that since the degrees are equivalent, the only rationale for changing from a DO to an MD after acceptance, is purely a selfish motivation for wanting to be a doctor. The people on these forums respect respect. It's pretty simple.
 
Octagonecology said:
Very true. OP by the way...they frown on posting the same questions in multiple threads...

Whoever sees the please go into the pre-osteo and see the responses there, especially from texas triathlete.
Click to expand...
TexasTriathlete said:
Yes, you can go from a DO to an MD degree. Once you complete your DO degree, just fill out this form, and you can start the wheels in motion to get your MD.

The process takes a while, but it is actually pretty straightforward. Good luck!
Click to expand...
lol
 
Longshanks said:
Why would want to do this?

Just to make you happy OP, there is a website where you can do this and get an MD degree from some third world country island (no joke). It probably targets the same marketshare as extenze.
Click to expand...

But extenze is clinically proven and approved by ten out of nine urologists! There's a reason why more than eight billion people have ordered extenze.
 
It wouldn't make sense, anyway. A degree (ANY degree) comes from the training that was received leading up to the degree. If you learn allopathic medical stuff, the RESULT is the MD degree. If you learn osteopathic stuff, the RESULT is DO. There isn't an upgrade.

It's the exact same thing as asking whether you can change your psychology degree to a sociology degree after you've already earned it, just because they KIND of do the same thing and both have "ology" in the name. Two different schoolings.

I suppose there's nothing against you going to an MD school after graduating from a DO school, but I'm fairly certain that there would be no MD school who wants to waste a slot on someone who's already allowed to practice medicine in the US, and it would be an epic waste of your life.

Just get the DO degree. If you're going into medicine for the right reasons, then you'll be just as happy with a DO degree as you would be with an MD degree.
 
Tin Man said:
It wouldn't make sense, anyway. A degree (ANY degree) comes from the training that was received leading up to the degree. If you learn allopathic medical stuff, the RESULT is the MD degree. If you learn osteopathic stuff, the RESULT is DO.
Click to expand...

Actually, the medicine is the same between MD and DO programs. Even though they call it 'osteopathic' medicine, it really isn't. DO programs are essentially allopathic medicine (same as MD) with a few extra courses in osteopathic manipulation. I used to think that something was 'cut out' of the DO curriculum to allow extra time for manipulation, but I have read through these forums and DO students have said that there are actually a few extra classroom hours per week in osteopathic programs. So there is no difference in the medicine, despite AOA marketing claims of the unique 'osteopathic' difference.

Tin Man said:
If you're going into medicine for the right reasons, then you'll be just as happy with a DO degree as you would be with an MD degree.
Click to expand...

While I see where you are coming from here, I don't entirely agree. Your statement seems a form of passing judgement and moralization. Who can say what 'right reasons' there are for being a physician? Would MD students (theoretically) be expected to be as happy if they received DO degrees instead of MDs? No, of course not... as the MD degree still convers certain benefits, status etc that the DO degree has yet to attain. Even though the degrees are recognized as equivalent, there are still some public perception hurdles that have to be overcome for DOs. In no way does this mean that DOs are lesser physicians than MDs - absolutely not. However, if you agree that DOs are equal to MDs, then don't they also DESERVE the same recognition, prestige? Just because someone wants this doesn't mean that they are in medicine for the 'wrong' reasons. You can be all about helping people get well etc, but still be miffed that one degree confers more external benefits even though both are equal. However 'separate but equal' doesn't work in my mind. Until both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools offer the same degree, there will still be misconceptions. I don't think it's ever a good idea to tell people they should "just be happy" with what they have, especially if you aren't in their shoes... it comes off as patronizing.
 
i thought DOs and MDs were not equivalent degrees in every state? i thought some states do not recognize DO's (California?). i believe there are also more restrictions on DO's internationally. it's odd though because DO seems like MD + extra so why would there be more restrictions on DOs if they technically have more training?
 
redlight said:
i thought DOs and MDs were not equivalent degrees in every state? i thought some states do not recognize DO's (California?). i believe there are also more restrictions on DO's internationally. it's odd though because DO seems like MD + extra so why would there be more restrictions on DOs if they technically have more training?
Click to expand...

The California issue happened in the 60s. DOs are recognized in the 50 states. In America they're equivalent degrees. Once you start looking at other countries, it becomes a matter of the DO being a newer and uniquely American degree. There is also the issue of semantics, as American DOs can now practice in England after some sort of certification but in England an 'osteopath' is essentially a chiropractor here in the US. There are more restrictions in foreign nations since it is a unique American degree that hasn't entered the mainstream until the last 30-40 years, while the MD is the traditional recognized degree much like an MBBS.

I'm actually surprised though that DOs aren't more well known and sought after in California. IMHO I'd think both the hippies and the pampered rich there would like the 'osteopathic perspective', or the 'whole-body' stuff the AOA promotes; other alternative medicine seems mainstream or well integrated there, albeit with its risks and quacks. I would just think from a marketing standpoint DOs would do well in Cali, its modern medicine with some holistic philosophies without the voodoo non-sense of alternative medicine or your quack naturopaths.
 
Law2Doc said:
Nah, It's not that people rip others apart on the forums. It's that THIS TOPIC has been so inflammatory over the years that SDN has had to put of many stickies on the osteo boards explaining the degree for people who actually want to know. When one posts MD/DO threads, they ALWAYS degenerate. So most of the good citizens on here bristle when someone tries to spark such a flame war. Asking how you can get an MD to replace your DO is generally interpreted as an attempt to degrade the DO degree. So responding hostilely is not "ripping someone apart", it's responding in kind.

The bottom line is that both an MD and a DO are terminal degrees that allow you to practice medicine. At many hospitals residents with either degree work side by side in the same fields.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. First, look at the OP. He is new here. Do you think it is his intention to denigrate one profession vs another? Highly unlikely. Being new here, he doesn't know much. We have to stop assuming that any time someone posts a question that concerns a sensitive topic that the person deserves to be attacked. If someone assumes that the OP has an evil agenda and is a member of the axis of evil, it is that someone's problem. Attacking the OP is NOT responding in kind. If he had been a member for a very long time, maybe you would be right. As a new member, give the guy a break. He didn't insult anyone.

Second, if we go into why the DO issue is sensitive, we can come up with many reasons. Many of the osteo students who shred anyone asking a DO question apart have deeply seated insecurities and subconscious inferiority complex. These are the same people who applied MD and the only reason went into DO is because that's the only acceptance they had. Now the bitterness surfaces any time anyone asks any question about DO, however courteous and professional. Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph. I couldn't care less about these people, but I believe that it is very wrong to somehow suggest that their response is justified in any way. This does nothing but condone that type of immature, incendiary response. It also seems that the proper interpretation of the forum rules is lacking. Asking a genuine question about any topic should be fine. Responding to such a question with ignoramus and insulting post that doesn't even answer the OPs question is the reason why these threads are inflammatory. If the rules are enforced and these posters are reprimanded (yes, this is kindergarten), I guarantee you that there will be very few topics that are inflammatory. As long as the source is not treated, the problem will persevere.

I am pretty sure you understand what I am saying. You probably remember that one time when you moved a thread into the Caribbean forum and one of the members there attacked you for your "passive aggressiveness," even though you hadn't done a damn thing. Well, this is the very same issue we are seeing here. I know it is relieving to attack and belittle someone, but I suggest therapy instead. Time to stop encouraging insolence and cut those epeens.
 
Excelsius said:
Yes and no. First, look at the OP. He is new here. Do you think it is his intention to denigrate one profession vs another? Highly unlikely. Being new here, he doesn't know much. We have to stop assuming that any time someone posts a question that concerns a sensitive topic that the person deserves to be attacked. If someone assumes that the OP has an evil agenda and is a member of the axis of evil, it is that someone's problem. Attacking the OP is NOT responding in kind. If he had been a member for a very long time, maybe you would be right. As a new member, give the guy a break. He didn't insult anyone.

Second, if we go into why the DO issue is sensitive, we can come up with many reasons. Many of the osteo students who shred anyone asking a DO question apart have deeply seated insecurities and subconscious inferiority complex. These are the same people who applied MD and the only reason went into DO is because that's the only acceptance they had. Now the bitterness surfaces any time anyone asks any question about DO, however courteous and professional. Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph. I couldn't care less about these people, but I believe that it is very wrong to somehow suggest that their response is justified in any way. This does nothing but condone that type of immature, incendiary response. It also seems that the proper interpretation of the forum rules is lacking. Asking a genuine question about any topic should be fine. Responding to such a question with ignoramus and insulting post that doesn't even answer the OPs question is the reason why these threads are inflammatory. If the rules are enforced and these posters are reprimanded (yes, this is kindergarten), I guarantee you that there will be very few topics that are inflammatory. As long as the source is not treated, the problem will persevere.

I am pretty sure you understand what I am saying. You probably remember that one time when you moved a thread into the Caribbean forum and one of the members there attacked you for your "passive aggressiveness," even though you hadn't done a damn thing. Well, this is the very same issue we are seeing here. I know it is relieving to attack and belittle someone, but I suggest therapy instead. Time to stop encouraging insolence and cut those epeens.
Click to expand...

quite possibly the most intelligent thing i have read all day.

thank you for my +20 brain cells
 
Excelsius said:
Yes and no. First, look at the OP. He is new here. Do you think it is his intention to denigrate one profession vs another? Highly unlikely. Being new here, he doesn't know much. We have to stop assuming that any time someone posts a question that concerns a sensitive topic that the person deserves to be attacked. If someone assumes that the OP has an evil agenda and is a member of the axis of evil, it is that someone's problem. Attacking the OP is NOT responding in kind. If he had been a member for a very long time, maybe you would be right. As a new member, give the guy a break. He didn't insult anyone.

Second, if we go into why the DO issue is sensitive, we can come up with many reasons. Many of the osteo students who shred anyone asking a DO question apart have deeply seated insecurities and subconscious inferiority complex. These are the same people who applied MD and the only reason went into DO is because that's the only acceptance they had. Now the bitterness surfaces any time anyone asks any question about DO, however courteous and professional. Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph. I couldn't care less about these people, but I believe that it is very wrong to somehow suggest that their response is justified in any way. This does nothing but condone that type of immature, incendiary response. It also seems that the proper interpretation of the forum rules is lacking. Asking a genuine question about any topic should be fine. Responding to such a question with ignoramus and insulting post that doesn't even answer the OPs question is the reason why these threads are inflammatory. If the rules are enforced and these posters are reprimanded (yes, this is kindergarten), I guarantee you that there will be very few topics that are inflammatory. As long as the source is not treated, the problem will persevere.

I am pretty sure you understand what I am saying. You probably remember that one time when you moved a thread into the Caribbean forum and one of the members there attacked you for your "passive aggressiveness," even though you hadn't done a damn thing. Well, this is the very same issue we are seeing here. I know it is relieving to attack and belittle someone, but I suggest therapy instead. Time to stop encouraging insolence and cut those epeens.
Click to expand...

Oh god, not you again. Once again your information is false, insulting and inflammatory just as all of your others are.

You are still ignorant. Your constant degrading comments toward anyone that you feel is inferior are old and tired. People get pissed at people like you who feel the need to put others down when you have no experience other than what you have read on here...which is worthless. You have never applied to med school, never worked in medicine and know absolutely nothing about what you are talking about.....
 
Excelsius said:
...Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph...
Click to expand...

That's quite a bit of speculation and generalization with no real supporting evidence. This paragraph doesn't contribute to the topic of this discussion but rather does what you were mentioning in your response, it was "immature" and "incendiary."

I'm sure you had good intentions, however, you could have done without the second paragraph.
 
Excelsius said:
Second, if we go into why the DO issue is sensitive, we can come up with many reasons. Many of the osteo students who shred anyone asking a DO question apart have deeply seated insecurities and subconscious inferiority complex. These are the same people who applied MD and the only reason went into DO is because that's the only acceptance they had. Now the bitterness surfaces any time anyone asks any question about DO, however courteous and professional. Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph. I couldn't care less about these people, but I believe that it is very wrong to somehow suggest that their response is justified in any way. This does nothing but condone that type of immature, incendiary response. It also seems that the proper interpretation of the forum rules is lacking. Asking a genuine question about any topic should be fine. Responding to such a question with ignoramus and insulting post that doesn't even answer the OPs question is the reason why these threads are inflammatory. If the rules are enforced and these posters are reprimanded (yes, this is kindergarten), I guarantee you that there will be very few topics that are inflammatory. As long as the source is not treated, the problem will persevere.
Click to expand...

If I didn't know any better, I'd say this post is a classic example of projection. The "issue" is sensitive because, despite the near identical training that DOs and MDs receive in the United States, public misconceptions about DO qualifications still exist.
 
rkaz said:
Actually, the medicine is the same between MD and DO programs. Even though they call it 'osteopathic' medicine, it really isn't. DO programs are essentially allopathic medicine (same as MD) with a few extra courses in osteopathic manipulation. I used to think that something was 'cut out' of the DO curriculum to allow extra time for manipulation, but I have read through these forums and DO students have said that there are actually a few extra classroom hours per week in osteopathic programs. So there is no difference in the medicine, despite AOA marketing claims of the unique 'osteopathic' difference.
Click to expand...

I realize that. We're talking practically, despite what the AOA or anyone else thinks. Practically, it's treated as a separate degree training program. Therefore, it wouldn't naturally transfer over to what is considered PRACTICALLY as a different degree. My original example stands.


rkaz said:
While I see where you are coming from here, I don't entirely agree. Your statement seems a form of passing judgement and moralization. Who can say what 'right reasons' there are for being a physician? Would MD students (theoretically) be expected to be as happy if they received DO degrees instead of MDs? No, of course not... as the MD degree still convers certain benefits, status etc that the DO degree has yet to attain. Even though the degrees are recognized as equivalent, there are still some public perception hurdles that have to be overcome for DOs. In no way does this mean that DOs are lesser physicians than MDs - absolutely not. However, if you agree that DOs are equal to MDs, then don't they also DESERVE the same recognition, prestige?
Click to expand...

So... like I said, if you're going into medicine for the right reasons, then you'll be fine with any degree.

Being a physician is a life of sacrifice for the chance of helping people and doing something that not many people have the chance to do well in. Especially with the way the financial world is going now, it becomes not only a moral idiocy, but a logical idiocy to get into medicine if someone wants cash. It simply has a very little chance of happening in a large enough sum quickly enough to make all the time spent toward medical school worth it. As for the prestige, what difference does it make? A physician is a physician, and what his/her peers think of him/her in terms of being a DO or MD should not in any way affect a doctor's ability to help people. That doesn't make sense to me at all.
 
Excelsius said:
Yes and no. First, look at the OP. He is new here. Do you think it is his intention to denigrate one profession vs another? Highly unlikely. Being new here, he doesn't know much. We have to stop assuming that any time someone posts a question that concerns a sensitive topic that the person deserves to be attacked. If someone assumes that the OP has an evil agenda and is a member of the axis of evil, it is that someone's problem. Attacking the OP is NOT responding in kind. If he had been a member for a very long time, maybe you would be right. As a new member, give the guy a break. He didn't insult anyone.
Click to expand...

How do you know the OP is truly a new member? He could be an old one that just registered a new name this month. Trolling is so rampant on these boards that you always need to take that into account when reading posts (especially ones that bring up inflammatory comments like DO v MD, AA, etc)

Second, if we go into why the DO issue is sensitive, we can come up with many reasons. Many of the osteo students who shred anyone asking a DO question apart have deeply seated insecurities and subconscious inferiority complex. These are the same people who applied MD and the only reason went into DO is because that's the only acceptance they had. Now the bitterness surfaces any time anyone asks any question about DO, however courteous and professional. Belittling someone else provides a temporary satisfaction and a misguided sense of intellectual superiority. The biggest enemy of the DO are these very same people who seem to be scarred for life with their degree and will try to suck the marrow out of anyone as much as whispering the word DO and MD in the same paragraph. I couldn't care less about these people, but I believe that it is very wrong to somehow suggest that their response is justified in any way. This does nothing but condone that type of immature, incendiary response. It also seems that the proper interpretation of the forum rules is lacking. Asking a genuine question about any topic should be fine. Responding to such a question with ignoramus and insulting post that doesn't even answer the OPs question is the reason why these threads are inflammatory. If the rules are enforced and these posters are reprimanded (yes, this is kindergarten), I guarantee you that there will be very few topics that are inflammatory. As long as the source is not treated, the problem will persevere.
Click to expand...

I don't even think this is true. There are a lot of reasons why people out there choose DO schools. Whether it be for the ideas they present or simply because an osteopathic school was closer to home, to simply say "they couldnt go MD" is just the inflammatory response that we're trying to avoid on these boards. After enough bashing (OMG DOs are so pathetic look at their stats OMG I would die b4 being a DO) I think any group is going to become hostile, because rather than having a professional discussion people just bash to make themselves feel better.

What you suggest we do is get rid of the people who become offended, so that we can freely bash DOs? That sounds like a GREAT idea. Why don't we get rid of all minority applicants so we can trash URMs, too!

I am pretty sure you understand what I am saying. You probably remember that one time when you moved a thread into the Caribbean forum and one of the members there attacked you for your "passive aggressiveness," even though you hadn't done a damn thing. Well, this is the very same issue we are seeing here. I know it is relieving to attack and belittle someone, but I suggest therapy instead. Time to stop encouraging insolence and cut those epeens.
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't
 
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