- Joined
- Sep 18, 2003
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I know there is lot of concern about "residency opportunities" but here is the thing: there are more residency spots than there are residents. Every year, spots go unfilled. Think about how good for business residents are--hospitals basically get to pimp you for four years and pay you about 1/5 to 1/8 of what you will make the year after you finish their program.
So. Why all the spazzing out about residency opportunities? And le'ts say you don't get your first choice (which is likely, just going from the odds, especially if your first choice is rads or derm or optho, etc...). You are still going to be a doctor. You can still do a fellowship somewhere else. You can do an internship year in one hospital and complete your residency in another. You just have to kick ass once you get there.
There are excellent faculty and opportunites in hospitals all across the country. It's not like you aren't going to get a job if you don't do dermatology at Emory, or IM at Mass General, or whatever. You WILL get a job, you WILL be well-compensated. You WILL practice medicine.
You have the life you make.
The thing I find amusing about all of this is that so many people are so worried abotu their "options" being limited as a DO and they apparently think that having an MD is a ticket to the top of the profession. There are a heck of a lot of MDs in absolutely unknown residency programs, and many, many more who don't get the specialty choice they wanted.
You have to be really freaking great at this to be at the top. Period.
That being said, there is a huge need for good doctors in this world. Whatever happens, you are going into a great profession, will have rewarding work, and you will have a comfortable life.
Beyond that, you just have to weigh your individual circumstances to decide what school is best for you.
Good luck.
So. Why all the spazzing out about residency opportunities? And le'ts say you don't get your first choice (which is likely, just going from the odds, especially if your first choice is rads or derm or optho, etc...). You are still going to be a doctor. You can still do a fellowship somewhere else. You can do an internship year in one hospital and complete your residency in another. You just have to kick ass once you get there.
There are excellent faculty and opportunites in hospitals all across the country. It's not like you aren't going to get a job if you don't do dermatology at Emory, or IM at Mass General, or whatever. You WILL get a job, you WILL be well-compensated. You WILL practice medicine.
You have the life you make.
The thing I find amusing about all of this is that so many people are so worried abotu their "options" being limited as a DO and they apparently think that having an MD is a ticket to the top of the profession. There are a heck of a lot of MDs in absolutely unknown residency programs, and many, many more who don't get the specialty choice they wanted.
You have to be really freaking great at this to be at the top. Period.
That being said, there is a huge need for good doctors in this world. Whatever happens, you are going into a great profession, will have rewarding work, and you will have a comfortable life.
Beyond that, you just have to weigh your individual circumstances to decide what school is best for you.
Good luck.
