Academic internal medicine residency?

[Confused_Often]

I'm about to start at a DO school this fall in FL. How feasible is it to match into an academic internal medicine residency as a DO? Is it difficult to match into programs such as USF or UF?

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[GoSpursGo]

I've removed a number of non-helpful and inflammatory posts. Let's please focus on answering the OP's question.

The short answer to any question that starts "Can I match into X program as a DO" is that you should look at their list of current residents and see if they have any DOs there. If they do then you have a better shot; if they don't, then you will likely need to expand your search.

 

[SW0LDIER]

Short answer: you'll be fine. Do well on boards and do aways with good LORs. In general, however, all you have to do is look at residency websites to see how many DOs are in their residency class and that is usually a good indication. The reason you're being hazed is that DOs get into academic medicine pretty easily. There is a disadvantage at some institutions (think top 10 and/or institutions that hate DOs for whatever reason like UMich) but usually shouldn't be a problem. The specialties that you should be wary about going into as a DO are largely limited to the surgical subspecialties although it is not impossible (IE ortho, ophtho, ENT).

For the specific schools you're looking at, looks like there's a decent chunk of DOs at both institutions.

USF: Residents 2021 | USF Health
UF: PGY-I

 

[Confused_Often]

Short answer: you'll be fine. Do well on boards and do aways with good LORs. In general, however, all you have to do is look at residency websites to see how many DOs are in their residency class and that is usually a good indication. The reason you're being hazed is that DOs get into academic medicine pretty easily. There is a disadvantage at some institutions (think top 10 and/or institutions that hate DOs for whatever reason like UMich) but usually shouldn't be a problem. The specialties that you should be wary about going into as a DO are largely limited to the surgical subspecialties although it is not impossible (IE ortho, ophtho, ENT).

For the specific schools you're looking at, looks like there's a decent chunk of DOs at both institutions.

USF: Residents 2021 | USF Health
UF: PGY-I

I’m pretty clueless when it comes to residencies so this was very helpful. Thank you so much!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

And if they haven't taken DOs in the past, you could be first. The problem with threads like this and why it annoys people is that you haven't taken boards or rotated to know. Try to live on the now. Things can change drastically in a few years

 

[Splenda88]

Yes, but you might need to score 10+ points above MD applicants...

 

[Azmkv]

Yes, but you might need to score 10+ points above MD applicants...

True. But think of it as your way of making up for your screwed-up college GPA/MCAT. It still sucks that some MD who slightly scored below your USMLE will get the spot, but as long as you perform whole lot better on your USMLE compare to the MD students, the PD will take you.

 

[nlax30]

Decent IM programs will be pretty open to you. Focus on doing well in med school, do well on the boards and you'll be fine. Yea it's true that even in Internal Medicine you will likely still experience bias against DO at the traditional ivory tower places and Top 10-25 Medicine programs but you can certainly get into a good academic IM program. I know USF and UF are both DO friendly and have had friends go through both programs. UF's Jacksonville IM program (somewhat separate from the main Gainesville one) actually had a DO program director when I was looking years ago (not sure if same one or not).

 

[hungrydoc710]

I know my school has a core rotation site in Jacksonville, so assuming they are pretty DO friendly.
Florida, like the Midwest states and East Coast areas, are quite keen on DO's, so no worries there.

I recommend scoring no lower than 230 on boards to have a shot at a good academic program. GPA can be whatever.

 

[nimbus]

Also look where the seniors from your own school matched. Programs like a known entity and if your school had sent good residents to a program in the past, they are more likely to look favorably on your application. This is also relevant for fellowships and jobs after residency.