Advanced Vs. Categorical for a DO

[Mista Suprane]

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I'm know this topic has been discussed, but I am asking some questions that are a little more specific...

As an osteo MS4, I am torn between going for advanced programs vs. categorical programs. A few years back, given what I've heard, I would have just applied to the advanced programs, and done an osteopathic rotating year, as the vast majority of programs were advanced.

However, now there are more than a few good programs (UChicago, Case, UTMB) that I am interested in that are only categorical. The problem lies in if I don't match at a categorical spot, I will be left with an empty PGY-1 year.

Again, a few years ago, this was not an issue, as there were plenty of good osteopathic PGY-1 spots to scramble into. But now, there are few desirable internships floating around after the osteopathic match; especially for me, because if I end up trying to find one, it will be more than a month after the osteo match, and I'm sure all the good spots that didn't fill in the match would be filled by scramblers in the first week post-match.

The only way to get a desirable osteopathic internship (at least in my situation) is to apply through the osteopathic match. But if I do that, and get a spot, I automatically take myself out of the running for the aforementioned categorical only programs.

An allopathic canditate does not have to go through this; they can obviously link internships to advanced programs. I would love to be able to do this - but are osteopathic students even competitive for a good allopathic transitional year? What about at a hospital which has both MD transitionals and DO rotating interns? Can program directors give you a transtional MD spot even though you are a DO, and then just make you an osteopathic rotating intern? What about good medicine prelims? Has anybody heard of this happening, or is it just absurd? I have performed well on USMLE, if that makes any difference.

I remember somebody saying on there that there are few, if any, transtional spots left unfilled after the match, but what about scrambling for an allopathic medicine prelim as opposed to an osteopathic rotating? Can DO applicants do this successfully? The argument for this would be that I would be scrambling in the immediate post-match week if it were for an allopathic spot.

I apologize for the long post - please help me any way you can. I know there are a lot of questions, but any response is appreciated - from those who have gone through this, and also those that are in my shoes right now.

Thanks!!!

 

[Sugar72]

but are osteopathic students even competitive for a good allopathic transitional year?[/B] What about at a hospital which has both MD transitionals and DO rotating interns? Can program directors give you a transtional MD spot even though you are a DO, and then just make you an osteopathic rotating intern? What about good medicine prelims? Has anybody heard of this happening, or is it just absurd? I have performed well on USMLE, if that makes any difference.

I remember somebody saying on there that there are few, if any, transtional spots left unfilled after the match, but what about scrambling for an allopathic medicine prelim as opposed to an osteopathic rotating? Can DO applicants do this successfully? The argument for this would be that I would be scrambling in the immediate post-match week if it were for an allopathic spot.

I apologize for the long post - please help me any way you can. I know there

Calm down!

Yes, I know several DO's that got into allopathic TY's.

No, if you match into a spot through the allopathic match at a program that has both osteopathic and allopathic approved spots the AOA will not let you pretend you are in the osteopatic spot. You are more likely to get an allopathic intern year approved if there are no osteopathic spots in the state. It sounds crazy but someone from my school in the class of 2005 did that. She matched to an allopathic spot in an institution with some designated osteo spots and the AOA screwed her.

Yes, you heard right, there are ususally few if any TY's to scramble into. I have know DO's who have scrambled into allopathic prelims, both medicine and surgery.

I was getting emails for 2-3 months after the match for osteopathic internships that still had spots. I did not do the osteo match so I don't know if any of them were "good", I doubt it, but they were there for months. In fact, there are probably still some open.

GOod luck

 

[Mista Suprane]

No, if you match into a spot through the allopathic match at a program that has both osteopathic and allopathic approved spots the AOA will not let you pretend you are in the osteopatic spot. You are more likely to get an allopathic intern year approved if there are no osteopathic spots in the state. It sounds crazy but someone from my school in the class of 2005 did that. She matched to an allopathic spot in an institution with some designated osteo spots and the AOA screwed her.

I truly appreciate your response... do you have any suggestions about specific allo TY/med prelim spots that might take a DO?

I'm actually not concerned about AOA approval for a spot (I don't need to live/practice in one of the 5 states), but actually looking at it from a TY program director's point of view. Why fill a competitive allo TY spot with a DO? If he/she can shift me over to the osteo rotating spot, that position would still be available to an MS4 allo (more desirable in their eyes, possibly).

Having just typed that, I realize that the above question may be ridiculous/impossible to answer by anyone on this board, but i'm just throwing it out there for the small chance that perhaps someone has heard of something like this happening.

 

[Induc(junc)tion]

Calm down!

Yes, I know several DO's that got into allopathic TY's.

No, if you match into a spot through the allopathic match at a program that has both osteopathic and allopathic approved spots the AOA will not let you pretend you are in the osteopatic spot. You are more likely to get an allopathic intern year approved if there are no osteopathic spots in the state. It sounds crazy but someone from my school in the class of 2005 did that. She matched to an allopathic spot in an institution with some designated osteo spots and the AOA screwed her.

Yes, you heard right, there are ususally few if any TY's to scramble into. I have know DO's who have scrambled into allopathic prelims, both medicine and surgery.

I was getting emails for 2-3 months after the match for osteopathic internships that still had spots. I did not do the osteo match so I don't know if any of them were "good", I doubt it, but they were there for months. In fact, there are probably still some open.

GOod luck

When you say that the AOA screwed one of your classmates, did she ever end up getting her year approved? I wonder if there is an appeals process? The AOA seems so backward.

 

[militarymd]

The AOA seems so backward.

 

[Noyac]

Maybe he means its spelled backwards?

 

[hermione]

You won't have any problem finding a DO rotating internship post match. There are tons of them. I would say go with gas first, then worry about your pgy 1 year once you match. Thats pretty much how I went about it and it worked out just fine. The most important thing will be matching into an anesthesia program. Your intern year really won't make too much of a difference in the long run, as far as I can tell.

 

[Sugar72]

When you say that the AOA screwed one of your classmates, did she ever end up getting her year approved? I wonder if there is an appeals process? The AOA seems so backward.

Honestly, I don't know what happened, I got a mass email from her about what had happened with no real follow up. From what I understand in Michigan, you have to take the year after you pgy1 off while it gets approved, then you can continue with your training. In the other 4 states you can continue your training while you are awaiting approval on your pgy1 year.

 

[Sugar72]

I truly appreciate your response... do you have any suggestions about specific allo TY/med prelim spots that might take a DO?

I'm actually not concerned about AOA approval for a spot (I don't need to live/practice in one of the 5 states), but actually looking at it from a TY program director's point of view. Why fill a competitive allo TY spot with a DO? If he/she can shift me over to the osteo rotating spot, that position would still be available to an MS4 allo (more desirable in their eyes, possibly).

Having just typed that, I realize that the above question may be ridiculous/impossible to answer by anyone on this board, but i'm just throwing it out there for the small chance that perhaps someone has heard of something like this happening.

don't overthink it man! Just figure out what anesthesiology programs you like and if some are advanced - apply to TY's and prelims in the same places. Check the links to match lists in the osteopathic forum. Good luck.

 

[drusso]

I did an ACGME-approved transitional year as a DO before doing a PM&R residency. It was a great experience and we had a couple anesthesia guys in my class. The other good thing about the transitional year experience for DO's is that it is easy to get it AOA-approved. Though you're not thinking about practicing in the five states, it might still be a good idea to have it in your back pocket. You just never know...

 

[Pandemonium]

The AOA seems so backward.

Indeed.

 

[Idiopathic]

Honestly, I don't know what happened, I got a mass email from her about what had happened with no real follow up. From what I understand in Michigan, you have to take the year after you pgy1 off while it gets approved, then you can continue with your training. In the other 4 states you can continue your training while you are awaiting approval on your pgy1 year.

Thats not totally true. If you apply for a waiver early enough (i.e. Match Day) the process runs a whole lot smoother. The AOA tells you this clearly. If you wait, you are likely to be held up. If you will need the waiver, apply early.

Also, my case is a little different. I work at a program that does not require me to get a full license to be a resident. Therefore, my residency training does not hinge on full licensure or the requirements outlined for my intern year by the AOA. I can see your friends case, where she finished her intern year, needed a permanent license to continue, and wasnt able to get it so she couldnt continue at that time.

 

[Induc(junc)tion]

Anyone else have any comments?

 

[BryanDOAZCOM]

I am a DO who matched into an Allo Ty year and am currently in, and lovin it I might add. This is a competitive thing to do though and hedge your bets. I think this was more competitive than the anesthesiology match. In my class are 3 optho, 2 Rad, 2 anesth, and 1 PMR, all others besides me were Allo. best thing to do is to apply broadly to Ty years then if no match, scramble into either Allo prelim spot (ouch), or DO transitional year, always plenty left though maybe non desirable location. I know it makes for an expensive interview season, but its also 12:30 on a monday and I am not at work. Education is great here, just laid back.

 

[me454555]

I got this idea from a DO resident @ an allo program. @ the time of the osteopathic match, rank some TRIs that you have no interest in and have not interviewed at. These programs won't rank you. Then when you apply for your waiver you can state that you tried to go through the match but no one ranked you. It might make getting your base year approved easier. Just a thought, not sure how smooth it works.

 

[gmdin29]

Hi,
My question is somewhat related to the current topic. I have a low score on comlex and i did not take usmle. I will be applying to gas programs this year. My confusion is that if I apply to traditional rotationg internship in the DO match will I be still able to participate in the Nrmp match for a advavced of a catagorical program.

My other question is that should I have a backup residency choice, cause anesthesiology is getting much tougher to get in, I am worried what if I only match in the rotating internship or the preliminary program and what are the chances that I will get into a gas program for 2008.

I know that this is a very long and a confusing post but I want you all to understand that I am very worried as to what will happen? 😕 Thanks for your patience.

Mo, Class of 2007