Aiming for a DO school.

[driven2011]

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I am wondering who is aiming towards just D.O. schools? No M.D. I have been researching and find that I like what I see in the D.O. world. I am aware that MD's are what everyone wants. Let me know what everyone thinks.

Driven

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I am wondering who is aiming towards just D.O. schools? No M.D. I have been researching and find that I like what I see in the D.O. world. I am aware that MD's are what everyone wants. Let me know what everyone thinks.

Driven

Well, there are some very driven individuals, who even with exceptionally competitive stats aim only for DO, mostly because they either enjoy the philosophy or OMM. The rest are usually people who unfortunately are not competitive for MD schools.

 

[driven2011]

Well, there are some very driven individuals, who even with exceptionally competitive stats aim only for DO, mostly because they either enjoy the philosophy or OMM. The rest are usually people who unfortunately are not competitive for MD schools.

I have noticed that the latter is more the case than not. I hope to have competitive stats for MD but I am behind as far as GPA but I will rebound nicely. I just want to be a great physician and do what I dream of doing regardless of the MD or DO at the end of my name.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I have noticed that the latter is more the case than not. I hope to have competitive stats for MD but I am behind as far as GPA but I will rebound nicely. I just want to be a great physician and do what I dream of doing regardless of the MD or DO at the end of my name.

Well, it's all about the dream eh? Regardless, attend the best school with the best chance of placing you into your ideal reality.

 

[emtthink]

Ultimately all I want to do is become a doctor. I don't care what the letters are that follow my name. Some of thebest doctors I've met and worked with are DO's. That being said, I am applying only to DO schools. I would love to stay in the NW, and there are some good schools in this area.

 

[driven2011]

Ultimately all I want to do is become a doctor. I don't care what the letters are that follow my name. Some of thebest doctors I've met and worked with are DO's. That being said, I am applying only to DO schools. I would love to stay in the NW, and there are some good schools in this area.

Out of curiosity, what are the strong points to you about goign D.O.? I am still in research mode about everything and just want to see what you or anyone else that reads likes about DO.

 

[driven2011]

False.

Seriously? I know not every human on earth that aspires to be a Dr wants to be an MD but the overwhelming majority does. I was just saying it in general.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

i am applying DO only with no desire to be an MD. I also have no desire to practice in a large city, no desire to be a dermatologist, and no desire to internationally known. my app isn't insanely competitive for MD but I don't care. I am happy with my choice.

 

[jdtx]

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I'm applying seriously to DO and just a couple MD's. I've met great, successful DO's in all sorts of fields (EM, FM, Plastics), and they all live in LA, so I'm not too worried about bias at all.

 

[driven2011]

I am apologize that you had to waste time to do that. I did use the search function, and didn't see a post or thread like what I had started.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

i am applying DO only with no desire to be an MD. I also have no desire to practice in a large city, no desire to be a dermatologist, and no desire to internationally known. my app isn't insanely competitive for MD but I don't care. I am happy with my choice.

Yet, you have no idea what will happen over the course of the next 2-3 years. If you suddenly find yourself hating rural medicine or primary care and in love with a surgical sub-specialty, then what? Also, you're also acting like everyone who goes to MD is fundamentally gunning for derm or rads, that is not the case. Most MD students will end up in primary care ( Albeit many might sub-specialize from there).
Anyways, even if you're going hard for DO, you should always at least apply to your state's medical school. It'll probably save you at the minimal 100k.

 

[driven2011]

you should always at least apply to your state's medical school. It'll probably save you at the minimal 100k.

This is what I was considering myself especially since my congressional district needs physicians, so could be a little help getting in.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Yet, you have no idea what will happen over the course of the next 2-3 years. If you suddenly find yourself hating rural medicine or primary care and in love with a surgical sub-specialty, then what? Also, you're also acting like everyone who goes to MD is fundamentally gunning for derm or rads, that is not the case. Most MD students will end up in primary care ( Albeit many might sub-specialize from there).
Anyways, even if you're going hard for DO, you should always at least apply to your state's medical school. It'll probably save you at the minimal 100k.

And if I decide all of that, I can still do it as a DO. I have no idea where my path will ultimately lead, but I do know that I don't want it to leave Iowa. And Iowa is the LAST place I want to attend. Not becauuse it is bad or I am not competitive, but that it is too close to move my entire family and too far to commute, and I just cannot go without them. I never said DO>MD in any way. I said DO is for me and my situation.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

And if I decide all of that, I can still do it as a DO. I have no idea where my path will ultimately lead, but I do know that I don't want it to leave Iowa. And Iowa is the LAST place I want to attend. Not becauuse it is bad or I am not competitive, but that it is too close to move my entire family and too far to commute, and I just cannot go without them. I never said DO>MD in any way. I said DO is for me and my situation.

You're banking on DMU then. Regardless, whether you go or not it is probably a wise choice to apply at least to Iowa than possibly not get into DMU and be forced to go to a school outside the state.

 

[jdtx]

don't worry i just took my MCAT and have all the time in the world now

ahaha.. but on a serious note..
i am applying both DO and MD this cycle.. honestly i used to be one of those ignorant pre-meds who thought DO was not equivalent to an MD.. until I started volunteering/shadowing in the emergency room at my local hospital where I ran into not only DO attendings but DO students rotating through -- then I did my research and although there may have been a bit of stigma in the past, there is really no difference now.. (in terms of practice)..
they can both do everything and anything they need to treat a patient..
goodluck!

 

[emtthink]

Out of curiosity, what are the strong points to you about goign D.O.? I am still in research mode about everything and just want to see what you or anyone else that reads likes about DO.

One of the biggest admissions factors for me, is that they look at the whole application. My sister was sick and died during college and that dragged down my GPA. I have about a 3.62cGPA, and a 3.35sGPA, still waiting on my MCAT score. In addition to that I have about 8000 hours of healthcare field experience, I've been working as an EMT since I was 18. However, what has attracted me the most is nothing to do with the schools, but more with the doctors that they turn out. All of the DO's that I have met, have great bedside manner, and they take the time to address the pt's needs. I'm not saying that MD's don't have great bedside manner, or don't take their time. I think that DO schools attract a different personality of students, and that it would be the best fit for me.

 

[willen101383]

One of the biggest admissions factors for me, is that they look at the whole application. My sister was sick and died during college and that dragged down my GPA. I have about a 3.62cGPA, and a 3.35sGPA, still waiting on my MCAT score. In addition to that I have about 8000 hours of healthcare field experience, I've been working as an EMT since I was 18. However, what has attracted me the most is nothing to do with the schools, but more with the doctors that they turn out. All of the DO's that I have met, have great bedside manner, and they take the time to address the pt's needs. I'm not saying that MD's don't have great bedside manner, or don't take their time. I think that DO schools attract a different personality of students, and that it would be the best fit for me.

I find that DO students bring more to the table in terms of life experience. Your typical MD student has been 100 percent academically driven their whole life, and may have neglected other things like working full time for a while after college and learning how to act and perform in the workplace...or GENUINELY developing as a person. Of course we have our gunners and little kids who failed to develop as adults and complain and feel entitled...and our MD rejects who walk around with a sourpuss attitude...but I think your typical DO student is more well rounded and has more life experience. And im my opinion it is this stuff that makes you a better physician...not just being an academic ace.

 

[driven2011]

I find that DO students bring more to the table in terms of life experience. Your typical MD student has been 100 percent academically driven their whole life, and may have neglected other things like working full time for a while after college and learning how to act and perform in the workplace...or GENUINELY developing as a person. Of course we have our gunners and little kids who failed to develop as adults and complain and feel entitled...and our MD rejects who walk around with a sourpuss attitude...but I think your typical DO student is more well rounded and has more life experience. And im my opinion it is this stuff that makes you a better physician...not just being an academic ace.

This is what I like. I am a caring person and like people to feel cared for, I am not an MD or DO so I don't know first hand but I have heard the a lot of MD's (NOT ALL) don't have time for their patients.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

This is what I like. I am a caring person and like people to feel cared for, I am not an MD or DO so I don't know first hand but I have heard the a lot of MD's (NOT ALL) don't have time for their patients.

DO's usually don't have time for their patients either, they come in for 10-15 minutes and leave. If they didn't they'd quickly find their practice underwater.

 

[TerikE]

Well, there are some very driven individuals, who even with exceptionally competitive stats aim only for DO, mostly because they either enjoy the philosophy or OMM. The rest are usually people who unfortunately are not competitive for MD schools.

Not to derail but:

Fullmetal Alchemist is AWESOME.

That is all.

 

[driven2011]

DO's usually don't have time for their patients either, they come in for 10-15 minutes and leave. If they didn't they'd quickly find their practice underwater.

I honestly haven't seen a Dr see me for longer than 5 minutes. After going to the Doctor every month to every 2 weeks to every week with my wife when she was pregnant I feel the same about them too. Check-in then Nurse gets you asks questions pee in a cup, then Dr waiting room after that another nurse who does all of the baby checking ask how you feel which takes about 15 minutes then your Dr comes in has about 15 words and they are gone. I am a bit bias because I have never been to a DO so I am imagining "Butterflies and Daisies".

 

[willen101383]

Like serenade was alluding to...there is really no practice difference between the two. Unless you are running a cash/omm business nobody is spending more than 10-15 minutes with you. It is the STUDENT that is different...not how they practice.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Not to derail but:

Fullmetal Alchemist is AWESOME.

That is all.

Yes, yes it is.

I honestly haven't seen a Dr see me for longer than 5 minutes. After going to the Doctor every month to every 2 weeks to every week with my wife when she was pregnant I feel the same about them too. Check-in then Nurse gets you asks questions pee in a cup, then Dr waiting room after that another nurse who does all of the baby checking ask how you feel which takes about 15 minutes then your Dr comes in has about 15 words and they are gone. I am a bit bias because I have never been to a DO so I am imagining "Butterflies and Daisies".

Well for the most part doctors don't need to be bothered with things like that. It's when all goes wrong and the nurses are not adequately trained to deal with the situation, that is when you need a physician to actually come in and work on you. But in a primary care setting, the physician really is just on the sidelines taking in some information from the nurse and you and devising a strategy in the background.

 

[Xclusiv]

i am applying DO only with no desire to be an MD. I also have no desire to practice in a large city, no desire to be a dermatologist, and no desire to internationally known. my app isn't insanely competitive for MD but I don't care. I am happy with my choice.

Just out of curiousity, why would being a DO impede your chances of becoming internationally known? You can still write great journal articles and volunteer abroad.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Just out of curiousity, why would being a DO impede your chances of becoming internationally known? You can still write great journal articles and volunteer abroad.

Probably not, but it's likely such a negligible factor that it has no real value/weight. However, it might make it difficult to write journal articles as DO's are extremely weak in the research area ( Basically only 3 DO schools have decent research departments and of all the DO schools combined they receive less NIH money than many state undergraduate schools) and DO/Phd or medical scientists are almost none-existent..

 

[willen101383]

Probably not, but it's likely such a negligible factor that it has no real value/weight. However, it might make it difficult to write journal articles as DO's are extremely weak in the research area ( Basically only 3 DO schools have decent research departments and of all the DO schools combined they receive less NIH money than many state undergraduate schools) and DO/Phd or medical scientists are almost none-existent..

PCOM def has a DO/PhD program and we def do research. I dont really know much about the research being done tho because I think research is hella boring.

 

[SLC]

I aimed for DO, never wanted MD. For me it was DO or nothing, not sure why but the DO idea really struck a chord with me.

 

[willen101383]

I know you have people doing research at PCOM, but the only DO/PhD program I've seen there is for a PhD in Health Policy, which I don't think serenade was really referring to.

"PCOM offers joint DO/MBA, DO/MPH, DO/MS and DO/PhD in Health Policy, and DO/MS in Forensic Medicine degrees. In addition, PCOM MEDNet residents are able to pursue a dual DO/M.Sc. degree."

http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Programs/aca_do/do_program.html

Oh my bad...like I said I have no interest in getting yet another (pointless) graduate degree or doing research!