Did you peak into my head. Feels like you read my thoughts and articulated them way better than I ever could. The problem for me is my answer to most of these questions are “I don’t know”.
Additional info that may be insightful:
1. The DO school has amazing research opportunities. Lack of research opportunities isn’t something I’m worried about at all with this school. This might give the school away but I’d say it’s arguably the most research funded DO school. However, no DO school can complete with a T30 MD school. Just the doors that alone would open.
2. I have no idea what specialty I want to practice. I know for a fact it isn’t family medicine though. Maybe some sort of surgery but I couldn’t tell you today. Also not a problem at this DO school because they had several student match into none FM residencies with a 98/99% match rate last cycle and a high match rate for international students who graduate from there as well.
3. I love love love the DO curriculum but the thought of taking two board exams is ugh. One is bad enough.
Final thoughts: I love the DO school. But realistically speaking I would have way more opportunities at the MD school. I wouldn’t have to struggle as much and I’ve fought so so hard to get here but I don’t think I want to fight unnecessary battles. I want to take the path of least resistance. If money wasn’t an issue I’d probably pick the MD program so I don’t know how I wouldn’t regret this 20 years down the line however. $400k vs $200k in private loan debt sounds like a worse regret.
I hope not!! Or you might need to ask a neurosurgeon to remove me jkjk
🤣 but yea this is tough....I really feel you struggle bro (or girl!) since I'm literally in an extremely similar situation.
I have a feeling just reading your post, that you are leaning towards the MD but also trying to justify that taking the DO option is right. Like from reading your post I can tell you are trying to justify to others that it's not a bad idea to take the DO?? And that is totally okay! There is no bad choice here, just good and better ones.
Reading this and the post before kinda make me want to talk you to take the MD more now. Remember it's not just an MD--it's a TOP 30 MD. For internationals like you and me to match into residency (especially good ones) there are a lot to consider, including the visa sponsorship they give. If you match into a J1 visa program you might need to go back to your native country for 3 years or something (don't remember that much, anyone feel free to correct me). You'd probably want to match into a H1B program. so I feel like take the MD will give you the maximum 100% chance of getting into the program you want with so many more options (location, visa, salary, prestige, everything), especially for a competitive one like surgery (I worked at two different top 10 medical centers during UG and gap year, but honestly have not seen any DO surgeons in my life). You'll probably thank yourself later.
On the other hand 200k honestly....yeah it's a lot for a broken 20ish-years-old but in your mid career that's not even one year of your salary, but only maybe just 20% of it (if you are successful!!). Think about that...I know you mentioned that the DO school has research opportunities, but also consider your own funding situation. When you become an attending and running clinical trials, I would assume you'll have a much easier time getting your grant/proposal/trials approved as an MD than DO. Also think about the network opportunities you will have--how many MD graduates from school A have matched into high ranked residencies, and are now faculties at renowned institutions vs DO graduates from school B? I disagree with srirachamayonnaise's argument that DO is 2nd class degree (come on dude it's 2022 stop the degree shaming thing), but he/she is absolutely right that MD will open way more doors for you which in the long run will be more lucrative (consulting, board advisors, pharm, all sort of stuff).
If I were in your shoes, there are two senarios that may force me to take the DO. Otherwise from reading your description i'll take the MD 100%.
1. Your family is in need of money urgently. Like if my family members are sick/financially unstable etc as an there is no way I'll ask them for more money to get that MD as an Asian kid lol. I'll definitely take the DO and still be the best physician I can be and help them out.
2. The MD school is toxic, neurotic, competitive and you hate that environment while you feel like you will thrive at the DO school. (I know this might be hard to tell but just from browsing the internet and interview experience I think you will get the general vibe). In that case 200k+ debt plus mental health will push me toward DO school.
Yeah I think that's all my thoughts for now! Feel free to disagree with any of them or DM me etc. Love to see my fellow international applicants success and thrive
