AOA Res less competitive?

[dradams]

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I noticed on SDN the listing of medical specialties and saw the "How to match" catagory. On several of the competative residencies they list AOA as a way to match. Is it easier to go DO and get an AOA residency in say Derm than it would be to go the allopathic route?

Thanks.

 

[iwakuni_doc]

Make sure you're not confusing AOA - the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha - with the Amercan Osteopathic Association.....a big difference.

 

[dradams]

Originally posted by iwakuni_doc
Make sure you're not confusing AOA - the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha - with the Amercan Osteopathic Association.....a big difference.

Woops. Is that what the AOA means on the specialties listing on SDN where it says how to match?

 

[dradams]

130 views and nobody knows the answer to this? Please, someone respond.

 

[Seaglass]

Can you post a link to the page you are referring to?

 

[dradams]

Here is the page to which I was referring.

http://www.studentdoctor.net/guide/medstudent/specialties/index.html

 

[ortho2003]

yes, they are referring to alpha omega alpha

 

[dradams]

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification. I guess my question still is whether it is easier to match into a competetive residency like Derm if you are a DO applying for an osteo res in Derm than it would be for an MD applying for an allo res in Derm? Only DO grads can apply for the osteo residencies whereas everyone can apply to the allo residencies. Or am I completely wrong about this?

 

[DocWagner]

As a general rule, MD residencies are held in higher regard than Osteopathic residencies. Most MD residencies are more difficult to get into just by virtue of the amount of MD students. I can say without hesitation that MD EM residencies are more difficult to gain entrance.
Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent osteopathic residencies, look for the ones that are well established and have high patient volumes. Purely by competition, osteopathic residencies need to improve and I think they will.
If you want research, a sure bet is an allopathic residency.

 

[DrDre']

OP,
your last post was correct. You need to search some websites. Find out how many DO positions are available per year and how many students usually apply. You could then do the same for the allo side.

You would then know purely numerically which is "easier" to match.

I don't know about DO. Allo derm is extremely competitive. Awesome grades (one of few specialties where AOA is essentially required), board scores and even more important research and perfect letters.
Some people can occasionally get in just on "personality" but I think they are exceedingly rare and lucky.

I am sure either route would be extremely competitive.

If you are deciding on whether to go DO or allo, I would read the myriad threads on the pluses and minuses before commiting.

Best of luck

 

[sunshine2004]

I was wondering if anyone has any information about the AOA Match process? I have searched high and low to an answer regarding the AOA match. I was wondering if you match to a particular program but have not signed a contract with the hospital will you have the ability to get out of the match? I was told by numerous PGY-1's that you do have the ability to get out of it by not accepting the position and not signing the hospital contract. The AOA and the AOA match web site has stated that in fact I can not get out of the match. If anyone has any information regarding this subject or web sites that could help answer this question I would appreciate it.

 

[ny skindoc]

The osteopathic derm residencies are highly competitive.They are few in number but have no shortage of well qualified osteopathic grads interested.Allopathic derm has many more spots and obviously lots more applicants.If you go to an MD school which gives preference to its own students for its Derm program thats a big plus. Either way to get into Derm you are still going to have a great record,connections,and impress people.

 

[PainDr]

The reason you seem to be receiving conflicting info, is because you are talking about two seperate things...contract obligations vs match obligations. If you match to a DO program, but decide not to honor your contract, you are free to walk away. However, that has nothing to do with your match obligations. If you match to a DO program (whether you sign your contract or not), you are automatically withdrawn from the MD match and will probably have to sit out a year. You MIGHT be allowed to scramble but your chances of scoring an allo derm spot would be impossibly low...to say the least. Also, when talking to other programs, you will be forced to explain why you wouldn't honor your contract. Bottom line, don't enter the DO match unless you are willing to live with the consequences.

PainDr DO, MPH (pgy-3)