Apply to both DO and MD programs?

[OlderStudent]

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Any thoughts on this? I would prefer to become a DO but I don't know if I should apply to MD programs as well as a back up. I know people use DO programs as back ups if it doesn't work with the MD programs but what about the other way around. Will the adcoms at Osteopathic schools think they are being used as back-ups? I don't want to hurt my chances at a DO school because of a back up plan.

 

[jkhamlin]

Any thoughts on this? I would prefer to become a DO but I don't know if I should apply to MD programs as well as a back up. I know people use DO programs as back ups if it doesn't work with the MD programs but what about the other way around. Will the adcoms at Osteopathic schools think they are being used as back-ups? I don't want to hurt my chances at a DO school because of a back up plan.

Applying to both is the norm. It won't hurt your chances at any Osteopathic school unless you say that you are applying to their school as a back up to MD. That said, you should only apply to a school that you would actually attend. It is something that you really have to be honest with yourself about. It can be somewhat easy, if you can afford it, to sit there and add schools to increase your chances, but you might find yourself in the difficult position of an acceptance where you really didn't want to go. If you would actually attend an MD school, apply to ones you like; if you wouldn't, don't waste your time or theirs.

 

[DoctorMom78]

Any thoughts on this? I would prefer to become a DO but I don't know if I should apply to MD programs as well as a back up. I know people use DO programs as back ups if it doesn't work with the MD programs but what about the other way around. Will the adcoms at Osteopathic schools think they are being used as back-ups? I don't want to hurt my chances at a DO school because of a back up plan.

If your application is not strong enough to get accepted to an osteopathic school, then most likely you will not get accepted to an allopathic school. If you are truly only interested in osteopathic medicine then only apply to the DO schools. Good luck! 😀

 

[DropkickMurphy]

It can be somewhat easy, if you can afford it, to sit there and add schools to increase your chances, but you might find yourself in the difficult position of an acceptance where you really didn't want to go.

Unless there was like mandatory PT every morning at 0500 or something similarly sadistic, I can't see why anyone would turn down a spot that would the only chance to allow them to achieve their goal. Of course I also don't care what it takes (where I have to go, what degree I earn, etc) to become a physician.....hell I'd attend the Josef Mengele School of Medicine if it was my only choice.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

i applied to both. they cant tell if u have applied to both or not. separate systems involved. so far, im doin quite well with the DO cycle with interviews .. now i need an acceptance, hopefully it will happen soon.

 

[jkhamlin]

Unless there was like mandatory PT every morning at 0500 or something similarly sadistic, I can't see why anyone would turn down a spot that would the only chance to allow them to achieve their goal. Of course I also don't care what it takes (where I have to go, what degree I earn, etc) to become a physician.....hell I'd attend the Josef Mengele School of Medicine if it was my only choice.

That's fine, and many people feel that way. I have to stay in the midwest, so I limited my apps to that region. I have seen people on here who prefer to stay on the west or the east coast, or even their own state. Many people feel this way, too, and that is fine for them.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

That's fine, and many people feel that way. I have to stay in the midwest, so I limited my apps to that region. I have seen people on here who prefer to stay on the west or the east coast, or even their own state. Many people feel this way, too, and that is fine for them.

True.....there are some schools I'm not applying to, mainly because of geography or not having a snowballs chance in hell of being accepted there. But I can't see anyone in their right mind getting one acceptance and going "No, I don't think so."

 

[Dr JPH]

Thats why you only apply to schools where you would actually attend. 🙂

 

[122206DO]

Obviously, it's very much a numbers game...Even as a MD, you can learn OMM and apply it in your practice. You should have a rough idea of what makes competitive DO applicant vs MD applicant. USUALLY when only numbers are concerned, being competitive for MD programs means you are probably also competitive for DO programs. This does not mean, however, that you will be able to walk into DO programs. Numbers only apply to secondary and interview. Many apply to both programs, but I think if you want to do primary care, go with DO programs. Med school is med school IMO, but just be prepared to face some discrimination if you decide to go DO and want to do an allopathic residency.