Best DO Schools

[Dr. Don]

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Hey guys, I don't know it this has been covered before or not, but after seeing how this year's process is going I'm just preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. So if I have to reapply again I am definitely considering DO because I don't want to waste my time anymore in this process and want to start learning medicine already. Can you tell me which are the best DO schools in terms of education and clinical services. I'm in california so I know of Western, but any other good ones out there? Thank you.

P.S. Oh and one more thing: Which DO schools ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE a DO letter? Because I don't have one and don't want to seem like a kiss ass to a doctor just to get that DO Letter. thanks

 

[skypilot]

 

[pafbdoc]

So if I have to reapply again I am definitely considering DO because I don't want to waste my time anymore in this process and want to start learning medicine already

First thing I would do is change the attitude of D.O. being your seeming last option if all else doesnt work out..... ie "dont want to waste my time anymore, so I'll go D.O.". If your scores are great you may not have to worry, but most D.O. schools can see through the above attitude.

You may want to shadow a D.O. anyways to see if you'd actually like being a D-O, the letter will never hurt and even the schools that dont require it still look very favorably on it.

 

[Dr. Don]

hey peeps, I appreciate your comments. Actually the main reason why I didn't apply to DO schools the first time around was that I didn't really know much about it. Then this year through my post bac program I met a DO who is doing wonderful things as a clinician and researcher at UCLA. He graduated from Western and gave us lots of useful information. After meeting with him, I was like damn, I should have applied DO, but by this time it was already feb/march so I couldn't submit an application. He was really cool and told me that if I ever wanted to shadow him to just send him an email. I haven't yet because the post bac, research, and other clinical service I do have taken a lot of my time. Now that I'll be done with my post bac (keeping a 3.85 science GPA by BTW). I'll have more free time, so I'll definitely contact him. I know it must be my verbal that is really killing my chaces. So if I was to reapply I'll be taking the MCAT again (3rd time and last!) in august, send in applications to both MD and DO schools, and maybe even out of the country schools. I don't want to make it seem like an ass by saying "I don't want to waste my time in this admissions process, that's why I'll be applying DO). But truth of the matter guys is that I really want to be a physician and if MD is not the route for me, then DO it is. I don't feel there is anything wrong with that right? anyways, keep the comments coming. I really do appreciate the input. thanks

 

[bigmuny]

In terms of best school, I think it depends on what you are looking for. In terms of clinical rotations, which I think is the most important factor, NYCOM is probably the strongest. I regards to a letter from a DO, I think it is EXTREMELY helpful. This is particularly true if that person is alumni from the school you are interested in.

 

[Plinko]

The AACOMAS website should give you all the info you need about which schools require a letter from a DO. From what I've heard, most schools require a letter from a physician. Many state that they prefer a DO letter but will accept one from a MD. As far the best DO schools go, you will get about as many opinions as there are schools so I wouldn't waste much time looking for an answer to that question. Because you live in CA you will undoubtedly have to go with a private DO school. Some state schools--TCOM, OSU-COM, MSU-COM, etc.--are very well respected but you will have a tougher time getting accepted from out of state. But I'm sure coming from CA you know all about how tough it is to get into state schools even if you are considered a resident of that state. Off the top of my head, the schools I would suggest you take a look at are: NYCOM, KCOM, and PCOM. There are many more, all of which are well respected, but of the private DO schools these seem to be mentioned more so by my professors as being some of the best. Of course, you will hear about CCOM, AZCOM, NOVA, UNECOM, and the list goes on, but pretty much all are very good. There are some schools (e.g. Pikeville) that have very specific mission statements (e.g. to serve certain regions of the country by producing primary care docs) that you might want to avoid, not beause of the quality of education, but because your goals might conflict with the school's. Ultimately, I would say look at them all, save for the public schools, and determine which one is the best for you.

 

[Chronotropic]

It depneds on your goals as well. If you want to stay in Cali then Western would be a good choice.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by danwsu
It depneds on your goals as well. If you want to stay in Cali then Western would be a good choice.

Or TUCOM if you're in N. Cali.

- Tae

 

[skypilot]

If you would be happy as a primary care doc or a general surgeon you might consider SGU in Grenada.

Here is their match list. It is pretty respectable with plenty of University Programs. Their application deadline for starting this September hasn't passed yet either.

I personnally would prefer to get a DO but this is a viable low risk option.

http://sgu.edu/nhome.nsf/webcontent/15EBD7EF222F054E85256D1700751A8F?OpenDocument

 

[dctrben]

As previously stated, the opinions of which DO school is best are as varied as the people offering those opinions. Like most other schools, which one is 'the best' is generally based on reputation. From what I have heard, most of the schools are genuinely concerned with turning out the most highly qualified doctors they can (I have heard rumblings from many sources that there are many schools that are more in the money-making business, but that is another topic entirely). If you are looking for a good basic sciences education with a consistent history of performing very well on the boards, KCOM, NYCOM and MSUCOM are probably the best for that. NYCOM's rotations are reputadely exceptional, as well as MSU's. KCOM's are pretty much just average at the moment, but they are working on improving them.

TCOM is excellent when it comes to research and OSUCOM is a very solid to top tier program. From what I have heard, DMU and MSUCOM are the top two for OMM (KCOM is a close 3rd, but I am a bit biased with that one😉 )

Another thing to consider is location. If you like small towns or are just wanting to take a few steps back in time KCOM is for you. Bear in mind that you will develop lasting relationships with your classmates, through hanging out with them. Also, if you are married or are looking KCOM's SAA (Student Auxiliary Assoc.) is the largest one around.

If small towns are not your bag, you may not want to come to KCOM. I love small towns and really enjoy it here.

Most other schools are much much closer to large cities than here, so that may be a little bit more appealing.

Perhaps if you listed your criteria, we could be of more assistance.

Please note that the above is based not on fact, but an opinion (aside from most of the stuff about KCOM).

Good luck with your applications Dr Don


Ben

 

[Docgeorge]

The Best DO school? Thats easy, it's mine😀 😀 😀

 

[normalforce]

I attend UHS-COM and I am in the 4 year DO/MBA Program. UHS is a great school. We have excellent faculty and facilities and I guarantee that if you want to work hard, you'll get a great education. We have a systems based curriculum which really, REALLY helped us this year on boards. Check it out at www.uhs.edu and the MBA Program is at cte.rockhurst.edu/hcl. With the ever changing face of medicine and business, this may be a good option for you. It is why I went to UHS.

Normalforce 😀

 

[dctrben]

Since normalface brought it up...

KCOM (actually it is a part of ATSU 🙄 ), now offers a student discount for their online Masters Programs. They currently have three complete Masters degrees (MPH, MHA and MGH), a Certificate of Medical Office Management and they are working towards more classes dealing with how to conduct research. No MBA, but for less than $500 (I think that is all it is with the student discount) you can get a Masters in your free time online. You just have to start it before you graduate and finish before your PGY-3 is done.

I am pretty certain that I have some of the details messed up, if you want to know more go here: www.atsu.edu/shm

Yet another reason I like KCOM. Bear in mind that really which school is 'best' can be boiled down to which one you like the most. I happen to like KCOM the most, otherwise I wouldn't be here. 😀

Ben

 

[Dr JPH]

PCOM is the best.

Hands down.

 

[osteopeddoc]

OK DR DOn,
Looks like you are looking a gift horse in the mouth (-is that the saying?). YOu have a DO that says he is willing to let you shadow-what more could you ask for? Shadow him for a while (as long as he allows you to) and when the time comes, he will be happy to write a letter for you, and you will also have alot more information about DOs. If he doesnt practice manipulation, I would recommend also shadowing one that does; this will give you alot of meat for interview discussions and essays.

It's understandable that you are looking to DO schools as a means to an end. Alot of students do it, lets not kid ourselves, but it would be helpful to you if you got with a DO -he could supply you with literature and the history of osteopathy. This info, along with observing manipulation firsthand just might get you more excited about applying to DO schools. Reading a oneliner about the osteopathic philosophy is alot different than witnessing it.

About top schools-you can get 100 different answers, so my advice-apply to all that accept a good portion of out of staters. See which ones you get interviews to-check out the programs/facilities/location then and make your decision based on acceptances.

 

[ramsestiger]

Originally posted by osteopeddoc


About top schools-you can get 100 different answers, so my advice-apply to all that accept a good portion of out of staters. See which ones you get interviews to-check out the programs/facilities/location then and make your decision based on acceptances.

I think this is solid advice. If you want a general guide about out-of-state admissions percentages and other such numbers, I posted a thread about it a while ago:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62110&highlight=ramsestiger+and+best

Hopefully that'll help you a little.

- Amit

 

[Idiopathic]

If you want the best board prep, go to OSU 🙂

I love my school, and probbly 85% of the instructors...which is higher than I expected.

OMM/clinical/science coursework is very balanced, and you have a fairly good shot to get in from out-of-state, although the $$$ is steeper.

 

[group_theory]

Originally posted by JPHazelton
PCOM is the best.

Hands down.

I second this comment.

PCOM has an excellent reputation (among all docs, MDs and DOs) in the Philly area. It also has a reputation nation-wide because it has been around for a long time.

Also, 1 in 6 doctors in the US have had some part of their training (med school, residency, fellowship) in Philly - so 1 in 6 doctors in the US will most likely have experiences with PCOM grads and students.

 

[bokimbo]

everyone here knows that KCOM is the best🙂

 

[JustD0it]

i thought TCOM was😛

 

[Dr JPH]

Originally posted by group_theory
I second this comment.

PCOM has an excellent reputation (among all docs, MDs and DOs) in the Philly area. It also has a reputation nation-wide because it has been around for a long time.

Also, 1 in 6 doctors in the US have had some part of their training (med school, residency, fellowship) in Philly - so 1 in 6 doctors in the US will most likely have experiences with PCOM grads and students.

Exactly.

I don't know why people keep spouting about such-n-such COM when we ALL know PCOM spanks all your bottoms.

🙂

Have a good summer.

 

[whitecoat]

Would you rate PCOM over CCOM? Which school has a better DO/PhD program? Thanks for your comments.

 

[s42brown]

KCOM all the way. OSU sucks!!!!!!! j/j😛 😛

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by s42brown
KCOM all the way. OSU sucks!!!!!!! j/j😛 😛

😡 you should watch what you say around here!!!! 😡

😉

 

[rbassdo]

Originally posted by DrMom
😡 you should watch what you say around here!!!! 😡

😉

I concur. No put-downs allowed at KCOM. Let's be nice.

 

[newfocus]

Originally posted by CharlesCarino
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has received a
SECOND John Templeton Spirituality and Medicine
Award, becoming one of only two medical
schools in the United States to win the award twice.
The award is given to outstanding medical school
programs that incorporate issues related to spirituality
and medicine. Thirty-two schools, including Harvard, Johns
Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Loyola, UCLA and
the University of Virginia, have received the award
since its inception in 1995.

so of course, my schools the best... heheh

but....
when all is said and done.....
people will call you doctor....
regardless of the school you chose!!

good luck-
Carino
UHS 2007

you can't argue with that!

UHS is the bomb!!!

 

[doctorperez]

Ok now that you had a chance to fantasize

Let us go back to life... back to reality

UMDNJ - SOM is number one !!!

 

[looserdude]

UMDNJ-SOM rocks because it's not only one of the best osteopathic medical schools but also soon-to-be the best medical school of it's size .

 

[too-sweet-phat-cool 4-life]

Originally posted by s42brown
KCOM all the way. OSU sucks!!!!!!! j/j😛 😛

Must be because they rejected you HuH!!

 

[Idiopathic]

Don't force us Okies to have to regulate...up in here.

 

[s42brown]

No I wasn't rejected by OSU, I just like to get under your Oklahoma skin from time to time.😛 😛

 

[too-sweet-phat-cool 4-life]

Originally posted by s42brown
No I wasn't rejected by OSU, I just like to get under your Oklahoma skin from time to time.😛 😛

Ok, but for a second there I thought I was going to have to lay the smackdown on someones candy a$$!!! Can you smell what I am cookin!

😛

I AM
Too-Sweet
Too-SWeet-Phat
Too-Sweet-Phat-Cool
4-Life

(I really wanted to be a pro-wrester instead of a DOC)🙁 🙁

 

[Fenrezz]

Can't blame people from Kirksville for being jealous of Tulsa. A strip mall in Kirksville is their equivalent to Mall of America.

Imagine having to look at Tulsa and think, "My God, what an enormous city!"

 

[dkwyler94]

Originally posted by Fenrezz
Can't blame people from Kirksville for being jealous of Tulsa. A strip mall in Kirksville is their equivalent to Mall of America.

Imagine having to look at Tulsa and think, "My God, what an enormous city!"

First of all...I find it difficult to believe that anyone would be jealous of a city. What you meant was that I should be jealous of you for living in Tulsa.

Second, I thank God Almightly every night that I live in a town that is conducive to studying with little to distract. After all...KCOM students don't pull the best board scores because they're busy seeing the sights of the "dust bowl."

Lastly, we're not all from Kirksville. Many KCOM students would look at Tulsa and say, "It might be bigger than Kirksville, but at least there's only one area code for the entire city."

Flame on KCOM!!

 

[ramsestiger]

Best boards, best reputation, best environment for learning, started by A.T. Still himself, and the list would go on and on if we were to enumerate reasons for KCOM's status as the best. Go ahead, rag on the town but remember that if it weren't for KCOM and Kirksville, none of you ungrateful schmucks would be posting in this forum! 😉

 

[dmbwb69]

i just wrote a new thread about this, i am a NYCOM student, peopple are going to say that nycom is a really good school and allot of other stuff but i can tell you first hand it isnt good, if i can do it all over again i would definetely go to UMDNJ, OR PCOM even UNECOM. If anyone has a choice with any other schools besides nycom go for it, i dont want to see anyone else that makes the same mistake as i did.