Out of curiosity do you increase your chances of getting into a D.O. school if you only apply to D.O. schools? I.e. do D.O.s frown upon you if you apply to M.D. schools too.
Better Chance if only apply to DO
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No. Not the case. But when you do apply MD (as most-to-nearly-all will) just have at least some legitimate reasoning to give if an interviewer wants to be a pain and make you explain why. They don't really care though, from what I've seen/heard/intuited
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OP: no, you don't. You increase your chances by applying broadly and having a competitive application and by not being a total jerk in the interview.
Many people apply to both MD and DO schools. It's not that big a deal.
Many people apply to both MD and DO schools. It's not that big a deal.
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Both my md and do interviewers asked if I'd applied to other schools and I told them both "yes, you both have great programs and I would love to stay instate for my family's sake so I applied to both state schools." end of story. They are adults who make career decisions all the time, they are doing their job and aren't going to take offense to your applying to other programs, one adcom member told me "we don't care what you answer it's about whether you can be polite, eloquent, and have a well thought out answer to questions such as this or others such as 'why'd you get a C in gen chem II' it's to see how you react under pressure"
Apply everywhere you a)think your stats will allow you a shot at getting in and b) where you'd actually consider attending.
Apply everywhere you a)think your stats will allow you a shot at getting in and b) where you'd actually consider attending.
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It is up to the applicant to be honest about MD/DO applications. The only way they would know you applied to the other is if their school had both programs (i.e. UMDNJ). You don't have to disclose the info, but I haven't really heard of any schools caring as long as you have a good reason.
How do you know for sure they don't check? What if they do and you get caught lying, then goodbye medschool. And what would be a good reason to apply to both, other than the obvious, osteopathic is easier to get into so I'm using it as a backup. I mean obviously you wouldn't say that to an osteopathic school outright (that would be dumb), but if ur applying to both they're gonna assume that's probably why. I mean what would be a good reason for applying to both? I just want to increase my chances? (This basically says the same thing. That I'm using osteo as a backup). However, if you're applying to just osteopathic or just MD you can say something like I believe more strongly in their philosophy and you can actually come across more genuine and believable. That's why I thought applying to just osteopathic increases your chances to being accepted to osteopathic.
I mean the thing is that I think my stats and ec's are really average or maybe a little below for even the lower tier MD schools, but pretty competitive for most osteopathic, so that's why I thought I'd give myself a better opportunity of going to medical school if I just apply to osteopathic. And plus, the more I learn about osteopathic the more I'm finding it aligns more closely with my philosophy on medicine (i.e. the holistic nature, preventive medicine, having the extra skill of manual manipulation). But then again, though allopathic doesn't say it outright, it is becoming much more holistic and preventive focused like osteopathic anyways. The only difference I guess would be having that extra skill of manual manipulation, which is pretty cool. I've been to a chiropractor all my life and I know she's really helped me but I'm not like super duper passionate about it. So I don't know.
I mean the thing is that I think my stats and ec's are really average or maybe a little below for even the lower tier MD schools, but pretty competitive for most osteopathic, so that's why I thought I'd give myself a better opportunity of going to medical school if I just apply to osteopathic. And plus, the more I learn about osteopathic the more I'm finding it aligns more closely with my philosophy on medicine (i.e. the holistic nature, preventive medicine, having the extra skill of manual manipulation). But then again, though allopathic doesn't say it outright, it is becoming much more holistic and preventive focused like osteopathic anyways. The only difference I guess would be having that extra skill of manual manipulation, which is pretty cool. I've been to a chiropractor all my life and I know she's really helped me but I'm not like super duper passionate about it. So I don't know.
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each UMNDJ school has its own application. They do not share one. Unless it is disclosed that you applied to all 3, they are independent. The secondaries for each school is also very different.
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Honestly, I know it's hard, but don't be so paranoid. I'm sure everything will work out fine for you. Do you really think MD or DO schools would waste their time accessing the opposite application services just to find out who is applying where? Disclose it if it makes you feel better and like your taking less of a risk. MD schools probably won't ask from what i've heard, D.O schools will definitely ask where else you are applying, and some will ask if you are applying to MD programs. If you are going to answer the question honestly, the most truth that you can tell them, the better. If you like some of the MD schools locations, explain that.
And a good tip that I got before interviews - when answering "why D.O," don't harp on the holistic approach to medicine or preventative care. You are absolutely right that ANY doctor can have this philosophy and most if not all MD schools are heading this direction (this is the new direction of medicine). Just talk about your interest in OMT, if you've seen it in shadowing, explain your experience. You can definitely still talk about your passion for preventative care, but just don't say that is why you chose D.O. I'm sure they would play Devil's Advocate.
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Didn't know all three schools were independent! Thanks for the clarification. Not really sure how it came out but my friend had applied to UMDNJ-MD program in 2008 and was rejected, and then applied to the D.O program in 2009 and was accepted, and she said during her interview they said "So we see you applied to "I forget which campus it is, I think Cherry Hill?" last year."
Contrary to what many people in this thread are saying (they are pre-meds, I might add), there is no way that applying to both can hurt you. Admissions directors are reasonable individuals that understand that you want to go to medical school. The issue of applying to both arises when applicants don't understand the difference, don't understand osteopathic medicine, and come in with the mentality of using DO as a backup.
If you are serious about gaining admission to either MD or DO schools, just apply to both. When you enter practice there is very little difference (usually none) between the two, and they interact as any other physicians would.
If you are serious about gaining admission to either MD or DO schools, just apply to both. When you enter practice there is very little difference (usually none) between the two, and they interact as any other physicians would.
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Hmm...that was basically my answer to why DO at all the interviews I was asked. Well, I elaborated a bit more than just "b/c of holistic approach to medicine" but that was the basis of my answer. Nobody played devil's advocate with me, perhaps I was lucky? I dunno. I got in to every DO school I interviewed at so I did something right, lol.
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AMCAS and AACOMAS application services are totally separate so the MD and DO schools aren't "checking" to see if you applied to the other. So, they really don't know if you applied to both.
It is unlikely that MD programs would ask if you applied DO but I have heard some people say they were asked if they applied MD at DO interviews. Frankly, adcoms know how competitive this process is and there is nothing wrong with trying to maximize your chances to be a physician. The majority of DO applicants also applied MD so applying to both is not at all unusual.
I would just make sure you know a little bit about what makes DOs a little different and what you like about their speciific school so they don't think you are not serious and just threw in an application as a backup.
It is unlikely that MD programs would ask if you applied DO but I have heard some people say they were asked if they applied MD at DO interviews. Frankly, adcoms know how competitive this process is and there is nothing wrong with trying to maximize your chances to be a physician. The majority of DO applicants also applied MD so applying to both is not at all unusual.
I would just make sure you know a little bit about what makes DOs a little different and what you like about their speciific school so they don't think you are not serious and just threw in an application as a backup.
I was accepted to both schools I interviewed at and I spent a lot of time talking about the holistic approach. However, I didnt just sit there and say how its neat and regurgitate the webster definition, I explained why I personally believe it will make me a better doctor (ie it potentially allows you to become closer to your patients by learning about their whole life, not just their health records). Plus I hated on MDs a bit haha. I also talked about my interest in the musculoskeletal system. Seemed to work for me
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and do you know why most of us apply to both?
because overall we want to be DOCTORS, and we are grateful and excited for anyone who gives us a legitimate chance at doing what we dream of doing for our lives.
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Sounds like you genuinely were interested, which is awesome. Talking about the main Osteopathic principles is key, which would include your interest with the musculoskeletal system. IMO, medical schools in general are focusing on holistic approach, and I don't feel it is what makes Osteopathic Medicine unique anymore. And don't get me wrong, I talked about my interest in preventative medicine, and the holistic approach during interviews as well, but I made it clear that my interest in Osteopathic Medicine was unique from any allopathic program. Congrats on the acceptances though! Enjoy the time you have left!!
And don't hate on MDs too much. They'll be your colleagues someday, although it's hard when one bad apple spoils the bunch. There is a lot that can be learned on both ends from both degrees.
👍👍👍👍👍
do you mind sharing how you made it clear that your interest in osteopathic medicine was unique from any allopathic program?
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I talked a lot about shadowing experiences and seeing OMT in practice, and then talked about the Osteopathic principles in the context of OMT for use of preventative care medicine.
and just wanted to share that my basis for my suggestion of staying away from just talking about the holistic approach to medicine, besides the tips from other students I knew, was that during my NYCOM and PCOM interviews, when I said that their is a great need for holistic medicine, but I felt that the approach is being incorporated by DOs and MDs alike, and then went on to talk about OMT and my reasons for being interested, the response from both schools interviewers were along the lines of them agreeing with me and it being refreshing to hear a student acknowledge that perspective and understand the basic difference bt the two educations (not types of doctors..bc a lot of DOs don't use OMT).
LECOM - erie and Touro-NY actually didn't talk a lot about Osteopathic Medicine specifically during my interview so I can't really give feedback from those two schools.
