Can MD programs see if you were accepted into DO programs?

[Soso694]

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Hello, This is a hypothetical question.
If I were to apply to both MD and DO programs this cycle, but only got accepted into DO programs and decided later on not to accept my DO admission and reapply to an MD program next cycle, would MD programs be able to see this? I know they can see if you've been accepted into other MD programs, but what about DO?

 

[gyngyn]

We do not see DO acceptances.
I do not recommend applying to schools you would not attend.

 

[Alienman52]

We do not see DO acceptances.
I do not recommend applying to schools you would not attend.

This ^

 

[Crayola227]

Turning down a DO admission?

Tells me you don't want to practice medicine badly enough.

GTFO.

 

[studentdocftw]

If you turned down a DO acceptance, you could be closing that route all together. What if you can't get into MD next cycle? Every additional cycle makes it tougher and tougher to get in. Unless you are trying for derm, rad onc, or other ultra competitive field, I strongly suggest you consider taking the acceptance if that scenario arises. Don't apply if you don't plan to matriculate.

 

[235009]

Unless you are trying for derm, rad onc, or other ultra competitive field, I strongly suggest you consider taking the acceptance if that scenario arises.

This is but one of many reasons to go to an MD school instead of a DO school. If you can't think of any others you need to enlighten yourself on the topic more.

OP, just the fact that you posed the question means you should apply MD only the first cycle...whether this is a good idea will depend on your stats and goals.


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[NotYou20]

Why would you apply to DO schools this year if you wouldn't attend? If you want to waste money you can send it to me.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

While I agree that it makes no sense to apply somewhere you may not attend, I understand the dissonance you're having.

My suggestion would be to apply MD only first time around if you're competitive. Next time around just apply MD as well but add in some DO if you're feeling like your back is against the wall. That's my plan anyways. If you're not a strong MD applicant you'd be wise to include DO schools the first time around and run with an acceptance.

Your thoughts?

 

[Crayola227]

always run with an acceptance

if you did this right, you are not holding an acceptance you aren't willing to take

idek

 

[RamsayBolton]

I did this exact same thing a few years ago, had 2 DO acceptances, got cold feet and reapplied MD next cycle. Its a gamble, but its your life and if you feel like you're above DO, then go for it

 

[jqueb29]

I would strongly recommend what ProspectiveKidd said, that's what I did myself. MD only your first year, and then if you don't get accepted that first cycle then you know that you need to accept DO might be your only option.

 

[Crayola227]

I did this exact same thing a few years ago, had 2 DO acceptances, got cold feet and reapplied MD next cycle. Its a gamble, but its your life and if you feel like you're above DO, then go for it

"above" DO? WTF lol

I wish we got follow up stats on everyone that ever gives up an acceptance and reapplies.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

"I'm going to apply DO so I can get some acceptances. I have no plans to go to these schools because I want MD"

This sounds like a huge waste of time and money. Don't take acceptances away from people who actually are applying DO with the intent of going there. Just do a broad MD app this cycle.

 

[Crayola227]

"I'm going to apply DO so I can get some acceptances. I have no plans to go to these schools because I want MD"

This sounds like a huge waste of time and money. Don't take acceptances away from people who actually are applying DO with the intent of going there. Just do a broad MD app this cycle.

this sort of attitude in an applicant sounds like idiocy to me
to the point that I almost say don't waste the money.

Just. Don't.

edited for clarity

 

[Goro]

Sarcasm doesn't travel well over the electrons. Anatomy was mocking this particular mindset.

this sounds like idiocy to the point that I almost say don't waste the money.

Just. Don't.

 

[Crayola227]

Sarcasm doesn't travel well over the electrons. Anatomy was mocking this particular mindset.

yes, I never meant @AnatomyGrey12 wasn't being serious and I see how my own joke was misread.

post was edited

 

[IslandStyle808]

I did this exact same thing a few years ago, had 2 DO acceptances, got cold feet and reapplied MD next cycle. Its a gamble, but its your life and if you feel like you're above DO, then go for it

An example of some one turning down DO and getting accepted to an MD school. To those who read the pre-osteo side, this happens but not the norm nor anecdotal.

 

[Dustbowl12]

why in the world would you turn down an acceptance to medical school if your goal is to go to medical school? got in DO? ACCEPT and run

 

[Slack3r]

An example of some one turning down DO and getting accepted to an MD school. To those who read the pre-osteo side, this happens but not the norm nor anecdotal.

I turned down a DO acceptance, did an SMP (that I probably didn't need), and matriculated MD. I just matched into one of the most competitive fields. It's not something I necessarily recommend because it is a large gamble.

 

[JustAPhD]

I turned down a DO acceptance, did an SMP (that I probably didn't need), and matriculated MD. I just matched into one of the most competitive fields. It's not something I necessarily recommend because it is a large gamble.

Yup, it's definitely possible--I'm sure some people do it every cycle--but it's risky. If the SMP didn't work out you would have been in a very rough spot. It's all about minimizing risk, for the majority of people.

 

[Slack3r]

Yup, it's definitely possible--I'm sure some people do it every cycle--but it's risky. If the SMP didn't work out you would have been in a very rough spot. It's all about minimizing risk, for the majority of people.

Yes, but had I not done well in an SMP I would've known I couldn't hack it in med school, either.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Yes, but had I not done well in an SMP I would've known I couldn't hack it in med school, either.

I my friend who passed a post-bacc that had courses that condensed high yield concepts of both M1 and M2 into one year. If one passes, grants acceptance to the MD school in my home state. One of his classmates was doing poorly and withdrew from the program. All he did was improve his MCAT and took more undergrad course. He got into an MD school in the mainland a few years later and is doing fine currently (from what my friend tells me). So I take the whole doing poorly in an SMP = failure in medical school with a grain of salt.

 

[Slack3r]

I my friend who passed a post-bacc that had courses that condensed high yield concepts of both M1 and M2 into one year. If one passes, grants acceptance to the MD school in my home state. One of his classmates was doing poorly and withdrew from the program. All he did was improve his MCAT and took more undergrad course. He got into an MD school in the mainland a few years later and is doing fine currently (from what my friend tells me). So I take the whole doing poorly in an SMP = failure in medical school with a grain of salt.

I guess. If doing poorly in medical school classes doesn't portend poor performance in future Med schools classes, I'm not sure what does.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I guess. If doing poorly in medical school classes doesn't portend poor performance in future Med schools classes, I'm not sure what does.

I do think there is a good correlation, but I don't think it is a static one. There was another poster on here, mommyofthree, who did poorly in her first SMP. She then retook it and did much better. She got into a DO school after the second attempt of the SMP. So I think people can change. However, with the risk adverse nature of medical schools, it is difficult to prove oneself again. You really don't get a second shot at things and in the end that is the choice of the school.

 

[ortnakas]

Don't apply anywhere you wouldn't actually want to attend, DO or otherwise.

 

[Soso694]

I said this was a hypothetical question for a reason. I'm not applying to schools this cycle, just wanted a better understanding of how the process works.

 

[Psai]

I turned down a DO acceptance, did an SMP (that I probably didn't need), and matriculated MD. I just matched into one of the most competitive fields. It's not something I necessarily recommend because it is a large gamble.

ENT homeboy
mother is a saint

 

[Alienman52]

The BCOM secondary asks if you were ever previously accepted to medical school, "anywhere in the world." I would think some MD programs might ask similar secondary prompts.


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[Dr. Stalker]

The BCOM secondary asks if you were ever previously accepted to medical school, "anywhere in the world." I would think some MD programs might ask similar secondary prompts.


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Technically you wouldn't have to report any osteopathic acceptance as Osteopathic schools distinguish themselves from their Medical school counterparts, hence the doctorate in osteopathy vs. doctorate in medicine. I would think someone would have to report to BCOM that they were accepted to other medical schools (perhaps foreign ones?)

I'm simply playing on semantics and wording here - not saying anything is superior/inferior etc.

 

[Alienman52]

Technically you wouldn't have to report any osteopathic acceptance as Osteopathic schools distinguish themselves from their Medical school counterparts, hence the doctorate in osteopathy vs. doctorate in medicine. I would think someone would have to report to BCOM that they were accepted to other medical schools (perhaps foreign ones?)

I'm simply playing on semantics and wording here - not saying anything is superior/inferior etc.

"Distinguish themselves from their medical school counterparts." LOL

The DO degree is no longer Doctor of Osteopathy, it is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. I know you weren't trying insinuate inferiority/superiority but...lol


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[Dr. Stalker]

Hello, This is a hypothetical question.
If I were to apply to both MD and DO programs this cycle, but only got accepted into DO programs and decided later on not to accept my DO admission and reapply to an MD program next cycle, would MD programs be able to see this? I know they can see if you've been accepted into other MD programs, but what about DO?

OP, that's a good question. My school's pre-med advising told me to apply entirely DO and only my state schools last cycle (2015-2016). I chose to apply only to MD schools, and I had a few interviews and no acceptances currently. I don't mind it at all (other than the fact that I spent a considerable amount of money applying...). I'm getting geared up to reapply again to a better school list and fixing the problems in my last application.

If you ONLY want an MD that's fine - apply MD only.
If you want an MD or a DO that's fine - then apply MD and DO.
If you ONLY want a DO that's fine - apply DO only.

Don't apply to both with some odd feeling/worry that you'll reluctantly take one acceptance over another etc. all the above posters are right, you're just wasting money. I lost a year during this application cycle, lost money, but I'm still alive and kicking and am excited to reapply again (though my wallet isn't...), and hopefully do things right and land an acceptance! 🙂. If you have any other questions please PM me and I'd be happy to answer.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

"Distinguish themselves from their medical school counterparts." LOL

The DO degree is no longer Doctor of Osteopathy, it is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. I know you weren't trying insinuate inferiority/superiority but...lol


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I had no idea that the DO was actually short for doctor in osteopathic medicine*. This is certainly a gray area. Even so, I mean technically, that isn't "medical school" (MD), I mean if somebody chose to not disclose that information to BCOM and lawyered up, they'd technically be in the clear, right?

I don't particularly care for the MD/DO flaming or what's better/worse. Everyone has their own views on it and that's fine 🙂. A friend of mine with several US MD acceptances chose a DO school because he felt he fit in best there, and I know several people who opted not to apply to osteopathic schools and eventually landed an allopathic acceptance and are quite content too!

 

[Alienman52]

I had no idea that the DO was actually short for doctor in osteopathic medicine*. This is certainly a gray area. Even so, I mean technically, that isn't "medical school" (MD), I mean if somebody chose to not disclose that information to BCOM and lawyered up, they'd technically be in the clear, right?

I don't particularly care for the MD/DO flaming or what's better/worse. Everyone has their own views on it and that's fine 🙂. A friend of mine with several US MD acceptances chose a DO school because he felt he fit in best there, and I know several people who opted not to apply to osteopathic schools and eventually landed an allopathic acceptance and are quite content too!

M8, if you're unsure as to whether or not Osteopathic medical school is medical school, I'd advise some reading anywhere on the Internet, or on this site haha not trying to sound insulting! By your logic, someone going for a PhD in chemistry is technically going to school for philosophy. The degree isn't 100% indicative of what the schools curriculum entails.


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[Lawpy]

M8, if you're unsure as to whether or not Osteopathic medical school is medical school, I'd advise some reading anywhere on the Internet, or on this site haha not trying to sound insulting! By your logic, someone going for a PhD in chemistry is technically going to school for philosophy. The degree isn't 100% indicative of what the schools curriculum entails.


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The problem with that is there are a lot of inconsistencies and contradictions as to what osteopathic medicine is. A 1999 NEJM article titled "The Paradox of Osteopathy" discusses this extensively, which is why the confusion still persists regardless of how much research is done into it.

Regardless, some secondary prompts do ask whether you have been accepted to medical school in the past. And lying on it won't help so OP may be in trouble for turning down a DO acceptance and reapplying. It's school-specific since there may not be a lot of MD/DO crosstalk.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

M8, if you're unsure as to whether or not Osteopathic medical school is medical school, I'd advise some reading anywhere on the Internet, or on this site haha not trying to sound insulting! By your logic, someone going for a PhD in chemistry is technically going to school for philosophy. The degree isn't 100% indicative of what the schools curriculum entails.


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No insult taken, that's interesting and based off of what Gonnif said above I'd change my answer to the BCOM question! I legitimately have explored both routes intensely...I live nearby one of the "top" DO schools as well as near a few MD schools as well, and my undergrad sends students to both, so I wanted to make sure I applied to schools that best fit my mindset and interest. I would think there is a distinction between the two degrees because of the principles they believe in as well as the fact that the two different schools have slightly different curriculums (OMM is taught in DO schools, not in MD [or so I think? Not sure]). Moreover since there's, for the time being anyway, two types of residencies to apply for, ACGME vs. AOA, I honestly thought the two were different enough to be considered that way, but maybe I'm just being too technical and reading into the wording too much!

My other basis for thinking the two degrees were different was the fact that the Multiple Acceptance Report doesn't include DO schools - or does it?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Even so, I mean technically, that isn't "medical school" (MD), I mean if somebody chose to not disclose that information to BCOM and lawyered up, they'd technically be in the clear, right?

Uh....No....

 

[Dr. Stalker]

They both are physicians
in 42 of 50+ states and territories their is one medical board for both DO and MD

I never said they weren't both physicians.

But the degrees are different. And if the question said "medical school" I thought it referred to one of them, however @Alienman52 kindly informed me the osteopathic degree is in osteopathic medicine, so if BCOM is asking about "any prior medical school acceptances" I would think and agree with you and the others on this thread that a DO or MD school acceptance would mean that applicant would have to answer yes!

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Uh....No....

I was specifically looking at the word medical in the question stem. Applying that CARS style of reading, interpretation, and analysis here! 😛

 

[redferrari]

If you don't want to be a DO, don't apply to DO schools. How hard of a freaking concept is this for people? If I wanted a vehicle capable of going off-roading, would it be logical for me to buy a Prius?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I was specifically looking at the word medical in the question stem. Applying that CARS style of reading, interpretation, and analysis here! 😛

And you would have gotten that question wrong... Seeing as, you know, DO schools are actually considered medical schools...

 

[PossibleDOC?]

Just remember competitive residency or not as a physician you shouldn't be looking to just be average. Whether DO or MD you should be aiming for the highest grade in the class, the highest possible board score, the best residency you can obtain. The degree shouldn't matter its what you do with it that matters. People who only want MD are usually premeds who are like 19 or 20, no mcat, and usually have a 3.67 and still at the top of the world. I don't like the mcat but it really is a good way to knock some of these kids down off their high horse and realize that they are the same and you can achieve your goals you may just have to put in a little more effort as a DO I know thats hard for some people though

 

[Dr. Stalker]

And you would have gotten that question wrong... Seeing as, you know, DO schools are actually considered medical schools...

To get this straight: An osteopathic school is a type of medical school? Last I checked they don't confer an MD upon graduation.

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

To get this straight: An osteopathic school is a type of medical school? Last I checked they don't confer an MD upon graduation.

For the love of god, yes lol. DO is the same exact thing as MD except the OMM/OMT. They are an OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL, similar to how MD is an ALLOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL. You still learn the exact same biochem/path/physio/pharm/anatomy as your MD counterpart. You learn the same diagnostic skills as your MD counterpart with the occasional thrown in OMM. It's not like DO's believe the Kreb Cycle or glycolysis works differently than how it is taught at an MD school.

 

[Lawpy]

To get this straight: An osteopathic school is a type of medical school? Last I checked they don't confer an MD upon graduation.

For the love of god, yes lol. DO is the same exact thing as MD except the OMM/OMT. They are an OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL, similar to how MD is an ALLOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL. You still learn the exact same biochem/path/physio/pharm/anatomy as your MD counterpart. You learn the same diagnostic skills as your MD counterpart with the occasional thrown in OMM. It's not like DO's believe the Kreb Cycle or glycolysis works differently than how it is taught at an MD school.

Dr Stalker's confusion isn't unique. It highlights the central problem mentioned earlier: if MD and DO do the same exact thing (with the difference being OMM), why are there two separate application pathways (AMCAS vs AACOMAS) mandated by two separate regulatory bodies (ACGME/LCME vs AOA/COCA)? Moreover, what stops MD schools from using OMM as a 4th year elective, which basically eliminates the need for a DO degree altogether?

The answers have largely pertained to history but true historical differences are something like DMD/DDS and VMD/DVM degrees, both of which are under one education pathway. Another reason is that the DO profession is still led by stubborn, obsolete DO radicals who still have very strong anti-MD bias. But that's just irony on their part.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

For the love of god, yes lol. DO is the same exact thing as MD except the OMM/OMT. They are an OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL, similar to how MD is an ALLOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL. You still learn the exact same biochem/path/physio/pharm/anatomy as your MD counterpart. You learn the same diagnostic skills as your MD counterpart with the occasional thrown in OMM. It's not like DO's believe the Kreb Cycle or glycolysis works differently than how it is taught at an MD school.

Well said. I did a little bit of research on this and completely agree with your statement! I was illversed and under the impression that they were different.

 

[Psai]

To get this straight: An osteopathic school is a type of medical school? Last I checked they don't confer an MD upon graduation.

Yes they are. Lol at "holistic". What garbage

 

[Lawpy]

Yes they are. Lol at "holistic". What garbage

Yeah i never understand why DOs say that. It's offensive to MDs because they are directly saying MDs don't care about the patient and their psychosocial circumstances... and that MDs almost always specialize and go into academia.

 

[Goro]

It's historical baggage. 100 years ago, they were more holistic. But times have changed. To say that MDs are not holistic is insulting to our MD colleagues.

Whenever my OMM colleagues tries to pull the "we're different" or "we're holistic" line, My immediate response is "Data?" or, if I'm in amore surly mood, "Prove it".

We now return you to your regularly scheduled SDN thread.

Yeah i never understand why DOs say that. It's offensive to MDs because they are directly saying MDs don't care about the patient and their psychosocial circumstances... and that MDs almost always specialize and go into academia.

 

[Lawpy]

It's historical baggage. 100 years ago, they were more holistic. But times have changed. To say that MDs are not holistic is insulting to our MD colleagues.

Whenever my OMM colleagues tries to pull the "we're different" or "we're holistic" line, My immediate response is "Data?" or, if I'm in amore surly mood, "Prove it".

We now return you to your regularly scheduled SDN thread.

Is it possible to take an OMM elective at an MD school? Or is this school-specific? What about during residency for MD grads?

 

[Goro]

Don't know. But I can just see my school trying to cash in on the merger by offering OMM certificates to MDs gunning for choice AOA residencies.

I can also envision the "true believers' trying to duke it out with the deans who have $ in their eyes!!!

Is it possible to take an OMM elective at an MD school? Or is this school-specific? What about during residency for MD grads?