Career question...can I do this?

[HopefulDoc12]

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I know I’m not supposed to make up my mind on what I want to do post-med school before I even get accepted, but nevertheless, here are my questions:

I am a bit of a non-trad, I have an MPH and I am graduating with a masters in microbiology next month and applying to med school this coming cycle. I am extremely interested in infectious disease, as my masters work was in that, along with some public health work. My ultimate goal is to do an internal med residency and a fellowship in infectious disease and eventually get into a job involving biodefense/epidemiology/public health, perhaps at the CDC, but also practicing some ID on the side.

My question is two fold: Would attending a DO school hinder me (or make it much more difficult) from achieving this? I ask because although my GPA is good for MD, my MCAT (30) is on the low side.

Second question: I am considering applying for the national health service corps scholarship – this would require me to enter a primary care residency, which isn’t a big deal since I plan to anyway, but it would require me to work for 4 years before I could apply for an ID fellowship. Given the fact that I will not make great money in my ultimate job, I feel that this scholarship and the 4 year commitment would be worth it. The problem is would I be able (and competitive) to apply for ID fellowships after working for 4 years as an internist?

Thanks so much!

 

[Pacna]

You'll need some heavy hitters like @LizzyM or @Catalystik or @Goro (Goro would be great for this one) to answer this question. I think you're far more qualified, yourself, to answer this question than many others on this board, myself included.

 

[mik30102]

1st question) Infectious disease is a VERY noncompetitive fellowship. I don't think it would be a issue for a DO with the possible exception of top programs.

I'm not to sure about your second question.

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

I know I’m not supposed to make up my mind on what I want to do post-med school before I even get accepted, but nevertheless, here are my questions:

I am a bit of a non-trad, I have an MPH and I am graduating with a masters in microbiology next month and applying to med school this coming cycle. I am extremely interested in infectious disease, as my masters work was in that, along with some public health work. My ultimate goal is to do an internal med residency and a fellowship in infectious disease and eventually get into a job involving biodefense/epidemiology/public health, perhaps at the CDC, but also practicing some ID on the side.

My question is two fold: Would attending a DO school hinder me (or make it much more difficult) from achieving this? I ask because although my GPA is good for MD, my MCAT (30) is on the low side.

Second question: I am considering applying for the national health service corps scholarship – this would require me to enter a primary care residency, which isn’t a big deal since I plan to anyway, but it would require me to work for 4 years before I could apply for an ID fellowship. Given the fact that I will not make great money in my ultimate job, I feel that this scholarship and the 4 year commitment would be worth it. The problem is would I be able (and competitive) to apply for ID fellowships after working for 4 years as an internist?

Thanks so much!

1. Applying early with a 30MCAT, Solid GPA, and good clinical ECs will get you in low-mid tier MD's (at least 1 acceptance)
2. IM is DO friendly. You can view match stats for percentage of DOs that go to different fields
3. Look up the CDC website and find physicians that work there (in a directory perhaps). See if there are both MDs and DOs in which case, it is possible to get there as a do 🙂

 

[Goro]

NO! I know DO ID docs.

My question is two fold: Would attending a DO school hinder me (or make it much more difficult) from achieving this? I ask because although my GPA is good for MD, my MCAT (30) is on the low side.

 

[LizzyM]

Also consider, if you can spare a year, the CDC Epidemiology experience available for med students.
I think that you could get into a lower tier MD program, particularly given your focus on ID... with the understanding, as you will explain in your application (cough) that you are unsure if your focus will be adult or pediatric ID. Good luck!

 

[Spinach Dip]

It is good to have an idea of what you want to do with your career before you start med school.

Just remember to keep you mind open to other options.

Good luck!

 

[Catalystik]

my GPA is good for MD, my MCAT (30) is on the low side.

MD acceptee averages for 2013 were MCAT 31.3 and cGPA of 3.69. Your MCAT is a tad below average, but not what I'd call "low," especially if your subscores are balanced. If your GPA is higher than average, it can compensate.