Chances of achieving a competitive MD residency as a DO?

[FollowTheMoney]

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I've been considering applying to D.O. schools just in case, but many people tell me that if I plan on getting into a competitive MD residency program (dermatology, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, etc.), I don't have a chance as a D.O. Obviously, there are always exceptions but how common is it for a D.O. to take the USMLE, and do well enough to get one of these competitive residencies? Thanks.

 

[rem6775]

The simple fact is that DOs are discriminated against in many (most) competitive residencies, whether or not that is fair. There are plenty of DOs who take the Step 1 and do well, and there are, of course, exceptions to everything, but on the whole it is much harder to secure a tough residency spot (dermatology, radonc, ortho, etc.) as a DO. There are DO programs in these fields, but most people think they are worse on average.

 

[Longshanks]

You are still going to have a tough time getting into these residencies as an MD graduate. Just because you earn a degree that says MD after your name doesn't entitle you to anything. Whether you choose to go to an MD or DO school, you will still need to work very hard, do extremely well on your boards, and receive strong letters from your rotations. When you search to see who gets into these limited spots, one reason why there are so few DOs is because there are much fewer applying in comparison. There may still be some bias, but where you end up is largely a reflection of your work and not the two letters after your name.

 

[TakeMe]

Keep in mind that there are osteopathic residencies in these areas. So you can match into a DO program for dermatology, plastic surgery, etc. I don't know the level of competition in these areas for the DO match, however.

 

[drizzt3117]

It's possible, just harder and you have to be better qualified than a comparable md student. One other thing is that do schools for the most part have less opportunities for research, which also makes it tougher for very research oriented residencies.

 

[Longshanks]

Keep in mind that there are osteopathic residencies in these areas. So you can match into a DO program for dermatology, plastic surgery, etc. I don't know the level of competition in these areas for the DO match, however.

The only caveat with that route, is that the AOA match is before the ACGME match. If you apply for the DO match and get accepted, you must withdraw from the ACGME match. So if one wanted an ACGME residency, they wouldn't apply AOA, however if they didn't get into an ACGME they could scramble in the AOA. I'm not sure if there would be any spots left for the residencies you listed if one tried to scramble in. So in that situation, unless one had amazing credentials they'd probably be better off applying AOA.

side note: some of the information may be a little off when looking at DO's getting into these spots, since depending on the state or the type of residency DO's have to do a one year 'traditional internship' or 'transitional' year, correct? Such before one enters derm, they do a transitional year?

 

[ShyRem]

There was someone from my DO class this year who matched into ACGME neurosurgery. It's entirely possible. It's all up to you.

 

[christina30]

DO's also have dermatology, etc residencies included in their own match - you don't necessarily need to match into an MD program.

 

[RELAX11]

DO's also have dermatology, etc residencies included in their own match - you don't necessarily need to match into an MD program.

About how many derms, plastics, neuro surg, etc spots do DOs nave available to them.

 

[DrBowtie]

There was someone from my DO class this year who matched into ACGME neurosurgery. It's entirely possible. It's all up to you.

You know anecdotes are useless in this situation.

 

[christina30]

About how many derms, plastics, neuro surg, etc spots do DOs nave available to them.

A quick search returned about 21 derm programs, 11 neurosurgery programs, and 5 plastics programs. I don't know how many positions per program, but I don't have the energy to do such an in-depth search, haha.

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/search/search.cfm?searchType=1

 

[Perrotfish]

There was someone from my DO class this year who matched into ACGME neurosurgery. It's entirely possible. It's all up to you.

Oddly that's no where near the most competitive field out there Apparently not that many people want that kind of abuse. Honestly I'm surpirsed anyone does.

 

[Colonol Forbin]

You are still going to have a tough time getting into these residencies as an MD graduate. Just because you earn a degree that says MD after your name doesn't entitle you to anything. Whether you choose to go to an MD or DO school, you will still need to work very hard, do extremely well on your boards, and receive strong letters from your rotations. When you search to see who gets into these limited spots, one reason why there are so few DOs is because there are much fewer applying in comparison. There may still be some bias, but where you end up is largely a reflection of your work and not the two letters after your name.

Yet it is till harder as a DO - whether you like it or not, or think it's fair, the fact of the matter is if a spot is open and it's bw two applicants with similar boards LOR's, interviews etc and one is DO and one is MD, it will go MD

And perhaps less DO's apply to these spots bc tehy know the chances of getting such spots are unrealistic

 

[NightOwlPM]

Yet it is till harder as a DO - whether you like it or not, or think it's fair, the fact of the matter is if a spot is open and it's bw two applicants with similar boards LOR's, interviews etc and one is DO and one is MD, it will go MD

And perhaps less DO's apply to these spots bc tehy know the chances of getting such spots are unrealistic

Exactly. Too many people are saying "anything is possible". Leave high hopes out of major life decisions and look at reality. MDs have a hell of a time getting those residencies and your chances are significantly lower than them. It is like having a low GPA applying to med school. You can get in but your chances are severely diminished.

If you go to a DO school with sole goal of matching into a competitive MD residency you are foolish. Think about wasting 4 yrs (you will age 10) of your life and taking 200k of student loans just for all your derm apps to be denied. If you are lucky you could scramble to an AOA Family Med residency in rural Kentucky. You get the pay off your 200k (...250k...300k...400k...don't forget interest) while your salary is decreasing with no end in site.