Chances of DO students for residency spots

[healer2be]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know there are DO and MD residency spots. What is the difference between them? and if focused on primary care, does it matter which type I go for?

 

[prefontaine]

There are AOA and ACGME residencies (not 'DO and MD').

Generally speaking, the ACGME residencies have higher standards.

Opportunities tend to better if you are ABMS BE/BC, so yes, it probably does make a difference.

Of course, you can always do both.

 

[healer2be]

Thanks for the reply. However I am unsure of the what the acronym ABMS BE/BC stand for. Also,do I need to concern myself with the standing of the DO School regarding residency or just rely on my own board scores,etc.

Please post reply.

 

[prefontaine]

American Board of Medical Specialties

Board eligible/board certified

ABMS is the gold standard and often considered to be the only BE/BC that counts (by hospitals, medical centers, etc).

The DO school doesn't make that much difference. ACGME res dir rarely make much of a distinction between the schools...they tend to group them together.

Studies indicate that board scores are weighted low on the list of what ACGME res dir look for when ranking applicants. ~7 out of 10, if I remember correctly. When I was applying, I told them that I passed and never provided the #s and I did not sit for part 2 until after the interviews. It did not matter. AOA programs tend to be more concerned about board scores, though I did not apply to any. This is what my classmates relayed to me.

Get Isserson's book on 'Getting Into A Residency', it explains most of what you need to know.