Choosing DO over MD

[angel_doc]

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i wonder how the experience is like for foreign MD students such as those from caribbean schools

Yea good question! I am curious too

 

[ciestar]

Yea good question! I am curious too

For the most part MD>DO>>>>>>>Carib MD

And i say most part because there are programs out there who won’t rank a DO but will take IMGs... and this certainly isn’t the norm at all

 

[workaholic181]

There is much more to picking a school than what everyone generalizes and says on these forums. I chose DO over MD and would do it again in a heartbeat simply because my school is far and away a better fit for me and situation. I totally agree that MD schools are superior, offer more resources, and provide more opportunities, but things like location, family, and "fit" can trump the other factors as it did in my situation. In some cases DO can give you a better chance at what you want in medicine. In my case going DO gives me a better chance at the programs I want and the locations I want for residency because those residencies take majority DOs and many students from my school every year.

In general MD>>DO. When we get to discussing people specific situations that generalization does not apply. I really don't think going to Tulane or Penn State just for the MD would help me match at current AOA residency programs in in the West near my family. In fact I think it would make it more difficult because I would be further away and unable to make the same connections I am making know through my school's alumni at those residencies and faculty that are well connected to program directors at those residencies.

I think we are mostly in agreement, but I think these forums are generalized and telling people MD>DO in every case just isn't right. I went DO over MD, but that doesn't mean I have unrealistic expectations or that I am lowering my chances for what I want. If your dream school is DO and offers more pros than cons than another MD school go for it as long as you know what your getting.

I didn't say MD over DO was right in every case. But if we're speaking about over generalizations, your classification of MD programs as being full of gunners who are intent on research and matching Uber competitive elite major city residencies is a prime example of painting with a broad brush. Fact is first year MD and Do students largely have the same goals and same outlooks on their careers. People who think DO students go into first year Gung ho on primary care in the Midwest are being naive. If that's what you believed that's great but again you're not the norm for obvious reasons.
Your situation was u ique when you picked what you did. You had a family, I'm assuming you're older than the average matriculant by at least several years, your goal was AOA residencies in a DO friendly part of the country. The average 24 year old matriculant can't relate to that.
Medical school is medical school. MDs schools provide more opportunities than DO. I appreciate a contrarian voice but you're the only DO here who has argued otherwise.
Again, I say these things because pre meds read these forums and draw conclusions about the two paths. The vast majority of DO students go DO because they didn't have the option of going MD. The vast majority who have both choices pick MD. There's obvious reasons for this. Really nothing more to say.

 

[Goro]

Medical school is medical school. MDs schools provide more opportunities than DO. I appreciate a contrarian voice but you're the only DO here who has argued otherwise.
Again, I say these things because pre meds read these forums and draw conclusions about the two paths. The vast majority of DO students go DO because they didn't have the option of going MD. The vast majority who have both choices pick MD. There's obvious reasons for this. Really nothing more to say.

RE the bolded. We Adcoms at DO schools know this, and we don't take it personally. Except for the True Believers.

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

I didn't say MD over DO was right in every case. But if we're speaking about over generalizations, your classification of MD programs as being full of gunners who are intent on research and matching Uber competitive elite major city residencies is a prime example of painting with a broad brush. Fact is first year MD and Do students largely have the same goals and same outlooks on their careers. People who think DO students go into first year Gung ho on primary care in the Midwest are being naive. If that's what you believed that's great but again you're not the norm for obvious reasons.
Your situation was u ique when you picked what you did. You had a family, I'm assuming you're older than the average matriculant by at least several years, your goal was AOA residencies in a DO friendly part of the country. The average 24 year old matriculant can't relate to that.
Medical school is medical school. MDs schools provide more opportunities than DO. I appreciate a contrarian voice but you're the only DO here who has argued otherwise.
Again, I say these things because pre meds read these forums and draw conclusions about the two paths. The vast majority of DO students go DO because they didn't have the option of going MD. The vast majority who have both choices pick MD. There's obvious reasons for this. Really nothing more to say.

There are at least 30 of me at my school. I’m not as unique as you might think. Not saying all MD are elitist gunners just saying DO can provide you everything you need to have a great medical career, you are not sacrificing your career going DO.


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[BTC0821]

With all things considered, when would DO be preferred over MD then? Especially when it comes to price in tuition. If one could go to a DO school for 30k a year cheaper than an MD school, would it be worth it then? At what point would the benefits of an MD school be overridden by a potential cost difference of a DO school?

 

[angel_doc]

With all things considered, when would DO be preferred over MD then? Especially when it comes to price in tuition. If one could go to a DO school for 30k a year cheaper than an MD school, would it be worth it then? At what point would the benefits of an MD school be overridden by a potential cost difference of a DO school?

Yes especially if it's a difference of more than 50k??

 

[Chibucks15]

On a site like this you'll never get the answer to go DO. I'm in DO school, happy to be here, but they aren't wrong with how it may limit you in the future depending on your specialty. With how insane tuition prices are though, there is definitely something to be said for going to the cheaper school, depending on what your interests are. If you have no desire to do surgery or things of that nature, then you'll probably be fine DO. If you are at all unsure, MD is the better way. Eventually it wont matter as things improve with the residency merger, but that wont be for a decade or so I'm guessing.

Basically, the answer is always go MD. However, if you are priced out of the MD, and/or other reasons such as location and all that, that is a completely valid reason to go DO. However, you have to be ready to accept that things may be more difficult down the road.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

ust saying DO can provide you everything you need to have a great medical career, you are not sacrificing your career going DO.

That completely depends on someone's individual goals.

There are at least 30 of me at my school. I’m not as unique as you might think.

Lol, I'm going to call you out and say you are full of ****. Yeah there are definitely not 30 people in your class who had actual MD acceptances in hand and turned them down for your DO school.

Yes especially if it's a difference of more than 50k??

No.

Not to bring up old threads, but you made this post in July 2017: Help with MD school list where you say "I just want to give myself a fair shot at going MD as well."

Then in september 2017 you made this thread Not to beat a dead horse, but.... Where you state "I feel if I applied to 25+ private MD schools I could land an acceptance or at least an interview or two. However, I decided to just apply to DO schools and my state MD school for a few reasons."

Now it's a year later, two months into your OMS 1 year and you're posting in multiple threads about how you chose DO over several MD acceptances. That doesnt jive with your thread in sept. 2017 when you said you only applied to your state MD in order to save money.

Ouch......

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Not to bring up old threads, but you made this post in July 2017: Help with MD school list where you say "I just want to give myself a fair shot at going MD as well."

Then in september 2017 you made this thread Not to beat a dead horse, but.... Where you state "I feel if I applied to 25+ private MD schools I could land an acceptance or at least an interview or two. However, I decided to just apply to DO schools and my state MD school for a few reasons."

Now it's a year later, two months into your OMS 1 year and you're posting in multiple threads about how you chose DO over several MD acceptances. That doesnt jive with your thread in sept. 2017 when you said you only applied to your state MD in order to save money.

For the record I think DO is a great option. You get to be a doctor and help people. There's zero wrong with it. But when pre meds make threads like this it's better to give them the full picture so that they can, like you say, go into DO school understanding how it more likely than not will affect their career to some extent. So in the vast majority of cases, it is a more sound decision to go to an MD program if given the choice.

A little creeped out you have time and energy to stalk me. I ended up applying to 7 DO 7 MD. Got in at Tulane, Rush, Penn State. Rejected by my state MD school. Chose a DO school in state to be close to family and to stay out huge cities where my wife did not feel comfortable.

There so many factors going in to picking a school it isn’t right to advise to pick MD over DO in all cases.


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[Johnny Appleseed]

Please dont take my comments here to mean I'm anti DO Goro! I'm not at all. Just because DO is usually an applicants back up doesnt mean DO schoolsBeing a DO hamstrings you in the match is my only point. And it's important to

Dude, it took my 3 seconds to look at your profile lol. I only remembered you'd made that post about only applying DO because of your avatar.
I literally never said in any post you should pick MD over DO in all cases. But I agree with @AnatomyGrey12 that your claim 30 members of your class at least picked DO over MD is suspect at best tbh. I'm glad you're happy with your choice. Good luck going forward with your career lol

I meant 30+ that are older with families who chose my school based on geography. I have no idea how many were accepted to other schools.




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[Goro]

Please dont take my comments here to mean I'm anti DO Goro! I'm not at all. Being a DO hamstrings you in the match is my only point, and its important for pre meds to know that going in. Ive seen you echo this several times.

Oh I know. I just want people to know that we're aware that DO is the back up and many people are applying to us in their 2nd cycle. We're OK with that (except for the True Believers). My students rapidly get thankful that we're giving them a chance to fulfill their dreams. A handful are self-hating DOs, unfortunately.

 

[ciestar]

A little creeped out you have time and energy to stalk me. I ended up applying to 7 DO 7 MD. Got in at Tulane, Rush, Penn State. Rejected by my state MD school. Chose a DO school in state to be close to family and to stay out huge cities where my wife did not feel comfortable.

There so many factors going in to picking a school it isn’t right to advise to pick MD over DO in all cases.


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Not to pick, but there is nothing huge city at all about Hershey, Pennsylvania.

I didn’t apply DO, but if I would have gotten off the WL at my top choice I would have had a hard decision to make between a really good school and a “lower-tier” MD because of my husband’s job being in the same city my med school is in. So, I totally hear you there.

 

[zaitoun]

just choose what fits you. you can have an amazing career as an MD or DO. main thing is to be at peace when you make your decision, and work hard to get into whatever specialty you like. btw check out Dr. Mike, he's an awesome DO!

 

[bones]

Hey all, weird question here. I am hoping for lots of opinions (especially from DO graduates or physicians) regarding how being a DO really truly is. I sincerely love the philosophy and my top school is a DO. I absolutely love the school. Would picking a DO over an MD school be stupid?

Being a DO is great if you love the philosophy and find good mentors to learn omt from. I change lives every day in my practice, and feel like I am really fixing the cause of problems rather than chasing symptoms.

Going DO as a safety school if you don’t believe in the philosophy carries a unique challenge, because then maybe you have a degree you aren’t proud of that you will be wearing for the rest of your life... This could impact the effectiveness of the narrative when applying to competitive residency programs... They say “I see you are a DO, so why did you go that route?” If you are excited and speak of unique skills, they are excited. If you look downtrodden and spout some BS rehearsed line or just say you couldn’t get in to where you wanted to, this could certainly hurt.

In general competitive DOs match quite well, though to match anywhere the key is connections... super competitive residencies almost always require these, and for this you need to know someone or do an impressive audition. It is always easier if you go to the school where the program is... so Harvard grads will have an advantage for Harvard residencies, etc. other than this effect, self confidence issues by some DOs, and an occasional program director that doesn’t want the best applicants they can get their hands on (which is very rare), not such a big deal. Lots of DOs in very competitive programs if you look around.

This said, there are some significant barriers to practicing overseas as a DO that you should be aware of. a number of countries don’t recognize American DO degree without additional hoops vs American MDs. If you plan on practicing overseas you should consider this strongly.

Also, there is very little downside going MD and then doing omm rotations and omm CME later. MDs can now apply to Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialty residencies (omm specialty), though they need a lot of additional catch up anatomy and musculoskeletal training or research experience to be competitive.

I specialize in osteopathic NMM and I’m quite happy w being a DO and I’m especially happy with my specialty. my advice today would be to go to where you think you’ll get the best overall education (either DO or MD) and then if you want to integrate omm into your practice seek out really strong Osteopathic mentors outside the curriculum

Feel free to pm me if you have questions

 

[deleted709753]

turned down three md acceptances to attend do. First time Iheard that. Usually just have one md acceptance that they’re considering turning down for do.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Being a DO is great if you love the philosophy and find good mentors to learn omt from.

Yeah that’s important seeing as the philosophy doesn’t actually exist and 90%+ of DO grads will never actually use OMT in their practice....

If you are excited and speak of unique skills, they are excited.

wut? Lol

If you look downtrodden and spout some BS rehearsed line or just say you couldn’t get in to where you wanted to, this could certainly hurt.

Wut? Lol

which is very rare

Not really that rare...

though they need a lot of additional catch up anatomy and musculoskeletal training or research experience to be competitive.

Lol....


OMT feels good in lab, but if it is so great then there should be DATA THAT PROVES IT. I mean real studies, not the n-value of 7 studies that are published in the JAOA. It’s time we gave a real hard look at OMM and discovered what actually works and what doesn’t. The simple fact that cranial is still taught as a requirement and TESTED ON BOARDS is proof we have a lot of cleaning up to do. If the AOA really wants to regain the favor of their students and future constituents then it’s time to put up or shut up when it comes to OMM efficacy. “This just works” isn’t going to cut it anymore.

 

[Roxas]

Yeah that’s important seeing as the philosophy doesn’t actually exist and 90%+ of DO grads will never actually use OMT in their practice....


wut? Lol



Wut? Lol

Not really that rare...



Lol....


OMT feels good in lab, but if it is so great then there should be DATA THAT PROVES IT. I mean real studies, not the n-value of 7 studies that are published in the JAOA. It’s time we gave a real hard look at OMM and discovered what actually works and what doesn’t. The simple fact that cranial is still taught as a requirement and TESTED ON BOARDS is proof we have a lot of cleaning up to do. If the AOA really wants to regain the favor of their students and future constituents then it’s time to put up or shut up when it comes to OMM efficacy. “This just works” isn’t going to cut it anymore.

As part of an OMM rotation I had to read several research articles given to me, most of them ancient, about the efficacy of OMM. My personal discovery was that for every one of them either: a) the methodologies were very questionable, or b) the findings were equivalent to placebo, and subsequently had a conclusion basically saying "well it's not hurting patients, so it's good and we should definitely keep doing it."

 

[Goro]

As part of an OMM rotation I had to read several research articles given to me, most of them ancient, about the efficacy of OMM. My personal discovery was that for every one of them either: a) the methodologies were very questionable, or b) the findings were equivalent to placebo, and subsequently had a conclusion basically saying "well it's not hurting patients, so it's good and we should definitely keep doing it."

This particular pathology of our OMM/OMT colleagues drives us other Faculty (who know better how to do science) absolutely bat**** crazy. That and the "well, all patients are different, so you can't compare techniques on them".

I suspect that deep inside, they actually fear a rigorous test of techniques because some will be shown to be no better than placebo. But they don't get that this is how Science works! You're supposed to discard the stuff that doesn't work! Even Still thought that way!

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

This particular pathology of our OMM/OMT colleagues drives us other Faculty (who know better how to do science) absolutely bat**** crazy. That and the "well, all patients are different, so you can't compare techniques on them".

I suspect that deep inside, they actually fear a rigorous test of techniques because some will be shown to be no better than placebo. But they don't get that this is how Science works! You're supposed to discard the stuff that doesn't work! Even Still thought that way!

This. The part that I have found really interesting is that there are probably parts of OMM that definitely have a place in medicine. Instead of finding what they are and really building on those, they (the true believers so to speak) are so concerned with maintaining the status quo that they refuse to even do adequate study of anything that is questionable. They act like accepting the fact that the cranial bones don't move will somehow ruin DOs for good, when the reality is that clinging on to those false modalities is hurting their credibility.

 

[WedgeDawg]

In general competitive DOs match quite well, though to match anywhere the key is connections... super competitive residencies almost always require these, and for this you need to know someone or do an impressive audition. It is always easier if you go to the school where the program is... so Harvard grads will have an advantage for Harvard residencies, etc. other than this effect, self confidence issues by some DOs, and an occasional program director that doesn’t want the best applicants they can get their hands on (which is very rare), not such a big deal. Lots of DOs in very competitive programs if you look around.

Dude there is clear bias against DOs in competitive programs and specialties. Don’t mislead premeds by pretending there isn’t or that it’s exceedingly rare.

 

[Medic741]

Hey all, weird question here. I am hoping for lots of opinions (especially from DO graduates or physicians) regarding how being a DO really truly is. I sincerely love the philosophy and my top school is a DO. I absolutely love the school. Would picking a DO over an MD school be stupid?

Yes. Unless that school is in Puerto Rico after the hurricanes

 

[SurgeDO]

Being a DO made it much more difficult to match into a competitive residency. It was doable but times were tough.

Now that I am a resident, it doesn’t matter. I don’t think I can be a chairperson at Mass General with my pedigree, but there are more important things in life.

 

[Goro]

What does one have to do with the other??? While my own students are wonderful and are matching really well, there are still doors shut to them because they're DOs.

Anyone gunning for a non-PC specialty should consider MD first if they have the app and stats that can merit an MD school.

So stop with the "love me, love my dog" mindset.

 

[adrenocorticotropicana]

Upholding the rights of sexual assault survivors and not being a member of a movement that consistently erodes women’s rights would be what I consider part of basic professional expectations of every (future) physician; expecting basic professional decency is not the same as expecting people to love one’s dog / medical biochemistry / other pet passions.

 

[Saifa]

Most people that aren't those things actually also feel that way.

 

[adrenocorticotropicana]

Duly noted.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Perhaps people should take the advice of an antifeminist rape culture apologist with a grain of salt, especially after the whole USC gynecologist debacle. However, I do appreciate your advice.

Upholding the rights of sexual assault survivors and not being a member of a movement that consistently erodes women’s rights would be what I consider part of basic professional expectations of every (future) physician; expecting basic professional decency is not the same as expecting people to love one’s dog / medical biochemistry / other pet passions.

Duly noted.

You have serious problems. Please head down to the sociopolitical forums, it would be rather amusing to see your surface level politics get ripped to shreds.

 

[adrenocorticotropicana]

Have you worked with sexual assault survivors? By what basis do you make that statement? In many ways choosing DO over MD is also a political decision and it is not cleanly disentangled from the professional. Medical problems have sociopolitical contexts. (See my signature.) It seems DO culture is more significantly receptive to the concept of the social context of disease than MD culture.

 

[Goro]

Perhaps people should take the advice of an antifeminist rape culture apologist with a grain of salt, especially after the whole USC gynecologist debacle. However, I do appreciate your advice.

Even a bad person can still give good, realistic advice

Upholding the rights of sexual assault survivors and not being a member of a movement that consistently erodes women’s rights would be what I consider part of basic professional expectations of every (future) physician; expecting basic professional decency is not the same as expecting people to love one’s dog / medical biochemistry / other pet passions.

Jeeze, where's the wise @atomi when you need him????

Have you worked with sexual assault survivors? By what basis do you make that statement? In many ways choosing DO over MD is also a political decision and it is not cleanly disentangled from the professional. Medical problems have sociopolitical contexts. (See my signature.) It seems DO culture is more significantly receptive to the concept of the social context of disease than MD culture.

I can't sugar coat this: the bolded is NOT a normal thought process. My young colleague @AnatomyGrey12 is spot on in his assessment.

I cannot recommend a career in Medicine for you...I can't see how you will make it past interviews, much less actually survive med school.

 

[adrenocorticotropicana]

In a society where people often cannot receive medical treatment due to the structures of HMOs, insurance coverage issues, poverty and discrimination; in a society where half our elected political officials are working to curtail the rights of women to make medical decisions for themselves; in a society where doctors will frequently refuse to sterilize childless women because they want to anticipate the desires of a nonexistent "future husband," I am interested in how you see medicine as an apolitical field. Do you reject the salience of the social context of disease?

 

[mmmcdowe]

Keep it civil and on topic. Cite data and not perceived personal defects.

 

[drhop]

Depends, if you want FM, go DO. However, there several specialties that will be an uphill to impossible journey as a DO.
Ortho, neurosurg, IR, to name a few. @Goro has a nice list of DO friendly and not friendly specialties. For me, the only people who were ever nasty to me were other DOs because I did acgme residency and fellowship.The MDs were fine. Whatever you do, you will be judged on your merits and abilities, not your degree,gender, IMG.
I have worked and taught in both worlds.
I have to agree with other posters that outside of primary care specialties, you will be at a disadvantage as a DO. Of course, just being an MD wont get you a neurosurg residency unless you have all of the other boxes checked, High Step 1 score, research, LORs, ECs. Just my experience. Hope this helps a little. Good luck and best wishes

I work in the largest U.S. medical group. We have hired more DOs in EM and Primary Care these past several years.
This trend is changing .Our Regional Chief of Neurosurgery is a DO.
Frankly the way I see it ...It is now getting a non issue.......





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[Magus5454]

I work in the largest U.S. medical group. We have hired more DOs in EM and Primary Care these past several years.
This trend is changing .Our Regional Chief of Neurosurgery is a DO.
Frankly the way I see it ...It is now getting a non issue.......





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One would hope but given the BS fed to my class by the NBOME and AOA , who by the way seem to live in a bubble...

And to comment on portions of your post.. ok you've hired DOs in traditionally DO friendly fields...good? Your neuro chief came from a protected AOA residency which will be/is no longer the case. Do I hope everything will be sunshine and roses post merger? Sure. But I don't see it happening

 

[drhop]

One would hope but given the BS fed to my class by the NBOME and AOA , who by the way seem to live in a bubble...

And to comment on portions of your post.. ok you've hired DOs in traditionally DO friendly fields...good? Your neuro chief came from a protected AOA residency which will be/is no longer the case. Do I hope everything will be sunshine and roses post merger? Sure. But I don't see it happening

Live in the present!
I have only practiced for 30 years !

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[AnatomyGrey12]

Frankly the way I see it ...It is now getting a non issue.......

Well you can see it however you want but reality is reality regardless of how you see it.

have only practiced for 30 years

And here we have the problem, what you mean is you’ve been away from the realities of what DOs have to go through in the match for 30 years.

 

[Goro]

One would hope but given the BS fed to my class by the NBOME and AOA , who by the way seem to live in a bubble...

And to comment on portions of your post.. ok you've hired DOs in traditionally DO friendly fields...good? Your neuro chief came from a protected AOA residency which will be/is no longer the case. Do I hope everything will be sunshine and roses post merger? Sure. But I don't see it happening

The bolded is unfortunately very true. NBOME came to visit about a month ago. It was a disturbing visit. The NBOME cares only about your competence to practice medicine, as measured by passing the COMLEX. They do NOT care about your career aspirations. Wanna be a surgeon? Take the USMLE.

Well you can see it however you want but reality is reality regardless of how you see it.
And here we have the problem, what you mean is you’ve been away from the realities of what DOs have to go through in the match for 30 years.

Based upon how my students (and others) have been matching (good ACGME programs, especially at university hospital levels. "Good" defined by asking the opinions of people who ought to know: the residents and attendings of SDN in their specific specialties), my impression is that over the past six years at least, it's getting easier to kick open doors.

Now, are these Lotto winners? Outliers? The merely uncommon? Have no idea. But they sure seem like they have been occurring more often.

That said, it should NOT be a surprise that the mission of the AOA is to produce more Primary Care docs. It should not be a surprise that ~50% of all DO grads go into PC.

If this comes at a surprise, then shame on anyone who didn't do their homework about there intended profession.

If med school interviewees were glibly fed snake oil on how any DO grad could get into Gen Surg, then shame on the school's interviewers for selling spin.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Now, are these Lotto winners? Outliers? The merely uncommon? Have no idea. But they sure seem like they have been occurring more often

I personally don't think they are outliers, simply that the students coming into the older and more established DO students as a whole are a stronger cohort every year and we are seeing more and more people actually putting together the kinds of apps that would be required to match such places.

 

[Magus5454]

The bolded is unfortunately very true. NBOME came to visit about a month ago. It was a disturbing visit. The NBOME cares only about your competence to practice medicine, as measured by passing the COMLEX. They do NOT care about your career aspirations. Wanna be a surgeon? Take the USMLE.





Based upon how my students (and others) have been matching (good ACGME programs, especially at university hospital levels. "Good" defined by asking the opinions of people who ought to know: the residents and attendings of SDN in their specific specialties), my impression is that over the past six years at least, it's getting easier to kick open doors.

Now, are these Lotto winners? Outliers? The merely uncommon? Have no idea. But they sure seem like they have been occurring more often.

That said, it should NOT be a surprise that the mission of the AOA is to produce more Primary Care docs. It should not be a surprise that ~50% of all DO grads go into PC.

If this comes at a surprise, then shame on anyone who didn't do their homework about there intended profession.

If med school interviewees were glibly fed snake oil on how any DO grad could get into Gen Surg, then shame on the school's interviewers for selling spin.

The NBOME guy actually mocked the USMLE. It was ridiculous.

I will say that the AOA guy did highlight DOs in non primary care a bit, but then also tried to include EM and something else into it. Do a lot of MDs go into primary care? Yep. But I would not miss the possibility of not taking two sets of boards and the extra time OMM takes

 

[Goro]

The NBOME guy actually mocked the USMLE. It was ridiculous.

I will say that the AOA guy did highlight DOs in non primary care a bit, but then also tried to include EM and something else into it. Do a lot of MDs go into primary care? Yep. But I would not miss the possibility of not taking two sets of boards and the extra time OMM takes

No he didn't mock the USMLE, but rather he was dismissive of the career aspirations of DO students who wanted to do something more competitive than Primary Care.

 

[Magus5454]

No he didn't mock the USMLE, but rather he was dismissive of the career aspirations of DO students who wanted to do something more competitive than Primary Care.

No I meant at ours. He was like, theres this other licensing test and then acted like he couldn't remember the name.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

No he didn't mock the USMLE, but rather he was dismissive of the career aspirations of DO students who wanted to do something more competitive than Primary Care.

That’s the part that annoys me. It’s not that they have a primary care focus, it’s that a great student with good boards, etc, will go in for advice and say they are interested in X specialty and the response is usually, “well why don’t you consider primary care?” And they give crap advice for anyone who is capable of pursuing anything else.

 

[Goro]

That’s the part that annoys me. It’s not that they have a primary care focus, it’s that a great student with good boards, etc, will go in for advice and say they are interested in X specialty and the response is usually, “well why don’t you consider primary care?” And they give crap advice for anyone who is capable of pursuing anything else.

Yup.

The NBOME and the AOA are NOT DO students' friends.

The only way to fix that is to get inside. In the mean time, you can try to encourage to have your student-centric faculty get into the NBOME and work for change, until it's your turn. And that change will come.

 

[Mad Jack]

Hey all, weird question here. I am hoping for lots of opinions (especially from DO graduates or physicians) regarding how being a DO really truly is. I sincerely love the philosophy and my top school is a DO. I absolutely love the school. Would picking a DO over an MD school be stupid?

It would be an incredibly stupid decision that you will likely regret for many years.

 

[Dr. Rafiki]

I didn't even apply MD. I had OMM done on me for several years as a young adult, and when the pendulum of my life finally swung back to wanting to go to med school, I knew that I wanted to be in a place that taught me OMM.

Everyone has their reasons, but don't quickly assume every DO student on the planet is there cause they couldn't get into an MD school.

Also realize that your chances for residency are 100% up to your ability and accomplishments. My school is sending out neurosurgeons and students clearing 800 on the COMLEX while an MD school down the street is graduating kids who go unmatched. There are crappy med students everywhere you go and there are amazing med students everywhere you go. Be an amazing med student no matter where you go and you'll be just fine.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Also realize that your chances for residency are 100% up to your ability and accomplishments. My school is sending out neurosurgeons and students clearing 800 on the COMLEX while an MD school down the street is graduating kids who go unmatched. There are crappy med students everywhere you go and there are amazing med students everywhere you go. Be an amazing med student no matter where you go and you'll be just fine.

Yeah.... I don’t even know where to start with this..

 

[Magus5454]

Yeah.... I don’t even know where to start with this..

Just chalk him into @Goro 's True Believers

 

[libertyyne]

I didn't even apply MD. I had OMM done on me for several years as a young adult, and when the pendulum of my life finally swung back to wanting to go to med school, I knew that I wanted to be in a place that taught me OMM.

Everyone has their reasons, but don't quickly assume every DO student on the planet is there cause they couldn't get into an MD school.

Also realize that your chances for residency are 100% up to your ability and accomplishments. My school is sending out neurosurgeons and students clearing 800 on the COMLEX while an MD school down the street is graduating kids who go unmatched. There are crappy med students everywhere you go and there are amazing med students everywhere you go. Be an amazing med student no matter where you go and you'll be just fine.

im not trying to be an ass here. But what were your stats? The stand would actually be more meaningful if you actually declined an MD to go to DO, or at least had the stats above median MD matriculant.

I too chose not to marry Margot Robbie.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Yup.

The NBOME and the AOA are NOT DO students' friends.

The only way to fix that is to get inside. In the mean time, you can try to encourage to have your student-centric faculty get into the NBOME and work for change, until it's your turn. And that change will come.

Agree completely. ACGME is no friend to osteopathic medicine . They didn't kick our students out years ago to help us. 500 MD students didn't match after the SOAP, school alumni erupted on schools admin as to why their sons and daughters did not match but DOs were taken instead. AOA didn't have enough training programs for all DO students, so they agreed to terms of merger. Soon, IMO, USMLE will be mandatory for all. I lobbied for taking USMLE for all at my school, but failed. I was fascinated to hear about MDs from a nearby joint residency voluntary taking the OMM requirements. Maybe osteopathic medicine wont end up like homeopathy after all.

 

[zaitoun]

Maybe osteopathic medicine wont end up like homeopathy after all.

from where in hell did you bring homeopathy into the discussion