Choosing DO over MD

[smellyfeetman]

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Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who had an undergrad GPA >3.6 and MCAT >31 (or close to that)? If so, what made you choose osteopathic medicine over allopathic?

or

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who also applied and were accepted to allopathic schools? If so, what made you finally choose to attend a DO school?

 

[RySerr21]

You dont have to have had a GPA over 3.6 and MCAT over 31 to have chosen DO over MD.

I havent chosen a school yet, but if I do choose to go DO over MD it will be because that particular school was the best fit for me. Based on a number of factors including the student atmosphere, the facilities, the location, the rotations, class size, curriculum,financial aid etc. etc. In the end, the school that fits those categories the best will be the one taht I attend. If it happens to be a DO school, then the OMM is an added bonus that I am very excited to learn.

 

[smellyfeetman]

Sorry, my post wasn't meant to be offensive to anyone. I'm well aware that many people choose osteopathic medicine because they just wanted to be a DO, regardless of their undergrad stats. If anyone has the chance, though, just answer the dang question, please.🙂

 

[umean2tellme]

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who had an undergrad GPA >3.6 and MCAT >31 (or close to that)? If so, what made you choose osteopathic medicine over allopathic?

or

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who also applied and were accepted to allopathic schools? If so, what made you finally choose to attend a DO school?

Since when can osteopathic medical students get scores like that?

 

[RySerr21]

Sorry, my post wasn't meant to be offensive to anyone. I'm well aware that many people choose osteopathic medicine because they just wanted to be a DO, regardless of their undergrad stats. If anyone has the chance, though, just answer the dang question, please.🙂

I wasnt offended, just making sure we were on the same page 🙂. And for the record, I did answer the question!

 

[Green Doc]

There is a student in our class who picked DO over MD for the simple reason that when she went to visit the MD school all the students seemed totally depressed.
Regarding osteopathy, why wouldn't you want to have an extra tool in your back pocket??

 

[eag]

I have classmates from harvard and yale with great stats who chose DO. Like it was previously said, it's about how you fit at that institution. Don't sell yourself short, apply to both types of programs and actually see for yourself. You might surprise yourself. I also encourage you to use that same philosophy of finding the right fit when looking into residency programs.

 

[Lamborghini1315]

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who had an undergrad GPA >3.6 and MCAT >31 (or close to that)? If so, what made you choose osteopathic medicine over allopathic?

or

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who also applied and were accepted to allopathic schools? If so, what made you finally choose to attend a DO school?[/QUO

You go where the road takes you my friend...my road took me to a DO school. A lot of people, a lot of people have no idea what omm is or how its important in the medical world...we all make decisions based on our stats, experiences and the desire to be a doctor. Ultimately go where you want to and if you feel happy with your decision stick with it or choose an alternative path. My 2 cents.

 

[SomeDoc]

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who had an undergrad GPA >3.6 and MCAT >31 (or close to that)? If so, what made you choose osteopathic medicine over allopathic?

or

Are there any current osteopathic medical students out there who also applied and were accepted to allopathic schools? If so, what made you finally choose to attend a DO school?

Some important things to consider (in no particular order) when considering DO and/or MD schools.

1)location
2)tuition
3)general vibe of students, atmosphere and environment. Positive atmospheres are a plus, and can be conducive to you doing your best.
4)Provided that the DO/MD school is accredited, which legally equates to all schools in the U.S. which accept applications, you'll get out of your education what you put in.

Good luck!

 

[engineeredout]

Since when can osteopathic medical students get scores like that?

They can't. They're too busy looking at education as a whole instead of just the numbers.

 

[magikdoc]

Well for me, in the end it's all about becoming a physician. Although I do read about how D.O.'s try so hard to make themselves seem different from MD schools, I think it really is all a means to the same end. So really I think its in everybody's interest to pick the school/curriculum that they honestly feel they would feel happiest at...

on that note, i hope everyone gets interviewed at everywhere they apply!

 

[Saregamapadanis]

Since when can osteopathic medical students get scores like that?

Osteopathic medical student here, with a 35 mcat score.
Thank you very much, I guess that pretty much closes your argument.

Location was the final reason for choosing the school that I am going to right now. There are others like me who did the same thing. Also, this is a good school and I am enjoying my education here.

 

[Amy B]

He was being sarcastic directed towards the OP🙂

 

[smellyfeetman]

Thanks to the med students who answered! You were very helpful.

Funny that there were pre-meds that felt like they had to say something. It's just a friggin' question. Keep your shirts on.

 

[MossPoh]

Every single DO school I've been to (4) has had at least 2 people mention they chose their school over MD. I'm not in the stats mentioned but have interviewed at two MD schools. I'm not sure what I will do if accepted to an MD school. It will probably involve me revisiting some things for a final conclusive decision.

There are some DO schools I'd hands down pick over MD schools. It just depends on the person though. A lot of people are fixated on the "MD" after their name and would never even entertain the idea of DO.

 

[Saregamapadanis]

He was being sarcastic directed towards the OP🙂

Ah ok 🙄👍

 

[e p i c]

They can't. They're too busy looking at education as a whole instead of just the numbers.

 

[Buckeye4life]

Another thing to consider is the financial aspect after u graduate. We had a professor tell us that if u get very competent at OPP evaluations and treatments, u can earn in a lot more revenue compared to physicians that don't have this extra skill. For example, for a $60 10 minute hypertensive patient office visit, if u add a 5 minute, 7-8 level msk eval and treatment for that same patient, u can bill an additional $120. You don't need to be an economics major to see that OMM can be very profitable as well as beneficial to the patient.

 

[MossPoh]

Another thing to consider is the financial aspect after u graduate. We had a professor tell us that if u get very competent at OPP evaluations and treatments, u can earn in a lot more revenue compared to physicians that don't have this extra skill. For example, for a $60 10 minute hypertensive patient office visit, if u add a 5 minute, 7-8 level msk eval and treatment for that same patient, u can bill an additional $120. You don't need to be an economics major to see that OMM can be very profitable as well as beneficial to the patient.

Of course, most still won't do it. You have to learn the billing for it for one thing, but while a simple 5 or 10 minutes doesn't seem like much...multiply that by 10 patients and you can be an hour off schedule. That is also assuming there is no squandered time in between. Many of the docs I've talked to said they are simply too busy to use it. If they get off schedule it just throws the rest of their day. So, it is just HOW you decide to make the money.

 

[paintsites]

Hi. I'd just like to point out one thing that would be important for me when picking DO over MD.

If you are considering a competitive residency, I would recommend choosing an MD program as many residency programs (yes, 4 years in the future) will pick a "similar" MD applicant over a DO applicant.

Again. I am in an MD program. I am not saying there is anything less about being a DO, but the general rule is MD > DO when it comes to residency.

 

[BCLumas]

Hi. I'd just like to point out one thing that would be important for me when picking DO over MD.

If you are considering a competitive residency, I would recommend choosing an MD program as many residency programs (yes, 4 years in the future) will pick a "similar" MD applicant over a DO applicant.

Again. I am in an MD program. I am not saying there is anything less about being a DO, but the general rule is MD > DO when it comes to residency.

 

[Amy B]

I think this thread has come to it's end now. Closing🙂