Coursework variation by medical school and MD/DO

[MrChance2]

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Besides OMM what is the difference in what you learn during the basic science years at

non research MD schools/research MD schools/DO schools?

Will some residency directors want certain new techniques or knowledge that they only teach at a certain type of school, or what is the difference really?

 

[Nymphicus]

Will some residency directors want certain new techniques or knowledge that they only teach at a certain type of school, or what is the difference really?

No.

MD and DO schools might have slight differences as they are accredited by different bodies.

 

[music2doc]

No.

MD and DO schools might have slight differences as they are accredited by different bodies.

This.

And DO students often take the USMLE Steps 1-3 anyway (and pass), so they must be learning the same material that we (MD students) are... Curriculums/teaching methods do vary, though.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

Though the curriculum, aka. the material, is basically the same in all med schools there are some very different ways it's taught. Some med schools teach basic sciences and anatomy the first year and pathology the second. Some teach as a systems based approach learning normal and pathological function at the same time. Some use PBL to deliver most of the material. My school uses a mix of all three.

The board exams are the equalizer between the different programs. Of all the board exams, Step 1 will most likely have the greatest impact on where you do your residency. This is usually taken before 2nd and 3rd year but even this can vary. One MD school I interviewed at did 1&3/4 years preclinincal education and then started hospital rotations in March of what normally was second year. Then Step 1 was taken early Spring of 3rd year, basically after you had done all your required rotations. So yeah, there can be quite a lot of variation from program to program.

 

[Mako555]

you don't need to worry about curriculum until you get into at least 2 schools. it's just not that big of a deal. every school's curriculum is fine.

 

[music2doc]

you don't need to worry about curriculum until you get into at least 2 schools. it's just not that big of a deal. every school's curriculum is fine.

...says the premed.

School's curriculums do matter and some will be more or less compatible with your personal learning styles. That said, you won't really have a good frame of reference as to which would work best for you 'til after you matriculate, so it's kind of a moot point.

 

[red doctober]

...says the premed.

School's curriculums do matter and some will be more or less compatible with your personal learning styles. That said, you won't really have a good frame of reference as to which would work best for you 'til after you matriculate, so it's kind of a moot point.

Burn!

For me the best way to get an idea of how the different curricula may fit my learning style was to ask current students during the interviews about their experiences. I've always been an independent learner, so I wasn't too enthused about PBL or a schools that have a ton of small group learning. Yale's system seemed to fit my style perfectly, but didn't even get an interview there 😡. However, I could be wrong, maybe PBL would work wonders for me. I'll never know though, as my top choice doesn't have PBL.

 

[Snowdon48]

...says the premed.

School's curriculums do matter and some will be more or less compatible with your personal learning styles. That said, you won't really have a good frame of reference as to which would work best for you 'til after you matriculate, so it's kind of a moot point.

this is the pre-med forum .....

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

this is the pre-med forum .....

...says the pre-med

 

[Snowdon48]

...says the pre-med

I need to just move over to the high school threads so I can use "says the high schooler" on every post

 

[MrChance2]

Thanks for answering my question and have fun flaming each other!

 

[Mako555]

Thanks for answering my question and have fun flaming each other!

will do!

...says the premed.

you go to vcu... congrats....

 

[IslandStyle808]

This.

And DO students often take the USMLE Steps 1-3 anyway (and pass), so they must be learning the same material that we (MD students) are... Curriculums/teaching methods do vary, though.

I am surprised by this statement because the majority of osteopathic students on the forums state it does not benefit them "much" taking USMLE step 2 and beyond.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I am surprised by this statement because the majority of osteopathic students on the forums state it does not benefit them "much" taking USMLE step 2 and beyond.

The USMLE opens doors.

 

[music2doc]

will do!



you go to vcu... congrats....

And I chose it over a top 40 institution because it was a better fit. I know of at least 2 other people who did likewise. It's a solid program. Also, it's MCV, not VCU.

 

[Mako555]

And I chose it over a top 40 institution because it was a better fit. I know of at least 2 other people who did likewise. It's a solid program. Also, it's MCV, not VCU.

sorry, i had never heard of it before.