D.O. matching at Harvard,JH,etc.

[michow87]

You mean the USMLE and COMLEX, right? Regardless, your logic is a little shaky considering DO students don't actually have to study for the COMLEX if they don't want to. I know a couple of DO students who have studied for the USMLE, took it, studied a few days for OMM, then took COMLEX. Thus, it is not solid reasoning that DO students don't do as well because they need to take two tests.

There is emphasis on the COMLEX since a DO does not need to pass the Step 1 in order to move on to rotations. Thus, there is generally more focus on the COMLEX.

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[MedPR]

There is emphasis on the COMLEX since a DO does not need to pass the Step 1 in order to move on to rotations. Thus, there is generally more focus on the COMLEX.

What does not needing to pass step 1 in order to start M3 have to do with increased focus on COMLEX vs USMLE?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

What does not needing to pass step 1 in order to start M3 have to do with increased focus on COMLEX vs USMLE?

You need to pass the COMLEX to start M3 and in general graduate, also that the USMLE is a completely optional exam for DO students. So obviously the teachers will focus a little more on how to do well on the COMLEX.

 

[MedPR]

There is emphasis on the COMLEX since a DO does not need to pass the Step 1 in order to move on to rotations. Thus, there is generally more focus on the COMLEX.

You need to pass the COMLEX to start M3 and in general graduate, also that the USMLE is a completely optional exam for DO students. So obviously the teachers will focus a little more on how to do well on the COMLEX.

michow says they don't need to pass, you say they do need to pass.. which is it?

Edit: Nevermind. I forgot michow calls USMLE "the Step 1".

 

[cliquesh]

+1



You mean the USMLE and COMLEX, right? Regardless, your logic is a little shaky considering DO students don't actually have to study for the COMLEX if they don't want to. I know a couple of DO students who have studied for the USMLE, took it, studied a few days for OMM, then took COMLEX. Thus, it is not solid reasoning that DO students don't do as well because they need to take two tests.

Statistically the average DO student did worse in UG and worse on the MCAT than the average MD student. No, I'm not saying DO students are dumber than MD students and no I'm not saying UG GPA/MCAT necessarily translate to how well you do in medical school or on boards, but it is much more logical to assume that a poor UG test taker will be a poor medical school test taker.

Taking 2 8hr exams sucks, especially the first time you do it, which is most important.

 

[michow87]

michow says they don't need to pass, you say they do need to pass.. which is it?

Edit: Nevermind. I forgot michow calls USMLE "the Step 1".

ahaha, yea, oops

 

[coffeeeandtea]

A DO at MSU did his residency at Mayo, amalfitano.....

guy from my school's first graduating class matched at Mayo for anesthesia... last year we had a girl match at Johns Hopkins for anesthesia also. but just because they're at "big name" places doesn't mean they're the best quality.. whatever. all of this back and forth is so pointless. study hard, take USMLE and COMLEX, see what your scores are and then go from there

 

[wook]

all of this back and forth is so pointless. study hard,

👍

 

[thesauce]

guy from my school's first graduating class matched at Mayo for anesthesia... last year we had a girl match at Johns Hopkins for anesthesia also. but just because they're at "big name" places doesn't mean they're the best quality.. whatever. all of this back and forth is so pointless. study hard, take USMLE and COMLEX, see what your scores are and then go from there

This "back and forth" was started by a pre-med student, who presumably still has the option of trying for an MD school. Thus, for him, it isn't a pointless discussion, since that decision may put him on a path that is more or less likely to secure one of these residencies.

 

[AlongWay]

guy from my school's first graduating class matched at Mayo for anesthesia... last year we had a girl match at Johns Hopkins for anesthesia also. but just because they're at "big name" places doesn't mean they're the best quality.. whatever. all of this back and forth is so pointless. study hard, take USMLE and COMLEX, see what your scores are and then go from there

Right, b/c the big name places would have lower quality.......we've all heard about the incompetent JHU and Harvard trained docs. There's a lot of them out there these days.

 

[thesauce]

Right, b/c the big name places would have lower quality.......we've all heard about the incompetent JHU and Harvard trained docs. There's a lot of them out there these days.

The quality of residency programs don't follow USNWR rankings as you might expect. Each specialty has programs that are known for having the best residencies, and they aren't always the ones that you equate to being the best from a pre-med standpoint.

For example, MD Anderson Cancer Center is probably the best radiation oncology residency program and it is affiliated with UT-Houston. Bascom-Palmer is the best ophthalmology program and it is affiliated with UMiami. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is the best PM&R program and it is affiliated with UMDNJ. The Barrow Institute is one of the (maybe not "the") best neurosurgery programs and it affiliated with the UArizona. Iowa has top residency programs in ortho, ophtho, and ENT. There are many more examples out there.

 

[wook]

The quality of residency programs don't follow USNWR rankings as you might expect. Each specialty has programs that are known for having the best residencies, and they aren't always the ones that you equate to being the best from a pre-med standpoint.

+1

👍

 

[MedPR]

The quality of residency programs don't follow USNWR rankings as you might expect. Each specialty has programs that are known for having the best residencies, and they aren't always the ones that you equate to being the best from a pre-med standpoint.

For example, MD Anderson Cancer Center is probably the best radiation oncology residency program and it is affiliated with UT-Houston. Bascom-Palmer is the best ophthalmology program and it is affiliated with UMiami. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is the best PM&R program and it is affiliated with UMDNJ. The Barrow Institute is one of the (maybe not "the") best neurosurgery programs and it affiliated with the UArizona. Iowa has top residency programs in ortho, ophtho, and ENT. There are many more examples out there.

As a pre-med, I like this. Especially what's bolded. So many of us get caught up in trying to pick the best school based on statistics and not on what's best for us as individuals. I think a lot of us need to remember that the good majority of pre-meds don't know nearly as much as the average SDN pre-med and many of them end up at great programs doing exactly what they want. Learn stuff when it's relevent, not so far ahead of time that it'll change by the time you make it that far.