D.O. or Carribean MD...Advice please!!!

[jathan007]

Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

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[notdeadyet]

Statistically, your odds of becoming a practicing physician are probably much higher at an osteopathic school (many of the offshore schools have rather high washout rates). Osteopaths also traditionally have had better luck securing more competitive residencies.

If you are overly concerned with what folks think of you/your education, you'll probably be able to find folks that turn up their nose at osteopaths AND offshore grads. You'll also find folks turning up their nose at grads of unranked med schools. And folks who turn up their nose at grads of public schools.

In fact, you'll find folks who turn up their noses at just about everyone not like themselves. These people are a$$holes. Ignore them.

 

[DDSBound]

Hi everyone, I want to know if you were in my position what would you do? I have been accepted to a DO school. I applied but did not get into a MD school in the U.S. Should I consider the Carribean MD schools or stay course with the DO program? Which path will lead to a better career outcome? It seems like there are a lot of negativity about being a "inferior" doctor if one is a DO, but the more research I do, I find there isn't much difference in MDs or DOs. What do you guys suggest I should do?

Thanks

People will say that they are pretty much the same only more MDs specialize but DOs still have a stigma. Maybe eventually that will go away but in the meantime, if I have to go to a physician... he/she will DEFINITELY be an MD. Then again, I base my whole opinion on one person I know who cheated her way through hs and college and got into LECOM with crappy stats. I may be biased.

 

[IWant2BeADoctor]

If you search the forums here there are 100s of threads like these and most say DO is the way to go. Because you get USMG status. Which helps in getting residency.

 

[epr1]

In fact, you'll find folks who turn up their noses at just about everyone not like themselves. These people are a$$holes. Ignore them.

for real

and jathan, from what I hear it really depends on what you want to do. if you want to go into gp, emergency med DO is fine, but if you wanted to do surgery for example, I think MD is the way to go. As for carib med schools, what I also heard is that the USMLE's level out the playing field a bit. good luck, maybe you might consider going to either one of these schools and then transferring after some good grades?

 

[DocBR]

People will say that they are pretty much the same only more MDs specialize but DOs still have a stigma. Maybe eventually that will go away but in the meantime, if I have to go to a physician... he/she will DEFINITELY be an MD. Then again, I base my whole opinion on one person I know who cheated her way through hs and college and got into LECOM with crappy stats. I may be biased.

I love how people with absolutely no insight on medicine weigh in on topics like this.

 

[Enthalpy430]

I'd say go DO. I think you'll find securing a residency in the states easier going to a school in the states.

Also, I wouldn't want to leave the country for four years. But, that's just me.

 

[spicedmanna]

This thread is cross-posted in the pre-osteo forum. OP, please refrain from cross-posting in the future.

 

[StrengthDoc]

Go DO. Always attend a US med school if provided the opportunity.

 

[HoodyHoo]

if you want to go into gp, emergency med DO is fine, but if you wanted to do surgery for example, I think MD is the way to go.

We had 5 fourth years matching into allopathic surgery positions. And one was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I think that is about as competitive as it gets. I know another one was Loyola in chitown and the rest I can't remember.

Anyway getting into EM or surgery is equally difficult these days just fyi.

 

[spicedmanna]

People will say that they are pretty much the same only more MDs specialize but DOs still have a stigma. Maybe eventually that will go away but in the meantime, if I have to go to a physician... he/she will DEFINITELY be an MD. Then again, I base my whole opinion on one person I know who cheated her way through hs and college and got into LECOM with crappy stats. I may be biased.

Yes, I'd say you are both biased and uneducated on the matter.

 

[IWant2BeADoctor]

Yes, I'd say you are both biased and uneducated on the matter.

I say DDSBound is just being a Douche Bag.

 

[jojocola]

go D.O.

 

[DDSBound]

I say DDSBound is just being a Douche Bag.

Hmmm. A Douche (/duʃ/, French for "shower") in American English generally describes a stream of water or a device (in this case, a bag?) used to introduce a stream of water into the body (specifically in the female) for medical or "sanitary" reasons.
This is what you are calling me? Come on, I'm married. When you are married, certain things slow down in your life. I would LOVE to be this contraption you speak of.

And yeah, maybe I am uneducated and biased on the MD/DO thing but I am an outsider. Sometimes it takes an outsider to shine light on what the outside in fact thinks of something. Academically, they are very similar. Let me put it this way. There is a Ford Taurus and there is a Toyota Camry. Both are cars, right? Both can run very well. Maybe sometimes you get a bad Camry or maybe a GREAT Taurus but if you don't know any better, people always will say that the Camry is a better car just for the name and reputation. Camry = MD. Taurus = DO.

 

[Law2Doc]

And yeah, maybe I am uneducated and biased on the MD/DO thing but I am an outsider. Sometimes it takes an outsider to shine light on what the outside in fact thinks of something.

Guys, cool it with the insults.

DDSBound, I think what people had trouble with was what seemed to be your attempt to start an "MD is better than DO" debate, which wasn't necessitated by the OP's question. That's hardly shining a light on anything.

 

[cleothecat]

No question, onshore DO over caribe doctor mill.

 

[DDSBound]

Guys, cool it with the insults.

DDSBound, I think what people had trouble with was what seemed to be your attempt to start an "MD is better than DO" debate, which wasn't necessitated by the OP's question. That's hardly shining a light on anything.

You know, I wasn't even trying to be insulting. Originally, I was trying to compliment the allopathic field. If I was going to TRY to be insulting, I would have posted my opinion about MD vs DO in the pre-osteopathic forum. I figured people who were applying to MD programs would be in the pre-allopathic forum and those applying to DO programs would be in the pre-osteopathic forum. What the negative response I received said to me is that some apply to both (thereby not believing in the philosophical differences between the 2 fields) because they are more likely to get into one of the 2. I have a hunch that is DO.

 

[Dr2Bee]

If you are still serious about going to a Caribbean medical school, you should also look into how life might be different living outside the US. Most likely, you will be living in a third-world country. I know of some people that went to Ross and St. George...life can be rough and isolated. Most of them hate it and can't wait to get back into the US after pre-clinical years. My knowledge on this is limited but just thought you might wanna look into it.

Personally, DO is a way better option.

 

[Law2Doc]

You know, I wasn't even trying to be insulting. Originally, I was trying to compliment the allopathic field. If I was going to TRY to be insulting, I would have posted my opinion about MD vs DO in the pre-osteopathic forum. I figured people who were applying to MD programs would be in the pre-allopathic forum and those applying to DO programs would be in the pre-osteopathic forum. What the negative response I received said to me is that some apply to both (thereby not believing in the philosophical differences between the 2 fields) because they are more likely to get into one of the 2. I have a hunch that is DO.

Again, the OP did not ask a US MD vs DO question so there's no reason for you to try and make this one. Those threads have been done to death and always devolve into flame wars and thus are not proper topics for either board. Read the numerous stickies and search for old threads if you have comparison questions regarding those.
This OP asked about exclusively non US allo options.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Unless you go to one of the big 4 carribean schools (ross, St G, UAB SABA), the Carrib should be way out of the question. Even then it is a toss up. If you want to practice in another country make sure DOs have privileges there. If you only want to practice in this country then you should go DO.

Really the only reason I think I would push someone to go carrib is if they wanted to practice in a country that specifically would not give DOs privileges.

if you want to go into gp, emergency med DO is fine, but if you wanted to do surgery for example, I think MD is the way to go.

You can easily do gen surgery as a DO. Besides the MD residencies, there are many DO residencies.

 

[musiclink213]

For me, it came down to not wanting to live in the Caribbean. I don't think I could handle it, I need my creature comforts, and I've heard from people who've gone to school down there, they go crazy because life is so different.

Also, all the docs I've talked to, they all say that MD and DO is the same thing once you start practicing, but it's easier to get a residency you want as a DO compared to a foreign MD. The other thing that I've heard is that the carib. schools have a hard time keeping the professors in the school. Few of them stay year after year, so you never know who you're getting or how they teach, so the quality of the education can vary year to year. Now this is all heresay because I have no actual proof, just what I heard from other people and other physicians.

Then again, I'm sure if you posted this on teh carib, forum, you'll have people telling you to scrap DO and go carib. MD. On the pre-allo, I think most people are for the US MD, so they really don't care too much about DO vs. carib. MD which might give the people on here a more unbiased answer.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

And yeah, maybe I am uneducated and biased on the MD/DO thing but I am an outsider. Sometimes it takes an outsider to shine light on what the outside in fact thinks of something. Academically, they are very similar. Let me put it this way. There is a Ford Taurus and there is a Toyota Camry. Both are cars, right? Both can run very well. Maybe sometimes you get a bad Camry or maybe a GREAT Taurus but if you don't know any better, people always will say that the Camry is a better car just for the name and reputation. Camry = MD. Taurus = DO.

Sorry, wrong. If you don't have anything productive to share (which you don't), then don't post. Being an outsider means you don't know what the hell you're talking about, not that you have something especially useful to share.

As for the op's question, the general consensus is the a DO degree opens more doors with an offshore MD. As for the post above about DOs being disadvantaged for surgery, that doesn't make sense since there are lots of osteopathic surgery programs out there that are only open to DOs. Caribbean MDs on the other hand have no programs that give them preferential treatment.

 

[PepperMD]

You know, I wasn't even trying to be insulting. Originally, I was trying to compliment the allopathic field. If I was going to TRY to be insulting, I would have posted my opinion about MD vs DO in the pre-osteopathic forum. I figured people who were applying to MD programs would be in the pre-allopathic forum and those applying to DO programs would be in the pre-osteopathic forum. What the negative response I received said to me is that some apply to both (thereby not believing in the philosophical differences between the 2 fields) because they are more likely to get into one of the 2. I have a hunch that is DO.

So where should failed med applicants turned dental post?

 

[DDSBound]

So where should failed med applicants turned dental post?

I can assume your witty humor is referring to me so I will just say as I have stated numerous times before I never took the MCAT. I never applied to medical school. Eventually I will be a DDS/MD (oral surgeon).

Lastly, this post is not about me. Stick to the OPs question.

 

[spicedmanna]

You know, I wasn't even trying to be insulting. Originally, I was trying to compliment the allopathic field. If I was going to TRY to be insulting, I would have posted my opinion about MD vs DO in the pre-osteopathic forum. I figured people who were applying to MD programs would be in the pre-allopathic forum and those applying to DO programs would be in the pre-osteopathic forum. What the negative response I received said to me is that some apply to both (thereby not believing in the philosophical differences between the 2 fields) because they are more likely to get into one of the 2. I have a hunch that is DO.

I fail to see the relevance of your original reply to this thread. It is about choosing between a osteopathic medical school in the United States and a Caribbean medical school. The consensus is that it is better to attend the US medical school, whether MD, or DO. The Caribbean route is less secure.

That said, I encourage the OP to really think about whether he or she can appreciate OMM/OMT and would be satisfied with a "DO" after his or her name. If not, then it might actually be better to go to the allopathic medical school, even with the additional challenges that are associated with the Caribbean route, if only for his or her peace of mind. There's no sense in doing something that one doesn't align with. However, I reiterate that the US medical school route will likely be easier. Choose with care, with knowledge of the consequences.

Good luck in choosing, OP.

 

[DDSBound]

I fail to see the relevance of your original reply to this thread. It is about choosing between a osteopathic medical school in the United States and a Caribbean medical school. The consensus is that it is better to attend the US medical school, whether MD, or DO. The Caribbean route is less secure.

That said, I encourage the OP to really think about whether he or she can appreciate OMM/OMT and would be satisfied with a "DO" after his or her name. If not, then it might actually be better to go to the allopathic medical school, even with the additional challenges that are associated with the Caribbean route, if only for his or her peace of mind. There's no sense in doing something that one doesn't align with. However, I reiterate that the US medical school route will likely be easier. Choose with care, with knowledge of the consequences.

Good luck in choosing, OP.

I'm definitely not doubting your knowledge of this over mine. It actually sounds like you and I agree on the matter, more or less. My point is simply this. Allopathic and osteopathic programs will both lead you to becoming a trained medical doctor, sure. What gets to me is that they are different in approach and should be treated that way. If you believe in the allopathic philosophy any MD program would be better in my opinion. If you believe in the osteopathic philosophy, same goes for the DO program.

 

[Meatwad]

People will say that they are pretty much the same only more MDs specialize but DOs still have a stigma. Maybe eventually that will go away but in the meantime, if I have to go to a physician... he/she will DEFINITELY be an MD. Then again, I base my whole opinion on one person I know who cheated her way through hs and college and got into LECOM with crappy stats. I may be biased.

Since you are claiming to be an outsider and ignorant on the subject, allow me to enlighten you. But first, ask yourself some questions.

1) Why would you rather go to an MD? Is it because you think they are "smarter," in some way?

or

2) Do the two letters MD have some sort of attractive power built-in to them?

I'm assuming you believe in 1). Obviously you don't know much about Caribbean schools. Some of them are fine (SGU, Saba, etc.) but there are some schools that will take pretty much any student with a pulse (no MCAT score, sub-2.5 gpa). They just want money. Now, you may say undergrad GPA is no mark of intelligence; people change, if you can pass medical school and the boards then you are competent. Well, in that case, a DO is just as good as an MD.

Basically, there is no reason to believe a Caribbean MD is better than a DO because of the letters behind there name. Would you rather have a kid who had no MCAT and a 2.0 with an MD or a kid with a 3.3 and a 26 with a DO?

 

[BlackSails]

I would go for the DO programs. The schools in the carribean are more likely to not teach you enough to pass the USMLE. The only reason to insist on an MD and go to the carribean is if you want to practice internationally

 

[DDSBound]

Since you are claiming to be an outsider and ignorant on the subject, allow me to enlighten you. But first, ask yourself some questions.

1) Why would you rather go to an MD? Is it because you think they are "smarter," in some way?

or

2) Do the two letters MD have some sort of attractive power built-in to them?

I'm assuming you believe in 1). Obviously you don't know much about Caribbean schools. Some of them are fine (SGU, Saba, etc.) but there are some schools that will take pretty much any student with a pulse (no MCAT score, sub-2.5 gpa). They just want money. Now, you may say undergrad GPA is no mark of intelligence; people change, if you can pass medical school and the boards then you are competent. Well, in that case, a DO is just as good as an MD.

Basically, there is no reason to believe a Caribbean MD is better than a DO because of the letters behind there name. Would you rather have a kid who had no MCAT and a 2.0 with an MD or a kid with a 3.3 and a 26 with a DO?

No, you are right. Definitely I would rather have a 3.3 26MCAT Do than a 2.0 and no MCAT. They are still different approaches though and public perception of the DO isn't as great as MD. You have to admit that. I'm not saying DOs are stupider than MDs or the other way around. I'm not even saying that someone with a 3.75 is smarter than a person with a 3.3. I'm probably stupider than some people with a 2.0 that just didn't give a crap in college. The point is, it is becoming more common, but right now many people don't even know what a DO is.

 

[Meatwad]

No, you are right. Definitely I would rather have a 3.3 26MCAT Do than a 2.0 and no MCAT. They are still different approaches though and public perception of the DO isn't as great as MD. You have to admit that. I'm not saying DOs are stupider than MDs or the other way around. I'm not even saying that someone with a 3.75 is smarter than a person with a 3.3. I'm probably stupider than some people with a 2.0 that just didn't give a crap in college. The point is, it is becoming more common, but right now many people don't even know what a DO is.

You're right that some people don't know what a DO is. However, let's say someone was referred to a DO cardiologist. Chances are they aren't even going to look at what's after the doctor's name. They were told by their doctor to see this person, and they are just going to do what they said. Maybe being a FP or IM doc trying to attract new patients with a DO after your name could be a little harder because of public perception, but I don't think specialists would have less trouble.

 

[littlealex]

I have to agree with DDS. It is true that Carribean schools have low standards, but if you go there and just study really hard to match into a good residency program, you'll still be respected similarly as many other MDs.

In terms of DO, yes it is a different approach to the same problem, but the fact that most people are ignorant of DOs. DDS brings in a nice outsider perspective which we should respect. As a DO, you will probably have to explain what you do, and defend how it is just as good, for the rest of your life.

"I'm a DO, no I'm not a medical doctor, I'm an osteopathic doctor. Whats osteopathic? Well, I'm a doctor, and I'm every bit as good as your other MD doctor."

 

[Meatwad]

I have to agree with DDS. It is true that Carribean schools have low standards, but if you go there and just study really hard to match into a good residency program, you'll still be respected similarly as many other MDs.

In terms of DO, yes it is a different approach to the same problem, but the fact that most people are ignorant of DOs. DDS brings in a nice outsider perspective which we should respect. As a DO, you will probably have to explain what you do, and defend how it is just as good, for the rest of your life.

"I'm a DO, no I'm not a medical doctor, I'm an osteopathic doctor. Whats osteopathic? Well, I'm a doctor, and I'm every bit as good as your other MD doctor."

If you do some searches around the forums here, you will read there is quite a lot of doctor's that do not look at Caribbean MD's as equals. Not saying they treat DO's as equals, either, but it certainly seems incorrect to think that there is no stigma against Caribbean graduates.

Plus, if a DO student and a Carib grad had the same step scores, my money says the DO gets the competitive residency. Caribbean schools don't really offer the same research oppurtunities, etc.

 

[spicedmanna]

I have to agree with DDS. It is true that Carribean schools have low standards, but if you go there and just study really hard to match into a good residency program, you'll still be respected similarly as many other MDs.

There are fewer guarantees in a Caribbean program. The attrition rate is alarming and the luxuries are few. Even the folks that attend there will warn you that it is difficult. You may have more of a difficult time matching.

In terms of DO, yes it is a different approach to the same problem, but the fact that most people are ignorant of DOs. DDS brings in a nice outsider perspective which we should respect. As a DO, you will probably have to explain what you do, and defend how it is just as good, for the rest of your life.

"I'm a DO, no I'm not a medical doctor, I'm an osteopathic doctor. Whats osteopathic? Well, I'm a doctor, and I'm every bit as good as your other MD doctor."

I think a more balanced viewpoint is that a DO probably won't need to explain or defend his degree as much as people think. Most patients really don't give a d*mn; they just want to be treated. They see a white coat and everyone calling you "doctor" and they are just going to roll with that. I'm not saying that there aren't occasions that it is both timely and appropriate to do some basic educating on osteopathic medicine, but I'm saying it won't be as painful or as prevalent as some make it out to be. It's true that DO's have the minority representation, making up only 5% of the physicians in the US. Thus, there is misinformation and some prejudice. The last I checked though, no physician was hurting for jobs, MD or DO.

The truth of the matter is, you have to do what makes you happy. If you are caught up with having an MD and absolutely don't align with osteopathic medicine, then by all means, get the MD, even if it means going the Caribbean route. I don't think anybody is questioning that. I simply wished to inject some reality in telling the OP that the Caribbean route is less secure and probably more difficult than the US route. Nevertheless, no manner of ease is worth the bitterness that can ensue from choosing something that you aren't thoroughly in alignment, or at peace, with. Thus, I think, if the OP really wants the MD, then I suggest going the Caribbean route, albeit with a warning that it won't be as easy.

 

[DDSBound]

Ok, let me put this all together.

Caribbean MD:
Pros: You get to put MD after your name when you get out. You will live in a warm place.
Cons: You may have a harder time getting into a US based specialty program. Area may be poor/dirty/sketchy. Harder to see family and friends. Caribbean schools are known to be easier to get into than US schools.

DO program:
Pros: Easier to place into a residency, receive good training, easier to see friends and family.
Cons: DO is less recognized by the general public, if you try to establish your own clientel for the time being, it may be more difficult however if you want to work in a hospital or for a large group, no one will ask if you are an MD or a DO.

Ultimately you will be doing pretty much the exact same work if you are DO or MD Caribbean.

Also, the age of DOs I feel is just really coming about. Until a few years ago you saw SO few of these in public. THere is a possibility that eventually MD/DO GPA and MCAT differences will stabilize as the applicant pool grows and becomes more competitive. 15-20 years down the road, DOs may be just as well regarded as MDs in public.

Alternative plan: If you really can't decide, go to dental school. That is where all the medical school drop outs and people who can't make up their minds end up. Didn't you know that? Nevermind that the DDS acceptance average is up to about 3.6... that's just a dirty rumor.

 

[spicedmanna]

Alternative plan: If you really can't decide, go to dental school. That is where all the medical school drop outs and people who can't make up their minds end up. Didn't you know that? Nevermind that the DDS acceptance average is up to about 3.6... that's just a dirty rumor.

I have nothing but respect for my colleagues pursuing a DDS/DMD. There is a dentist in my extended family; my brother's wife. Honestly, most of the folks that I know who are pursuing dentistry are doing so because they actually want to be a dentist.

In my opinion, all this nut flexing from both camps is distressing and unprofessional at best. Anyway, I'm digressing from the original topic.

 

[StrengthDoc]

DO program:
Pros: Easier to place into a residency, receive good training, easier to see friends and family.
Cons: DO is less recognized by the general public, if you try to establish your own clientel for the time being, it may be more difficult however if you want to work in a hospital or for a large group, no one will ask if you are an MD or a DO.

Alternative plan: If you really can't decide, go to dental school. That is where all the medical school drop outs and people who can't make up their minds end up. Didn't you know that? Nevermind that the DDS acceptance average is up to about 3.6... that's just a dirty rumor.

On the DO con side...
From what I have read/seen a DO who practices OMT will NOT have a more difficult time building a client base.

On the alternative plan...
If MD=Camry, then does DDS=Sienna Minivan? Dependable, but boring.

 

[notdeadyet]

For all those who obsess over whether they become a physician via a DO or MD degree, let me ask you this: do you feel a stigma over folks who get a BA versus a BSc?

Trust me, the further you get from college, the more you realize that things like the DO "stigma" exists mostly in the minds of full-time students...

 

[DDSBound]

On the DO con side...
From what I have read/seen a DO who practices OMT will NOT have a more difficult time building a client base.

On the alternative plan...
If MD=Camry, then does DDS=Sienna Minivan? Dependable, but boring.

This is one I can't argue with. Sometimes I lead such a boring life that I have to pick fights in pre-allo forums. Goodluck in your decision OP.

I agree with you too spicedmanna

 

[DDSBound]

For all those who obsess over whether they become a physician via a DO or MD degree, let me ask you this: do you feel a stigma over folks who get a BA versus a BSc?

Trust me, the further you get from college, the more you realize that things like the DO "stigma" exists mostly in the minds of full-time students...

What? BA and BS are both Bachelors degrees, only one you have to take about 7 more science classes. Big deal. DO and MD are different philosophies. You are comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Meatwad]

Ok, let me put this all together.

Caribbean MD:
Pros: You get to put MD after your name when you get out. You will live in a warm place.

A warm place without hot water in the showers, destroyed infrastructure after storms, and in a few cases, a local population that greatly resents you. Go over to valuemd.com and read how fun those warm places can get. Living in the islands sounds spartan, to put it lightly. But I assume you were joking when you put that as a pro. In which case this post was overly serious in tone.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

What? BA and BS are both Bachelors degrees, only one you have to take about 7 more science classes. Big deal. DO and MD are different philosophies. You are comparing apples and oranges.

That depends on where you go to school. I went to a liberal arts school that only offered BA degrees regardless of how many science classes you took. If you majored in chemistry, you still got a BA. I don't think the 7 classes is some universal standard. Consequently, the divide between BA and BS probably is a bit more philosophical/historical, in which case it's not too different from the MD/DO distinction.

Anyway, since you apparently know nothing about osteopathic schools, why are you still arguing about their merits and philosophy?

 

[Dr OCD]

honestly, i would go for the DO. getting a medical degree from the United States far superceedes getting one from the caribbean, even if that is a difference of an DO and MD. there are DO's left and right getting "traditionally MD" residencies like opthamology or radiology, to name a few. nonetheless, you may realize that you want to pursue a career in primary care with the DO track will set you up for nicely. not passing your boards after going to a caribbean school could put the brakes on your future success. that something you wont have to deal with (hopefully not) if you go to a DO school. DO!

 

[Law2Doc]

Ok, let me put this all together.

Caribbean MD:
Pros: You get to put MD after your name when you get out. You will live in a warm place.
Cons: You may have a harder time getting into a US based specialty program. Area may be poor/dirty/sketchy. Harder to see family and friends. Caribbean schools are known to be easier to get into than US schools.

Actually one of the bigger "cons", that you cannot overlook is high attrition rates, which is really important if you are comparing them to US schools where almost 95% of those who get in become doctors, whereas that cannot be said for many caribbean schools. This statistic speaks volumes as to your "odds" of getting to your goal and should not be ignored.

It should also be noted that US schools are increasing in number each year but there have thus far not been any corresponding additional residency spots funded, so it's likely that the caribbean folks are going to feel a bit more of a squeeze matching in coming years.

 

[FizbanZymogen]

To try to get this back on track, Go to the DO school. You will get a great education here in the states and the DO schools match lists today show a very positive reception from almost all Allopathic residencies. If you want the MD behind your name then you're going into medicine for the wrong reasons. You will most likely get a better shot at your residency of choice by staying stateside and your cost of living will probably be much more up your alley by staying here. If you practice in the midwest being a DO can actually give you a boost in clients in private practice (Iowa comes to mind) and you will not be treated differently by your peers. The best doctor I had the privellage to work with was a DO and everyone knew he was a DO and still sought Him out.

 

[bwells46]

Since you are claiming to be an outsider and ignorant on the subject, allow me to enlighten you. But first, ask yourself some questions.

1) Why would you rather go to an MD? Is it because you think they are "smarter," in some way?

or

2) Do the two letters MD have some sort of attractive power built-in to them?

I'm assuming you believe in 1). Obviously you don't know much about Caribbean schools. Some of them are fine (SGU, Saba, etc.) but there are some schools that will take pretty much any student with a pulse (no MCAT score, sub-2.5 gpa). They just want money. Now, you may say undergrad GPA is no mark of intelligence; people change, if you can pass medical school and the boards then you are competent. Well, in that case, a DO is just as good as an MD.

Basically, there is no reason to believe a Caribbean MD is better than a DO because of the letters behind there name. Would you rather have a kid who had no MCAT and a 2.0 with an MD or a kid with a 3.3 and a 26 with a DO?

Agreed. If you go outside the US for your medical degree, then you would have to be creazy to go anywhere other than one of the established schools like SGU. A quick look at SGU's match list compared to some of the others would verify this.

 

[ana]

I am an MD, but I would NEVER go to an offshore school because of safety concerns and being far away from my family. I would rather go DO. I know DO's in competitive residencies.

That being said, I have a friend who went to the Caribean because he couldn't stand not being an MD. He spent 10 years as an allied health professional. Right or wrong, the MD after his name was important to him. He was willing to live with bad living conditions, resentful locals, crime, etc.

Neither of us are right or wrong. We just did what was right for us.

My advice: trust what the majority of the responders are saying and go DO. If you cannot live with DO, then reapply for allopathic schools in the US. If all else fails, go offshore, but be very careful and knowlegeable about what it is you signed up for.

Good luck.

 

[bigdog8829]

to many people ruin these threads.

I am in the same spot OP, but i didnt really have to make a decision bc i knew right from the get go d.o. over foreign md. why? its easier getting a good residency as well as going into a field of your choice. now matching into plastics or super competitive specailties is hard no matter what.
and yes d.o. do have their own residency options, but from match lists that i've seen many many d.o. grads continue on with allopathic residencies.
I would also think that it is important to consider what d.o. school you are going to. many new ones are opening up this year and years past, so as an inagural class you will not have any way to judge the school, cirriculum, or match possibilities.
Again, the best choice for a person is individual. But i would def. go d.o. Well, I should say that I am.

 

[Law2Doc]

too many people ruin these threads.

I don't know about that. Seems there is really only one person pushing caribbean in this debate and he's admittedly not a premed. So the consensus seems to match your view. Hardly a ruin.

 

[DDSBound]

I don't know about that. Seems there is really only one person pushing caribbean in this debate and he's admittedly not a premed. So the consensus seems to match your view. Hardly a ruin.

I'm not pushing either way. Am I the only one that cares about the philosophical difference between these 2 fields? You say I am admittedly not a premed. I am here because some day, I will be in medical school provided I get into the residency program I hope to (oral surgery). Considering I am willing to go anywhere in the country, it is fairly likely if I get decent grades which I have always been pretty good at. Now they are mostly allopathic. I don't know of many DDS/DOs. It doesn't matter. The poster can do whatever they want. I'm just offering that MD is different than DO in their approach. That is good to know. Plus, that is something you CANNOT argue with me on.

 

[ana]

... I'm just offering that MD is different than DO in their approach. That is good to know. Plus, that is something you CANNOT argue with me on.

Well, I think I could argue with you on this. Although Osteopahtic medical philosophy has different emphasis (and don't EVEN get me started on OMT...) in practical terms, there is really no difference. My DO friends in practice don't (or care not to) even remember much of their OMT. As much as the osteopathic leadership don't like it, many DO's got their degree so they could be doctors and do not really emphasize much of osteopathic philosphy once they are out in practice. In Cali, where there is 80% HMO penetration and there is pressure to see as many patients as possible, could you imagine a DO actually trying to take time out to perform a Texas Twister? Nope... not happening (unless you are working at a COMP hospital or clinic).

In terms of actual medical practice (as opposed to theory), my DO and MD colleagues are pretty much interchangeable.