D.O Residency Question ?!

[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

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Hello all,
I have a question about the D.O program.
Okay, so I definitely am interested in being a D.O and at least going into a D.O program. Before, I was turned off to it, because I just wanted to be Allopathic, but I might have scored well on my MCAT (for D.O school) and I might be able to get into some of the top D.O schools in the country. I have not gotten my MCAT grades back yet, but I think it might range from a 25-29. If I score a 29, I might be better off applying to MD schools but If I am in the 26-27 area, I can get into some GREAT D.O programs.

I really like the D.O style of teaching because I feel like it is very diverse and different. I feel like this is something I really want under my belt as a physician because working with patients and really understanding their needs is important! However, When I get to Residency, I was wondering if It's possible to than apply to an M.D program and I guess I would technically have "Both" but I reality, I'd say M.D next to my name if I get into an MD. Residency program right?
Is this all possible or is this unrealistic...
I think it depends on my MCAT score, because even with a 29 I know I am a bit below the average for MD school, but I worked my butt off on that exam everyday for Months-I never developed Test Taking skills; I knew the material, but my ability to take standardized tests is horrible (and something I need to work on - and I am working on it believe me!)

-In either case, If I was to have both of these "MD/D.O" under my belt, I feel like I could really be the best physician I could be with that, because I know D.O goes through the same training, if not harder (cause of the excess), while M.D is specialized in other areas remotely..
Any suggestions ladies and gentlemen?
Thanks

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Once a DO, always a DO. You don't get a dual degree even if you go to mass general for residency.

 

[AlteredScale]

Hello all,
I have a question about the D.O program.
Okay, so I definitely am interested in being a D.O and at least going into a D.O program. Before, I was turned off to it, because I just wanted to be Allopathic, but I might have scored well on my MCAT (for D.O school) and I might be able to get into some of the top D.O schools in the country. I have not gotten my MCAT grades back yet, but I think it might range from a 25-29. If I score a 29, I might be better off applying to MD schools but If I am in the 26-27 area, I can get into some GREAT D.O programs.

I really like the D.O style of teaching because I feel like it is very diverse and different. I feel like this is something I really want under my belt as a physician because working with patients and really understanding their needs is important! However, When I get to Residency, I was wondering if It's possible to than apply to an M.D program and I guess I would technically have "Both" but I reality, I'd say M.D next to my name if I get into an MD. Residency program right?
Is this all possible or is this unrealistic...
I think it depends on my MCAT score, because even with a 29 I know I am a bit below the average for MD school, but I worked my butt off on that exam everyday for Months-I never developed Test Taking skills; I knew the material, but my ability to take standardized tests is horrible (and something I need to work on - and I am working on it believe me!)

-In either case, If I was to have both of these "MD/D.O" under my belt, I feel like I could really be the best physician I could be with that, because I know D.O goes through the same training, if not harder (cause of the excess), while M.D is specialized in other areas remotely..
Any suggestions ladies and gentlemen?
Thanks

No matter your score for the MCAT, there's a lot more that comes with applying to DO programs I'd say. Really try to discover "why DO" and not MD school. Do not let your MCAT score be your decision to apply for DO school. If you're set on going to an MD school and do not do well on your MCAT, take a gap year and retake it. You may regret going to a DO program if your mind is set for MD.

Yes, you can apply to LCGME (MD) residency programs. But that does not mean that you will have M.D. next to your name. If you graduate from a DO program you will have D.O. next to your name no matter if you get into a DO or MD residency.

I think residency training and the outcome of how "good" of a physician you become plays largely on how strong your residency program is. There are many DO programs that are well renowned (South Pointe Hospital, Cleveland Clinic). It also depends on what you want to specialize in.

Hope this helps!

 

[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

No matter your score for the MCAT, there's a lot more that comes with applying to DO programs I'd say. Really try to discover "why DO" and not MD school. Do not let your MCAT score be your decision to apply for DO school. If you're set on going to an MD school and do not do well on your MCAT, take a gap year and retake it. You may regret going to a DO program if your mind is set for MD.

Yes, you can apply to LCGME (MD) residency programs. But that does not mean that you will have M.D. next to your name. If you graduate from a DO program you will have D.O. next to your name no matter if you get into a DO or MD program.

I think residency training and the outcome of how "good" of a physician you become plays largely on how strong your residency program is. There are many DO programs that are well renowned (South Pointe Hospital, Cleveland Clinic). It also depends on what you want to specialize in.

Hope this helps!

Yes! I understand that it might not be next to my name, but it's still a mix of both which is more of what I was thinking, and I understand! i don't really know how to differentiate them other than based on the differences in training...The MCAT was very demanding and I don't think I can physically get myself to retake it because it's changing next year, and I would risk dubbing down a few points and getting an even worse score! I am sure there are some lower Tier MD schools that might accept a 27-28 because I have had let's say an "Unfortunate" Upbringing, but perhaps you right! I am planning to Specialize in Surgical, and I know Neuro is really hard too, but I do my undergraduate training in Neuroscience. I may have an upper hand..I pretty much do have to base it off of my MCAT because unfortunately, my VR section usually decomposes my really strong science scores. But I defintiely need to look into WHY DO or WHY MD...
Thank you that does help!

 

[AlteredScale]

Yes! I understand that it might not be next to my name, but it's still a mix of both which is more of what I was thinking, and I understand! i don't really know how to differentiate them other than based on the differences in training...The MCAT was very demanding and I don't think I can physically get myself to retake it because it's changing next year, and I would risk dubbing down a few points and getting an even worse score! I am sure there are some lower Tier MD schools that might accept a 27-28 because I have had let's say an "Unfortunate" Upbringing, but perhaps you right! I am planning to Specialize in Surgical, and I know Neuro is really hard too, but I do my undergraduate training in Neuroscience. I may have an upper hand..I pretty much do have to base it off of my MCAT because unfortunately, my VR section usually decomposes my really strong science scores. But I defintiely need to look into WHY DO or WHY MD...
Thank you that does help!

Great! Glad my post helped a bit. I'm uncertain if there are differences in DO and MD training at the graduate level. Perhaps the biggest differences I could see are in primary care specialties. If it's an AOA program they will/might emphasize OMT as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Here's a great resource to start with regarding "Why DO?"

Also here' a search of neurological surgery residencies that are through AOA (DO residency programs) just to show that you can pursue NS through DO training.

 

[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

Great! Glad my post helped a bit. I'm uncertain if there are differences in DO and MD training at the graduate level. Perhaps the biggest differences I could see are in primary care specialties. If it's an AOA program they will/might emphasize OMT as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Here's a great resource to start with regarding "Why DO?"

Also here' a search of neurological surgery residencies that are through AOA (DO residency programs) just to show that you can pursue NS through DO training.

Oh that's amazing! Thank you so much!! I know the DO training may be even a bit harder if you take into account the actual grasp on material..Perhaps MD is becoming more overrated -It's just more competitive for some reason! Thank you for all the help though I really do Appreciate it!!

 

[cliquesh]

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[CUNYguy]

From what I've taken from the research I've put into DO training, you can go to a DO school, take both the COMLEX and the USMLE, and you would qual for MD and DO residencies. Just a matter of getting into med school and doing well on the COMLEX and/or USMLE.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.


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[rzoo14]

If you want the MD initials after your name, go for an allo program. If you say something like this during the interviews, you'll likely be waitlisted/rejected. Having 2 degrees after your name wouldn't make you a better physician. That would be dependent on your training. By the time you enter the residency system, the unified system will be on its way (if everything goes as planned). The only downside (in my opinion) to attending DO schools is the bias you might face when applying to certain competitive residencies.

If I was to have both of these "MD/D.O" under my belt, I feel like I could really be the best physician I could be with that

For the secondaries/interviews, you need to figure out a better reason to attend a DO school. Do your research and shadow DO physicians to get a feel for the difference. If you get the opportunity, try to shadow a physician who practices OPP. It'll greatly help your application if you can incorporate that into your "why DO" response.

 

[moisne]

By the time you apply to residency, the allopathic and osteopathic residencies will be merged - not sure how that affects DO and MD students

 

[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

Wait they're merging ? Whatchya mean?? I've never heard of this before !

 

[CUNYguy]

AOA and ACGME residencies are to be one soon. So the graduating class of 2020 should have DOs competing for ACGME residencies (as usual), and MDs competing for AOA residencies.


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[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

That's pretty crazy..At The end of the day though, we're all doctors in that sense. I don't think it matters as long as your in it for the right reasons. I'm glad everyone could express their opinion here, much obliged.

 

[rzoo14]

AOA and ACGME residencies are to be one soon. So the graduating class of 2020 should have DOs competing for ACGME residencies (as usual), and MDs competing for AOA residencies.


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One of the professors at my school mentioned that it might happen as early as our match (2017) but that's more on the speculation side. They might bring in the unified match earlier and give other aoa residencies time to meet the proposed standards till 2020.

 

[WorldClassNeurosurgeon]

Well if they're changing they got to give people time to adapt cause goals change and such, so that makes senes