D.O. Transfering into M.D. Program

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NoleDoc

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I do not wish to offend anyone or cause any problems. I have just been somewhat curious and figured someone here may know the answer. Has anyone experienced or heard of a D.O. student transferring into an M.D. program after their first or second year? Someone told me that the first two years are about the same, is this also true? Please let me know. Thank you all in advance.
 
I think it can happen... but, this is very rare.
 
Some MD schools will not accept transfers from DO schools, and others will. Of my two state school, one will consider such transfers (in extreme circumstances which prevent you from continuing at your current school), and the other absolutely will not. In other words, don't count on it.
 
I think only if you're married or engaged to someone at that medical school (which seems like the case for most MD-to-MD transfers as well).

I've been looking into this too because I'm trying to decide on a med school and my boyfriend is looking at residency right now. He's 4th year going into a really competitive specialty and they don't have residency programs in every state. So I'm trying to finish my PhD right now, we're trying to figure out how to be in the same place, and his specialty interest isn't offered in the state where I have established residency. It's a tough situation! But DO schools seem friendlier to OOS than MD schools so that may be my only option (with my MCAT score). Then my concern becomes: will the DO work well with research? I don't hear of too many DO/PhD researchers...hmmm.
 
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Actually, I have a list detailing which schools accept which types of transfers. Keep in mind, though, that schools may say "no" for this book the list is in, but if you have a really good reason - like engaged to one of their students - they may accept. I think it generally depends on how many spots they have open up that year. For instance, Iowa says "no transfers" on the list, but I've heard of someone who transferred from a DSM to Iowa (they were a resident and married to someone at Iowa I think). You should call the school you want to transfer to and ask - I've learned that is really the easiest way to get answers and they generally don't withhold info!

(Key: M = accepts MD transfer, D = DO transfer, O = Oral surgeons or general dentists accepted into 2nd-year class, I = non-U.S. med school transfer)

Alabama - M,D,O -> 2,3 (state residents only or preferred)
Alabama, South - I, M -> 2,3; D -> 2 (state residents only or preferred)
Brown - M,D,I,O -> 3
Caribe - M,D,I ->2
Chicago Medical - M,D,I ->2/3, O
Colorado - M, D, I (state residents only or preferred)
Dartmouth - M, D -> 2,3; I ->2
Duke - M, D (only if personal relationship with student/staff)
East Carolina - M,d,I
George Washington - M,D,I ->2,3
Georgetown - M,D,I ->2,3, O
Illinois, University chicago - M,D
Indiana - M,D,I
Loyola - M,D->3
Nevada - M,D, ->2,3 (state residents only or preferred)
New Mexico - M,D,I ->2(state residents only or preferred)
New York University - Md,D
Ohio Northeast - M,D->3
SUNY Buffalo - M,D ->3
SUNY Syracuse - M,D
Temple - M,D ->2,3
UMDNJ-RWJ - M,D,I ->3
Vermont - M,D,I ->1,2
Wayne State - M,D,O ->2,3
West Virginia - M,D ->2
Wright State - M,D,->2,3
 
Actually, I have a list detailing which schools accept which types of transfers. Keep in mind, though, that schools may say "no" for this book the list is in, but if you have a really good reason - like engaged to one of their students - they may accept. I think it generally depends on how many spots they have open up that year. For instance, Iowa says "no transfers" on the list, but I've heard of someone who transferred from a DSM to Iowa (they were a resident and married to someone at Iowa I think). You should call the school you want to transfer to and ask - I've learned that is really the easiest way to get answers and they generally don't withhold info!

(Key: M = accepts MD transfer, D = DO transfer, O = Oral surgeons or general dentists accepted into 2nd-year class, I = non-U.S. med school transfer)

Alabama - M,D,O -> 2,3 (state residents only or preferred)
Alabama, South - I, M -> 2,3; D -> 2 (state residents only or preferred)
Brown - M,D,I,O -> 3
Caribe - M,D,I ->2
Chicago Medical - M,D,I ->2/3, O
Colorado - M, D, I (state residents only or preferred)
Dartmouth - M, D -> 2,3; I ->2
Duke - M, D (only if personal relationship with student/staff)
East Carolina - M,d,I
George Washington - M,D,I ->2,3
Georgetown - M,D,I ->2,3, O
Illinois, University chicago - M,D
Indiana - M,D,I
Loyola - M,D->3
Nevada - M,D, ->2,3 (state residents only or preferred)
New Mexico - M,D,I ->2(state residents only or preferred)
New York University - Md,D
Ohio Northeast - M,D->3
SUNY Buffalo - M,D ->3
SUNY Syracuse - M,D
Temple - M,D ->2,3
UMDNJ-RWJ - M,D,I ->3
Vermont - M,D,I ->1,2
Wayne State - M,D,O ->2,3
West Virginia - M,D ->2
Wright State - M,D,->2,3


Alabama does not accept DO transfers. When speaking to admissions staff, I got the impression that they used to, but something happened..... It is very clearly stated on their website that they will not consider transfers from osteopathic schools. South Alabama does consider DO transfers.
 
It happens. I know a guy who transferred from DMU to UWisc this year. He didn't have any family in the area or anything. He just said that he wanted to go to a more research-intensive school.
 
Alabama does not accept DO transfers. When speaking to admissions staff, I got the impression that they used to, but something happened..... It is very clearly stated on their website that they will not consider transfers from osteopathic schools. South Alabama does consider DO transfers.

Yea several DO schools share a rotation site in birmingham in which you do alot of your rotations alongside UAB students. So there is no reasons to allow DO students to transfer when they can go there for their 3rd year anyway.
 
I have personally met some DO transfers so it is definitely possible. The reasons given were 1) better chance at matching an extremely competitive residency (more spots)
2) I want to do international work and the DO degree has its limitations

I don't know the specifics behind DO transfer, but I was a Caribbean student who transferred into an LCME school. You can check out my blog if you want an idea of the process that is inolved. Best of luck to you.

caribbeantransfer.blogspot.com
 
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