Did anyone choose a DO acceptance over an MD acceptance? Why?

[moiz]

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So...........anyone??

 

[RySerr21]

So...........anyone??

i'm not even going to apply to an MD program even though my stats are competetive b/c i know i would choose a DO school instead. it really comes down to my interest in learning OMM. My interest is in sports medicine either througha family practice or orthopedic surgery. either way, i feel that OMM can and will be a useful tool for me, so I am only applying to DO schools. I've done the research and ive shadowed doctors that practice OMM daily and i have decided that it is something that I will use. Otherwise, i would go MD.

in addition i agree with the philosophy and all that, but my interest in OMM has more weight b/c I can practice the DO philosophy as an MD, that really is just a personal choice and reflects who you are as a doc and as a person

 

[superfan56]

i'm not even going to apply to an MD program even though my stats are competetive b/c i know i would choose a DO school instead. it really comes down to my interest in learning OMM. My interest is in sports medicine either througha family practice or orthopedic surgery. either way, i feel that OMM can and will be a useful tool for me, so I am only applying to DO schools. I've done the research and ive shadowed doctors that practice OMM daily and i have decided that it is something that I will use. Otherwise, i would go MD.

in addition i agree with the philosophy and all that, but my interest in OMM has more weight b/c I can practice the DO philosophy as an MD, that really is just a personal choice and reflects who you are as a doc and as a person

to play a little devil's advocate here, let's say you do orthopedics, wouldn't you have an easier time landing an already hard residency as an MD?

 

[RySerr21]

to play a little devil's advocate here, let's say you do orthopedics, wouldn't you have an easier time landing an already hard residency as an MD?

i shadowed a DO orthopedic surgeon and brought this up. i asked him if there really was a disadvantage for DOs applying to competetive residencies. he said to me the thing that you should do is take the USMLE. If you take the USMLE and get in the 90th percentile as a DO....there is no longer an argument. Is an MD student that got in the 90th percentile any better than a DO student in the 90th percentile on the USMLE?

I have confidence that no matter what med school I go to, I will work hard and in the end I will pass/do well on COMLEX and USMLE.

 

[superfan56]

i shadowed a DO orthopedic surgeon and brought this up. i asked him if there really was a disadvantage for DOs applying to competetive residencies. he said to me the thing that you should do is take the USMLE. If you take the USMLE and get in the 90th percentile as a DO....there is no longer an argument. Is an MD student that got in the 90th percentile any better than a DO student in the 90th percentile on the USMLE?

I have confidence that no matter what med school I go to, I will work hard and in the end I will do pass/do well on COMLEX and USMLE.

I concur, at the end of the day it's a numbers game, but I raised this question to myself as well, as I applied to a few allo schools, but almost all DO schools. Is it "easier" to open that door as an MD? The DO i've been shadowing told me to choose an MD program over a DO program, for the sake of having the doors open a little easier as an MD over DO. Idk, take it for what it is, just tossing it out there.

 

[RySerr21]

I concur, at the end of the day it's a numbers game, but I raised this question to myself as well, as I applied to a few allo schools, but almost all DO schools. Is it "easier" to open that door as an MD? The DO i've been shadowing told me to choose an MD program over a DO program, for the sake of having the doors open a little easier as an MD over DO. Idk, take it for what it is, just tossing it out there.

yea i know what you mean. Is it "easier"? Quite possibly. But the road thus far hasn't been easy by any means, i guess i can live if its not as easy later on 😛. But id like to believe that most residency programs wont discriminate DO vs. MD. The doctor i mentioned earlier applied to an MD residency with 6 spots and 400 applicants and 3 of them were DOs and he ended up being the Chief Resident. So i think the matter of doors opening or not is controlled mainly by the individual.

I guess i'm saying I'm prepared to sacrifice the possibility of an "easier" road to orthopedics for the knowledge of OMM I will be gaining at a DO school.

 

[CommanderRiker]

Riker here. Stardate 564.1.

It would be plain foolish to accept a D.O. school over an M.D. one if accepted to both.

Riker out.

 

[MossPoh]

This whole residency debate pops up quite a bit. Of course some programs have bias towards MD, as well as they should. Until DOs let MDs apply to their residencies then there is by no means any right to assume a DO should be accepted over an MD. (This is in the case of equal stats...and coming from a future DO applicant)

I think for me, it really depends on what school I am accepted to. There are a few osteopathic schools I'd prefer over allopathic for personal reasons, but if all held equal I'd probably still go MD. I won't regret going DO and in the end it really doesn't matter much to me, but I'll worry about that point when I get to it.

Also, scoring in the top 90% on the USMLE isn't exactly "easy". DOs do tend to have lower averages on the USMLE. Reasons are debated but I think it is a combination of COMLEX burnout, focusing on the COMLEX over USMLE in general, and lack of preparation by some people that brings the averages down...some people just feel prepared for the USMLE after all that COMLEX studying and then go in and discover they are anything BUT prepared.

 

[Gut Shot]

he said to me the thing that you should do is take the USMLE. If you take the USMLE and get in the 90th percentile as a DO....there is no longer an argument.

Easier said than done, my friend.

 

[superfan56]

This whole residency debate pops up quite a bit. Of course some programs have bias towards MD, as well as they should. Until DOs let MDs apply to their residencies then there is by no means any right to assume a DO should be accepted over an MD. (This is in the case of equal stats...and coming from a future DO applicant)

I think for me, it really depends on what school I am accepted to. There are a few osteopathic schools I'd prefer over allopathic for personal reasons, but if all held equal I'd probably still go MD. I won't regret going DO and in the end it really doesn't matter much to me, but I'll worry about that point when I get to it.

Also, scoring in the top 90% on the USMLE isn't exactly "easy". DOs do tend to have lower averages on the USMLE. Reasons are debated but I think it is a combination of COMLEX burnout, focusing on the COMLEX over USMLE in general, and lack of preparation by some people that brings the averages down...some people just feel prepared for the USMLE after all that COMLEX studying and then go in and discover they are anything BUT prepared.

don't people usually take the USMLE before the COMLEX?

 

[ThePiratesse]

To me it was more important to have training in OMM. I want to have every tool available to better treat my patients. Sometimes that might be OMM and sometimes not, but there are many benefits to being able to use it when the case requires.

 

[Porco Rosso]

I know couple of ppl who have made the choice. their reasons variate from school atmosphere to OMM to osteopathic lineage in the family. one even stated DOs being "MD++" education.

I dont think you should worry sooo much about not getting a residency you want to get in. In four years, more schools will be accepting of DOs and comlex. I know many students who are only taking complex and content with the opportunities it will provide. many programs accept complex alone but you are still limiting yourself.

DOs are getting into many competitive residencies. It is all up to you on how passionate you are about the field.

 

[Porco Rosso]

wow,
pretty broad statement. again, depends on individual preference as mentioned.

Riker here. Stardate 564.1.

It would be plain foolish to accept a D.O. school over an M.D. one if accepted to both.

Riker out.

 

[DO Anes]

I dont think you should worry sooo much about not getting a residency you want to get in. In four years, more schools will be accepting of DOs and comlex. I know many students who are only taking complex and content with the opportunities it will provide. many programs accept complex alone but you are still limiting yourself.

DOs are getting into many competitive residencies. It is all up to you on how passionate you are about the field.

No. You should worry. Allopathic schools are increasing their enrollment by about 30%, a few new schools are opening, DO schools are multiplying like rabbits (each with preposterously huge classes) and there are still the IMG's around. The number of residency slots is still capped at 1997 levels by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Only relying on COMLEX and assuming one will be competitive for the most desired residencies is foolish. Our residency, like many others, has debated requiring USMLE only. We still look at COMLEX, but we had over 400 apps for 7 spaces this year. So, you do the math. Pollyanna thinking about DO vs. MD and COMLEX, etc. is whistling past the graveyard. Nothing wrong with osteopathic medicine, but one should go into it with a realistic perspective of how the world works.

 

[psych]

Right now I'm trying to decide whether or not I will choose to go to a DO school in CA (only 2hours from where I'm living now) or if I'll uproot my husband and make him move somewhereI know he will not be happy. 2 of the MD schools I interviewed at are in Philly and Brooklyn. Both places are a little intimidating considering the neighborhoods. I even had my laptop stolen. I'm not excited about worrying about my own safety. My husband also isn't lookingforward to the midwest where the other schools are. He wants to golf year around... I don't know. Hopefully wherever I end up I'll be happy...

 

[DiverDoc]

I declined an interview at my state school that has a very high prefrence to in state residents (me), due to the fact I had 3 DO acceptances. Initials mean nothing to me, a good education and residency options do. KCUMB offers me that, so there you have it. 😉

 

[Darktide]

I turned down 1 MD Acceptance in order to go to MSUCOM. Not only was it less Money for MSU, it was closer, and frankly the Environment and People were much more laid back and receptive than the MD School. The curriculum seems to be very conducive to student success as well...

Though with all of that aside, my Plans are Family/Emergency Medicine. Considering MSUCOM is one of the best FP Schools there is, I'd be foolish to choose another School over them.

Who cares about the two little Letters after their Name besides ignorant Pre-med's and petty, arrogant (and immature?), Gunners? =) I have most extreme confidence in the fact that I would triumph in any pugilistic Encounter with anyone who would try to Sully my D.O. Initials =)

MfG

 

[RySerr21]

whats the big deal about going to a DO residency? are they seen as inferior to MD residencies? are they actually? this is something I don't know much about, i just know that they have both available. I can still become a good surgeon if I go to a DO residency for orthopedics.....right? or is it just simply that the most most competetive residencies are MDs and those are the ones that people aim for? I'm sure there are DO residencies that are competetive.

 

[RySerr21]

Easier said than done, my friend.

i was just using 90th percentile as an example if wanting to be competetive for the TOP TOP residencies, i didnt mean to imply that it was going to be easy. if you score in the 80th percentile or whatever it is you can apply to residencies where you know your score will be competetive....

 

[BCLumas]

Riker here. Stardate 564.1.

It would be plain foolish to accept a D.O. school over an M.D. one if accepted to both.

Riker out.

Not really. I'm wondering, though. Why do you still spread anti-DO propaganda? Are you that insecure?

Thanks.

 

[JaggerPlate]

A few things on this thread ....

In general, I would listen to advice of residents/attendings. So far the general feeling is that a. Take both USMLE and COMLEX b. Don't shun how important a residency can be c. Med school matriculation is at an all time high and will continue to rise. Spots are going to become more and more competitive, so with that said ... in some cases (the amount is debatable but probably fairly significant), an MD will have a better shot at a residency spot than a DO. With that being said, I don't think it is any reason to think poorly on a DO, and numbers show that plenty of DOs still match into MD residencies every single year.

There is always also DO residencies. I think the reason why people bag on these sometimes is because to a certain extent, they are 'hit or miss.' Some aren't as well funded, or established as an allo residency in the same field, but on the other hand there are plenty of long standing, very well respected AOA residencies. I think some people don't like that fact that they arent ACGME (I probably have the letters in the wrong order there ... sorry), but from my understanding this doesn't limit your scope or practice, or hospital rights.

Finally (to Lucas), I will never understand Riker. I am fairly sure he goes to PCOM, but bags on DOs every chance he gets. I've heard people say he's a troll (doesn't seem like it though after 350+ posts), but the reality is that he's probably just shooting for an allo residency, or maybe didn't really want to go DO in the first place (I'm not trying to bash you Riker, just trying to clear up any confusion). Who knows though? Maybe he could explain to us why he feels so grim about the DO degree??

Anyway ... yes, people chose DO over MD. You can go as far as you want with a DO, etc etc ... Work hard, that is what shows.

 

[Vee]

I chose DO because the cost of the 2 schools was comparable and NYCOM was closer to home for me. Everyone has their own criteria; for me, the initials don't mean much. Either way I become a doctor.

 

[scowdeva]

I don't know what I am going to choose when the time comes. I have an acceptance to MSUCOM, and with the intentions of going into internal medicine that is a great school for me. However, I have two pending interviews to MD programs that I really liked and felt like they are a great fit too. I think it will come down to money and where I would ideally like to live for the next couple years...I don't care what the initials are as long as I get a great education. I didn't apply to ANY schools that I wouldn't actually want to attend, no 'backups' whatsoever.

 

[superfan56]

whats the big deal about going to a DO residency? are they seen as inferior to MD residencies? are they actually? this is something I don't know much about, i just know that they have both available. I can still become a good surgeon if I go to a DO residency for orthopedics.....right? or is it just simply that the most most competetive residencies are MDs and those are the ones that people aim for? I'm sure there are DO residencies that are competetive.

I'm not a resident. I'm still pre-med. Everything I know is from family members that are physicians that are practicing now (MD and DO). I think you have to look at match lists. For those going internal medicine/family practice, does it matter where you'll get trained? no, not at all, so MD/DO is fairly comparable. But as far as specialties go, I believe getting matched into the residency is the first part. You also want to take into consideration the hospital you match at, as that is where you will receive your biggest training (ie. getting matched into a competitive residency in idk, idaho where you won't see as much, similar to the idea about rotations. the more you see the more you'll be prepared for..), so it's a combination of all things, numbers, who you know, etc. I'm not trying to spread the ol' MD vs DO stuff, I'm learning about this stuff as well. So someone correct me if I'm completely off.

 

[nowanmd]

When I applied to med school in 1990 I applied to both MD and DO programs. I was particulary impressed with UMDNJ Osteo- did you know at the school's inception their students took the same basic science classes with the Robert Wood Johnson MD students. (I did go the MD route, however). When I was a resident in Long Island NY about 1/3 of the Internal Med residents were DOs- and most were great doctors-In fact I had an intern who was probably the best doctor I ever worked with. He is a cardiologist today and was the first DO cardio fellow at this large regional hospital in Long Island.

So here's my take- I think DO and MD education are virtually identical.

Unfortunately the perception may not be so.

I hope we soon see the day when just like in the dental field DDS=DMD (hell I don't even know which my dentist is), because DOs deserve the exact same respect and opportunities that MDs have.

 

[Member 870]

I got in at UNECOM. Wanted to go there for years. so beautiful....the people are awesome.....but it will cost me 100,000 dollars more -before adding in interest- than my state m.d. school, which I am sure I got into. Cost is an important factor when choosing one over the other--after all, it is only four years of your life... Right now, I dunno what I will do. OMM is a joke, by the way. A graduate of UNECOM told me so--however the d.o. philosophy is golden.

 

[RySerr21]

OMM is a joke, by the way. A graduate of UNECOM told me so--however the d.o. philosophy is golden.

ohhhhhhhhhh okay. thanks for doin your research!!! glad you cleared that up 👎

 

[psych]

I hope someday the public will acknowledge DO=MD just like DDS=DMD too.
Cost is a concern to me as well. Aside from not wanting to make my husband move, one of the MD schools I'm interviewing at will save me 30k in tuition debt and it's location has a cost of living half of what I'll be paying for the DO near me. I want to stay in CA so bad I almost don't care though. Another MD that I could also go to will only cost me 90k in tuition debt for all 4 years (however I'll be paying almost 2k/month for rent so maybe I won't save that much to go there)... BLAH! It's such a big decision. I don't just mean choosing to be a DO or MD, I mean deciding which school to go to in general...

 

[superfan56]

OMM is a joke, by the way. A graduate of UNECOM told me so--however the d.o. philosophy is golden.

I'd like to hear how an OMM fellow or resident responds to that. Is that the attitude due to the school? Or due to the person? Some schools stress OMM more than others (Touro MI and PCOM have fellowships).

As far as the DMD/DDS MD/DO thing goes. DMD/DDS is no different in philosophy in my understanding. One was started to not pay the trademark fee imposed by the other. As opposed to MD/DO which is a philosophical difference.

 

[ThePiratesse]

OMM is a joke, by the way. A graduate of UNECOM told me so...

Wow.. So you are basing your opinion on one graduate? As a student, I have to disagree with you on that. OMM is an invaluable tool to many DO's.. just because everyone doesn't use it doesn't mean that having the training in it won't be useful and sharpen your palpation skills. If you believe in the DO philosophy you should at least be open to the possibility that OMM has a place.

 

[Nasem]

before I make a decision for MD or DO, im probably going to look at 3 things closely:
1)Location of the school,
2)how the 3rd and 4th years of rotations will be,
3)and finally (and this is a big one) TUITION !!!

Best 2 out of 3 from the above will get my vote

 

[Gut Shot]

i was just using 90th percentile as an example if wanting to be competetive for the TOP TOP residencies, i didnt mean to imply that it was going to be easy. if you score in the 80th percentile or whatever it is you can apply to residencies where you know your score will be competetive....

Fair enough, but from my end of the training spectrum I can tell you that your focus on OMM is myopic. There is nothing preventing you from learning OMM in an allopathic medical school an/or allopathic residency, and you have your whole career to learn and refine those skills if you so choose. But you cannot be an orthopedic surgeon without obtaining an orthopedic residency.

In any case, good luck with school, I hope it works out for you.

 

[RySerr21]

Fair enough, but from my end of the training spectrum I can tell you that your focus on OMM is myopic. There is nothing preventing you from learning OMM in an allopathic medical school an/or allopathic residency, and you have your whole career to learn and refine those skills if you so choose. But you cannot be an orthopedic surgeon without obtaining an orthopedic residency.

In any case, good luck with school, I hope it works out for you.

they teach OMM at allopathic residencies? if i plan on using it during my practice, it wouldnt make sense to go to an MD program b/c even if they do offer courses on OMM there is no way the training can be as detailed and I won't be as good of a doc (referrring to OMM) compared to somoene from a DO school

as far as the bold statement, are you implying that it will be harder going the DO route? This question bugs me cuz from one person i'll hear there is no difference and from the next i'll hear there is a big difference (i dont mean to come off like i am attacking your or that i am upset....just stating). How do people know? Do they ask the people that pick the residents? My thinking is that if you go the MD route, how would you konw that going the DO route would be "harder?" you know? you only do it once. Again i'm not trying to be a smart ass im legitimately asking the questions b/c i'm curious.

either way i understand that landing an orthopedic residency is going to be difficult no matter where I go to school, and i'm prepared to go into other fields (for example a family practice residency with a sports medicine fellowship) because of that. thanks for the good luck...i'll need it!! I take the MCATs May 27th!! 👎

 

[superfan56]

yes, it will be harder simply because there won't be as many slots available. but it's not impossible. There was a guy who was a 4th year when i interviewed at Touro NV and he just matched into a DO ortho program in Michigan.

interesting stuff
http://www.aoao.org/aoao/Residencies/FAQ.html#Q2

In 2006-2007, 299 residents filled 341 of the approved residency positions.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=137433
an older figure:

FYI for those who are interested: those 266 slots are total, not per year. I believe that ortho is a 5 year program (maybe 6, I'm not interested in ortho so I'm not sure), so you need to divide the # to figure out about how many/year.

This is why it sucks JPH isn't around now. He could tell us the barebones truth about the matter.

 

[Bacchus]

I got in at UNECOM. Wanted to go there for years. so beautiful....the people are awesome.....but it will cost me 100,000 dollars more -before adding in interest- than my state m.d. school, which I am sure I got into. Cost is an important factor when choosing one over the other--after all, it is only four years of your life... Right now, I dunno what I will do. OMM is a joke, by the way. A graduate of UNECOM told me so--however the d.o. philosophy is golden.

👎
Too many people benefit from OMM to call it a joke. I was just manipulated on Tuesday (Yes, I know anecdotal evidence) and noticed a difference the day after. Granted, this was for lower, chronic back pain and not conjestion or some other disease that OMM has been implemented for. There is enough research published and enough going on to support OMM as a treatment modality. The only joke of the matter may be cranial manipulation and I have seen plenty of people on these boards (DO and MD) discredit it. However, the manipulation sans cranium is not quackery. If it were, I'm sure OMM would not be as popular amongst those that use it.

 

[Gut Shot]

they teach OMM at allopathic residencies?

Doubtful, but there are invariably ways to do away rotations, or learn from DOs in-house. Don't forget that allopathic ortho has its own entire set of techniques that require mastery.

if i plan on using it during my practice, it wouldnt make sense to go to an MD program b/c even if they do offer courses on OMM there is no way the training can be as detailed and I won't be as good of a doc (referrring to OMM) compared to somoene from a DO school

There is a lot they don't teach in medical school, allopathic or osteopathic. In fact, the vast majority of practical knowledge you will learn will come in residency, fellowship, and your first years in practice. And what you take from that, my friend, is up to you.

I would refer you to this 2005 article, which is tangentially related:

Leiber, JD. Allopathic family medicine residents can learn osteopathic manipulation techniques in a 1-month elective. Fam Med 37(10):693-5, 2005.

BACKGROUND: Graduating family medicine residents report a relative lack of confidence in managing musculoskeletal problems, and many primary care physicians desire more instruction in manual medicine. METHODS: We conducted a 1-month osteopathic manipulative treatment elective with five allopathic family medicine residents, utilizing multiple teaching and assessment strategies. RESULTS: Residents averaged 30 patient encounters each. Faculty graded their attainment of the knowledge and skills objectives at 3.9 and 3.8 on a 5-point scale, respectively. Residents reported unanimously that the course had reasonable expectations and fostered independent decision making and that they achieved the educational goals. CONCLUSIONS: After a 1-month elective, allopathic residents demonstrated competency in a defined set of osteopathic principles and skills.

as far as the bold statement, are you implying that it will be harder going the DO route? This question bugs me cuz from one person i'll hear there is no difference and from the next i'll hear there is a big difference (i dont mean to come off like i am attacking your or that i am upset....just stating). How do people know? Do they ask the people that pick the residents? My thinking is that if you go the MD route, how would you konw that going the DO route would be "harder?" you know? you only do it once. Again i'm not trying to be a smart ass im legitimately asking the questions b/c i'm curious.

No worries, man. According to the NRMP's 2007 data, on page 35, of the 614 allopathic orthopedic surgery positions, 2 were filled by DOs. So while not impossible, it's pretty damned close to impossible.

That leaves you with one of the 29 osteopathic programs. Frankly, I would hate to be confined to such a small number of programs. It's inherently restrictive both in terms of geography and program quality. Will the fight to get one of those spots be as difficult? I honestly cannot answer that question, but I have a tough time seeing why someone would deliberately opt to find out.

 

[superfan56]

good info!

 

[Shaniqua14]

I did. I want to be an internist (maybe specialize in GI, but doubtful), and since that isn't a "super competitive" residency, I don't have to worry about the stigma of MD's getting an easier shot than a DO.

I got into 2 MD schools in my state (both private) and also a couple DO schools. The decision was easy-- I went to undergrad in the same state I grew up in, so I didn't want to remain near home also for med school, and plus I'm dying to move across country, aka "spread my wings" at Nova. Hey, its right next to the beach -- I don't think it can get much better for what I want!

I want to be a doctor, and plan on being a damn good one. But I don't have that gunner drive to be "the best" and "attend a top residency." I'm getting married soon, my future husband is in his residency, and I just want to have a great job and add to the family. Sinc I know a couple really successful DO internists, I jumped at the chance to attend DO school (which to me = MD school) and live in a really neat area. Some may call me crazy, I just call me happy.

 

[Amy B]

I chose my DO school over an MD acceptance. Partly it was the location which was in a large city verses my DO school which is in a smaller town. I perfered to stay in the state where we have lived for years and the MD school would have meant a move out of the state.

Also I was treated by a DO for years growing up and always liked how he treated us. So growing up knowing about Osteopathic medicine it seemed logical to want to become a DO.

I have rotated at numerous locations and have noted DOs and MDs working side by side with no distinction between the 2.

 

[RySerr21]

Doubtful, but there are invariably ways to do away rotations, or learn from DOs in-house. Don't forget that allopathic ortho has its own entire set of techniques that require mastery.



There is a lot they don't teach in medical school, allopathic or osteopathic. In fact, the vast majority of practical knowledge you will learn will come in residency, fellowship, and your first years in practice. And what you take from that, my friend, is up to you.

I would refer you to this 2005 article, which is tangentially related:


No worries, man. According to the NRMP's 2007 data, on page 35, of the 614 allopathic orthopedic surgery positions, 2 were filled by DOs. So while not impossible, it's pretty damned close to impossible.

That leaves you with one of the 29 osteopathic programs. Frankly, I would hate to be confined to such a small number of programs. It's inherently restrictive both in terms of geography and program quality. Will the fight to get one of those spots be as difficult? I honestly cannot answer that question, but I have a tough time seeing why someone would deliberately opt to find out.

good information! i'll be sure to keep it in mind 👍

 

[Gut Shot]

I chose my DO school over an MD acceptance.

According to this 2004 thread you withdrew an Ohio State acceptance while waiting for one from MCV (which never came). Did you turn down another MD acceptance the following year in favor of VCOM?

 

[Amy B]

LOL... had to laugh about the history lesson...... I did turn down the one to Ohio due to my husband's job because I thought it was a guarentee that I would clear the waitlist at MCV. That is a big reason I tell people never let go of an acceptance in hopes you will get in elsewhere.. A bird in hand...

I had an acceptance from Drexel the same time I had the acceptance from VCOM and chose VCOM. I hate Philly😎


At the time of the first cycle I applied when I was waitlisted to MCV, VCOM was not up and running. I was in the first 10% on the waitlist but for some reason it didnt move very much at all that year. Even the director of admissions was baffled at the lack of movement that year. In retrospect, I am very glad it didnt move. I love VCOM and all the support I have gotten this year after the death of my son. I have always felt competitive when doing rotations with MD students such as from UVA......

 

[Gut Shot]

I had an acceptance from Drexel the same time I had the acceptance from VCOM and chose VCOM. I hate Philly😎

Gotcha. 👍

 

[Buckeye4life]

No worries, man. According to the NRMP's 2007 data, on page 35, of the 614 allopathic orthopedic surgery positions, 2 were filled by DOs. So while not impossible, it's pretty damned close to impossible.

That leaves you with one of the 29 osteopathic programs. Frankly, I would hate to be confined to such a small number of programs. It's inherently restrictive both in terms of geography and program quality. Will the fight to get one of those spots be as difficult? I honestly cannot answer that question, but I have a tough time seeing why someone would deliberately opt to find out.[/QUOTE]

I agree that DO's are barely recognizable in allopathic ortho residencies, but part of the reason is the way the match is set up. Since the DO match is before the allo match, any DO student who gets accepted into a DO ortho residency would be taking a huge gamble to take his name out and reapply allo ortho. Therefore, the students who really want ortho jump on the first chance they get.

As for program quality of ortho residencies being limited because of geography, every ortho residency that I have researched rotate through many different sites. I am specifically looking at Cuyahoga Falls in Ohio and they rotate through the Cleveland Clinic for pediatrics. My school's, LECOM-Erie, associated hospital Millcreek rotates their ortho residents through six different ortho sites. So I would say that DO orthopods definitely get good exposure and training even though there are fewer residencies.

 

[CDO2012]

Riker here. Stardate 564.1.

It would be plain foolish to accept a D.O. school over an M.D. one if accepted to both.

Riker out.

A statement like that can get you into some trouble if you become an MD and have that attitude towards DO....

 

[superfan56]

A statement like that can get you into some trouble if you become an MD and have that attitude towards DO....

i think it was said he's a PCOM student

 

[RySerr21]

I agree that DO's are barely recognizable in allopathic ortho residencies, but part of the reason is the way the match is set up. Since the DO match is before the allo match, any DO student who gets accepted into a DO ortho residency would be taking a huge gamble to take his name out and reapply allo ortho. Therefore, the students who really want ortho jump on the first chance they get.

I was under the impression that if accepted into a DO residency you have no choice but to go and your name is automatically droppped from the MD match...

I was told this from a DO who didn't apply to a DO residency for this very reason... if accepted DO, he wouldn't have been able to go to his number 1 MD choice. he ended up getting his #1 MD choice so he was happy about his decision

 

[ScootDoc]

Here is my take on the situation. I am a MD student who applied to and was accepted to a few DO schools. I chose the MD schools for obvious reasons, most of those have already been addressed (Lower tuition, In-state, etc.) I also happen to be a gung hoe ortho seeker, and MD obviously has the upper hand for those interested in ortho (If you don't believe me, the cold hard data/stats can be found in prior posts on this thread)

Recently, I have been working on securing a spot doing research over the summer between 1st & 2nd yr. For those of you who haven't experienced this, it can be incredibly difficult and competitive to get the spot you want, especially in ortho. Having done this at a relatively large, research oriented, academic institution (University of Utah) I couldn't imagine trying the same from a smaller, less research oriented institution. I just don't think the resources are as available and there is much less networking between students and physician scientists. At most of the DO schools I interviewed at I got a feeling that yrs 1 & 2 have none/very little contact/experience with actual practicing physicians (Don't quote me on this actually being the case, it was just the perception I got.) If you are set on DO, I suggest you focus on getting connected with the right people early on, and study hard for class, COMLEX, and USMLE. Good Luck! Remember, "If you want it, go get it"

I appreciate the fact that DO peops/threads know how to keep it real and not turn every thread into a flame war. This is why most of my posts are found on this thread. Keep it up!

 

[RySerr21]

Recently, I have been working on securing a spot doing research over the summer between 1st & 2nd yr. For those of you who haven't experienced this, it can be incredibly difficult and competitive to get the spot you want, especially in ortho.

do you feel research during med school is necessary to get into an ortho residency? specifically ortho research? ive done some research with an ortho doc before, but i'm not sure if it would have any weight when applying to residency b/c it was a while ago (last two summers ago. will enter med school fall 2009) im sure the research as a med student would be much more in depth and you woud have more responsibilities (im guessing). although when i did do the research i worked alongside the doc and a first year med student at UCSD and we did the same exact thing, so i dunno.

 

[superfan56]

all the ortho advice i've gotten from docs is YES, summer research first year is almost mandatory.