DO acceptance now vs guarantee of MD next year (hypothetical)

[Swoleserratus]

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This is just an interesting hypothetical I thought of and couldn't find a thread about. I realize this has probably only happened a handful of times but I'm hoping some of you will indulge me.

Let's say you have an acceptance at a DO school, but are then offered a place in the next class at a solid MD program (I'm thinking Emory, Tufts, Wake, etc). You don't know what field you ultimately want to pursue but plan to specialize. You are a motivated student and great test taker who would like have competitive Step scores. You don't have an MD acceptance for the upcoming year due to bad application strategy/bad luck/whatever it's hypothetical.

Which way do you go? Does the better chance at a higher paying/more preferable specialty outweigh the lost income from becoming a physician a year later?

 

[libertyyne]

MD.

 

[redsox93]

who would ever pick a DO school over Emory??? Haha

 

[libertyyne]

who would ever pick a DO school over Emory??? Haha

Especially someone who wants to specialize. Lol.

 

[Frogger27]

How would you have a spot offered in the next class??

 

[Swoleserratus]

How would you have a spot offered in the next class??

I didn't know it was a thing until I was digging through old Tufts threads and saw that sometimes they say something like "You are very competitive. We are trying to find you a spot in this year's class but if not we guarantee you a spot in the next class" (heavy paraphrase).

 

[libertyyne]

I didn't know it was a thing until I was digging through old Tufts threads and saw that sometimes they say something like "You are very competitive. We are trying to find you a spot in this year's class but if not we guarantee you a spot in the next class" (heavy paraphrase).

I would run with the guaranteed, or somewhat guaranteed acceptance. I would not even apply to DO the first cycle around unless your LizzyM is below 65. But if you get burned from the MD program and you burned your bridge to the DO program you are stuck.

 

[Swoleserratus]

I would run with the guaranteed, or somewhat guaranteed acceptance. I would not even apply to DO the first cycle around unless your LizzyM is below 65. But if you get burned from the MD program and you burned your bridge to the DO program you are stuck.

Pretty much how I'm thinking about this. I think I'd take the free year and just try and make as much money as possible to live a little more comfortably as a med student. Maybe I'd throw in some anatomy studying as well.

 

[libertyyne]

Pretty much how I'm thinking about this. I think I'd take the free year and just try and make as much money as possible to live a little more comfortably as a med student. Maybe I'd throw in some anatomy studying as well.

I would enjoy the year, travel, go on some adventures, wont have time like that ever again.

 

[Swoleserratus]

I would enjoy the year, travel, go on some adventures, wont have time like that ever again.

Good point. Amending my previous statement: I'd work crazy hard and make as much money as possible for 9 months. Then go to Thailand and blow 50% of what I saved doing Thailand stuff for 2 months. The final month and 50% of savings is for rehab in Malibu.

 

[libertyyne]

Good point. Amending my previous statement: I'd work crazy hard and make as much money as possible for 9 months. Then go to Thailand and blow 50% of what I saved doing Thailand stuff for 2 months. The final month and 50% of savings is for rehab in Malibu.

I mean unless you are going to be able to save >100 K during that year its pretty much a moot point. But that is a good plan for working for travel.

 

[LacrosseFit]

From what I understand, it would be better to wait for an MD program rather than taking the "bird in hand" with the DO program. It's going to be much easier to get into a residency of your choice with an MD. Just read any of the threads in the DO forums and you'll get as sense of how much harder it is for them.

 

[ortnakas]

Actually offered a spot for the next year, in writing? Take the MD.

"We like you and maybe will find you a seat next year and encourage you to reapply"? Take the DO.

 

[Swoleserratus]

From what I understand, it would be better to wait for an MD program rather than taking the "bird in hand" with the DO program. It's going to be much easier to get into a residency of your choice with an MD. Just read any of the threads in the DO forums and you'll get as sense of how much harder it is for them.

Yes I wish I had realized the difference in difficulty with regards to landing a resedency earlier. I'm in an extremely DO friendly area and thought it was the norm. As a non-trad, my advisors pushed me toward DO. I've ended up getting more love than expected from MD programs and realize now I should have applied to more of them.

 

[libertyyne]

Yes I wish I had realized the difference in difficulty with regards to landing a resedency earlier. I'm in an extremely DO friendly area and thought it was the norm. As a non-trad, my advisors pushed me toward DO. I've ended up getting more love than expected from MD programs and realize now I should have applied to more of them.

Have you already recieved a DO acceptance?
What are you planning on specializing in ?
Something along the lines of 40-50% of ACGME residencies dont even interview or rank DO candidates, so it is severely limiting especially in the surgical fields for ACGME residencies.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If it is a true deferred acceptance than the MD all the way. Like @ortnakas said, if it is a "you will be competitive for a spot next cycle" then absolutely DO.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Yes I wish I had realized the difference in difficulty with regards to landing a resedency earlier. I'm in an extremely DO friendly area and thought it was the norm. As a non-trad, my advisors pushed me toward DO. I've ended up getting more love than expected from MD programs and realize now I should have applied to more of them.

How has your cycle gone interview wise? I'm assuming you already have a DO acceptance?

 

[sdhere1234]

Take the MD next year, but make sure there's some sort of guarantee in writing.

 

[Goro]

One has better career options with MD.

Are you bored and want to start yet another MD vs DO flame war?

This is just an interesting hypothetical I thought of and couldn't find a thread about. I realize this has probably only happened a handful of times but I'm hoping some of you will indulge me.

Let's say you have an acceptance at a DO school, but are then offered a place in the next class at a solid MD program (I'm thinking Emory, Tufts, Wake, etc). You don't know what field you ultimately want to pursue but plan to specialize. You are a motivated student and great test taker who would like have competitive Step scores. You don't have an MD acceptance for the upcoming year due to bad application strategy/bad luck/whatever it's hypothetical.

Which way do you go? Does the better chance at a higher paying/more preferable specialty outweigh the lost income from becoming a physician a year later?

 

[Goro]

I've had students choose us over Northwestern and Pit, as well as our state MD school, plus a few others. It happens.

who would ever pick a DO school over Emory??? Haha

 

[libertyyne]

I've had students choose us over Northwestern and Pit, as well as our state MD school, plus a few others. It happens.

location or finance or did they really love OMM?

I was contempletating choosing a DO school in Cali, just because i want to move to cali, but my state MD school is almost 200K cheaper.

 

[redsox93]

I've had students choose us over Northwestern and Pit, as well as our state MD school, plus a few others. It happens.

I could understand if it's to stay close to family or something. But that's pretty crazy. Especially since most DO schools are just as expensive or more than MD schools.

 

[Goro]

Family issues for some; others liked our school better. The people who really love OMM (usually because they had a medical problem that MD's couldn't fix but Dos did) applied to DO schools only.

You can go to Cali for residency. 200K isn't chump change.

location or finance or did they really love OMM?

I was contempletating choosing a DO school in Cali, just because i want to move to cali, but my state MD school is almost 200K cheaper.

 

[Swoleserratus]

Have you already recieved a DO acceptance?
What are you planning on specializing in ?
Something along the lines of 40-50% of ACGME residencies dont even interview or rank DO candidates, so it is severely limiting especially in the surgical fields for ACGME residencies.

Thanks for the info. Yes I have a DO acceptance. My biggest interests are Ortho and PM&R. Definitely an uphill battle for Ortho but PM&R is probably pretty doable as a DO. That being said, since I'm not sure of what exactly I want to do I'd go with any of the MD programs I interviewed at.

 

[sdhere1234]

Thanks for the info. Yes I have a DO acceptance. My biggest interests are Ortho and PM&R. Definitely an uphill battle for Ortho but PM&R is probably pretty doable as a DO. That being said, since I'm not sure of what exactly I want to do I'd go with any of the MD programs I interviewed at.

Keep in mind that even if you go to an MD school, ortho is an uphill battle.

 

[Swoleserratus]

How has your cycle gone interview wise? I'm assuming you already have a DO acceptance?

I had 8 interviews. 3 DO 5 MD. 1 DO acceptance, 1 DO rejection, waiting on the third. I'm on two MD waitlists, one deferred making a decision, and I'm waiting to hear from the other 2.

 

[JustAPhD]

Guaranteed chance at being a physician > possible chance at being a physician.

Of course this changes if the MD acceptance is concrete and is more of a year deferral. If that was the case then take the MD and enjoy the year. You're only in your twenties once, it would be nice to spend one of those years not in school.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I had 8 interviews. 3 DO 5 MD. 1 DO acceptance, 1 DO rejection, waiting on the third. I'm on two MD waitlists, one deferred making a decision, and I'm waiting to hear from the other 2.

Ok, you have had some good success then. I would be patient, remember that 50% or something (@gonnif is that number right?) of matriculants had only one acceptance, most likely indicating a large number of matriculants get off of a waitlist. You also have some schools left to give you a decision. At this point I would say your chances at MD are fairly good. Pay the DO deposit if you have to just to have a guaranteed seat but have some hope.

Also remember that you will need to be top notch for ortho no matter what.

 

[Swoleserratus]

I've had students choose us over Northwestern and Pit, as well as our state MD school, plus a few others. It happens.

I've met some people who chose a DO over MD but it was people interested in less competitive fields. They cited reasons like having a good experience with a DO, DO family member, or feeling like they wouldn't fit in at the single MD school they were accepted to.

 

[SirCardiac]

I was in a similar dilemma last year. My application was late due to a delayed committee letter and ultimately, I was not interviewed at any MD school. However, I was accepted to my top choice DO school. I knew I wanted to specialize and I didn't want to close any doors so I withdrew my acceptance from the DO school. The gamble paid off. This interview cycle is going pretty well (applied both MD and DO) with several interviews and acceptances. Surprisingly, the DO school I turned down invited me to interview again and subsequently accepted me... again. I'm not going to say it was an easy decision or that a reacceptance is guaranteed but it can be done depending on your ambitions and your app. Take this with a grain of salt, n=1.

 

[Swoleserratus]

Ok, you have had some good success then. I would be patient, remember that 50% or something (@gonnif is that number right?) of matriculants had only one acceptance, most likely indicating a large number of matriculants get off of a waitlist. You also have some schools left to give you a decision. At this point I would say your chances at MD are fairly good. Pay the DO deposit if you have to just to have a guaranteed seat but have some hope.

Also remember that you will need to be top notch for ortho no matter what.

Thank you for the encouragement. And yes, I know getting into Ortho will be challenging regardless. I'm pretty fortunate when it comes to taking standardized tests though and I have a background they may appreciate so I have hope (and yes I know there are way more variables than that).

 

[SirCardiac]

Did you do any GPA work or retake the MCAT? Or was it just a matter of applying earlier

I finished my undergrad degree (2 additional semesters of coursework), retook the MCAT but I didn't vastly improve. With a LM of 66, it was really a terrible idea on my part, but I'm glad it panned out. I did take on an additional research opportunity and earned one pending pub.

 

[Goro]

1) Even now, DOs can match into ACGME residencies.
2) DOs can specialize, even outside of AOA residencies
3) Most DOs go into Primary Care
4) The latter is not the 7th Circle of Hell most premeds make it out to be
5) Will you have to work harder to specialize? Yes. But you're not afraid of hard work, are you?
6) Yes, some doors will be closed to you as a DO. But that doesn't mean they're automatically open to you as an MD. Competitive residences are competitive for a reason. Not everyone is a superstar.

I picked a DO school over MD for some these reasons, as well. Hope to not regret it as much as the collective SDN wisdom says I will.

 

[Kgizzle]

1) Even now, DOs can match into ACGME residencies.
2) DOs can specialize, even outside of AOA residencies
3) Most DOs go into Primary Care
4) The latter is not the 7th Circle of Hell most premeds make it out to be
5) Will you have to work harder to specialize? Yes. But you're not afraid of hard work, are you?
6) Yes, some doors will be closed to you as a DO. But that dorsn't mean they're automatically open to you as an MD. Competitive residences are competitive for a reason. Not everyone is a superstar.

This is all true. Also, you're almost at 30k posts that's amazing!

 

[Goro]

When you run a lot of western blots, you get a lot of down time! I have 10 mins to kill right now waiting for a blot to expose.

This is all true. Also, you're almost at 30k posts that's amazing!

 

[Jim Hopper]

I picked a DO school over MD for some these reasons, as well. Hope to not regret it as much as the collective SDN wisdom says I will.

Seriously, between the MD vs. DO and NP turf war threads DOs will soon be out on the streets panhandling according to SDN 🙄...

 

[medic0114]

I was in a similar situation this year... completed a postbacc that allowed me to apply and interview at a DO school prior to taking the MCAT (direct linkage). I received an official acceptance once my MCAT score came back which was the beginning of June for matriculation in August. I ultimately turned down my DO acceptance to for a variety of reasons:
1. continue to work/ save money
2. not force myself into one and only medical school
3. apply to a variety of MD programs and choose the best fit
4. was not sold/ interest in the osteopathic approach
5. was super short notice to quit my jobs and start medical school

I have at least one MD acceptance this cycle and have been able to save money and continue to gain insight/ experience in the medical field so it worked out. Definitely a risk, and was not the easiest decision for me.

 

[Lawpy]

This is just an interesting hypothetical I thought of and couldn't find a thread about. I realize this has probably only happened a handful of times but I'm hoping some of you will indulge me.

Let's say you have an acceptance at a DO school, but are then offered a place in the next class at a solid MD program (I'm thinking Emory, Tufts, Wake, etc). You don't know what field you ultimately want to pursue but plan to specialize. You are a motivated student and great test taker who would like have competitive Step scores. You don't have an MD acceptance for the upcoming year due to bad application strategy/bad luck/whatever it's hypothetical.

Which way do you go? Does the better chance at a higher paying/more preferable specialty outweigh the lost income from becoming a physician a year later?

this doesn't make sense. how am i offered a spot at an MD program in the next cycle if i don't even have an MD acceptance this year due to bad application strategy/bad luck etc.?

regardless, i would personally apply to schools where i would be happy to attend if that's the only acceptance i have in hand.

 

[BombsAway]

regardless, i would personally apply to schools where i would be happy to attend if that's the only acceptance i have in hand.

I've been thinking about this a lot as I craft my school list. The problem I keep running into is, if thats the only acceptance I get, do I still wanna be a physician.

The answer is always yes, even looking at you UT el paso (shudders at the thought).

 

[Mad Jack]

I'd take a guaranteed delayed MD.

 

[hungrybox]

I've had students choose us over Northwestern and Pit, as well as our state MD school, plus a few others. It happens.

Just because people do it doesn't mean it's not a dumb idea