DO Applicants and the "5 States"

[Somnus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know this has been discussed before and I thought I understood the issue, but I'm running into problems with some programs in the 5 states that require an AOA approved internship year. My understanding was that you could do an allopathic internship and get AOA approval of your internship year as long as it meets the requirements of the PGY1 year for your specialty and you follow the other AOA requirements (maintain AOA membership, etc.). Now that I am applying to some categorical programs in these states, I am told that they do not accept osteopathic applicants unless they are already completing or have completed an osteopathic internship year. I have tried to inform these programs that osteopathic internship is not required, just an AOA approved internship year, and I tried to explain the resolution 42 process, but have not received any response. I guess if I were in their shoes I could understand not wanting to jump through the extra hoops for a DO candidate when there are plenty of other qualified applicants. Anyone have any advice?

 

[peppy]

I went through this with some programs last year. Even though you are technically right that you could get around the requirement with Resolution 42, my experience was that programs are still going to be wary if they are not familiar with the process and you will most likely not be ranked highly by these programs even if you can talk them into giving you an interview. The reality is that programs do not want to take risks on interns who may not be able to get licensed due to these convoluted and mysterious regulations and don't want to deal with it.
If you have nothing to lose (plenty of resources and time to interview) then there is no harm in trying to talk to programs about the issue, but if you have to choose, I would focus on interviewing with programs who have a history of taking DOs and are already comfortable with the idea.
Good luck. 🙂

 

[Somnus]

I went through this with some programs last year. Even though you are technically right that you could get around the requirement with Resolution 42, my experience was that programs are still going to be wary if they are not familiar with the process and you will most likely not be ranked highly by these programs even if you can talk them into giving you an interview. The reality is that programs do not want to take risks on interns who may not be able to get licensed due to these convoluted and mysterious regulations and don't want to deal with it.
If you have nothing to lose (plenty of resources and time to interview) then there is no harm in trying to talk to programs about the issue, but if you have to choose, I would focus on interviewing with programs who have a history of taking DOs and are already comfortable with the idea.
Good luck. 🙂

Thanks! I think you're right. Resolution 42 doesn't really help if the programs aren't aware of it, and there is really no incentive for them learn about it if there are plenty of other applicants.

 

[JonnyG]

I believe its the four states now. West virginia dropped the requirement

 

[It'sElectric]

I believe its the four states now. West virginia dropped the requirement

Really? I had not heard that. If so, that's fantastic news. Hopefully, the rest follow suit.