DO now or MD in 1-2 years?

[Ian1223]

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****I know this is a double post, but I want both MD and DO opinions. Moderators: Please don't close me. 🙂

Guys and gals, I need some help making a decision.

I'm a senior rounding out the application cycle. Had one interview at Drexel, havent heard back yet.

I have the option of applying D.O. right now at LECOM and, if I'm accepted, living the next 4 years with my girlfriend who will probably be my wife when I graduate or taking another undergraduate year to raise my GPA and apply to MD then. I love LECOM but dont want to go of DO will be better for my career, but in the otherhand being with my girlfriend could make things exponentially less stressful. My passion for MD or DO is the same (and substantial).

I applied relatively broadly, 16 schools. Only 4 rejections so far.

Stats:
MCAT 32P
GPA
FR 3.1
SO 3.3
JU 3.9
SE* 3.9

*Fall only

Getting the A's isnt a problem for me anymore.

Which is better for my career, MD or DO? Ive researched both and the only significant difference I could find is the lack of respect for DOs from MDs.

How much will this hamper my future career?

Are DOs really on the rise, or will their admissions stats always just flounder right below MD?

What is the right decision?

 

[Instatewaiter]

cross post. Close

 

[MossPoh]

You're asking in a pre-do forum whether an MD or a DO is better MIGHT need to think that one out. 😉 That being said, it is pretty much identical. The only time you might have trouble being a DO is during the match for the super competitive specialities....but keep in mind that they are also super competitive for MDs, so it isn't like allopathic is an easy road. A year or two is hard to raise a gpa, especially if you've been through 4 years of college. I have so many credits right now that a 4.0 MIGHT raise my gpa about .02 or .03. You have to ask yourself whether two years of not working as a doctor and spending money taking classes is worth it. Personally, I rather just spend that time and devotion in medical school working towards my goals.

If I were you, I'd go DO. I'm not, so I can't decide...but that is my position.

 

[Colbert]

So you could be a doctor, live with your future wife, and graduate real young... or you can spend more money on undergrad, lose more time, and still have no guarantee that you'll get in anywhere. To me at least, the decision is simple.

As far as DO "hampering" your career, thats a nonissue. If you decide to go into one of the ubber-competitive residencies (plastics, rad) being a DO will not hurt you at all. Even then, for those really competitive ones, as long as you put in the work, you can still go wherever you want.

I think one thing you really need to ask yourself is how bad do you want to be a doctor, and how much of you wants to be an MD. If you really want to be a physician, MD and DO won't matter.

Best of luck.

 

[spicedmanna]

I'm sorry, but I have to close this thread; it is against SDN policy to cross-post. The duplicate thread in the PA forum has more responses, so please post there. There are a number of PO regulars, osteopathic medical students, and DO's who post in the PA forum, so you'll get their opinions. Furthermore, if you do a search, you'll find that this is not by any means a unique topic; it has been discussed numerous times. I think the consensus is that both paths will get you there. Therefore, you should pick the one that works best for you, after learning about both pathways and making an informed choice.