DO or wait another year for MD

[Octagonecology]

In this game, what you have in hand today is worth much more than what you may have at some undetermined point in the future.

This is an excellent point. You might wind up with nothing...

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[DrWBD]

Another option - retake the MCAT, matriculate at the osteopathic school this year and reapply to MD programs during your 1st year with the new MCAT score. You may lose a year of tuition, because you likely would not be able to transfer and would have to repeat first year, but if your dream is to become an MD maybe this strategy could be considered. Worst case scenario here is that you don't get into any MD programs but you'll still become a physician.

 

[scpod]

Another option - retake the MCAT, matriculate at the osteopathic school this year and reapply to MD programs during your 1st year with the new MCAT score. You may lose a year of tuition, because you likely would not be able to transfer and would have to repeat first year, but if your dream is to become an MD maybe this strategy could be considered. Worst case scenario here is that you don't get into any MD programs but you'll still become a physician.

It happened with a guy in my class. We all thought he was Mr Gung-ho DO because he came to OMM lab with "OMM" shaved into his chest hair. But, his in-state MD school accepted him in December and he didn't come back after Christmas break. He lost a 1/2 semester of tution. That's all.

 

[SteelCity]

It happened with a guy in my class. We all thought he was Mr Gung-ho DO because he came to OMM lab with "OMM" shaved into his chest hair. But, his in-state MD school accepted him in December and he didn't come back after Christmas break. He lost a 1/2 semester of tution. That's all.

Another one bites the dust

 

[Doctor Bob]

The DO/MD difference really only becomes an issue during 4th year when you're trying to get electives at outside facilities, and when you're trying to schedule interviews.

Is it more difficult to get into residency with a DO instead of an MD? It depends on who you talk to. A lot of the people who say "yes it was harder" are people who overreached and were trying to get into programs they didn't have the scores for, or people who blamed their degree when in fact it was due to some personality issue. Not 100%, granted, but a significant number. Sure, there is still anti-DO sentiment in some residency programs, but it's always getting smaller. And the number of programs to which DOs aren't eligible because the program has an anti-DO bias is offset by the DO residencies which don't allow MDs.

Once you get into residency, the title again makes no difference.

After residency if you go into private practice, it may make a difference if you're in a community that doesn't know what a DO is, as they may see the sign outside your office and not know you're a doctor, or pass over your name in the phone book. But that becomes an issue of patient education and can also be offset by just being an outstanding doctor with great patient rapport and let word of mouth fix that problem for you.

 

[ofoshoukno]

After researching and talking to various people I have concluded that Western is a solid DO school. I saw their match list and I'm convinced that its a good place for me to go. Thanks everyone.

Just remember not all D.O. schools are created equal 😀

Western is one of the best

 

[dozitgetchahi]

1. you have an acceptance to a medical school currently in hand.

2. you do NOT have a guarantee of an acceptance next year if you reapply - and thus may be taking more than one year off.

3. if you reapply, your chances of getting into another DO school are slim to none if they find out you turned down an acceptance to try again for allo schools (although there are always exceptions to every rule, but turning down a DO school to reapply to a MD school is burning your bridges).

4. Do you want to be a doctor or not?

5. if you didn't want to go to a DO school, why did you apply??????

6. If you're just going to have MHB syndrome going to a DO school, don't go and inflict your acquired syndrome on everyone else.

If you're ok with perhaps never getting into med school again or having to go out of the country to pursue your dream, then go ahead with reapplying to all MD schools. Good luck to you.

This is the statement I agree with the most overall.

Because of many different factors (i.e., the very large size of the "millenial" generation leading to record numbers of med school applicants, the number of non-trads who will likely be starting to apply to med school because of the terrible economy, etc.), the competition for admission to medical school is going to be getting tougher and tougher.

As others on this thread have already said...you have a ticket to medical school in your hands right now. To me, throwing that away is like throwing away a winning $1 million lottery ticket because you think you can win a $2 million lottery in the future. Who cares; either of those tickets is going to deliver you a lot of money and/or additional opportunities for your future. Any remaining DO "stigma" seems to be weakening with each passing year, and each matching cycle seems to find more and more well-qualified DOs matching into well-regarded allopathic residencies. The notion that, say, you can't be both a DO and a surgeon is pure poppycock. There are DO-only surgical residencies you'll be able to match into if you're well qualified, and if you're really hardcore and extremely well-qualified you may very well be able to match into the MD ones as well.

 

[bigdog8829]

much much agreed w/ shyrem.
i had 4 md interviews. 4 wait lists. i said f* it. will be a 3rd year at ccom in a month.
i didnt want to wait, the mcat is bs, it costs so much $$ to apply.
iz up 2 u. really, is it that different....

 

[Khirurg]

from my own personal experience - being a DO will work against you. From stupid questions, like "what does DO mean", to your opportunities for residency, fellowship, etc (yes, even fellowship - i know, coz i had to go through it). I am not saying, that you will not have opportunities, but if you take an equally good or equally bad student from US allopathic school - he will be picked over you - anytime. Sad reality of life.
And as far as all the hype they tell you in your schools - don't believe it, it is NOT the same. Maybe, theoretically. But why don't you ask recent grads, and most of them will tell you they feel cheated.
So think about it - if you can really do something this year to improve your chances significantly, maybe it is worth it. If not - take it, and if you work hard enough, you'll be OK.

 

[Doctor Bob]

but if you take an equally good or equally bad student from US allopathic school - he will be picked over you - anytime.

Err... um. Well, usually if you have two equal applicants then it comes down to personality. And that's not going to change if you become a DO or an MD.

But why don't you ask recent grads, and most of them will tell you they feel cheated.

Hooray! I'm in the minority!

 

[JaggerPlate]

from my own personal experience - being a DO will work against you. From stupid questions, like "what does DO mean", to your opportunities for residency, fellowship, etc (yes, even fellowship - i know, coz i had to go through it). I am not saying, that you will not have opportunities, but if you take an equally good or equally bad student from US allopathic school - he will be picked over you - anytime. Sad reality of life.
And as far as all the hype they tell you in your schools - don't believe it, it is NOT the same. Maybe, theoretically. But why don't you ask recent grads, and most of them will tell you they feel cheated.
So think about it - if you can really do something this year to improve your chances significantly, maybe it is worth it. If not - take it, and if you work hard enough, you'll be OK.

🙄

I'd be willing to bet people can always find something to complain about like this ... for example, those people at the 'no name MD school' you are talking about bitch because they didn't match derm, but they would have if they were from Harvard, you know what I mean??

 

[211519]

COMP is a great school.

Opportunity Costs!

Going now is better than going later.

However, at the end of the day, do what makes you comfortable.

 

[Khirurg]

🙄

I'd be willing to bet people can always find something to complain about like this ... for example, those people at the 'no name MD school' you are talking about bitch because they didn't match derm, but they would have if they were from Harvard, you know what I mean??

This is not just complaining. This is a reality You just have to know what you get yourself into. You have to know that while DO school gave a lot of us an opportunity to be a doctor, trained in US, those who would otherwise would have to go overseas, when it comes down to finding good residency, it will work against you. People often succeed despite their school, not because of them. And it is quite opposite, if you are from Harvard, but there is a reason someone goes to Harvard, and not to NYCOM (and it is not, because they didn't like OMM). As long as you are realistic about it, you are fine. You will be a doc, if you work hard you will likely find a residency of your choice, (maybe, not in a place of your choice). Just know the facts.
I don't have sour grapes at all. I am pretty much at the stage of my life where i wanted to be, greatful for the opportunity i got, and all i am trying to say, that the original question in this threat is not as straightforward as a lot of osteopathic champions on this board make it out to be.

 

[JaggerPlate]

This is not just complaining. This is a reality You just have to know what you get yourself into. You have to know that while DO school gave a lot of us an opportunity to be a doctor, trained in US, those who would otherwise would have to go overseas, when it comes down to finding good residency, it will work against you. People often succeed despite their school, not because of them. And it is quite opposite, if you are from Harvard, but there is a reason someone goes to Harvard, and not to NYCOM (and it is not, because they didn't like OMM). As long as you are realistic about it, you are fine. You will be a doc, if you work hard you will likely find a residency of your choice, (maybe, not in a place of your choice). Just know the facts.
I don't have sour grapes at all. I am pretty much at the stage of my life where i wanted to be, greatful for the opportunity i got, and all i am trying to say, that the original question in this threat is not as straightforward as a lot of osteopathic champions on this board make it out to be.

I didn't necessarily mean you were being whiner or anything, and trust me, I realize how difficult matching can be, and since you've been there, and I haven't, I'll take your word. My point was that, I think there are very few people in med school who really can't say there is someone at a better school out there who could potentially have the edge in matching. I do think it's important people go into the process with a realistic view of matching, especially from a DO school, I just personally don't believe it's dim if you work hard, and have the numbers and contacts. I also agree that people who think they stand an equal chance of certain ACGME fields as MDs are foolish. Good luck.

 

[bigDinLV]

from my own personal experience - being a DO will work against you. From stupid questions, like "what does DO mean", to your opportunities for residency, fellowship, etc (yes, even fellowship - i know, coz i had to go through it). I am not saying, that you will not have opportunities, but if you take an equally good or equally bad student from US allopathic school - he will be picked over you - anytime. Sad reality of life.
And as far as all the hype they tell you in your schools - don't believe it, it is NOT the same. Maybe, theoretically. But why don't you ask recent grads, and most of them will tell you they feel cheated.
So think about it - if you can really do something this year to improve your chances significantly, maybe it is worth it. If not - take it, and if you work hard enough, you'll be OK.

I'm not saying DO discrimination doesn't exist in some places, it isn't as bad as some make it sound. I didn't have any problems getting into the specialty of my choice so I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given.

When you're going for things like fellowships a lot of it can be who you know. If you had problems and you were truly equal to the other applicants then they just picked who they would rather work with. Heck, maybe they already knew each other or had a rec from a friend of a friend.

 

[Khirurg]

I'm not saying DO discrimination doesn't exist in some places, it isn't as bad as some make it sound. I didn't have any problems getting into the specialty of my choice so I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given.

When you're going for things like fellowships a lot of it can be who you know. If you had problems and you were truly equal to the other applicants then they just picked who they would rather work with. Heck, maybe they already knew each other or had a rec from a friend of a friend.

Without getting into the details, your guess is good one, but not correct in my case. It is often about 'pedigree' for these people, and if you graduated from osteopathic institution, went on to do residency in not as good of a place as you could have, were you to go to allopathic school, then even if you are stellar, with excellent LORs, some places will not consider you. Or consider you lower on the list. I am not saying that you won't have opportunity to do what you like. But maybe, not where you would like to do it.🙂
Now, keep in mind, i am talking about the field than is notoriously prejudiced towards DOs.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Now, keep in mind, i am talking about the field than is notoriously prejudiced towards DOs.

What field is that?

 

[BruceBanner]

I'm also 25 going into 26 and I don't feel like wasting another year in the arduous application process without any guarantees.

You just answered your own question. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, I say.

Dont listen to any of the SDN mythology regarding MD>DO. This is old and trite. The ONLY aspect you will be limited in as a DO is maybe attaining some very upper echelon administrative position, like with the AO, for example. You will hear a plethora of differnet opinions on residency issues here, but re: that I would say only take into considerations the opinions of attendings or residents themselves.

These threads turn into lonnggg ad hominem arguments about what can essentially be distilled into a few sentences. Dont overthink it. You got in to a US medical school. Go.

 

[SirCuneus]

The one thing that my DO school lacks is good rotations. AZCOM's tuition is ridiculous for what they do for you during 3rd and 4th year. They don't seem to have any advocates working in clinical ed to land ward-based rotations.

Look at a DO school that actually has a good rotation-base established, unlike AZCOM.

 

[Khirurg]

What field is that?

what would be your best guess?😀

 

[Doctor Bob]

what would be your best guess?😀

Umm... Pediatric In Vitro Fertilization? Interventional Cytopathology? Neuropodiatry?

 

[XRanger]

what would be your best guess?😀

Cardiology!

 

[Instatewaiter]

What field is that?

my guess is interventional psychiatry

 

[freddydpt]

Dont listen to any of the SDN mythology regarding MD>DO. This is old and trite. The ONLY aspect you will be limited in as a DO is maybe attaining some very upper echelon administrative position, like with the AO, for example. You will hear a plethora of differnet opinions on residency issues here, but re: that I would say only take into considerations the opinions of attendings or residents themselves.

This is absolutely untrue. My girlfriend, a current 3rd year DO student, cannot even get an away rotation in Maryland because of the rampant discrimination that exists against DO's. It's disgusting and disgraceful for the medical profession. We go back and forth, and sometimes she thinks that if she had to do it again, she'd wait a year and go allopathic... very limited opportunities for ophthalmology and away rotations are very difficult to obtain, and she has to take double the board exams to prove herself to residency programs as equivalent or superior to her allopathic peers. It's been an uphill battle that keeps us geographically apart and it sux. Go allopathic and do something worthwhile in the year you have off. And take caution with receiving advice from SDN in general. With that said, if you want to learn OMM and think you'd want to do primary care or a less competitive specialty, then go DO. I don't know if anyone has actually seen but a neuromusculoskeletal OMM residency is one of the cushiest residencies out there.

 

[Instatewaiter]

You just answered your own question. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, I say.

Dont listen to any of the SDN mythology regarding MD>DO. This is old and trite. The ONLY aspect you will be limited in as a DO is maybe attaining some very upper echelon administrative position, like with the AO, for example. You will hear a plethora of differnet opinions on residency issues here, but re: that I would say only take into considerations the opinions of attendings or residents themselves.

I'm not trying to pick on you, but how on earth could you have insight into this when you just submitted your application to medical school?

It's always the pre-meds and underclassmen who speak up most vocally about how there's no stigma in the match. The 4th years rarely come on hear and talk about how easy it was as a DO student. Especially for the less competitive fields, it's less about whether you match and more about where.

I agree, OP probably should go to the DO school since he already has an acceptance.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I agree, OP probably should go to the DO school since he already has an acceptance.

Yeah, probably. Applying is a hassle, you never know if there is discrimination if schools find out you gave up a DO acceptance and reapplied, there's also the (small) chance of getting into no MD next year and basically wasting a year, plus it will cost money etc etc. I'd personally take the DO. Then again, pre-med advice here, take with a grain o' salt.

 

[MossPoh]

This is absolutely untrue. My girlfriend, a current 3rd year DO student, cannot even get an away rotation in Maryland because of the rampant discrimination that exists against DO's.

I find that odd since there have been more than several DOs that have matched at Johns Hopkins.

 

[DrWBD]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but how on earth could you have insight into this when you just submitted your application to medical school?

It's always the pre-meds and underclassmen who speak up most vocally about how there's no stigma in the match. The 4th years rarely come on hear and talk about how easy it was as a DO student. Especially for the less competitive fields, it's less about whether you match and more about where.

Welcome to SDN. Giving uninformed opinions is as easy as breathing for some folks around here.

 

[scpod]

....The 4th years rarely come on hear and talk about how easy it was as a DO student....

Why should that be any surprise? People who are happy rarely spend the time and effort to post just so they can say how absolutely wonderful the process is. It's the people who didn't do as well as they wanted, the vocal minority, who raise hell and complain about things.

 

[SteelCity]

This is absolutely untrue. My girlfriend, a current 3rd year DO student, cannot even get an away rotation in Maryland because of the rampant discrimination that exists against DO's. It's disgusting and disgraceful for the medical profession. We go back and forth, and sometimes she thinks that if she had to do it again, she'd wait a year and go allopathic... very limited opportunities for ophthalmology and away rotations are very difficult to obtain, and she has to take double the board exams to prove herself to residency programs as equivalent or superior to her allopathic peers. It's been an uphill battle that keeps us geographically apart and it sux. Go allopathic and do something worthwhile in the year you have off. And take caution with receiving advice from SDN in general. With that said, if you want to learn OMM and think you'd want to do primary care or a less competitive specialty, then go DO. I don't know if anyone has actually seen but a neuromusculoskeletal OMM residency is one of the cushiest residencies out there.

It's hard to sympathize with people when they say it's hard to get any away rotations at some allo institutions. We have our own hospitals and if you were so set on matching in an uber competitive specialty in allo, why the heck did you go osteo?? Stop complaining about how its not fair and blah blah blah because we all should of known what we got into. We are more then the plaques we hang on our wall and it's sad to see some of you guys complain about not getting away's or matching at MGH. Please...suck it up, do your job, and maybe one day you can be called doctor.

 

[BruceBanner]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but how on earth could you have insight into this when you just submitted your application to medical school?

I suppose I should have clarified that this opinion is not my own but one of a past Harvard Trauma fellow, who is a DO. I recently spoke with him at length on the subject. He trains MD's and DO's in a major program.

I dont have any insight into the match personally. All I have to go off of is guys I know who have been through it. Things change every year.

I think the take home message is that it is a better use of a student's time to take an acceptance NOW then wait a year or more because of speculation about some supposed future stigma in the match.

 

[Khirurg]

It's hard to sympathize with people when they say it's hard to get any away rotations at some allo institutions. We have our own hospitals and if you were so set on matching in an uber competitive specialty in allo, why the heck did you go osteo?? Stop complaining about how its not fair and blah blah blah because we all should of known what we got into. We are more then the plaques we hang on our wall and it's sad to see some of you guys complain about not getting away's or matching at MGH. Please...suck it up, do your job, and maybe one day you can be called doctor.

Because maybe some people are striving to do their best instead of settling. As far as "we have our own hospitals" - please, have you seen most of them? There is a reason why someone would want to go to a top notch program - because training there is better, and as a result you have a chance to be a better doctor. Another thing, if it wasn't for those who strive and break into these supercompetitive specialties, as a DO you'd still be stuck doing FP. I don't think that most people go to osteopathic schools wanting to be an OMM and FP specialist.
You are right, people should know what they got themselves into. But isn't it what this whole thread is about.

 

[SteelCity]

Because maybe some people are striving to do their best instead of settling. As far as "we have our own hospitals" - please, have you seen most of them? There is a reason why someone would want to go to a top notch program - because training there is better, and as a result you have a chance to be a better doctor. Another thing, if it wasn't for those who strive and break into these supercompetitive specialties, as a DO you'd still be stuck doing FP. I don't think that most people go to osteopathic schools wanting to be an OMM and FP specialist.
You are right, people should know what they got themselves into. But isn't it what this whole thread is about.

I dont know where I said we shouldn't strive to crack these top notch hospitals...maybe because I never did. How many osteopathic training hospitals have you been to? How do you know that there are not any "top notch" DO programs? As for my self, Ive been to a few, but maybe not enough to be an authority on the subject, just willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Let me make my self clear, I think we should try to match at any hospital and in any specialty we want, but if it doesn't happen, dont come on the board and cry about how your DO degree is holding you back. Somebody from an MD state medical school can put up the same sorry argument.

 

[Khirurg]

if you were so set on matching in an uber competitive specialty in allo, why the heck did you go osteo??
it's sad to see some of you guys complain about not getting away's or matching at MGH.
So, first of all, this thread is not about bashing DOs or complaints. If you carefully read my thread, you'll notice that i have no complaints. I am just stating the facts, and they are such, that even "state MD school" grad will have higher chance at any specialty than osteo grad, all things being equal. It is up to you to believe or not believe me - and i honestly don't care which. Person who started this thread, asked a legitimate question, and i offered my opinion, based on my own experience and that of many of the people that i know. And while your statement about "we are more than the plaques that we put on the wall" is nice and noble, try to get a good job coming from some Bumble#$ck program.

 

[SteelCity]

So, first of all, this thread is not about bashing DOs or complaints. If you carefully read my thread, you'll notice that i have no complaints. I am just stating the facts, and they are such, that even "state MD school" grad will have higher chance at any specialty than osteo grad, all things being equal. It is up to you to believe or not believe me - and i honestly don't care which. Person who started this thread, asked a legitimate question, and i offered my opinion, based on my own experience and that of many of the people that i know. And while your statement about "we are more than the plaques that we put on the wall" is nice and noble, try to get a good job coming from some Bumble#$ck program.

Your right, you were just stating your opinion and im sorry if I came off like I was beating you with a stick. Although, you make it sound like unless you graduate from the ivy's your program is considered
"Bumble#$ck".

 

[Khirurg]

Coming out of middle-of-nowhere residency program significantly lowers your chances (although, doesn't eliminate them completely) finding a desired fellowship, not to mention, a job at the place you like and location of your choice, as well as pay.