DO vs MD residency

[BeautyDoc20]

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I am a third year DO student. I recently made the decision that I want to apply for a psych residency after doing my psych rotation. I have a BS in psychology. I'm a little late to the game and know the APA conference is next month. Is it worth the money to attend? Another question I have is about DO vs MD residency. Looking for opinions on which to apply for or both. I will be hoping to couples match with my bf in IM.

 

[Leo Aquarius]

Hard to give you answers without a few more details. What's your goal in attending the APA? In terms of your other questions, how competitive are you, scores, grades, etc? Do you want to work in academia or private or managed care or gov?

I say go MD first, and DO only if you can't land a MD spot.

 

[BeautyDoc20]

I have a B avg, my comlex I isnt great but I passed, hoping to do better on step II, I probably want to work in private practice NOT with kids. I have an interest in forensics, but that might just be more of a fantasy than something I would want to do on an everyday basis.
As for the conference I know they have a PsychSIGN student conference but it is full and I feel it would be more beneficial in connecting with people. I think the classes at the APA would be extremely interesting, but I don't know that I would be out going enough to try to meet PD's on my own. I'm a little (a lot) lost and nervous about the upcoming steps in applying and interviewing.

 

[deleted452516]

Congrats on your interest in psychiatry!

You can start by checking out a thread a few of us put together earlier in the year for DOs interested in psychiatry: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=992027

As for the APA conference, check out PsychSIGN. IT may be too late, but they have a concurrent conference with the APA for med students interested in psychiatry- with free/cheap hotel rooms. And I think the APA conference is also free or very cheap- but obviously the travel costs are there.

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether to go DO or MD. Consider how competitive you are- plenty of threads on the forum will let you know what that means. Then look at the quality and location of the DO programs and if you would be happy there. Also you will be considering if your SO is doing the MD or DO match and if you will be couples matching. So, lots to consider, but you have time. You could apply to both and decide how to proceed in November/December.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

A recent thread listed some DO-friendly residencies for you to think about.

Go to APA only if you're really interested in going to a big meeting for the meeting's sake. It's not going to make any difference in your application, and it's really not a place where applicants go to "be seen" by PDs, so don't think of that as your agenda.

 

[st2205]

I'd say you'd find AOA programs difficult because, not only are there so few of them, but also trying to couples match with someone may also limit where they may want to go. However, if they're really into the IM program at/near one of your AOA spots, then that's another story.

 

[vistaril]

I am a third year DO student. I recently made the decision that I want to apply for a psych residency after doing my psych rotation. I have a BS in psychology. I'm a little late to the game and know the APA conference is next month. Is it worth the money to attend? Another question I have is about DO vs MD residency. Looking for opinions on which to apply for or both. I will be hoping to couples match with my bf in IM.

1) Why in the world would you go(and more importantly pay your own way to go) to the APA conference? I'd rather watch designing women reruns....with that gay guy from the show providing commentary in my living room.

2) Apply to whatever residencies you want. I would mainly apply to allo residencies just because I dont know anything about the osteo ones and my guess is they may not be super well run/organized, but if there is one you really love go for it.

 

[billypilgrim37]

DO vs MD will matter less for you than for your boyfriend. If you're couples matching, you're going to have to do the same thing, as the ACMGE and AOA matches are separate and don't allow you to cross over.

 

[digitlnoize]

I have to agree with this sentiment.

I also second what purple rain posted above. Several of us worked on that. OPD also posted a handy link.

I had literally zero interest in DO Psych residencies, so I can't comment much there. Apply broadly, take and pass Step 2 early. Check out the links posted above.

Feel free to PM me.

Agreed. I'd only consider the DO residencies if there is one located in a VERY specific location you MUST live, or if there is no way you can get into an MD spot (very unlikely).

Passing Step 1 is fine. Try to improve on step 2, aim for >500 if you can.

DO's have no problem matching into MD psych. I have many, many DO classmates who matched their #1 choice, the lowest I heard anyone going was #3, and everyone matched. Just don't be TOO picky. Apply broadly. Rule of 1/3rds. 1/3 upper tier/reach program, 1/3 middle tier, 1/3 safeties. Rank this way too.

You'll be fine.