Do vs MD

[Doc2Me]

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I know this is more of a pre-med post but I was hoping for some insight from some current MS 1-IV's or graduates on their decision to go D.O vs MD and what they have truly found regarding getting rotations of their choice, residencies etc.

I am thinking about accepting to Midwestern the Arizona College campus. I also have gotten in at Kansas City and am waiting on a few others. I think I want to go into neuro, neuro surgery, or ER/EM. Anyways, I truly do like the philosophy of the D.O schools, I like the ability to use manipulation etc, but having a good family friend ask if D.O's can write Rx’s and all my friends asking if a D.O is really a doctor is kind of annoying.... but certainly not a deal breaker.

Could you please inform me as to if going D.O will limit me in the future, close any doors or if it truly is equivalent to going the allopathic route or even better?

Thanks!

 

[PlasticMan]

If you're serious about neuro or neurosurgery and have been accepted to an allopathic school, go there. It is slighty easier to specialize as an MD. EM is more DO-friendly. If you only get accepted to an osteopathic school, then go there, work hard and you can still get into any field you like.

 

[jason3278]

neurology isn't that hard to get into from what I've heard. but I could be wrong.

 

[It'sElectric]

I'm not trying to be mean here. I'm actually completely calm while saying this. Doc2Me - try the search function.

 

[Doc2Me]

I'm not trying to be mean here. I'm actually completely calm while saying this. Doc2Me - try the search function.

I also am completely calm while typing my reply. It'sElectric- why don't you try a completely new approach and not be such a prick?

 

[It'sElectric]

I also am completely calm while typing my reply. It'sElectric- why don't you try a completely new approach and not be such a prick?

I don't get it. I was being sincere...honestly. People are frequently attacked for telling other users to use the search function, so I felt it was necessary to explicitly state my intentions. Obviously it backfired.

 

[Jamers]

I know this is more of a pre-med post but I was hoping for some insight from some current MS 1-IV's or graduates on their decision to go D.O vs MD and what they have truly found regarding getting rotations of their choice, residencies etc.

I am thinking about accepting to Midwestern the Arizona College campus. I also have gotten in at Kansas City and am waiting on a few others. I think I want to go into neuro, neuro surgery, or ER/EM. Anyways, I truly do like the philosophy of the D.O schools, I like the ability to use manipulation etc, but having a good family friend ask if D.O's can write Rx’s and all my friends asking if a D.O is really a doctor is kind of annoying.... but certainly not a deal breaker.

Could you please inform me as to if going D.O will limit me in the future, close any doors or if it truly is equivalent to going the allopathic route or even better?

Thanks!

It is easier, from what I hear through the grape vine, to get into a competive residency if you go allopathic. That being said, that isn't the case for everyone. Go where you want and rock the boards. If you can nail out a great board score and maintain the top half of the class, there are very few residency programs that WONT look at you. MD vs DO, most of it just comes down to the skills of the individual. Sure, there are some biased programs out there, but, with the right numbers, you should be fine.

 

[scpod]

Go where you want and rock the boards. If you can nail out a great board score and maintain the top half of the class, there are very few residency programs that WONT look at you. MD vs DO, most of it just comes down to the skills of the individual. Sure, there are some biased programs out there, but, with the right numbers, you should be fine.

Damn Jamers! You're giving out actual advice that is totally devoid of sarcasm. What put you in such a good mood? Is someone else using your SDN account today? 😀

 

[SukaNeNauka]

I am currently a 2nd year DO student. Many people will tell you that if you rock your boards and maintain a good class rank, you will be able to go to pretty much any residency program. This may be true. But, it is not so easy to rock the boards, and it is not so easy to maintain a top class rank. If you go to MD school, you may not have to do as well on boards or maintain a very high class rank to achieve the same goals. Considering that you are aiming at pretty competitve residency programs, consider taking MD route, it will make your life easier. If you choose a DO school in the end, choose a school that will prepare you well for the boards (USMLE boards specifically). Choosing a DO school that will prepare you for the boards is tough since information on academics is subjective and not readily available to students. Talk to students at different schools, but make sure you talk to students who also want to do neurosurgery,and not just family practice. Someone who wants to do family practice, while equally smart, may not need to worry about class rank or even taking USMLE.

 

[Dr JPH]

If you choose your medical school based on what residency you *think* you might want to do then you are way ahead of things.

Statistics tells us that you have a 4 out of 5 chance of changing your mind at least once regarding specialty choice while in medical school.

 

[LastDance]

for general information.. how tough is it to get a residency in neorosurgery, realistically as a D.O? and as the previous poster said, its easy to say, rock the boards and be ontop of your class, but realistically thats very very tough...and also.. i'm also under the impression that lots and lots of students that start med school, have the same dreams...neurosurgery, orhopaedic surgery, dermatology, etc...

peace

 

[Dr JPH]

I dont know many people who want to do Derm or Neurosurg. Ortho is very popular.

I know many people who have gotten into MD and DO ortho spots. Definately a field where hard work and early connections helps.

I dont know many people who go into neurosurgery outside of the PCOM Neurosurgeyr program. Top of their class and hard workers no doubt.

Same with Derm. I only know the people who have gone into osteopathic Derm programs. Again, top of the class witih good board scores.

Realize that Derm, Optho, Rads and Neurosurgery are tough because there arent many position available, MD or DO. You have 250 people interested in 100 spots...makes it tough no matter where you go to school.

Attending a school that offers these programs (PCOM offers many high end specialties) helps a great deal. Some programs tend to take their own students.

 

[niceguydoc]

I-am-currently-a-4th-year-DO-student,on-the-interview-trail-at-the-moment-for-anesthesiology(space-bar-broke-hence,the-hypens!)...Granted,anesthesia-is-not-nearly-as-competitive-as-derm,rads,neurosurg,it's-still-up-there,and-this-yr-is-one-of-the-most-competitive-for-the-specialty...My-advice-is-if-you're-certain-you-want-to-go-int0-neurosurg,which-is-extremely-tough-to-get-int0-due-to-the-limited-amount-of-spots,you-should-without-a-doubt-go-the-allopathic-route.

Sure,you-can-rock-the-boards,kick-ass-on-your-rotations-but-as-a-DO,you-will-be-held-at-a-higher-standard-than-your-MD-counterparts-when-you-apply-for-competitive-residency-programs...I-am-in-the-top-10percent-of-my-class,scored-600on-comlex1,228on-usmle1,great-letters-of-rec,did-away-rotations-at-big-academic-programs-like-nyu-and-mass-general,did-well-on-my-3rd-yr-clerkships,etc...while-i-got-interviews-at-good-programs,i-noticed-that-average-or-even-below-average-MD-applicants-got-interviews-at-good-and-top-notch-programs.

I-am-proud-to-be-a-DO,and-believe-that-my-education-has-been-equivalent-for-the-most-part-to-an-MD's-but-certain-facts-of-life-will-remain-true...and-one-such-is-the-pecking-order-when-you-go-through-the-residency-application-process(allopathic-programs)...MD's>DO's>FMG's...so-if-you-want-to-make-your-life-a-lil-easier-going-through-the-match,then-go-allo,but-keep-in-mind,going-DO-doesn't-make-you-any-less-qualifed!

 

[LastDance]

I-am-currently-a-4th-year-DO-student,on-the-interview-trail-at-the-moment-for-anesthesiology(space-bar-broke-hence,the-hypens!)...Granted,anesthesia-is-not-nearly-as-competitive-as-derm,rads,neurosurg,it's-still-up-there,and-this-yr-is-one-of-the-most-competitive-for-the-specialty...My-advice-is-if-you're-certain-you-want-to-go-int0-neurosurg,which-is-extremely-tough-to-get-int0-due-to-the-limited-amount-of-spots,you-should-without-a-doubt-go-the-allopathic-route.

Sure,you-can-rock-the-boards,kick-ass-on-your-rotations-but-as-a-DO,you-will-be-held-at-a-higher-standard-than-your-MD-counterparts-when-you-apply-for-competitive-residency-programs...I-am-in-the-top-10percent-of-my-class,scored-600on-comlex1,228on-usmle1,great-letters-of-rec,did-away-rotations-at-big-academic-programs-like-nyu-and-mass-general,did-well-on-my-3rd-yr-clerkships,etc...while-i-got-interviews-at-good-programs,i-noticed-that-average-or-even-below-average-MD-applicants-got-interviews-at-good-and-top-notch-programs.

I-am-proud-to-be-a-DO,and-believe-that-my-education-has-been-equivalent-for-the-most-part-to-an-MD's-but-certain-facts-of-life-will-remain-true...and-one-such-is-the-pecking-order-when-you-go-through-the-residency-application-process(allopathic-programs)...MD's>DO's>FMG's...so-if-you-want-to-make-your-life-a-lil-easier-going-through-the-match,then-go-allo,but-keep-in-mind,going-DO-doesn't-make-you-any-less-qualifed!

thank you soo much for your reply.. it was very nice of you to respond even though your keyboard was not working. Your post was very informative and very helpful... well i dont know if i have the stats to get into an MD school... for me it looks like DO is the only option, so i have to work with what i have.....for me right now its really early to be picking residencies... i mean i havent even started med school yet.. i just need to study as hard as i can and let things fall into place... thanks again for your post...🙂

 

[LastDance]

I-am-currently-a-4th-year-DO-student,on-the-interview-trail-at-the-moment-for-anesthesiology(space-bar-broke-hence,the-hypens!)...Granted,anesthesia-is-not-nearly-as-competitive-as-derm,rads,neurosurg,it's-still-up-there,and-this-yr-is-one-of-the-most-competitive-for-the-specialty...My-advice-is-if-you're-certain-you-want-to-go-int0-neurosurg,which-is-extremely-tough-to-get-int0-due-to-the-limited-amount-of-spots,you-should-without-a-doubt-go-the-allopathic-route.

Sure,you-can-rock-the-boards,kick-ass-on-your-rotations-but-as-a-DO,you-will-be-held-at-a-higher-standard-than-your-MD-counterparts-when-you-apply-for-competitive-residency-programs...I-am-in-the-top-10percent-of-my-class,scored-600on-comlex1,228on-usmle1,great-letters-of-rec,did-away-rotations-at-big-academic-programs-like-nyu-and-mass-general,did-well-on-my-3rd-yr-clerkships,etc...while-i-got-interviews-at-good-programs,i-noticed-that-average-or-even-below-average-MD-applicants-got-interviews-at-good-and-top-notch-programs.

I-am-proud-to-be-a-DO,and-believe-that-my-education-has-been-equivalent-for-the-most-part-to-an-MD's-but-certain-facts-of-life-will-remain-true...and-one-such-is-the-pecking-order-when-you-go-through-the-residency-application-process(allopathic-programs)...MD's>DO's>FMG's...so-if-you-want-to-make-your-life-a-lil-easier-going-through-the-match,then-go-allo,but-keep-in-mind,going-DO-doesn't-make-you-any-less-qualifed!

thank you soo much for your reply.. it was very nice of you to respond even though your keyboard was not working. Your post was very informative and very helpful... well i dont know if i have the stats to get into an MD school... for me it looks like DO is the only option, so i have to work with what i have.....for me right now its really early to be picking residencies... i mean i havent even started med school yet.. i just need to study as hard as i can and let things fall into place... thanks again for your post...🙂