Do you let your DO interviewers know that you only applied to DO Schools?

[pglo]

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Genuinely curious what others do.

 

[Imperius]

Nope. I was asked if I applied to DO and MD and I said yes. They asked why, and I said I wanted to give myself every opportunity to be a physician.

 

[pglo]

Nope. I was asked if I applied to DO and MD and I said yes. They asked why, and I said I wanted to give myself every opportunity to be a physician.

To clarify I did just apply DO so I was thinking it would help to say it. I'm not sure if that would seem out of place to say.

 

[Imperius]

To clarify I did just apply DO so I was thinking it would help to say it. I'm not sure if that would seem out of place to say.

If they ask, absolutely. It seems awkward to just say out of the blue "I only applied DO". If you are more tactful, you could say something like, "I went the DO route because blah, blah, blah".

But because I applied to both, this doesn't apply to me. Misinterpreted what you were asking.

 

[yeasureyoubetcha]

As Imperius said, I think if you're asked about it, address it. Its not information I would volunteer because you might not know what they'll take it to mean. For instance, I was concerned someone would bring up my weaker CARS score. I was prepared to address it, but its not a can of worms I wanted to openly bring up in conversation with the interviewers.

 

[FutureD.O]

If they ask, be sure to bring it up.

I was asked in an indirect manner if I applied to MD schools at every one of my interviews. They'll usually ask if you applied to an MD school in or close to your hometown and that's where you can insert your line.

Although that was the case for me, it might not be for you. I wouldn't risk throwing that in there without it being asked because you don't know how it'll come off.

 

[OverlyRomantic]

I had a different experience than the above posters. No one asked me about any other schools that I had applied to, and I didn't offer up any information.

 

[Promethean]

I was asked what I would do if I didn't get in. I said I'd apply again, and more broadly, maybe include a few MD schools, too. It wasn't a major part of the discussion though. You are there to tell them about who you are and why you want to be a physician. If you have enough to say about those two topics, you won't have time for much else.

 

[Mad Jack]

I was pretty up front about my only applying to DO schools because I only applied DO but also had very high stats, so I didn't want them to think I was just doing it as a backup.

 

[Mavs88]

Genuinely curious what others do.

I think that's a really strong point for the question "Why DO?" which almost for sure comes up as one of the first few questions.

 

[Bones 2020]

Only one DO school asked if I applied MD, but thats because the only other in-state school is an MD institution. I told them it was the only MD school I applied to, and because it was close to home for me.

 

[68PGunner]

Genuinely curious what others do.

I rocked a "Only DO" shirt. The msg was delivered.

 

[Roxas]

Genuinely curious what others do.

I also only applied DO, and I think there's nothing wrong with bringing it up. Whether it actually had any bearing on anything I'm not sure, but it can't hurt.

 

[deleted407021]

I'm a high-ish stats applicant who also only applied DO, which I made a point of mentioning in my PS.

 

[VagabondKing]

There's some people that are only interested in DO whether due to philosophy, residency connections, etc. Several people I personally know in my year have the MCAT/GPA to have had an acceptance in at least some MD but forewent that option. I'd probably mention it but also express the WHY you only applied to DO schools, (don't say my stats were too low for an MD).

 

[Brancer]

I told them DO only, because it was DO only for me.

I applied to late in the cycle for MD.

 

[DrMikeP]

I told them I only wanted DO in my essay and I was accepted, so it worked for me.

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[redthunder]

I think you should only bring it up if its super important to you. I did, but thats because I shadowed MD and DO's and knew the DO philosophy fit my personal philosophy of what medicine is. I wove this into each of my applications because it showed who and what I would be if I was a doctor. If OMT is not that important to you (basically you just applied to DO because of stats) DON'T bring it up. Less is sometimes more. Hopes this helps and best of luck!

 

[DrEnderW]

Did you apply DO only bc your numbers clearly aren't competitive for MD? In that case, there's no need to bring it up as it will be clear. If you only want to be a DO, then expound upon why.


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[skyghighight]

In one of my interviews they asked me " did you you apply to any MDs" so I stated that no only DOs, but I felt that the question was asked because I showed my interest in osteopathic medicine very clearly in both personal statement and in interview, and showed that I wasn't applying to DO's just because my grades didn't qualify me for MDs (which really isn't the case, I do like osteopathic medicine more). I got accepted there. But if not asked, I wouldn't just say it, that would sound out of place.

 

[Goro]

I hear it when an interview question kind of prompts this answer. People also volunteer it when they get asked "Why DO and not MD?" or similar.

Frankly, we know that the vast majority of candidates have tried the MD cycle first, and/or are trying MD and/or DO on the second try. We don't take it personally.

Genuinely curious what others do.

 

[DrMikeP]

I hear it when an interview question kind of prompts this answer. People also volunteer it when they get asked "Why DO and not MD?" or similar.

Frankly, we know that the vast majority of candidates have tried the MD cycle first, and/or are trying MD and/or DO on the second try. We don't take it personally.

Thanks Goro, just out of curiosity what is the thought at your prog about someone who is passionate about just going for DO? Most interviewers I met seemed to like it, but they could have just been being friendly in general. I know my University could care less either way.

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[Goro]

We tend to like these people and my DO colleagues jump up and down to get them accepted.

Thanks Goro, just out of curiosity what is the thought at your prog about someone who is passionate about just going for DO? Most interviewers I met seemed to like it, but they could have just been being friendly in general. I know my University could care less either way.

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[619959]

We tend to like these people and my DO colleagues jump up and down to get them accepted.

Would they know if the candidate lied 😉 ? (meaning, what if he also applied to MD schools?)

 

[JustKeepGoing]

I have never been asked this question (thankfully) but I thought about it a lot. I came to the conclusion that I personally wouldn't lie during an interview. 1) I suck at lying, the interviewers would probably see right through me and 2) it's nothing to be ashamed about. I applied to both DO and MD programs because I wanted to keep my options open and give myself the best shot at attending med school next year.

However, I have one friend who blatantly lied and said he only applied DO. I'm not sure if this hurt his chances, since he's still waiting to hear back. I'm also not sure whether the schools can go back and check to where you applied. Hopefully they can't for the sake of my friend lol.

I would say at the end of the day just do what you're most comfortable with.

 

[DrMikeP]

Would they know if the candidate lied 😉 ? (meaning, what if he also applied to MD schools?)

Given the importance of being ethical in medicine and during the application process, is it worth the risk on your future?

Imagine if they found out, best case after the fact they wouldn't trust you ever again and you'd be penalized severely (say goodbye to a good residency), worse case you are out of medicine forever. It's not like saying an opinion you think DO's are better than MD's, you are absolutely lying to deny it.

I've seen many things that people thought would be hidden forever make their way to the surface. It's just not worth the costs.

 

[619959]

Given the importance of being ethical in medicine and during the application process, is it worth the risk on your future?

Imagine if they found out, best case after the fact they wouldn't trust you ever again and you'd be penalized severely (say goodbye to a good residency), worse case you are out of medicine forever. It's not like saying an opinion you think DO's are better than MD's, you are absolutely lying to deny it.

I've seen many things that people thought would be hidden forever make their way to the surface. It's just not worth the costs.

Thanks for the answer! I was not going to lie anyhow...but, for others- now you know, so beware! Truth always wins!