As an ms IV from a DO school, I agree with the above sentiment. Think of it like this: an MD and a DO candidate walk into a bar, each with a 250 plus board score average, straight A's, the whole shebang. Who has more options?
Without the protected aoa spots, more often than not, the MD student has more latitude in area and choice of specialty. I matched to a competitive midwestern academic anesthesiology program that I would have probably chosen whether I went MD or DO. But, I was virtually frozen out of the west coast, and I think that's the scale of your choice.
Its a matter of blind calling cards. Each student, by their activities and interactions, will significantly alter their chances, no matter where they go. If you are smart, hardworking, and pleasant, the majority of programs won't care if you graduated from the U of Antarctica. And vice versa.
Point being - its mostly up to you. Your school is, in this particular instance, 10 - 20% as important compared to your performance. Your education is your responsibility. I wouldn't worry that you will somehow get a lesser education.
But, I guess a way of quantifying the 10-20% is this: Look at the average residency matches for a well established DO school - like PCOM or NYCOM or WVUCOM, or MSU. Then look at MD schools that have been established in the last decade. Do they overlap? And how much so? Are the top performers at each institution matched in their opportunities?
I never did that because I didn't have any options. I had 1 interview and 1 acceptance. That made it easy.
Either way, you will be a physician.
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I know I'm an outlier, but I always have felt a more established school is a safer option, even after the merge happens.
