For those familiar with DO & Caribbean/IMG residency placement..

[snrub]

Based on reading numerous threads, it seems the general agreement as far as pecking order for allopathic residencies goes as: US MD > US DO > FMG.

Now I realize there are more factors than your given status as a med student (ie - USMLE scores, basic sciences GPA, LOR's, etc), but I was wondering if anyone could verify that applying for more competitive allopathic residencies (ie - EM, surgery, rads, anest, etc) as a DO student is a decided advantage over that of a Caribbean student, even one from the Big 4 schools.

This is a serious consideration for me, as I realize that even with best efforts at a FMG, that primary care (FP/IM, etc) more often than not are the positions that are filled by FMG's for obvious reasons.

I do realize that there are FMG's who get into competitive residencies, but those individuals tend to be at the upper echelon of their respective classes. Even though I can't predict the future, I would estimate myself as more around the average student, or slightly above average.


If anyone who is familiar with the residency placement process and views of DO/FMG applicants can give me some insight, or can point me to a thread where I can get some pretty good advice, I'd really appreciate it, as this concern seems to be the key determinant for me right now.

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[beastmaster]

I guess what you might also consider is the DO residencies. Hard as it is for DOs and FMGs to get stuff like plastic surgery, neurosurgery, derm, etc -- it's basically a guarantee (given a rough estimate of the # available spots) that hundreds of DOs, every year, will be trained in these competitive specialties. I dont know if there is even a handful of FMGs in these fields every year, and their much larger number really accentuates this statistic.

 

[oldpro]

Based on reading numerous threads, it seems the general agreement as far as pecking order for allopathic residencies goes as: US MD > US DO > FMG.

Only based on people who post on here that do not really know yet, pre meds and some med students, anyone who matched still only knows what they have done really. Do not base your life on SDN please. I do not agree with the order you posted cause a US MD who is 190 on step one has been passed up before by a Caribbean Grad with a 240 for the same residency. Do not believe in generalizing.

Now I realize there are more factors than your given status as a med student (ie - USMLE scores, basic sciences GPA, LOR's, etc), but I was wondering if anyone could verify that applying for more competitive allopathic residencies (ie - EM, surgery, rads, anest, etc) as a DO student is a decided advantage over that of a Caribbean student, even one from the Big 4 schools.

I just talked to one DO grad in 1st year who's getting kicked out of a residency for doing a manipulation, he was in a MD residency, so DO is not top choice either in fact that program probably will not match a DO again after this.

This is a serious consideration for me, as I realize that even with best efforts at a FMG, that primary care (FP/IM, etc) more often than not are the positions that are filled by FMG's for obvious reasons.

I do realize that there are FMG's who get into competitive residencies, but those individuals tend to be at the upper echelon of their respective classes. Even though I can't predict the future, I would estimate myself as more around the average student, or slightly above average.


If anyone who is familiar with the residency placement process and views of DO/FMG applicants can give me some insight, or can point me to a thread where I can get some pretty good advice, I'd really appreciate it, as this concern seems to be the key determinant for me right now.

Again why? You must research, do not just read someone's opinion on here they really may not have a clue and just love to make stuff up cause of urban myths.???

 

[beastmaster]

I just talked to one DO grad in 1st year who's getting kicked out of a residency for doing a manipulation, he was in a MD residency, so DO is not top choice either in fact that program probably will not match a DO again after this.

Maybe you can give some specifics? Which hospital?

 

[nycom914]

I just talked to one DO grad in 1st year who's getting kicked out of a residency for doing a manipulation, he was in a MD residency, so DO is not top choice either in fact that program probably will not match a DO again after this.

I call BS on this one; most DO's that pursue allo residencies are not usually OMM gunners. So please elaborate? There must be a reason why someone would be kicked out of residency and doing OMM is not likely the cause.

 

[CatsandCradles]

I call BS on this one; most DO's that pursue allo residencies are not usually OMM gunners. So please elaborate? There must be a reason why someone would be kicked out of residency and doing OMM is not likely the cause.

No need to get upset guys.

 

[bma]

I call BS on this one; most DO's that pursue allo residencies are not usually OMM gunners. So please elaborate? There must be a reason why someone would be kicked out of residency and doing OMM is not likely the cause.

Looks like your bs meter needs some tweaking:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=335622

 

[oldpro]

I call BS on this one; most DO's that pursue allo residencies are not usually OMM gunners. So please elaborate? There must be a reason why someone would be kicked out of residency and doing OMM is not likely the cause.

Yeah I knew some snot nosed behind of a Donkey would call me a liar, Thats why I hate SDN!

Needlegirl
House Staff


Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Posts: 21


PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: residency vacancies Reply with quote
He was not supposed to do OMM because it's an MD residency. As far as it being the right one for him, he chose it to be near his kids. Moot point now anyway.

When he first came back he had some trouble, thus the probation. He has been performing well since then. Despite good reviews from attendings, he was failed on the rotation due to the OMM. Failure during probation means you are out.
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OLDPRO
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Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 1143
Location: Bonaire

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: residency vacancies Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post
Needlegirl wrote:
He was not supposed to do OMM because it's an MD residency. As far as it being the right one for him, he chose it to be near his kids. Moot point now anyway.

When he first came back he had some trouble, thus the probation. He has been performing well since then. Despite good reviews from attendings, he was failed on the rotation due to the OMM. Failure during probation means you are out.


I understand and was not trying to be smart, You mentioned Commited to Family Med Thats usually Family Practice and not IM, anyway I'm sorry for the troubles, whats done is done, there should be some way to appeal this, the OMM seems really minor to me but the main problem is that he would have to promise not to do it again if he can convince them to keep him, nd is this really a good situation for a DO who wants to practice the DO manipulation when it is not sanctioned by the Attendings in the Residency? It sounds like a bad match to me. He should really try to get a DO residency where he can do this stuff seems to me? Is the differences between his training in Medschool and the residency program the real problem? I do understand the differences between Allopathic and DO. Is this a case where they clash?

Again I'm really sorry for the problems.

http://www.studentdoc.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4809

Why would this poster Lie? I know its true because its not posted here!!!!

You really have to stop calling other Medical Students Liars, we are all in the same profession. I always tell the truth. I have no reason to lie, on the other hand there are lots of posters who enjoy posting crap here that is half truths and lies, I know because I have researched many of the stuff I disagree with with.

 

[oldpro]

Maybe you can give some specifics? Which hospital?

Look I understand there are DO cheerleaders on SDN, there would be more Caribbean ones here to tell the truth if there Wasn't VMD, I really dislike both sites, filled with some good people and the rest rotten to the core as far as hw they post and treat others on the net. An honest person like myself posts something good or bad here and if the Propagandists do not agree they call you a liar and argue for days till you give in or they make you look foolish (So they think) sometimes its the opposite per some readers have told me.
Both SDN and VMD are about who is the most there, most posts, most students, most believed myths. Both sites have good information but you have to wade through pig slop to get to it.

I'm not a troll and will not post this stuff in DO forum, I read the OP and saw BS on how residencies are picked it is not so clear cut as he posted, this is a recent example of my research.

The truth is there are places in the US where DO's still are not favored over MD, no matter how much you want to believe that a US DO is going to always be wanted over a FMG MD it's just not true, face the facts, I come from RURAL GA myself and I can tell you there are many many people who have never heard of DO and would not go to one for care, there are no DO schools in GA and thats part of the reason I think. The areas of the country like GA I'm sure it's the same. People are picky about their health at times, in Fact many on here post that DO is second choice to MD school so why do you think the Public would be less? Logic please!

 

[bma]

Oldpro, I wouldn't get too worked up about this if I were you. You have to realize that this site is owned by an osteopath, and >50% of the mods on here are osteopaths. Any threads they perceive as voicing less than full-throated support for osteopaths is quickly locked. It's ridiculous, but it's SDN.

You see, nycom914 is allowed to call you a liar because he's an osteopath, and because he's on SDN. They're encouraged here to attack any criticism of their OMM/cranial-sacral religion by any means necessary. They spend >2years learning to never question this religion.

But as some are finding out the hard way, in the real world of medicine (i.e., not the SDN-world where osteopaths rule) they either have to learn to shelve that garbage they've been fed in DO school, or find themselves out of a job.

 

[snrub]

My intention wasn't to stir anything up; I guess I should have been more concise.


I just wanted to know if there was a DECIDED advantage in attending DO school over one of the big 4 caribbean schools when it comes to securing an allopathic residency in a more competitive area.

 

[Shinken]

 

[bma]

My intention wasn't to stir anything up; I guess I should have been more concise.


I just wanted to know if there was a DECIDED advantage in attending DO school over one of the big 4 caribbean schools when it comes to securing an allopathic residency in a more competitive area.

I went through the same decision not long ago, so I started compiling the lists. These threads bring the osteopaths out of the woodwork like you would not believe, which quickly results in the thread being closed and/or deleted. I started a blog to keep track of the facts only (so as to avoid the osteopathic cheerleading -- see, e.g., any of Shinken's posts).

OP, you'll find the info you're looking for here:
http://badbadmedicine.blogspot.com/

 

[beastmaster]

For the record, I don't post very much. Especially not in these contentious threads. No one ever wins so why bother. And notice the DO who posted after me has made 18 posts over the last 1.5 years.

On the other hand, oldpro, you got all worked and posted off-topic, as if to throw a few punches before the fight even started. And the DO didn't get booted for doing OMM. He got booted for mental dullness that led to a probation, followed by a crazy PGY2's personal vendetta that stirred up a witch hunt. As someone else said, crazier things have and will happen. It says nothing about DOs, but you thought it would be important to add anyway. Okay.

Then you said hypocritical things like "you must research, do not just read someone's opinion on here." Well, the gathering of opinions, in this line of work, IS research. Don't just tell a starving man to go eat but to avoid all offers of food.

You seem to complain the loudest, but sometimes you have to look within for the problem.

My original point was that DO-only residencies provide much more than what FMGs can obtain in the allopathic world. There are 70+ residency spots for DOs in orthopedic surgery this year alone. There aren't that many FMGs in ortho residencies total. You can't dispute this fact because its based on the most recent stats from the two respective bodies. So what is there to argue about? Some isolated anecdotes of who hates who more? Whatever

 

[oldpro]

For the record, I don't post very much. Especially not in these contentious threads. No one ever wins so why bother. And notice the DO who posted after me has made 18 posts over the last 1.5 years.

Yet you're going to post and tell me I'm wrong anyway, So who's upset here?

On the other hand, oldpro, you got all worked and posted off-topic, as if to throw a few punches before the fight even started. And the DO didn't get booted for doing OMM. He got booted for mental dullness that led to a probation, followed by a crazy PGY2's personal vendetta that stirred up a witch hunt. As someone else said, crazier things have and will happen. It says nothing about DOs, but you thought it would be important to add anyway. Okay.

Yeah say the guys a crazy way to go! (Oh brother help us)

Then you said hypocritical things like "you must research, do not just read someone's opinion on here." Well, the gathering of opinions, in this line of work, IS research. Don't just tell a starving man to go eat but to avoid all offers of food.

Opinions are FACTS? What? please look up these things in a Dictionary

You seem to complain the loudest, but sometimes you have to look within for the problem.

My original point was that DO-only residencies provide much more than what FMGs can obtain in the allopathic world. There are 70+ residency spots for DOs in orthopedic surgery this year alone. There aren't that many FMGs in ortho residencies total. You can't dispute this fact because its based on the most recent stats from the two respective bodies. So what is there to argue about? Some isolated anecdotes of who hates who more? Whatever

And how many DO schools in the Caribbean? I thought this was the Caribbean forum and you telling us about DO residencies which No MD can get. Yes I understand the OP asked about Residencies and US MD/DO/FMG MD but I think he was asking about outside of DO not inside the DO world since you cannot compare DO residencies getting MDs right?

And how many FMG's tried to match in Surgery ? Oh I know a bad question you cannot answer. Thats the fact finding part of me I like the real facts not just conclusions based on emotions. By the way how many FMG are in surgery I bet I can find out over 50 around the USA but I do not have time for all this myself.

Yes I'm a little hostile on SDN, After years of being told my opinion is wrong by people without proof nor facts has made me this way, Your post here in point, (yet again you are trying to make this out to be a war it's not I want proof that I never see posted we should be able to debate not every statistic is valid)

I think it's misleading, DO is a different philosophy then MD, so why would FMG MD's want DO residencies? How can you compare a different kind of practice to MD practice as equal? They are not. FMG's so get the residencies they want I have already been told I got the one I wanted. So theres reality and then theres what others believe based on hearsay. Posting here is mostly hearsay you cant just state that an FMG will not get the residency they want there are too many real world factors that go into it and I'm not the one upset until I'm called a liar and mud is thrown which was done yet again on the great SDN. Not very professional.

By the way I think you missunderstand the post, the DO grad was ill (Not mentally) and was out for extended time he was put on probation and then did an OMM without clearing it with the Attending, the Patient wanted it. I think you jumped to conclusions on that site I asked twice about this and it was made clear the OMM is the reason as posted please stop calling everyone wrong it's just not right.

 

[oldpro]

Oldpro, I wouldn't get too worked up about this if I were you. You have to realize that this site is owned by an osteopath, and >50% of the mods on here are osteopaths. Any threads they perceive as voicing less than full-throated support for osteopaths is quickly locked. It's ridiculous, but it's SDN.

You see, nycom914 is allowed to call you a liar because he's an osteopath, and because he's on SDN. They're encouraged here to attack any criticism of their OMM/cranial-sacral religion by any means necessary. They spend >2years learning to never question this religion.

But as some are finding out the hard way, in the real world of medicine (i.e., not the SDN-world where osteopaths rule) they either have to learn to shelve that garbage they've been fed in DO school, or find themselves out of a job.

I understand but I want to also say I have an open mind about DO and other. There are some good things that come out of it. But to make this tier thing is wrong and not very helpful. There are too many things that go into a Grad and the Match it's not that simple like some say it is.

OMM is fine, I may never do it, or have it done on a patient but I see it as no big deal, I think Other Doctors need to get the stick out of their butt and open their minds, there are more than on way to treat symptoms. A closed mind is a terrible thing. Thats why I sometimes seem to be upset, I'm not really but also I feel the need to lash back at some of these closed minded people, Caribbean schools can and do turn out good Doctors and the can and do get good residencies, yes not all but many do I know of a few from my school this past year, everyone got what they wanted.

 

[xylem29]

Here's a good question - do all Carribean grads match into a US residency spot or only the top 20% of a class?

Because while I am quite aware there are some very-hard working students who just couldn't get into a US MD program that do very well in the Carribean and do well on their boards - these I can understand matching back into the US.

But I know some slack-off, cheating, lazy, ignorant, in it for the money + prestige, idiots who have very low grades and low MCATs who are have no imagination and so must become doctors because they can't do anything else - get into the Carribean. Now, as to how they perform in med school - they were acquaintances, so I don't know how they have done since.

Assuming the student that I've just described carries on with the same work-ethic in the Carribean, and graduates at the bottom 10% of their class and obtains a below average to average Step 1 score - can this individual match back into a US program?

 

[kwill]

Here's a good question - do all Carribean grads

Assuming the student that I've just described carries on with the same work-ethic in the Carribean, and graduates at the bottom 10% of their class and obtains a below average to average Step 1 score - can this individual match back into a US program?

I will not jump to say no they cant match into a US program because there are a few program that do not have a minimun score as long as you pass the step. but like you mentioned " below average to average step" i believe it is failing.

 

[kwill]

The only way you can compare DO to IMG is based on the residency (MD Programs). but if you based it on DO programs, of course DO has priority. Now i can't not argue about which one has priority when it comes to residency (MD programs) because i have no facts. Stated your opinion is not facts.

 

[oldpro]

Here's a good question - do all Carribean grads match into a US residency spot or only the top 20% of a class?

Because while I am quite aware there are some very-hard working students who just couldn't get into a US MD program that do very well in the Carribean and do well on their boards - these I can understand matching back into the US.

But I know some slack-off, cheating, lazy, ignorant, in it for the money + prestige, idiots who have very low grades and low MCATs who are have no imagination and so must become doctors because they can't do anything else - get into the Carribean. Now, as to how they perform in med school - they were acquaintances, so I don't know how they have done since.

Assuming the student that I've just described carries on with the same work-ethic in the Carribean, and graduates at the bottom 10% of their class and obtains a below average to average Step 1 score - can this individual match back into a US program?

1. Some schools are pass/ Fail so it will not show in the transcripts.
2. If they pass step 1 and 2 and make it through clinicals with LORs
then 3. Yes they will match in what? Remains to be seen.

Why make such accusations I know some in US schools who say theres cheating there, also that some people fail a lot. These are friends who email me, I see no reason to make this stuff up?


Oh by the way, Caribbean IS Not:

Easier
better
Faster
Same

As a US Medical School it is however:

Easier to get accepted ( hence some of those that fail out)
Harder to get the Golden Residencies (If you can at all)
Equal in some areas of teaching but not all to US schools
Costs more overall
You can still be a MD if you didn't do so well in undergrad but must bust your tail to get there!

 

[CatsandCradles]

My intention wasn't to stir anything up; I guess I should have been more concise.


I just wanted to know if there was a DECIDED advantage in attending DO school over one of the big 4 caribbean schools when it comes to securing an allopathic residency in a more competitive area.

No, not really.

I come from a town where two of our surgeon recived training at AUC and the Univeristy of Guadelhara. And another surgeon recived his training in India. So it can be done! It is only imperative that you do well on boards and have good LORs.

The three of them have big houses and their practice not to long ago donated over $1.4 to the local elementary school system I went to years ago. They really made a difference in our community.

 

[cooldreams]

The only way you can compare DO to IMG is based on the residency (MD Programs). but if you based it on DO programs, of course DO has priority. Now i can't not argue about which one has priority when it comes to residency (MD programs) because i have no facts. Stated your opinion is not facts.

you have many other things to consider here.

1) most DO residencies, when compared to most MD residencies are "considered subpar" they really are. typically community programs vs MD university programs. this is not ALWAYS the case, but mostly, it is.

2) many of the spots listed for DOs residency placement are actually spots that are unfunded.

3) there are not enough DO residencies for all DOs, so some DOs MUST do a MD residency.

4) check the national match list stats... more IMGs will tend to get into things than DOs.

5) ask many PDs, at the more competitive levels, they will not even look at a DO application. fact. while they take on IMGs... the MD is still considered better, even if it is a tropical degree hehe...

6) MAYO clinic you will find many IMGs and DOs instead of JUST USMDs because they dont tend to play into the stigmas, and they dont have to worry about funding. they just take the VERY best students they can get. this shows you that IMGs and DOs are not nessesarily subpar students. politics and money (or are they the same thing??) play the biggest role in determinant for IMG and DO placement in a USMD system as far as if they will even look at you or not.

 

[Shinken]

 

[oldpro]

So? Why did you read the thread and post this for? Are you an FMG? Looks like your not from all your DO posts .


WHY does SDN have a Caribbean forum when they seem to Hate all FMG and IMG students? No Love on SDN thats for sure.

 

[cooldreams]

So? Why did you read the thread and post this for? Are you an FMG? Looks like your not from all your DO posts .


WHY does SDN have a Caribbean forum when they seem to Hate all FMG and IMG students? No Love on SDN thats for sure.

its a learning ground for us.

when you have to do rounds with a malignant doc that knows nothing about caribbean, even though you busted your butt to get 90+ on the usmle, and he thinks youre nothing...

 

[CatsandCradles]

you have many other things to consider here.

1) most DO residencies, when compared to most MD residencies are "considered subpar" they really are. typically community programs vs MD university programs. this is not ALWAYS the case, but mostly, it is.

This true to a certain extent. For example, if you made that comment against my school, then I would have to agree with you. Most of my school's affiliated residency positions aren't at big teaching hospitals, some are, but many are not. Don't get me wrong, the ones we have aren't garbage or something, you'll learn and get along just fine - they just ain't something to get excited about.

However I would hesitate to make that comment on a larger school city school.

2) many of the spots listed for DOs residency placement are actually spots that are unfunded.

Yes and no. When I look through the program I am in, I always see one or two residency positions that aren't funded. Most are, but sadly there are some FP positions that are not - I often see something like 6 FP positions approved, then you see like only 5 positions funded.

3) there are not enough DO residencies for all DOs, so some DOs MUST do a MD residency.

Actually there are more than enough residencies, but the thing is most of them are in primary care. A lot of osteopathic students want to enter into more juicy specialties - and there aren't a lot of AOA ones, so they go on over to AGCME.

Therefore we have unfilled AOA residency positions - and then the AOA get's all mean and nasty on us for turning against them. I mean, it's the AOA's fault, they get angry and wonder why osteopathic students go to AGCME programs. Well, if the AOA would shift some of that funding over to provide for specialty programs then maybe we osteopaths would stay with AOA positions. But of course the AOA can't lobby for beans and millions of dollars of government money is going to unfilled primary care positions.

And then they wonder why some of us turn traitor on them

Hey AOA, if your reading this - move that funding over to more specialties - and maybe you'll see less Disgruntled Osteopaths.

4) check the national match list stats... more IMGs will tend to get into things than DOs.

I won't say yes or no to this because know that there are a lot of foriegn and international medical students comming to America. And we need them. Almost 25% of all US physicians were trained overseas nations.

5) ask many PDs, at the more competitive levels, they will not even look at a DO application. fact. while they take on IMGs... the MD is still considered better, even if it is a tropical degree hehe...

Well, maybe you have asked many PDs. I have been to several medical/pharmacutical conferences around my school but I still have not met too many PDs as of yet, so I cannot comment on this. I think the reason I didn't talk to much about this item with them was because I was in a hurry to grab all those free pens and note pads they hand out!!

6) MAYO clinic you will find many IMGs and DOs instead of JUST USMDs because they dont tend to play into the stigmas, and they dont have to worry about funding. they just take the VERY best students they can get. this shows you that IMGs and DOs are not nessesarily subpar students. politics and money (or are they the same thing??) play the biggest role in determinant for IMG and DO placement in a USMD system as far as if they will even look at you or not.

Common now. Give yourself more credit than that. I have met many physicians in my hometown that were trained overseas, and they're doing just fine.

 

[cooldreams]

This true to a certain extent. For example, if you made that comment against my school, then I would have to agree with you. Most of my school's affiliated residency positions aren't at big teaching hospitals, some are, but many are not. Don't get me wrong, the ones we have aren't garbage or something, you'll learn and get along just fine - they just ain't something to get excited about.

However I would hesitate to make that comment on a larger school city school.



Yes and no. When I look through the program I am in, I always see one or two residency positions that aren't funded. Most are, but sadly there are some FP positions that are not - I often see something like 6 FP positions approved, then you see like only 5 positions funded.



Actually there are more than enough residencies, but the thing is most of them are in primary care. A lot of osteopathic students want to enter into more juicy specialties - and there aren't a lot of AOA ones, so they go on over to AGCME.

Therefore we have unfilled AOA residency positions - and then the AOA get's all mean and nasty on us for turning against them. I mean, it's the AOA's fault, they get angry and wonder why osteopathic students go to AGCME programs. Well, if the AOA would shift some of that funding over to provide for specialty programs then maybe we osteopaths would stay with AOA positions. But of course the AOA can't lobby for beans and millions of dollars of government money is going to unfilled primary care positions.

And then they wonder why some of us turn traitor on them

Hey AOA, if your reading this - move that funding over to more specialties - and maybe you'll see less Disgruntled Osteopaths.



I won't say yes or no to this because know that there are a lot of foriegn and international medical students comming to America. And we need them. Almost 25% of all US physicians were trained overseas nations.



Well, maybe you have asked many PDs. I have been to several medical/pharmacutical conferences around my school but I still have not met too many PDs as of yet, so I cannot comment on this. I think the reason I didn't talk to much about this item with them was because I was in a hurry to grab all those free pens and note pads they hand out!!



Common now. Give yourself more credit than that. I have met many physicians in my hometown that were trained overseas, and they're doing just fine.

ehhe... thanks for confirming what i said... "mostly" heh

anyone wanna join my underworld clan??? hahah

 

[silas2642]

Based on reading numerous threads, it seems the general agreement as far as pecking order for allopathic residencies goes as: US MD > US DO > FMG.

Now I realize there are more factors than your given status as a med student (ie - USMLE scores, basic sciences GPA, LOR's, etc), but I was wondering if anyone could verify that applying for more competitive allopathic residencies (ie - EM, surgery, rads, anest, etc) as a DO student is a decided advantage over that of a Caribbean student, even one from the Big 4 schools.

This is a serious consideration for me, as I realize that even with best efforts at a FMG, that primary care (FP/IM, etc) more often than not are the positions that are filled by FMG's for obvious reasons.

I do realize that there are FMG's who get into competitive residencies, but those individuals tend to be at the upper echelon of their respective classes. Even though I can't predict the future, I would estimate myself as more around the average student, or slightly above average.


If anyone who is familiar with the residency placement process and views of DO/FMG applicants can give me some insight, or can point me to a thread where I can get some pretty good advice, I'd really appreciate it, as this concern seems to be the key determinant for me right now.

Look, just go where you're going to be happy. If you have a serious inferiority complex over what initials follow your name, then by all means go to the Caribbean. If you are accepted to an osteopathic school where you fit in and where you think you will be happy for the next four years, and you would prefer living in the United States during your preclinical years, then go to a DO school.

Looking at how certain groups match in the past tells you nothing about how well you will match. Regardless of what school you go to, if you excel, do well on the boards, and crush your rotations, you will match well.

 

[cooldreams]

Look, just go where you're going to be happy. If you have a serious inferiority complex over what initials follow your name, then by all means go to the Caribbean. If you are accepted to an osteopathic school where you fit in and where you think you will be happy for the next four years, and you would prefer living in the United States during your preclinical years, then go to a DO school.

Looking at how certain groups match in the past tells you nothing about how well you will match. Regardless of what school you go to, if you excel, do well on the boards, and crush your rotations, you will match well.

its not about YOUR inferiority complex, it is about THEIR superiority complex... like for instances the nurses laughing about how there is a DO rotating... "TEHEHE silly DOs cant make it to a real school. ... oh i know, i think they are ok though, not quite as smart as real doctors..."

you only live in the caribbean about a year and a half. all clinicals are in the usa....

and likely, since very few DO schools have agreements with the local hospitals for their ENTIRE classes, its likely you will not be staying at that same location all four years...

yea, you will match... afforded that the PD doesnt discriminate against IMGs or against DOs... whatever you happen to be... then youre golden...

my honest opinion... DOs make great doctors in ALL specialties. just as MDs can make great doctors in ALL specialties. but such as is medicine at all levels... everything is subjective... go the route you will be happy with... because YOU are happy...

 

[xylem29]

Why make such accusations I know some in US schools who say theres cheating there, also that some people fail a lot. These are friends who email me, I see no reason to make this stuff up?

QUOTE]

What I meant was those that were cheating slackers with a bad gpa and really bad MCAT who end up at the Carribean - if they continue w/o changing and graduate last, but still pass - can they match into a US reside spot?

I am assuming that those really bad students - while they can get into a Carribean school, end up failing out anyway and that all students who actually make it to graduation and passing the USMLE steps are all good enough anyway...I guess I just answered my own question.

I didn't mean to say that US schools don't have cheaters.

 

[oldpro]

xylem29, Its all good, Just realize that Caribbean gets put down here a lot and on the other forums at SDN, for some reason people think its like cheating the system? But as you said it catches the cheaters.

I think the premeds who do poorly and do not get in are the one the most bitter, they struggle for years post bac to just get an interview while friends who went Caribbean are in clinicals already.