Hard Decision

[zippyjent]

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I have a question for everyone applying to DO schools. I applied to MD schools because it seemed the things to do, but I really wanted to attend a DO school, because I prefer DO doctors. Everyone in my family goes to DO doctors.
I was accepted to KCUMB, where my doctor went to school. I am very excited and happy with my decision.
HOWEVER, I work in the hospital with a lot of MD docs, and every doctor that I tell I was accepted gets excited, then asks where, and then their face falls when I tell them that it is a DO school. I have even had more than one doc say, well, if you don’t get into an MD school… Its like, everyone thinks it’s not as good.
At school, all my fellow pre-meds feel like DO schools are only necessary if you can not get into an MD school. And look at me accordingly when I tell them about DO medicine.

I am torn you guys! I want to attend a DO school, I felt comfortable and happy when I interviewed at KCUMB. But, I want to be accepted by my peers. I did not like the people at the MD school that I interviewed at. I felt like the only reason they wanted to be doctors is to prove something. But then they get to look down at other doctors because they did not go to as good of a school. I feel like either way, I will regret going to the DO school and but also will regret going to an MD school. Is anyone else struggling with this? Should I follow my convictions? Or should I follow the crowd?

 

[USArmyDoc]

Having interviewed at KCUMB, I would put the education you would received there up against any allopathic school.

 

[shminger]

I have a question for everyone applying to DO schools. I applied to MD schools because it seemed the things to do, but I really wanted to attend a DO school, because I prefer DO doctors. Everyone in my family goes to DO doctors.
I was accepted to KCUMB, where my doctor went to school. I am very excited and happy with my decision.
HOWEVER, I work in the hospital with a lot of MD docs, and every doctor that I tell I was accepted gets excited, then asks where, and then their face falls when I tell them that it is a DO school. I have even had more than one doc say, well, if you don’t get into an MD school… Its like, everyone thinks it’s not as good.
At school, all my fellow pre-meds feel like DO schools are only necessary if you can not get into an MD school. And look at me accordingly when I tell them about DO medicine.

I am torn you guys! I want to attend a DO school, I felt comfortable and happy when I interviewed at KCUMB. But, I want to be accepted by my peers. I did not like the people at the MD school that I interviewed at. I felt like the only reason they wanted to be doctors is to prove something. But then they get to look down at other doctors because they did not go to as good of a school. I feel like either way, I will regret going to the DO school and but also will regret going to an MD school. Is anyone else struggling with this? Should I follow my convictions? Or should I follow the crowd?

Go with what you want to do. Are you becoming a doctor because you want to, or to please everyone else. Do what will make you happy. Hope that helps. 😀

 

[ihopetobeado2]

I think you answered your own question: Become an MD because of peer pressure or become a DO because it is the right thing to do? It's like when your parents are scolding you and they rhetorically ask, "you wouldn't jump-off a bridge because someone told you to? Would you?"

 

[Raven Feather]

Not all people go to DO schools because they have low MCAT or GPA or both. Some actually want to be an osteopathic physician 1st and formost, some go to DO school due to geography, some never cared whether of not they went DO or MD as long as they become physicians and find the right school for them--the list goes on and on....Most of the MD vs DO bashing comes from Pre-med, Med students (who are for the most part, still immature). I work at a hospital that has both MDs and DOs and each of them out in the real world gives each other the same respect, as do patients, as do staff.

I wouldn't let it bother me. KCUMB is a good school as evidence by their 1st time pass rates on boards and residency match lists.

Which is more important to you, becoming a physician or what your peers (who are ignorant of the topic) think of you?

 

[backman_y2k]

I can relate to this situation. However, it's not about whether or not going DO or MD. I've always known that medicine was my calling, but I made a left turn. I chose the route of chiropractic and feel that I have sold myself short of my true potential. I can honestly say that it's best to follow your dreams whether you go MD or DO. Make sure that when you get up in the morning you are excited about your profession and helping others.
I made a decision that after two years of private practice as a chiropractor I'm walking away to pursue my goal, which is medicine.
Zippyjent you may never be able to please everyone without first pleasing yourself. Do what is best for you and the rest will follow.

 

[shminger]

Zippyjent you may never be able to please everyone without first pleasing yourself. Do what is best for you and the rest will follow.

👍

 

[shminger]

Not all people go to DO schools because they have low MCAT or GPA or both. Some actually want to be an osteopathic physician 1st and formost, some go to DO school due to geography, some never cared whether of not they went DO or MD as long as they become physicians and find the right school for them--the list goes on and on....Most of the MD vs DO bashing comes from Pre-med, Med students (who are for the most part, still immature). I work at a hospital that has both MDs and DOs and each of them out in the real world gives each other the same respect, as do patients, as do staff.

I wouldn't let it bother me. KCUMB is a good school as evidence by their 1st time pass rates on boards and residency match lists.

Which is more important to you, becoming a physician or what your peers (who are ignorant of the topic) think of you?

Totally agree.

 

[PlasticMan]

Maybe I'm missing something, but...what's the decision? You mention you interviewed at an MD school, but did you get an acceptance? If you only got accepted at KCUMB then the descision is easy.

 

[shminger]

Maybe I'm missing something, but...what's the descision? You mention you interviewed at an MD school, but did you get an acceptance? If you only got accepted at KCUMB then the descision is easy.

That's true!

 

[JO300]

did you get accepted into MD school or not?

 

[zippyjent]

That's true!

LOL, that is very true. I was just needing some assurance. The MD school does not give out acceptances until March, but a couple other pre meds are so excited by it. I thought it sucked, honestly. I kind of wanted to figure out my heart NOW, instead of in march or may, if I recieved other acceptances. I do really feel like I need to follow my convictions, and they are leading me DO.
Thanks guys

 

[PlasticMan]

Also take into account what part of medicine you have an interest in? Mind you, either MD or DO can go into any field, but it still should be taken into account. Do you want to go into primary care? Or specialize more like surgery?

 

[Jamers]

I have a question for everyone applying to DO schools. I applied to MD schools because it seemed the things to do, but I really wanted to attend a DO school, because I prefer DO doctors. Everyone in my family goes to DO doctors.
I was accepted to KCUMB, where my doctor went to school. I am very excited and happy with my decision.
HOWEVER, I work in the hospital with a lot of MD docs, and every doctor that I tell I was accepted gets excited, then asks where, and then their face falls when I tell them that it is a DO school. I have even had more than one doc say, well, if you don’t get into an MD school… Its like, everyone thinks it’s not as good.
At school, all my fellow pre-meds feel like DO schools are only necessary if you can not get into an MD school. And look at me accordingly when I tell them about DO medicine.

I am torn you guys! I want to attend a DO school, I felt comfortable and happy when I interviewed at KCUMB. But, I want to be accepted by my peers. I did not like the people at the MD school that I interviewed at. I felt like the only reason they wanted to be doctors is to prove something. But then they get to look down at other doctors because they did not go to as good of a school. I feel like either way, I will regret going to the DO school and but also will regret going to an MD school. Is anyone else struggling with this? Should I follow my convictions? Or should I follow the crowd?

A good doctor is not measured by the letters that follow his or her name. Anyone who believes this is in the profession for the wrong reasons and their advice should be taken with a grain of salt, if even at all. I chose to follow the Osteopathic tradition not because I couldn't get into an Allopathic school but, instead, because I had a very good experience with every D.O. I have encountered and respected the way they treated patients. Go with your heart, not for the letters.

 

[dr.z]

A good doctor is not measured by the letters that follow his or her name. Anyone who believes this is in the profession for the wrong reasons and their advice should be taken with a grain of salt, if even at all. I chose to follow the Osteopathic tradition not because I couldn't get into an Allopathic school but, instead, because I had a very good experience with every D.O. I have encountered and respected the way they treated patients. Go with your heart, not for the letters.

None of my friends who are attendings at an allopathic institution makes any distinction between the two degrees. They told me not to be worried about the initials.

 

[NewNick]

If you're really want to be a physician and can't wait, go to DO because it's your chance. Otherwise, just re-apply to MD schools next year. If you talk to more people, you'll find that it's not an issue whether you're DO or MD. It's whether you're great doctor or not. Of course, if you get into MD now, you'll feel great because it's your accomplishment (temporarily). However, you still have a long way to go before you become a doctor and practice. There's a proverb: "in order to determine a good horse, you need to look at it in a long race". And I think a lot of DOs realized this, that makes them so competitive with MDs at the end.

 

[jesse14]

I can relate to this situation. However, it's not about whether or not going DO or MD. I've always known that medicine was my calling, but I made a left turn. I chose the route of chiropractic and feel that I have sold myself short of my true potential. I can honestly say that it's best to follow your dreams whether you go MD or DO. Make sure that when you get up in the morning you are excited about your profession and helping others.
I made a decision that after two years of private practice as a chiropractor I'm walking away to pursue my goal, which is medicine.
Zippyjent you may never be able to please everyone without first pleasing yourself. Do what is best for you and the rest will follow.

Is it possible to elaborate on your situation? Did the DO school are that you're a DC when they were deciding to accept you? Is there any positoved to chiropractic that you could mention?
Good luck with DO school

Thanks!

 

[mtDNA]

I have a question for everyone applying to DO schools. I applied to MD schools because it seemed the things to do, but I really wanted to attend a DO school, because I prefer DO doctors. Everyone in my family goes to DO doctors.
I was accepted to KCUMB, where my doctor went to school. I am very excited and happy with my decision.
HOWEVER, I work in the hospital with a lot of MD docs, and every doctor that I tell I was accepted gets excited, then asks where, and then their face falls when I tell them that it is a DO school. I have even had more than one doc say, well, if you don’t get into an MD school… Its like, everyone thinks it’s not as good.
At school, all my fellow pre-meds feel like DO schools are only necessary if you can not get into an MD school. And look at me accordingly when I tell them about DO medicine.

I am torn you guys! I want to attend a DO school, I felt comfortable and happy when I interviewed at KCUMB. But, I want to be accepted by my peers. I did not like the people at the MD school that I interviewed at. I felt like the only reason they wanted to be doctors is to prove something. But then they get to look down at other doctors because they did not go to as good of a school. I feel like either way, I will regret going to the DO school and but also will regret going to an MD school. Is anyone else struggling with this? Should I follow my convictions? Or should I follow the crowd?

I am in a situation not much unlike yours. Applied both MD and DO, been interviewed by both, and accepted to MSUCOM. Do you have an MD acceptance by chance? You and I may be able to avoid this decision altogether if none of the MD schools accept us.

It is kind of funny to hear your description of the DO school feeling comfortable, and the MD school feels like everyone is trying to prove something. I definitely felt the same way in both cases. Honestly though, I do not think that there is a right or wrong answer to this. Either way we will end up doing the same thing and living our dream. Actually, I think if someone was willing to wait another year for MD, instead of going DO, that should be a serious red flag about their motivation to go into medicine. Personally, I am so excited about med school that I would crazy waiting another year! Congrats on getting accepted, and good luck to you.

 

[KateGia]

You have to do what is going to make you the most happy. DOs are doctors. They take the same classes and the same tests. If you really want to prove it to yourself, you can even take the USMLE as well as the COMLEX. Then you can tell everyone how well you compare to MDs. At the hospital I work at, most people don't even know who is an MD and who is a DO, they just know them as doctors. That's all that really matters.