Honest, unbiased responses please!

[Donvb]

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I am applying to medical schools right now, and my ultimate goal is definately radiology as I have shadowed numerous radiologists and love the career! Although, right now I am deciding whether to attend a DO school or an MD school... Throw out all of your biases toward either direction of study! Is there a disadvantage if I go DO? Would it be "harder" for me to get into a Radiology residency program if I was DO? Would finding jobs be any more challenging? I truly do want to go onto radiology and this is something I am using in deciding which medical schools to attend. Thank you for your responses!

~Undecided applicant~

 

[bigfrank]

I would argue that, although many DOs match in allopathic specialties every year, being an MD has an inherent advantage.

There was a recent DO who matched in rads with a 245 Step I who applied to 27 programs and got 7 interviews but still matched at his/er #2 choice.

My answer is probably biased, however.

Good luck

 

[rad_one]

As a DO who matched allo rads last year, I agree with bigfrank's statement. It's very possible to match as a DO, but your probability increases with an MD degree.

 

[Molly Maquire]

I am a DO who just matched into an allopathic university-based radiology program. It was a struggle.

Listen to me. If you think you want anything competitive, for the love of God, go to the MD school.

 

[Vince]

If you are 100% set on Radiology or any extremely competitive specialty, you need to go to MD school. I can tell Program Director after Program Director that we learn the same things in DO school as MD school, but they just don't believe me and to them, DO's are an unknown. And with radiology being so competitive, "Why take that chance?" I believe is their opinion. One PD in particular asked me, "What do you guys learn in DO school?" while I was on a visiting rotation. I told the PD my curriculum, but they flat out told me at the program that they really didn't take DO's. I didn't even get an interview there.

There are some programs that are open to taking a DO here and there I guess so like the above posters said, "It IS possible to match allo rads as a DO." But you really have to work harder. It's very frustrating to work so hard and be thought of as a lesser applicant, only because of the "D.O."

That being said, I'm glad I went to DO school, because it was a great experience. Had I enjoyed clinical medicine more (which I really thought I was going to) I would be even more grateful as a DO, because some of the OMM techniques can be very helpful. But I realized I liked radiology much much more and was fortunate enough to match into my #1 allo rads spot.

For those that are already in DO school, if you are really interested in radiology, and considering the DO rads programs, you MUST rotate through their departments to even be considered. If you are going to apply to allo rads, do your best on Step 1 and cross your fingers.

 

[Hendrix99]

I'm going to agree with the above responses. I am graduating from a D.O. program this June and am happy about my choice for education. That being said, my interview offers for rads were definitely limited. I had a 235 step 1 USMLE and great LORs and grades. I applied to 23, interviewed at only 5, and was lucky enough to match at my #1 choice. If you are 100% set on rads, you will probably have more doors open to you coming from an M.D. program. But do whichever you like more. If you are interested in osteopathic medicine, do it and you will be able to match somewhere if you work hard and do well in school. Not am easy choice, I know, but do some soul searching and you will figure it out. 👍

 

[Donvb]

Thanks guys/gals,
I really do want to go into radiology, but I also TRULY feel like I would be a better doctor as a DO... So I figure if I have to work all that much harder maybe it will be worth it in the end... What do you guys think about the DO rad programs??

 

[bababuey]

Thanks guys/gals,
I really do want to go into radiology, but I also TRULY feel like I would be a better doctor as a DO... So I figure if I have to work all that much harder maybe it will be worth it in the end... What do you guys think about the DO rad programs??

When are ppl going to get over this stupid idea that "I'll be a better doctor as a DO"! When you are a fourth year going through the application process the only thing you will be thinking about is... "will i match!" and "where will i match". If youre going into rads, trust me you will want to be coming from an MD school... and you certainly wont be thinking "i could be a better doctor if i went to a DO school"....

 

[bigfrank]

Thanks guys/gals,
I really do want to go into radiology, but I also TRULY feel like I would be a better doctor as a DO... So I figure if I have to work all that much harder maybe it will be worth it in the end... What do you guys think about the DO rad programs??

Tell me why you think you'd be a better radiologist as an Osteopath. I'm really curious to hear this one. 🙄

Additionally, have you been accepted to both types of schools?

 

[Molly Maquire]

Yeah, I'm curious of this myself.

 

[samsoccer7]

I think it's great that the DO's posting here matched allopathic rads. I know several DOs and I don't think any less of that path. HOWEVER, I would absolutely recommend against it if you're interested in rads, derm, or anything competitive. If you wanted to do medicine, or even general surg, pm&r, or whatever, I think you could be fine either way. I am not biased either. In fact, the DOs I know are clinically better than I am. But I wouldn't recommend it in this case, at all.

Not trying to offend anyone, by the way.