Howard (PARP) or PCOM????

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EternalQuaker

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So I recently was accepted into Howard's PARP program, a six week mandatory introductory program on which my acceptance into their medical school is contingent upon. About 3 months ago I was fortunate to get into PCOM's DO program. While I value both degrees roughly the same. My question is, which of these options is the better choice? In terms of cost of living, living in philly is considerably cheaper, but I do not necessarily believe that this is good enough reason to turn down Howard just yet. I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death, but I would like a fresh perspective on whether going the DO route (At PCOM) will put me at any kind of disadvantage. If so, what kind of disadvantage??
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If 12 pages of threads do not answer your question, I am not sure what will!!!

But again, your situation is unique
 
Going to PCOM (a wonderful med school in it's own right) is a guarantee. You have the opportunity to become a physician staring at you right in the face. You would be willing to give that up for a "chance" that might or might not lead to an MD. That's absolutely foolish.

"I value both degrees roughly the same"
"I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death"

You have your answer.
 
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MD > DO

Don't listen to people who say there are "low-tier" MD schools. It's true that there are. But nobody cares that Howard lets in some of the crappiest med students. IDK the exact stats, but Morehouse has 3.5/27. That's pretty terrible. But they're still gonna be MD's. Personally, I wouldn't trust them with my health, though.
 
EternalQuaker said:
So I recently was accepted into Howard's PARP program, a six week mandatory introductory program on which my acceptance into their medical school is contingent upon. About 3 months ago I was fortunate to get into PCOM's DO program. While I value both degrees roughly the same. My question is, which of these options is the better choice? In terms of cost of living, living in philly is considerably cheaper, but I do not necessarily believe that this is good enough reason to turn down Howard just yet. I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death, but I would like a fresh perspective on whether going the DO route (At PCOM) will put me at any kind of disadvantage. If so, what kind of disadvantage??
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AnatomyGrey12 said:
Not to mention what the eff if PARP? It sounds too much like "carp" to be a good thing
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I mentioned before about the post-bacc in my home state, which grants acceptance to the local MD school. My friend had gotten into that program and some very well known DO schools. He choose the program (even the program director though he was crazy when he had several acceptance in hand). Of course he passed it and is in residency currently, but he told me it was the biggest mistake he ever made. Around only 50-70% actually pass the program and he himself nearly failed once. If he hadn't passed his make up exam, his dream of medicine would have been over (he was a much older student). He could have gone to a DO school and pursued EM without that much difficulty and would have been an EM doc that much sooner. This is why you have to be careful of these programs, sometimes they are too good to be true.
 
IslandStyle808 said:
I mentioned before about the post-bacc in my home state, which grants acceptance to the local MD school. My friend had gotten into that program and some very well known DO schools. He choose the program (even the program director though he was crazy when he had several acceptance in hand). Of course he passed it and is in residency currently, but he told me it was the biggest mistake he ever made. Around only 50-70% actually pass the program and he himself nearly failed once. If he hadn't passed his make up exam, his dream of medicine would have been over (he was a much older student). He could have gone to a DO school and pursued EM without that much difficulty and would have been an EM doc that much sooner. This is why you have to be careful of these programs, sometimes they are too good to be true.
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I wholeheartedly agree and appreciate your input. My sentiments are the same. It seems like most of the people who do the program get in, but I'm not sure if I can bet my future on that.
 
TexasMedic15 said:
Going to PCOM (a wonderful med school in it's own right) is a guarantee. You have the opportunity to become a physician staring at you right in the face. You would be willing to give that up for a "chance" that might or might not lead to an MD. That's absolutely foolish.

"I value both degrees roughly the same"
"I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death"

You have your answer.
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You have a good point. This was the same conclusion I came to. I appreciate you commenting on it. At least I don't feel like I am crazy for thinking this way.
 
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I'd actually go PCOM here. They consistently have MD level match lists. You'd be pissing away a year of attending salary to go to Howard. And you might not even get into the school in the end, which would either make you lose another year of attending salary, or you may never get into another school.
 
What trajectory do you see your career taking? If you want to be an academic pediatric neurosurgeon, go to Howard. If you want to be something that DOs can easily match into, go to PCOM over Howard. PCOM is a much better school and if you don't have any aspirations of going to a residency from which DOs are all but barred, then I think the answer is clear. Just my opinion.
 
FourniersGreenGang said:
What trajectory do you see your career taking? If you want to be an academic pediatric neurosurgeon, go to Howard. If you want to be something that DOs can easily match into, go to PCOM over Howard. PCOM is a much better school and if you don't have any aspirations of going to a residency from which DOs are all but barred, then I think the answer is clear. Just my opinion.
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I agree. I really appreciate you and everyone else who posted on this thread. You guys helped me keep things in perspective.
 
NimbleNavigator said:
MD > DO

Don't listen to people who say there are "low-tier" MD schools. It's true that there are. But nobody cares that Howard lets in some of the crappiest med students. IDK the exact stats, but Morehouse has 3.5/27. That's pretty terrible. But they're still gonna be MD's. Personally, I wouldn't trust them with my health, though.
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So you wouldn't trust any MD with your health who went to Morehouse for medical school because their average acceptance stats is a 3.5/27? Are you aware that Morehouse has a less than 3% acceptance rate? And in Morehouse's case, they are more interested in students who fit their mission above stats.

Completely ignoring what their boards scores are and where they completed their residency as well as any research, theses, community work, and other achievements/accolades they may have recieved, you would not trust them?

Do you know the average for DO schools as a whole is 3.5/26-27? Based on your logic, would you not trust a DO with your health?

Sorry if I'm coming off as hostile but I dislike ridiculous comments like that.
 
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Completely agree with bahdahbloom, everyone who is in a MD program has to take the same boards and pass them, so does it really matter what school you go to? Same for DO schools, just because they have lower stats, does not mean they are "lesser" than someone who goes to a MD school. In the end, your a physician and no one gives a lick where you went to school.


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EternalQuaker said:
So I recently was accepted into Howard's PARP program, a six week mandatory introductory program on which my acceptance into their medical school is contingent upon. About 3 months ago I was fortunate to get into PCOM's DO program. While I value both degrees roughly the same. My question is, which of these options is the better choice? In terms of cost of living, living in philly is considerably cheaper, but I do not necessarily believe that this is good enough reason to turn down Howard just yet. I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death, but I would like a fresh perspective on whether going the DO route (At PCOM) will put me at any kind of disadvantage. If so, what kind of disadvantage??
Click to expand...

I was in a situation similar to yours. I got into a DO program and was asked to consider a 1 yr program at an MD school, which upon completion would guarantee my acceptance. At that time, I chose the DO school. I did not want to put off my education any longer (had a 2 year gap) for another hoop I had to jump through. Plus more money added onto my student debt wasn't worth it for me.

I did get an MD acceptance a little later which I was thrilled about. Being honest with myself, I preferred the MD degree over the DO one (wasn't a fan of OMM). I have also spoken to some DO students who said they wished they had strengthened their app, waited another year, and gone MD to avoid OMM and the COMLEX. I also spoke to a close MD friend who said she would've taken DO to get into school earlier instead stressing on solely MD.

That being said, in your position, I would take the DO school. A sure DO acceptance is better than a "maybe" MD acceptance to me. You need to be honest with yourself and do what you know is best for you. I also suggest looking into what percentage of individuals finish PARP and matriculate.
 
If you were deciding between acceptances, I'd say the MD program without hesitation. But since you're deciding between a DO acceptance and what sounds kind of like a fast version of a post-bacc, I'd pick the acceptance. "A bird in the hand," as they say.
 
EternalQuaker said:
So I recently was accepted into Howard's PARP program, a six week mandatory introductory program on which my acceptance into their medical school is contingent upon. About 3 months ago I was fortunate to get into PCOM's DO program. While I value both degrees roughly the same. My question is, which of these options is the better choice? In terms of cost of living, living in philly is considerably cheaper, but I do not necessarily believe that this is good enough reason to turn down Howard just yet. I know that the MD and DO dispute has been done to death, but I would like a fresh perspective on whether going the DO route (At PCOM) will put me at any kind of disadvantage. If so, what kind of disadvantage??
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I'm at Howard now, class of 2019. All the PARP students from this past summer got in. Pick Howard, you won't regret it!
 
HaitianDrSoph said:
I'm at Howard now, class of 2019. All the PARP students from this past summer got in. Pick Howard, you won't regret it!
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I feel like unless they have told you a minimum benchmark or something like say XYZ GPA or grade in some class, this is risky and PCOM is a better option. Just because everyone got in the past year doesn't mean it's a guarantee. No guarantee means exactly that.
 
Mavs88 said:
I feel like unless they have told you a minimum benchmark or something like say XYZ GPA or grade in some class, this is risky and PCOM is a better option. Just because everyone got in the past year doesn't mean it's a guarantee. No guarantee means exactly that.
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Well I go here and I can tell you they don't have a maximum number of PARP people that they let in. Meaning, every single PARP person can get in as long as they pass the courses. With all the support provided here at Howard, I guarantee you will pass. You have made it this far, I am sure you are very smart!
Again, I recommend Howard, especially if you care about having that MD after your name
 
Can you talk to any students in the PARP program and any medical students at Howard before making your decision?

I thought I might have a similar dilemma several years back, but I ended up not getting accepted to Howard. I have nothing against "lower tier" MD schools, but I had heard a lot of negative things about Howard in regards to disorganization and professors not showing up to teach classes.

Again, this was many years ago, so I hope things have changed. I'm happy with my decision to go to a well regarded DO school, but if Howard has improved over the years I think you can't go wrong to go there either. Good luck on your decision!
 
HaitianDrSoph said:
Well I go here and I can tell you they don't have a maximum number of PARP people that they let in. Meaning, every single PARP person can get in as long as they pass the courses. With all the support provided here at Howard, I guarantee you will pass. You have made it this far, I am sure you are very smart!
Again, I recommend Howard, especially if you care about having that MD after your name
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In the last 2-3 years, what has the track record of getting in been like? If it is 90%+, then it may not be that risky. However, less than this it might be.
 
Taking a leap of faith is part of life. This is a risk very much worth taking, especially considering the fact that a current student states that you just have to pass to matriculate (I'd try to confirm that before making a final decision though).

Go to Howard, trust in your abilities, pass your classes, and matriculate in a MD institution.

...just my 2 cents.


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In the response to the "you just have to pass," don't take that statement lightly. The program I have mentioned above is a "you just have to pass" program (65% or higher is passing) and everyone has a shot of getting in. My friends have mentioned the faculty are very supportive as well. However, the only difference is that the attrition is 30-50%.

As long as attrition is not like above 10%, it seems like a safe choice. OP try to find out how much attrition has occurred within the last several years. Worst case scenario in that you don't pass PARP, you will be looking at another 2-3 years of app improvement before you apply again. There were a couple of friends of friends I have heard of who had to go through this before they could apply to medical school again. Both got in luckily.
 
IslandStyle808 said:
In the response to the "you just have to pass," don't take that statement lightly. The program I have mentioned above is a "you just have to pass" program (65% or higher is passing) and everyone has a shot of getting in. My friends have mentioned the faculty are very supportive as well. However, the only difference is that the attrition is 30-50%.

As long as attrition is not like above 10%, it seems like a safe choice. OP try to find out how much attrition has occurred within the last several years. Worst case scenario in that you don't pass PARP, you will be looking at another 2-3 years of app improvement before you apply again. There were a couple of friends of friends I have heard of who had to go through this before they could apply to medical school again. Both got in luckily.
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Point taken. When I asked the committee how many people matriculate from the program they just said that most people get in. It seemed a little bit vague. Truth be told, I have been working towards getting into med school for the past five years after graduating from undergrad and I'm not sure whether this gamble may be worth it for me. If I was only a year or two out of school, I would be willing to roll the dice with Howard, but now in the slight chance that I don't make the cut off (I don't even know what this cut off is), I am completely screwed. I think I have come to a decision.

For those who advocated for Howard, I hear you. That is why before I choose PCOM I will see whether get Howard to waive the mandatory participation in this program. There is a slight chance I can make it work as it seems those in the program are already considered part of the entering class, they are just people that want to make sure they can handle med school. In any case if I do end up going to PCOM, that's cool because I love the school and it was by far my first choice DO school.

We'll see what happens. Thanks guys!! If you still have any thoughts, please feel free to post.
 
I think this is a good idea ^^^. Honestly in the end it is your decision, if you really want to go for the MD (totally understandable seeing how close you are) then go for it. If you can't get them to change it a bit and give you full acceptance and you decide to go to PCOM, then there are much worse options out there. Either way Goodluck 👍:hello:
 
EternalQuaker said:
Point taken. When I asked the committee how many people matriculate from the program they just said that most people get in. It seemed a little bit vague. Truth be told, I have been working towards getting into med school for the past five years after graduating from undergrad and I'm not sure whether this gamble may be worth it for me. If I was only a year or two out of school, I would be willing to roll the dice with Howard, but now in the slight chance that I don't make the cut off (I don't even know what this cut off is), I am completely screwed. I think I have come to a decision.

For those who advocated for Howard, I hear you. That is why before I choose PCOM I will see whether get Howard to waive the mandatory participation in this program. There is a slight chance I can make it work as it seems those in the program are already considered part of the entering class, they are just people that want to make sure they can handle med school. In any case if I do end up going to PCOM, that's cool because I love the school and it was by far my first choice DO school.

We'll see what happens. Thanks guys!! If you still have any thoughts, please feel free to post.
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Passing means getting 70% or more in the class. That's the only "cut off"
Either way, I understand where you are coming from and wish you the best! Hopefully everything works out how you wished 🙂
 
HaitianDrSoph said:
Well I go here and I can tell you they don't have a maximum number of PARP people that they let in. Meaning, every single PARP person can get in as long as they pass the courses. With all the support provided here at Howard, I guarantee you will pass. You have made it this far, I am sure you are very smart!
Again, I recommend Howard, especially if you care about having that MD after your name
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Could you tell me what are those 3 courses that the students will take during those 6 weeks? I was accepted through PARP program. I will go for it since it's my dream school and I did a similar program in Texas where we had to take courses at UT Southwestern and pass them , but it was just for experience so I'm confident that I will do well.
 
SuccessisLife said:
Could you tell me what are those 3 courses that the students will take during those 6 weeks? I was accepted through PARP program. I will go for it since it's my dream school and I did a similar program in Texas where we had to take courses at UT Southwestern and pass them , but it was just for experience so I'm confident that I will do well.
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I have no clue what classes you will have to do, but I'm pretty sure that if you contact Dr. Walter Bland directly he might be able to shed some light on that. He's really cool. Also, just as a side note..... Good luck at Howard! Kill the program and take your spot! 🙂
 
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