Will this affect how the MD schools look at my sons' application the second time around ? We had a dean of an Graduate program tell my son they would somehow know and they would turn him away because he was accepted to DO and didn't go.....HELP !!
If you turn down a DO school acceptance to go do Post Bach Program.....
- Thread starter misunthdr
- Start date
- Joined
- May 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,127
- Reaction score
- 3
*face palm*
I personally would also pick MD>DO, no I don't think it would matter. this question is pointless
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 16,447
- Reaction score
- 8,946
So you want to turn down a medical school acceptance. So you can Attempt to get into an MD school? You do realize that firstly it's stupid as you might not get in to the MD school after the post-bacc and you'll probably be screwed for some DO schools. Secondly why were you wasting your money applying to DO schools when you knew you wouldn't be going to them even if you got in?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2008
- Messages
- 830
- Reaction score
- 3
Agreed. What the hell
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2007
- Messages
- 3,924
- Reaction score
- 13
Poor plan. While DO and MD app services are separate and so reapplicants are as easily detected, if asked, your son must admit to having previously applied DO. Turning down his DO acceptance would likely hurt his chances. Furthermore, nothing is to say he'd get in as a reapplicant to begin with. DO is pretty much equal to MD at this pt, so it makes little sense to spend money on a PB that might be unsuccessful just to take a more risky path.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,372
- Reaction score
- 424
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Take the acceptance and become a doctor.
Take the acceptance and become a doctor.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 554
- Reaction score
- 1
for real.
Sounds like a label *****, to me...who wasted money to confirm that he's a label *****. It's okay if you're strictly concerned with MD, but why waste time? Two years down the drain...one applying, and the next doing a post-bac that may or may not be successful. I hope he DOES make it into an MD program because if he applies DO again, they'll know he turned down that acceptance and be a**ed out of that opportunity.
Think before you apply, folks.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,922
- Reaction score
- 1,517
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 2,115
- Reaction score
- 498
The short answer to your question is YES!
If your son did NOT want to go to a D.O. school, he should have not applied to one. Once admitted, if he chooses not to attend, it is going to hurt him in future cycles for both M.D. and D.O. schools.
That said, it's not impossible to get into an M.D. program in the future.
In his shoes, I'd go to the D.O. program. As someone said earlier, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Once he is working in a hospital no one will care where he went to medical school or whether he is a DO or MD.
He would be nuts to turn down a medical schools acceptance for the hope of a future one (no guarantees in this process).
If your son did NOT want to go to a D.O. school, he should have not applied to one. Once admitted, if he chooses not to attend, it is going to hurt him in future cycles for both M.D. and D.O. schools.
That said, it's not impossible to get into an M.D. program in the future.
In his shoes, I'd go to the D.O. program. As someone said earlier, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Once he is working in a hospital no one will care where he went to medical school or whether he is a DO or MD.
He would be nuts to turn down a medical schools acceptance for the hope of a future one (no guarantees in this process).
Thanks for all the responses, I have to tell you he was advised to apply DO because his science GPA was 3.30 and his overall GPA 3.45 sooooooo and he didn't think he had a chance with the MD school,but thru an application in to a MD school that is close to home as real long shot....
... he was thrilled with his acceptance with the DO school and wait listed at 2 DO schools and then at the 11th hour got a surprise call from local MD school for interview and is now on the alternate list there...... so that is his problem, it would be so much less expensive to live at home and use one of our cars and go to the MD school.....he really didn't expect to get in, but now that he is on the alternate list he has been thinking more and more about the cost savings of attending school close to home. He really has no "label" issues or feelings of one being more or less better than the other. We have always had DO's as family docs so..... just thinking out loud and "we" appreciate the input 😍
... he was thrilled with his acceptance with the DO school and wait listed at 2 DO schools and then at the 11th hour got a surprise call from local MD school for interview and is now on the alternate list there...... so that is his problem, it would be so much less expensive to live at home and use one of our cars and go to the MD school.....he really didn't expect to get in, but now that he is on the alternate list he has been thinking more and more about the cost savings of attending school close to home. He really has no "label" issues or feelings of one being more or less better than the other. We have always had DO's as family docs so..... just thinking out loud and "we" appreciate the input 😍
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 16,447
- Reaction score
- 8,946
What is a "alternate list"? Is it like a low priority waitlist? Or is it some sort of program that's you do and get into MD program at the end of it.
It is silly to waste a year or more of his life and pay for a post-bacc and another application cycle to "save money" by attending school close to home. The loss of at least two year's earnings as a physician easily wipe out any potential savings to going to school close to home. Also, turning down a DO acceptance pretty much negates any future chance of getting into a DO school again. If he's pinning all his hope on this one close MD school, it seems pretty foolish.
Good question I guess it is the wait list, but they call it the alternate list and the last few years it has had lots of movement, not so much so far this year.
I was just thinking out loud here, I don't think his adviser was the most thoughtful guy out there and Dad and I are not very helpful ( I didn't even attend a 4 yr college) and Dad is a finance major. We don't have any Docs in the family and don't know any well enough to get any wisdom for Jr. He has done this all on his own.
Maybe some of the posters could cut us a break😉
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 1,748
- Reaction score
- 99
I'm glad my parents are too busy running their own businesses than to be on SDN freaking out about my MCAT score.
Hey ! Nobody is freaking out ! Just looking to bounce some ideas off people who have some insight 🙂 By the way his MCAT is 34 😛 No Freaking out over that score !
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 886
- Reaction score
- 9
And after all this postbacc and whatever crap, he doesn't end up gaining acceptance to an MD program, then what?
Once you burn this bridge with the DO school(s), your chances of getting an acceptance a second time around is pretty diminished. It's not like they're desperate for applicants - there are plenty out there that would be happy to take an acceptance.
Once you burn this bridge with the DO school(s), your chances of getting an acceptance a second time around is pretty diminished. It's not like they're desperate for applicants - there are plenty out there that would be happy to take an acceptance.
Sounds like good advice, that was our first instinct you know the "bird in the hand vs two in the bush" it just feels so important to me that I wanted to send my question out to the universe aka internet and see if some helpful souls could offer some guidance.
Cute, nope how about him just getting used to the East Coast.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 2,115
- Reaction score
- 498
I think a very important question that hasn't been asked is what speciality is your son interested in. It is harder to get into very competitive specialties (such as plastic surgery) out of a D.O. school. It is of course, not impossible.
Cost savings is NOT a good reason to do a post-bac and delay med school another year (a single year of physician income should eliminate any potential cost saving on this end).
Also, the fact that your son has only one D.O. acceptance and was waitlisted at a few, tells me that his overall application is not very competitive for M.D. programs. Alternate list at one hometown M.D. school is not a good enough reason to consider applying another cycle.
Cost savings is NOT a good reason to do a post-bac and delay med school another year (a single year of physician income should eliminate any potential cost saving on this end).
Also, the fact that your son has only one D.O. acceptance and was waitlisted at a few, tells me that his overall application is not very competitive for M.D. programs. Alternate list at one hometown M.D. school is not a good enough reason to consider applying another cycle.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2006
- Messages
- 7,984
- Reaction score
- 50
Last time I checked, you didn't have to report your acceptances. You had to report if you matriculated.
Honestly, I think he'd be fine. I got accepted to DO schools I didn't want to go to. It didn't mean I didn't want DO. It meant I didn't care for that school.
Honestly, I think he'd be fine. I got accepted to DO schools I didn't want to go to. It didn't mean I didn't want DO. It meant I didn't care for that school.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 182
- Reaction score
- 0
pcom?
I just want to add something that I don't think has been brought up yet and I think is an important point. The number of med schools, and therefore med students, is increasing with residency spots staying pretty much constant. Delaying starting med school not only knocks off two years of a doctor's salary, but increases the likelihood he won't match into his favored residency since competition increases every year.
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2009
- Messages
- 16,447
- Reaction score
- 8,946
In all honesty, plastic surgery is almost impossible for MD's. DO's do have the osteo match, which does give them around probably the same overall chance of getting in.
- Joined
- May 2, 2010
- Messages
- 343
- Reaction score
- 0
^^ This.
It would hurt his chances of acceptance at DO in the next application cycle (to the schools he applied to, who are now thinking, "what the hell? there better be a great reason."). MD unaffected.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 2,347
- Reaction score
- 22
Probably won't affect him. Although, I would take the DO acceptance easily, unless it's one of those "guaranteed" programs like temple's.
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,574
- Reaction score
- 32
Blatantly false. Oh ye children of little life experience. Putting off by a year, + post back tuition + MD application fees is a actually quite a lot of money, especially when you add interest and opportunity costs.
Dont' turn down a sure acceptance to a DO program to then pay for another year of bogus training and then the chance to go through the entire application process. It's a waste of time, money, and sanity.
Now here come's my brutally honest soapbox. If you couldn't get accepted to MD programs this time around or didn't think you could, it's still going to be tough next application time, Post-bac or not. Yes, an MD degree is better at getting into competetive residency spots, but let's be honest, if you were a marginal candidate to begin with, and MD acceptance and 4 years of studying isn't going to magically turn you into a candidate for Dermatology or Radiation Oncology. Get started with your darned training, and have realistic goals for residency.
- Joined
- May 28, 2010
- Messages
- 1,433
- Reaction score
- 813
Epic Fail. The Grail was given to him and he rejected it for a label. If your son is that concerned with his image to deny his only medical acceptance because of a label, he honestly is immature and undeserving of medicine period. Personally, I plan to apply to MD schools, but if it was DO or bust I would walk in ASAP. Ahl, Ahl.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2009
- Messages
- 2,115
- Reaction score
- 498
You quoted me... said what I said was blatantly false... and then agreed with me. That the person should go to the DO program... that a year + post bac tuition doesn't make any sense. Also, the person being a marginal candidate means that the post-bac isn't really going to help.
Just curious... you said the same thing I did... so which part of my post was false? There is zero cost savings to the approach of taking an extra year and paying for a post-bac. I think you just misread/misunderstood my post.
Just curious... you said the same thing I did... so which part of my post was false? There is zero cost savings to the approach of taking an extra year and paying for a post-bac. I think you just misread/misunderstood my post.
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,483
- Reaction score
- 6
This just proves that "DO vs. Janitor?" thread might as well be real.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,372
- Reaction score
- 424
I turned down my DO acceptance to participate in a fluff boy internship program. Reproductive medicine here I come!
I CANNOT tell you all how much I appreciate you guys and gals taking the time to talk this over with me, I don't think he is positive yet but he wants to go into pulmonary and critical care....he is working with Dad right now (he is a option trader) so as you can see we are 0 help in this whole process.
I am the one who encouraged him to fill out all the post bac applications because I want to save some money by having him at home. I didnt think it through well enough clearly when you consider tuition, living expenses etc. I confess I wanted to have him close to home. Thinking about him going east coast makes me feel like he will settle out there....🙁 So I think I didn't help matters and Dad is preoccupied with survival in this economy and 3 other kids who have tuition.
As for his applications I guess he wasnt a very strong applicant as he was a humanities major ( wanted to be a writer but also loves health care ) he ended up really feeling like he was making a mistake and went ahead and worked like crazy trying to get all his sciences in, taking summer school 2 years in a row and had a low-ish Science GPA .....I do think he had tons of service hours though and had a pretty decent MCAT of 34 so we shall see.
Again I thank all you kids for the time you're taking by posting.😍
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 14,647
- Reaction score
- 44
75% = almost impossible?
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 8,454
- Reaction score
- 39
Of those who applied to PRS? Integrated PRS? G-Surg -> fellowship??? I highly doubt the chance of each individual student at orientation is a straight 75%.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,922
- Reaction score
- 1,517
Where are you getting this statistic?
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2007
- Messages
- 7,009
- Reaction score
- 4,496
Why don't you let junior speak for himself? Is someone really ready to be a doctor if they have their mother signing on to seek advice from strangers for him?
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2007
- Messages
- 7,009
- Reaction score
- 4,496
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 14,647
- Reaction score
- 44
Nrmp's Charting outcomes 2009.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 14,647
- Reaction score
- 44
Nrmp only tracks outcomes for integrated and combined programs, of which 73.5% of US seniors matched. Yes there's self- selection involved but I wouldn't say it's "impossible"
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2005
- Messages
- 618
- Reaction score
- 2
fixed
Last edited:
Wow guys way to wail on a concerned parent. I think it is a consensus that your son would be better off taking the acceptance rather than waiting a year.
Now where did he get into if you dont mind me asking and where is he wait listed.
Honestly I dont see a problem in doing a post bac because I have a sister who did a post back before going to medical school and in her first year she had a much easier time than most of the other students. She scored higher on her Step I because for her it was basically two times of year one of medical school.
Given his MCAT score, waiting a year wouldn't hurt him if he made sure not to eff up his post bac program. Also many post bac programs give very strong rec letters and it does look good for reapplication. If he got into a good DO school then he should probably just go this year but if it was an average one then I don't see the harm in waiting a year and strengthening his resume.
Its not really hard to explain. Just say I felt it was better for me to do a post bac since i was a non traditional (humanities background) and I felt I needed a better grasp of the sciences.
Now where did he get into if you dont mind me asking and where is he wait listed.
Honestly I dont see a problem in doing a post bac because I have a sister who did a post back before going to medical school and in her first year she had a much easier time than most of the other students. She scored higher on her Step I because for her it was basically two times of year one of medical school.
Given his MCAT score, waiting a year wouldn't hurt him if he made sure not to eff up his post bac program. Also many post bac programs give very strong rec letters and it does look good for reapplication. If he got into a good DO school then he should probably just go this year but if it was an average one then I don't see the harm in waiting a year and strengthening his resume.
Its not really hard to explain. Just say I felt it was better for me to do a post bac since i was a non traditional (humanities background) and I felt I needed a better grasp of the sciences.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 2,101
- Reaction score
- 4
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
If you turn down a DO offer to go to a post-bacc program you're a ****ing ***** bag.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,922
- Reaction score
- 1,517
That's 73.5% of people that were ranked by at least one program. That data does not show how many people applied and didn't interview, nor does it show how many people applied and interviewed, but were not ranked. So that number is pretty skewed. Integrated plastics is as competitive, if not more so, than derm. Do you honestly believe you have a ~75% chance of matching PRS?
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Messages
- 14,647
- Reaction score
- 44
The number I'm quoting was from "people who only ranked one specialty" I can't find the page right now bc it's too hard to surf that monsterous document on my phone but I'll dig it out later.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
- 2,922
- Reaction score
- 1,517
I still believe you're misinterpreting the statistics.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2004
- Messages
- 2,714
- Reaction score
- 49
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 165
- Reaction score
- 1
Congrats on the DO acceptance. Although I agree with the majority here that turning it down would be foolish, I have a sports analogy that I learned from Sarah Palin. Your team is down 2 points and you are wide open at the three point line. Your teammate passes you the ball and now you have a decision to make. Do you drive to the hole and make a guaranteed layup just to tie the game? Or do you shoot the lower percentage trey and win the game? You only live once, and like my coach Jackson used to say: never settle. Good luck.
