Increasing number of DO schools

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normalforce

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What do you all think about the rapidly increasing number of DO schools? Good? Bad?

I think increasing the # of DOs is a good thing, but maybe we should be emphasizing increasing the # of good osteopathic residency training programs first?

I would like to hear your opinions.

If you didn't know, there are 3 more DO schools opening their doors within the next year.

NF
 
As someone already said in the PreDO forum, too much growth too fast.

Expanding class sizes without increasing rotation/residency spots = BAD.
 
I recently spoke with the Director of Student Affairs who said that the deans of allopathic medical schools are beginning to get anxious because the numbers of well-qualified DOs and FMGs matching to ACGME accredited programs continues to trend upward. It is getting to a point where they feel we (DOs & FMGs) are beginning to limit the options for the graduating seniors of US MD schools.

Evidently, they have looked at a number of potential solutions including a match for just US MD seniors. Unfilled positions would then be offered to DOs and FMGs through a second match.

With the exception of pre-matches, I'd imagine something like this would virtually elimate our best students chances of matching to top-notch programs as we have in the past. What's more, this is at a time where there are already more DO graduates than there are AOA-approved slots for post-graduate training – a disparity that appears to be getting larger.