is DO your 1st choice?

Started by CookDeRosa
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CookDeRosa

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I love this forum, and I appreciate all of the information! I'm soaking it up 🙂

Before I even came to this forum, I wanted to apply DO. I didn't know that it was considered (by many) to be a less competitive admission; 2nd choice. I've been a little bummed that so few people consider DO a first choice. I worry that I'll be entering a profession where many of the people never intended on a mild shift in practice philosophy, rather it was just a means to practicing MD medicine. I've also noticed a number of people do end up in a DO program, but then go on to an MD residency.

Am I alone in seeking out a DO program as my 1st choice, and looking forward to a DO residency and DO practice?
 
I'm applying to my state MD school and several DO schools. If I was accepted to both MD and DO, I would base my decision on which school I thought was a better fit, not the initials. So far I'm leaning towards the DO schools.

As far as DO residency and practice - I just shadowed a DO who did an allopathic residency and was able to use OMM during that time. So again I don't think the label matters as much as the physician. I would like to learn OMM because I think it would be a good tool to have, but I'm not going to limit my choices in anything, whether it's med school, residency, or how to practice, to either osteopathic or allopathic.

I don't think there is anything wrong with those who choose only one path, but for me I like to keep my options open.
 
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I'm applying to a wide variety of schools (approx. 15MD,10 DO) and although an MD school is my top choice. 2 of the top 5 are DO schools.
 
I want DO but if I get excepted to my state school I can't turn down the 10000 per year tuition...
 
It was my first choice .... although (like others are saying) I would have done a lot to save bling.
 
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I applied to only DO programs because I honestly thought the philosophy was something I could get behind. I also believed at the time that OMT could be a useful tool.

It will be a rude awakening when you see that there really is no "DO philosophy" and that your school is essentially an MD program with an added OMT course.

Had I known that, I would have attempted to save money and apply to my state MD program.
 
I feel that DO is a better fit for me as a non-trad with kids who is interested in primary care (I know I may change my mind). I live in a very DO friendly location so have had positive image of DOs. Many of the older DOs I shadowed told me that they didn't get into MD schools so that is why they went DO. However, many of the younger DOs told me that they wanted DO as their first choice. IMO the perception of DO has been positively changing, and I'm excited about my initials in 2014 that will be at the end of my name.
 
Being honest it depends. If I got into PCOM and lets say.. University of Idaho( or so far away place). I'd go to PCOM, simply being said, I want to go to the best university east of the Mississippi or better the East coast.
 
I applied only DO...my stats weren't 100% competitive for even my state MD school, but in retrospect, after having seen many of my friends go through that program, I have absolutely no regrets. I don't think it was good fit for me in the long run. Don't be discouraged- most people entering DO are very happy about their choice. I even know of MDs that have told me they wish they had gone DO. 🙂
 
Apply to whichever schools you think you'd want to attend, whether MD or DO. And then with whatever acceptances you get just make pros/cons for each and decide taking into consideration those factors that are important to YOU.... tuition, curriculum, location, clinical training, research, campus, desire to go into academic plastic surgery, etc...

That list is going to be different for everyone, and thus the decision to choose DO over MD or MD over DO is going to be a personal choice based on those factors that are most important to you.

I'm actually looking at staying DO for post-grad training as a new fellowship recently started in my local area here and already have made good contacts there, so I can stay in this area which I like, my wife can keep her job, and I have can eventually get the fellowship I want and practice in a field I would love to do. Win. That's important to me and in my particular case going DO, so far, has not seemed to hamper that at all.
 
I applied only DO because I have talked with and shadowed many DOs and all seem like they really do follow the philosophy and practice OMT. I come from an area where a lot of people have not heard of DOs because we dont have a lot, but the DOs said about half their patients seek them out because they are DOs. The schools have lower admission stats than MD because they look more at the whole person.
 
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I think most DO applicants just don't care too much about the letters behind their name and want to practice medicine. It's a means to an end and I really don't see anything wrong with that.
 
A lot of the pressure, in my opinion, is from families who believe MDs are better trained than DOs, but that's obviously untrue.

What upsets me about the process is that DO residencies do not allow MDs the chance of getting a residency spot but MDs have opened up to DOs coming into their programs (some still don't). With all that said, and evaluating my options, I am going DO and I was accepted to a top 5 medical school (will not name).

GO DO 🙂
 
In considering where I'm at in life, DO is my first choice despite wanting to do an Allopathic Residency as my first choice. DO is more friendly toward older, experienced health care providers than Allopathic for the most part, thus the decision to apply mostly to DO. Allopathic is a consideration, but honestly I will probably forego the Allopathic option and go DO.
 
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sylvanthus said:
I applied to only DO programs because I honestly thought the philosophy was something I could get behind. I also believed at the time that OMT could be a useful tool.

It will be a rude awakening when you see that there really is no "DO philosophy" and that your school is essentially an MD program with an added OMT course.

Had I known that, I would have attempted to save money and apply to my state MD program.
Click to expand...

Refreshing to see an honest, haven't-drank-the-Kool-Aid post about the "DO philosophy." Interesting to note that no one has taken issue with the poster's comment.
 
GraceEuphoria said:
I applied only DO...my stats weren't 100% competitive for even my state MD school, but in retrospect, after having seen many of my friends go through that program, I have absolutely no regrets. I don't think it was good fit for me in the long run. Don't be discouraged- most people entering DO are very happy about their choice. I even know of MDs that have told me they wish they had gone DO. 🙂
Click to expand...

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

MDs who wish they had gone DO. Now that's funny! Thanks for the laugh.
 
TJ87 said:
A lot of the pressure, in my opinion, is from families who believe MDs are better trained than DOs, but that's obviously untrue.

What upsets me about the process is that DO residencies do not allow MDs the chance of getting a residency spot but MDs have opened up to DOs coming into their programs (some still don't). With all that said, and evaluating my options, I am going DO and I was accepted to a top 5 medical school (will not name).

GO DO 🙂
Click to expand...

So you've been accepted to either Harvard, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, or WashU and you've chosen to go DO.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Not even the most strident DO advocates are going to buy that one.
 
koennen said:
Refreshing to see an honest, haven't-drank-the-Kool-Aid post about the "DO philosophy." Interesting to note that no one has taken issue with the poster's comment.
Click to expand...
>>

Well, the poster who commented is a med student (DO or MD unknown), but most of the responders are premed. I'm sure there is truth in the statement, but I'll keep my kool-aid for now and hope for the best. Thanks for your additions to the thread.
 
CookDeRosa said:
>>

Well, the poster who commented is a med student (DO or MD unknown), but most of the responders are premed. I'm sure there is truth in the statement, but I'll keep my kool-aid for now and hope for the best. Thanks for your additions to the thread.
Click to expand...

The poster is a DO student - that is obvious from his/her post.
 
CookDeRosa said:
I love this forum, and I appreciate all of the information! I'm soaking it up 🙂

Before I even came to this forum, I wanted to apply DO. I didn't know that it was considered (by many) to be a less competitive admission; 2nd choice. I've been a little bummed that so few people consider DO a first choice. I worry that I'll be entering a profession where many of the people never intended on a mild shift in practice philosophy, rather it was just a means to practicing MD medicine. I've also noticed a number of people do end up in a DO program, but then go on to an MD residency.

Am I alone in seeking out a DO program as my 1st choice, and looking forward to a DO residency and DO practice?
Click to expand...

I want to go to UAMS here in Arkansas.

That said, I plan to apply to more DO programs than anything. Likely, two MDs and a half dozen DOs. To be quite forthright, I'd rather have the MD diploma simply due to marketability, however, beyond that I couldn't care less if my doctoring skills were the result of an associate's degree provided I can get licensed. I think my chances are better the DO route, plus from obsevation only it seems like I'd fit in their group better.
 
koennen said:
So you've been accepted to either Harvard, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, or WashU and you've chosen to go DO.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Not even the most strident DO advocates are going to buy that one.
Click to expand...

Lol what a tool. Honestly I just hope he's not telling the truth.
 
TJ87 said:
A lot of the pressure, in my opinion, is from families who believe MDs are better trained than DOs, but that's obviously untrue.

What upsets me about the process is that DO residencies do not allow MDs the chance of getting a residency spot but MDs have opened up to DOs coming into their programs (some still don't). With all that said, and evaluating my options, I am going DO and I was accepted to a top 5 medical school (will not name).

GO DO 🙂
Click to expand...


When MD students start to learn OMM and take the COMLEX, then maybe they can participate in DO residencies. But I see no reason to be "upset" that they're not allowed - the fact of the matter is that without OMM, you're technically not "qualified" for an AOA residency.
 
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wolverinepwns said:
DO is my first choice! You learn more (OMM), and can still do everthing a MD can do!
Click to expand...


This is largely false as well. Yes, you learn more OMM obviously. But, something has to give. If you spend 4+ hours a week on OMM you take away hours from other subjects. For instance, my school had very very little microbiology ( 1 hour/week for one semester). I don't know how it works at other schools, I can just state my own example.

So, we will know less micro when we graduate, but we know OMM! So, this whole nonsense about DO students knowing MORE than MD students is just plain wrong. We learn OMM at the sacrifice of some other subject. It is akin to "doctor nurses" saying they have the "knowledge of a physician and the skills of a nurse!" There is limited time to learn material, if something is added, it is almost inevitable that something is taken away.
 
serenade said:
Lol what a tool. Honestly I just hope he's not telling the truth.
Click to expand...

you gave him advice when he first asked about it months ago... either he's been trolling since then or he really did turn down Hopkins... which is ridiculous

"I have some questions for you all. First off, I'm an instate student in Oklahoma. I want to ask and see what you all would do in my situation: I have been accepted to CCOM, Hopkins, Oklahoma State COM, Oklahoma, and Rosalind Franklin. I really do not know which school to attend"

Ring some bells?

Your response was:
Oklahoma = very little debt. Stay with the family probably
Hopkins = prestigious but in your position It'd be hard to say, instate at 10k a year v.s out of state in heroin city for 40k a year


He got into Hopkins and apparently chose OSUCOM or CCOM...
 
sylvanthus said:
This is largely false as well. Yes, you learn more OMM obviously. But, something has to give. If you spend 4+ hours a week on OMM you take away hours from other subjects. For instance, my school had very very little microbiology ( 1 hour/week for one semester). I don't know how it works at other schools, I can just state my own example.

So, we will know less micro when we graduate, but we know OMM! So, this whole nonsense about DO students knowing MORE than MD students is just plain wrong. We learn OMM at the sacrifice of some other subject. It is akin to "doctor nurses" saying they have the "knowledge of a physician and the skills of a nurse!" There is limited time to learn material, if something is added, it is almost inevitable that something is taken away.
Click to expand...

Can you please, please, please never lump DOs in with DNPs ever again? Even in a super vague sense, just for making a point in an example. Vomit.
 
JaggerPlate said:
Can you please, please, please never lump DOs in with DNPs ever again? Even in a super vague sense, just for making a point in an example. Vomit.
Click to expand...

Some people are just bitter about being DO students - that's their problem, not mine. I just ignore this kind of unfounded negativity and bias.

I do get the idea that most of these people would be unhappy no matter where they attend school.
 
pennstate4life said:
The sad reality is that no one will believe you. No offense. But I'm sure you don't care what others think otherwise you'd choose MD.
Click to expand...

Its funny how its automatically assumed that everyone on SDN gives a $hit about what others think of their every move. I have accomplished enough in my life and am proud as hell of everything I have done; to not give two ****s what some douche cocky allopathic kid has to say about the fact that im going to a DO school.

And yes I in fact CHOSE a DO school over the MD school I got into. The MD school was in a horrible location, I wanted to remain where I live now/own my house, and frankly I just think I will get a better education at my school.
 
ncguy2005 said:
I think out of the schools I applied to, the one I was accepted to was my first choice (Ga-PCOM). I interviewed at an MD school and really didn't get an "I would be happy living here" feeling from it.

Although, having that school's name on a diploma probably would have been pretty marketable considering the number of alumni they have practicing at the moment.

Then again, PCOM is pumping out just as many doctors as the MD school I interviewed at... so maybe I'm not missing out on much as far as networking goes.
Click to expand...


Yeah I am headed to PCOM in less than a month now..and their alumni base is HUGE.
 
serenade said:
Lol what a tool. Honestly I just hope he's not telling the truth.
Click to expand...

Dude to be totally honest with you there is no way in hell I could tolerate going to any of the above listed schools even if I got in/applied. Elitism and douchebaggery annoys the hell out of me and I would be miserable the entire 4 years. So if someone liked CCOM (a sick very established school) better than some top 5 med school that really doesnt make them a tool, it makes them a mature individual who takes the whole picture into account, not just prestige.
 
I got into both MD and DO's, and I chose MD by a long shot. Though, if it were between caribbean (MD) and DO, I would have chose DO.

My particular reasons for MD:
- There is stigma in a lot of the more competitive residency programs towards DO applicants.
- I didn't want to listen to hours of DO philosophy (and Andrew Still) and get my Biochemistry cut short.
- While I do think OMM is great, a lot of schools just incorporate too much, which probably ends up cutting short something else in the end.
- I don't want to take COMLEX. You have only small amount of time to prepare for you steps, so I didn't want to be wasting any of my time having to take a second step. Even though the opportunity to apply to two residency routes might have been nice.
- You have to go through your life explaining to people that a DO is not related to a Chiropractor, or an OD, and "really" is a real doctor.
 
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millepora said:
I got into both MD and DO's, and I chose MD by a long shot. Though, if it were between caribbean (MD) and DO, I would have chose DO.

My particular reasons for MD:
- There is stigma in a lot of the more competitive residency programs towards DO applicants.
- I didn't want to listen to hours of DO philosophy (and Andrew Still) and get my Biochemistry cut short.
- While I do think OMM is great, a lot of schools just incorporate too much, which probably ends up cutting short something else in the end.
- I don't want to take COMLEX. You have only small amount of time to prepare for you steps, so I didn't want to be wasting any of my time having to take a second step. Even though the opportunity to apply to two residency routes might have been nice.
- You have to go through your life explaining to people that a DO is not related to a Chiropractor, or an OD, and "really" is a real doctor.
Click to expand...

While your other reasons are valid mature reasons your final reason is a premed myth. Ask any of the DO attendings and they will tell you this (even the ones on this board)
 
ncguy2005 said:
Yeah... and it was pretty awesome when I was looking through the physician directory for my community's hospital and I noticed that the only osteopathic dermatologist/orthopedist/cardiologists listed were PCOM grads... and there was several of them in addition to the numerous primary care docs... 👍
Click to expand...

🙂 They are all over the NE. Everyone more or less knows of PCOM. Great school.
 
willen101383 said:
While your other reasons are valid mature reasons your final reason is a premed myth. Ask any of the DO attendings and they will tell you this (even the ones on this board)
Click to expand...

While I do agree it does not happen on a regular basis, I cannot succumb and say it doesn't happen. Having a close family member who is a DO, and hearing first hand experience, I know that it does still happen (mostly with the uneducated type though). For the most part people will pay no attention to what is on your lab coat, but when it does come up in conversation or someone curious asks, it always seems like it takes convincing that the only type of doctor is not just an MD.
 
christina30 said:
When MD students start to learn OMM and take the COMLEX, then maybe they can participate in DO residencies. But I see no reason to be "upset" that they're not allowed - the fact of the matter is that without OMM, you're technically not "qualified" for an AOA residency.
Click to expand...

There aren't exactly people on either side of the tracks that think this is much of an issue.

"Qualified"... i mean really? When it suits people, MD=DO. When it doesn't, DO>MD. Le sigh.


DbDan said:
you gave him advice when he first asked about it months ago... either he's been trolling since then or he really did turn down Hopkins... which is ridiculous
Click to expand...

Wow, ballsy. Hopkins opens so many doors and i hate to say it, but I really think that they get an excellent education- probably better than most places. It is the kind of place that is not pretentious (unlike most people think and unlike a few of those top tier places in boston) and is truly interested in everyone getting a first class education. Family and home are hard to leave though.

ncguy2005 said:
I think out of the schools I applied to, the one I was accepted to was my first choice (Ga-PCOM). I interviewed at an MD school and really didn't get an "I would be happy living here" feeling from it.
Click to expand...

And that's why jefferson is listed as your first choice on your MD apps page?

ncguy2005 said:
Yeah... and it was pretty awesome when I was looking through the physician directory for my community's hospital and I noticed that the only osteopathic dermatologist/orthopedist/cardiologists listed were PCOM grads... and there was several of them in addition to the numerous primary care docs... 👍
Click to expand...

PCOM does have a good reputation and docs all over.
 
millepora said:
While I do agree it does not happen on a regular basis, I cannot succumb and say it doesn't happen. Having a close family member who is a DO, and hearing first hand experience, I know that it does still happen (mostly with the uneducated type though). For the most part people will pay no attention to what is on your lab coat, but when it does come up in conversation or someone curious asks, it always seems like it takes convincing that the only type of doctor is not just an MD.
Click to expand...

Eh to each their own...even if it happens to you once a week/month/year/career is it really that big of a deal?? The 15-20 second max would really factor into your anti DO decision? At any rate, thanks for being mature and not some typical SDN douche with your replies.
 
Instatewaiter said:
There aren't exactly people on either side of the tracks that think this is much of an issue.

"Qualified"... i mean really? When it suits people, MD=DO. When it doesn't, DO>MD. Le sigh.
Click to expand...


Yeah christina...while I do share your enthusiasm about DO school...that was a bit of reverse discrimination dont ya think?
 
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