Is med school right for me? DO or MD?

[BostonPsych715]

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Hey everyone. I posted not too long ago on the allopathic forum, but I'm looking to get some more advice. Here's a little about myself:

• Currently a junior at state university
• Major: Psychology, B.S.
• Minors: Biology & Chemistry
• GPA: 3.8
• EC: Psi Chi
• In the honors program, will write honors thesis
• Internship: medical center, learned about bio feedback mechanisms, 120 hours
• Volunteer hours: none
• Research: working on literature review with a professor, hope to be published by the time I graduate

When I first began college, I always thought I would get my PhD in clinical psych because I want to work with people. I love science and problem-solving which is precisely why I aimed for a PhD program where I would be able to conduct research, possibly become a professor, and be able to practice psychology.

However -- lately, I have become disenchanted with the idea of a PhD program after I spent sometime with a professor doing research in lab. I realized I do not like research very much, and I can't see myself spending 8 years working on PhD. In addition, the field of clinical psychology is over-satured. There is a shortage of APA internships (you need one of these to graduate), and as a result many schools only accept between 3-5 applicants. To even be considered eligible, you must have years of research experience under your belt and a stellar GPA.

Because I do so well and enjoy my biology classes, I'm considering medical school instead. I am primarily interested in conducting psychotherapy. I know that in medical school, I will not receive the clinical training that I would in a clinical psych program; however, I could do a psychiatry residency and more/less be doing what I love. I would also have a better salary (even if it takes years to pay off my med school debt).

I guess my question is: Do you think medical school is a good fit for someone like me? I would appreciate any suggestions! I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis at the age of 20!

 

[trs88]

It's not really if medical school will fit you, it's will you even like the career it provides after, the one you'll be doing for the rest of your life. This is also the DO section, have you shadowed a DO yet? Are you okay with having DO after your name instead of MD or PhD? Have you shadowed any specialty or nonspecialy physicians yet? You need volunteering, hours in a hospital to see if you even like the world of a physician and hours donated to the community where you do a thing (soup kitchen, habitat for humanity, etc). What would you do if you couldn't land a psychiatry residency?

 

[BostonPsych715]

It's not really if medical school will fit you, it's will you even like the career it provides after, the one you'll be doing for the rest of your life. This is also the DO section, have you shadowed a DO yet? Are you okay with having DO after your name instead of MD or PhD? Have you shadowed any specialty or nonspecialy physicians yet? You need volunteering, hours in a hospital to see if you even like the world of a physician and hours donated to the community where you do a thing (soup kitchen, habitat for humanity, etc). What would you do if you couldn't land a psychiatry residency?

You do bring up a good point. I don't know exactly how medical school works. In the event that I do not get into a psychiatry residency, would I get placed somewhere else? For example, would I not get my degree or would I be placed into a different specialty? Sorry if these are stupid questions I'm new to this world. I have not done any shadowing, but I am planning on shadowing someone this summer. As far as MD/DO, my understanding is that MDs tend to focus on very specific body systems and trying to treat problems with medicine as the first resort. DOs look at the whole patient, try less invasive measures first, and use medication when necessary. I also know DO school is easier to get into than MD programs. Am I correct to assume this?

 

[deleted610572]

I'd shadow a DO prior to making an assertion about how they practice. Yes their philosophy differs but everyone I shadowed were the same (MD vs DO) except OMM and only one DO even used OMM. Honestly psychiatry is one of the less competitive residencies to land and one of the greatest in need. I would for sure work on shadowing and get volunteering going (won't get into any school without at least some volunteering) then decide if medical school is even for you. Secondly, start talking to psychiatrists about their practice. I would think DO and MD practice virtually the same. Dunno if you'll be able to shadow a psychiatrist (I tried and both said no due to patients not feeling comfortable. This is due to the nature of the type of medicine), but do shadow a few different types of medicine. I would try and shadow a neurologist not because they are interchangeable, but it would be more insight than say an orthopedist. Also, I've heard that neurologists are usually interested in psychiatry also just due to the subject matter (the 2 older neurologists I know said that those are the two specialities they were torn between).

 

[BostonPsych715]

I'd shadow a DO prior to making an assertion about how they practice. Yes their philosophy differs but everyone I shadowed were the same (MD vs DO) except OMM and only one DO even used OMM. Honestly psychiatry is one of the less competitive residencies to land and one of the greatest in need. I would for sure work on shadowing and get volunteering going (won't get into any school without at least some volunteering) then decide if medical school is even for you. Secondly, start talking to psychiatrists about their practice. I would think DO and MD practice virtually the same. Dunno if you'll be able to shadow a psychiatrist (I tried and both said no due to patients not feeling comfortable. This is due to the nature of the type of medicine), but do shadow a few different types of medicine. I would try and shadow a neurologist not because they are interchangeable, but it would be more insight than say an orthopedist. Also, I've heard that neurologists are usually interested in psychiatry also just due to the subject matter (the 2 older neurologists I know said that those are the two specialities they were torn between).

Thanks. This was really helpful. I figured I wouldn't be able to shadow a psychiatrist because of the confidentiality issue, so I was planning on asking my family physician. But after reading your response, I do think it would be in my best interest to find a neurologist. One of my favorite classes I've ever taken is cognitive neuropsychology, so I'm sure I would find neurology interesting. My plan is to volunteer at my local hospital this summer. I'm hoping I can do at least 12 hours a week so I'd have somewhere around 144 hours. Also, I'm glad you pointed out the demand for psychiatrists. This is another reason I am leaning toward a medical degree vs a PhD. Clinical psychology is over-saturated versus psychiatry which is in demand.

 

[deleted610572]

Length of volunteering >>>> #number of hours. They want to see commitment. If you start a non-clinical volunteering opportunity now and work 2-4 hours/week until you get accepted into a school and then rack up those clinical hours over the summer.

 

[deleted610572]

Ps. Do both family physician and neurology. DO loves Pcp and you might wind up loving it, you never know. It could give you more to talk about come essays and interviews. Also, shadow at least one DO and get a letter. DO letter is always better for DO programs. Some flat out won't accept MD letters. I found it better to shadow both so that when the why DO question came up I had a good comparison of the two

 

[deleted407021]

Well, you're not getting in any time soon without an MCAT score or any volunteering. Shadow some doctors like you did the psychologist and figure out if you could do medicine at all, much less psychiatry because you have to do a whole lot of clinical medicine before you even apply to a residency fora specialty you may very well not be interested in by the time you're a 4th year Ned student.

I can't tell you if med school would be right for you; that's up for you to decide by thoroughly searching these forums and by exposing yourself more directly to actual medicine.

Do some volunteering work in something you care about. In sure you want to help people, it's just up to you to demonstrate that.

From a psychology senior to a fellow scholar...Psi Chi isn't going to pass much for an EC unless you really do some stuff with them to demonstrate that you have learned something from being a member. Also, any "honor society" which charges a membership fee isn't usually considered to be too legitimate and doesn't carry any weight. That's the SDN opinion, anyway; that adcoms won't care.

Do you have all your med school pre-requisites done? I'm guessing not. That's bio 1&2 with lab, chem 1&2 with lab, ochem 1&2 with lab, physics 1&2.....with lab and you will need to throw in a semester of biochemistry for the MCAT. You'll be fine if you've taken up to trig.

Hmm, that's about all I can think of as far as trying to set you on the right track. If you find a free clinic in your area where you might volunteer, PM me if you have any questions.

Good luck, friend. I'm sure you'll do fine whichever route you choose.

 

[referee3]

Ps. Do both family physician and neurology. DO loves Pcp and you might wind up loving it, you never know. It could give you more to talk about come essays and interviews. Also, shadow at least one DO and get a letter. DO letter is always better for DO programs. Some flat out won't accept MD letters. I found it better to shadow both so that when the why DO question came up I had a good comparison of the two

Agreed. Also pcp's see a lot of patients with psych issues (from personal experience shadowing a pcp)

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

You do bring up a good point. I don't know exactly how medical school works. In the event that I do not get into a psychiatry residency, would I get placed somewhere else? For example, would I not get my degree or would I be placed into a different specialty? Sorry if these are stupid questions I'm new to this world. I have not done any shadowing, but I am planning on shadowing someone this summer. As far as MD/DO, my understanding is that MDs tend to focus on very specific body systems and trying to treat problems with medicine as the first resort. DOs look at the whole patient, try less invasive measures first, and use medication when necessary. I also know DO school is easier to get into than MD programs. Am I correct to assume this?

LOL not get into a psychiatry residency. If you can't get into one, you can't get into anything. Psychiatry is literally the least competitive.

 

[deleted407021]

LOL not get into a psychiatry residency. If you can't get into one, you can't get into anything. Psychiatry is literally the least competitive.

But, looking at what's being said in the psych forum, not a bad gig. 😉