Maximizing my opportunities

[osteooneill]

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Currently, I am accepted at MSUCOM, but I am now rethinking my MD options (specifically OaklandU), which I wouldn't be able to apply to until the following application year. Besides the lower tuition, would my residency opportunities be significantly greater at a MD school like OaklandU compared to a DO school like MSUCOM? If so, would these opportunities justify deferring my acceptance to MSUCOM for a year in order to apply to OaklandU and hope for acceptance?

As of right now I do not have a specific specialty in mind (I am mostly keeping an open mind), but I do want to have the greatest opportunity to choose any residency I do decide on.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Be happy with your acceptance, not everyone gets one. Residency is up to you, your personality, board scores, rotations, etc. Unless you really expect to become a neurosurgeon, oncologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, or some other top 1% obscure speciality you should be able to do whatever you want as a DO.

There is no guarantee you would get in next year to Oakland and once you decline an acceptance it's extremely difficult to gain another one. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT.

 

[drshark]

why waste a years worth of salary (150-250k) just to go to an MD school when you are already accepted into a great DO school with great matches...

 

[cliquesh]

Did you apply to any MD schools this cycle? Did you get any invites? Do you know what you want to do in terms of speciality?

 

[Skeeks]

I agree that you shouldnt turn down MSU-COM. MSU-COM is one of my top picks and I am applying to both MD and DO schools. It is a great school, very well established, and is currently ranked #5 in the nation for primary care (I also intend on going into IM so that is a great thing for me). But you can do what you want. I know if I was applying this cycle I would definitely tell you to turn it down so I had a chance to matriculate!

 

[Jas1360]

I agree that you shouldnt turn down MSU-COM. MSU-COM is one of my top picks and I am applying to both MD and DO schools. It is a great school, very well established, and is currently ranked #5 in the nation for primary care (I also intend on going into IM so that is a great thing for me). But you can do what you want. I know if I was applying this cycle I would definitely tell you to turn it down so I had a chance to matriculate!

I disagree, one more seat for me if you turn it down 😉

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I can guarantee that MSU isn't going to accept "so I can apply MD" as a reason for wanting to defer.

 

[pattr]

Take the MSUCOM acceptance. It is as established, academic, and competitive as you're going to find among all DO schools. You will be taking classes alongside MD students for the first two years and have your own base hospital to rotate in during clinical years. MSUCOM has consistently excellent matches and the in-state tuition is also a plus. Also, isn't the OaklandU school super new?

 

[Skeeks]

Also, isn't the OaklandU school super new?

Yeah they are just accepting thier first class.

 

[virtuoso735]

Yeah they are just accepting thier first class.

Oakland hasn't graduated any classes yet but there have already been two classes accepted. They are accepting their third class this year. It is a new school, but I believe that it will be an excellent school partly due to its association with William Beaumont Hospital, which will provide excellent clinical education for its students.

 

[coolingglasses]

Not worth the headache if you're waiting until next cycle. I've been debating doing a super-late AMCAS just for the hell of it, but I absolutely wouldn't attempt to defer/withdraw to do it next year.

 

[MedPR]

Currently, I am accepted at MSUCOM, but I am now rethinking my MD options (specifically OaklandU), which I wouldn't be able to apply to until the following application year. Besides the lower tuition, would my residency opportunities be significantly greater at a MD school like OaklandU compared to a DO school like MSUCOM? If so, would these opportunities justify deferring my acceptance to MSUCOM for a year in order to apply to OaklandU and hope for acceptance?

As of right now I do not have a specific specialty in mind (I am mostly keeping an open mind), but I do want to have the greatest opportunity to choose any residency I do decide on.

If you have competitive MD stats you might want to consider it especially if you'll be unhappy/always be wondering "what if...?" If you have low stats, don't bother.

 

[osteooneill]

why waste a years worth of salary (150-250k) just to go to an MD school when you are already accepted into a great DO school with great matches...

I thought about this as well, great point thanks.

 

[osteooneill]

Be happy with your acceptance, not everyone gets one. Residency is up to you, your personality, board scores, rotations, etc. Unless you really expect to become a neurosurgeon, oncologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, or some other top 1% obscure speciality you should be able to do whatever you want as a DO.

There is no guarantee you would get in next year to Oakland and once you decline an acceptance it's extremely difficult to gain another one. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT.

I appreciate your insight cab!

 

[osteooneill]

Take the MSUCOM acceptance. It is as established, academic, and competitive as you're going to find among all DO schools. You will be taking classes alongside MD students for the first two years and have your own base hospital to rotate in during clinical years. MSUCOM has consistently excellent matches and the in-state tuition is also a plus. Also, isn't the OaklandU school super new?

I agree that you shouldnt turn down MSU-COM. MSU-COM is one of my top picks and I am applying to both MD and DO schools. It is a great school, very well established, and is currently ranked #5 in the nation for primary care (I also intend on going into IM so that is a great thing for me). But you can do what you want. I know if I was applying this cycle I would definitely tell you to turn it down so I had a chance to matriculate!

Not worth the headache if you're waiting until next cycle. I've been debating doing a super-late AMCAS just for the hell of it, but I absolutely wouldn't attempt to defer/withdraw to do it next year.

If you have competitive MD stats you might want to consider it especially if you'll be unhappy/always be wondering "what if...?" If you have low stats, don't bother.

Thanks for all the insight. So nice to be able to receive many honest and useful responses.

 

[abolt18]

Looks like it's unanimous. DON'T turn down your acceptance at a fantastic school!

 

[Jas1360]

I disagree, one more seat for me if you turn it down 😉

Seriously though, I agree with most everyone else about not turning down the acceptance. I'm not sure the time and cost of waiting one more year to apply to MD programs is going to be worth it when you could already be in medical school. Not to mention how incredibly stressful the application process can be and the uncertainty you could be facing.

 

[osteooneill]

Seriously though, I agree with most everyone else about not turning down the acceptance. I'm not sure the time and cost of waiting one more year to apply to MD programs is going to be worth it when you could already be in medical school. Not to mention how incredibly stressful the application process can be and the uncertainty you could be facing.

An important point indeed!

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Don't turn down the acceptance, but if you can defer the acceptance, why not. First, let's see if MSU will even let you defer.

 

[coolingglasses]

Yeah, I take back the defer part of what I said. Don't lose the acceptance though.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Take the acceptance and run!

 

[IslandStyle808]

"A bird in the hand is worth MORE than two in the bush"

Take the acceptance.

 

[EndersRebutal]

This has beaten to death by everyone but really look at what you are considering. Option A: take an acceptance(that thousands of other applicants tried for and were rejected) and move forward with both your life and career. Option B: Wait in limbo for another year or more for the chance (really stress chance here) to spend a lot of money (at least about a $1000 or more for primary, secondary, and interview travel) on reapplying with no guarantee of being accepted anywhere. And all this because you want to give yourself a better chance at getting an ACGME residency. All this becoming moot considering the upcoming integrated match and AOA having residencies in all the categories you could want. I don't think its worth it, but the choice is yours.

 

[MedPR]

This has beaten to death by everyone but really look at what you are considering. Option A: take an acceptance(that thousands of other applicants tried for and were rejected) and move forward with both your life and career. Option B: Wait in limbo for another year or more for the chance (really stress chance here) to spend a lot of money (at least about a $1000 or more for primary, secondary, and interview travel) on reapplying with no guarantee of being accepted anywhere. And all this because you want to give yourself a better chance at getting an ACGME residency. All this becoming moot considering the upcoming integrated match and AOA having residencies in all the categories you could want. I don't think its worth it, but the choice is yours.

Though I agree with your main point, your support is weak. You basically told him "don't give your chance to have a better chance at your ideal future" that's a fail statement. Also, the merger isn't going to help this generation of DOs very much except for the fact that they have a single match instead of two. Bias will still exist.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[docmayer]

I was in the same position as you, same school as well. Take MSUCOM and run. There is too much risk involved. If you don't get into MD next year, then what? It's a lot easier said than done. Considering it is MSUCOM, this makes it even easier to just take your acceptance and run. It has great rotations. DO specializing will be harder based on specialty, and especially because we are Canadian (which doesn't change from MD to DO schools; we will need a visa for residency either way). If you want to discuss it inbox me as this was a concern for me as well. As for discrimination, who cares... discrimination exists in every single profession. No matter where you go or what degree you get there will be discrimination. The best thing to do is just be proud at where you are and what you achieved and if you get discriminated against brush it off your shoulders and remember the things that really matter in life. G'luck.

 

[jinobi]

I have a friend who applied MD and DO; she had no MD acceptances, and one DO acceptance. She deferred her DO acceptance to spend a year retaking her MCAT and earning a MS degree so she'd have better chances reapplying MD.

She ended up bombing her MCAT retake, and now she's going back to her original DO acceptance after a year (wasted or not is a subjective opinion) and after $70k in extra expenses for her MS (which compounds her existing undergraduate loans + interest).

You have an acceptance to medical school. Take it and run. Residency is what you make of it - there'll be more hurdles for you, but by no means are they insurmountable as long as you work your ass off.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I have a friend who applied MD and DO; she had no MD acceptances, and one DO acceptance. She deferred her DO acceptance to spend a year retaking her MCAT and earning a MS degree so she'd have better chances reapplying MD.

She ended up bombing her MCAT retake, and now she's going back to her original DO acceptance after a year (wasted or not is a subjective opinion) and after $70k in extra expenses for her MS (which compounds her existing undergraduate loans + interest).

You have an acceptance to medical school. Take it and run. Residency is what you make of it - there'll be more hurdles for you, but by no means are they insurmountable as long as you work your ass off.

This is most definitely how I feel. OP you will too if you don't take the acceptance and go with it.

 

[m3gaman]

If I was in your position I would take that acceptance and do the most with it. But if you think you can improve your application significantly, go for it. 6-7 months is a good amount of time and you can increase those extra-curricular hours. Look at what you have available to make yourself stand out and do pros/cons... good luck.