MD or DO (Not the usual scenario)

[DPTinthemaking15]

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To say that I am blessed is an understatement... Recently I was inducted into a program that grants a guaranteed interview at a local DO school. There is a 100% acceptance rate using this program, but anything can go wrong (maybe I won't blow the interview lol).

Also, I am applying to a program that grants a guaranteed admission to a local MD school. There are a lot of requirements, but I have met all of them so far, with the exception of the MCAT (working on it). After speaking with the admission advisor that helps with the program, she told me they never fill their seats and I have a "great" chance of receiving an acceptance. This program last for a year and afterwards you are promised a seat in their SOM. They want you to pursue PCP, but you aren't required to do so, but it is highly frowned upon if you decide otherwise.

I'm not going to lie, primary care is where I see myself. During undergrad I volunteered with kids and cannot imagine pursuing anything other than pediatrics. Why? A few years ago I had the chance to shadow at a Childrens Hospital and fell in love with it. I understand things may change later on in medical school and that is why I am hesitant to apply to the MD school. Also, the MD school may throw a scholarship my way, due to completing this program. As my grandpa always says, don't turn down free money lol. Here are the pros and cons that I have found so far.

MD

Pros: I love the area, great name, produces great PCP's from what I hear, and they have a lot of scholarships available. I come from a poor family, so anything helps.

Cons: Pushed to pursue primary care and the program cost $$$

DO

Pros: Stellar campus, faculty seemed friendly, I can pursue any specialty, and they really care about their students

Cons: Afraid of the merger


Don't get me wrong, I am 100% happy if I receive an MD or DO acceptance. I'm just a little lost on what to do. Any wise words would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

 

[WedgeDawg]

While there are definitely some MD schools that have a mission of producing primary care doctors, the missions of most DO schools include creating primary care physicians as well. You say you love pediatrics at this point in time, which is great, and something that you can match quite readily from either an MD or a DO school. However, you'll probably have more options matching into it from the MD school, and additionally, if you decide to switch specialties, even at a primary care oriented school, you'll have more options coming out of the MD school. Thus, while the MD school may be pushing you to pursue a primary care field, the DO school will be more functionally limiting into what specialties you can match into. I don't know the specifics of these programs, but all else being more or less even, I would look into the MD school.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

While there are definitely some MD schools that have a mission of producing primary care doctors, the missions of most DO schools include creating primary care physicians as well. You say you love pediatrics at this point in time, which is great, and something that you can match quite readily from either an MD or a DO school. However, you'll probably have more options matching into it from the MD school, and additionally, if you decide to switch specialties, even at a primary care oriented school, you'll have more options coming out of the MD school. Thus, while the MD school may be pushing you to pursue a primary care field, the DO school will be more functionally limiting into what specialties you can match into. I don't know the specifics of these programs, but all else being more or less even, I would look into the MD school.

Thank you so much! This makes a lot of sense and I have been leaning toward the MD school, until a few days ago. A nursing friend of mine was questioning my decision to become a primary care physician, because of the increase of NP's. It seems like I have a lot to consider in a short amount of time haha.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Thank you so much! This makes a lot of sense and I have been leaning toward the MD school, until a few days ago. A nursing friend of mine was questioning my decision to become a primary care physician, because of the increase of NP's. It seems like I have a lot to consider in a short amount of time haha.

This is a pandora's box that we probably don't want to open right now, but I wouldn't let that at all stop you from pursuing primary care if that's what you want to do. The country (and world) will always need excellent pediatric physicians.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

This is a pandora's box that we probably don't want to open right now, but I wouldn't let that at all stop you from pursuing primary care if that's what you want to do. The country (and world) will always need excellent pediatric physicians.

Thank you for calming me down in a state of panic! As you said, I think I will have better odds/chances at the MD school.

 

[Peach Newport]

If you really want to do pediatrics, you’d better be aggressive about keeping your debt low, that’s all I’m gonna say.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

If you really want to do pediatrics, you’d better be aggressive about keeping your debt low, that’s all I’m gonna say.

Definitely! My wife has a really good job, so I am hoping it will be our saving grace. Plus, I live in a rural area and the cost of living isn't awful. If not, well... I'll be broke in a few years lol. Med/peds is also an option I have been thinking about as well.

 

[Peach Newport]

Btw, I’d really like to know what MD program has an SMP that guarantees an acceptance. Every one I’ve ever seen was a guaranteed interview (lol). As far as I know, the only schools that offer a guaranteed acceptance for certain masters performance were like 2-3 DO schools.

 

[Tenk]

To say that I am blessed is an understatement... Recently I was inducted into a program that grants a guaranteed interview at a local DO school. There is a 100% acceptance rate using this program, but anything can go wrong (maybe I won't blow the interview lol).

Also, I am applying to a program that grants a guaranteed admission to a local MD school. There are a lot of requirements, but I have met all of them so far, with the exception of the MCAT (working on it). After speaking with the admission advisor that helps with the program, she told me they never fill their seats and I have a "great" chance of receiving an acceptance. This program last for a year and afterwards you are promised a seat in their SOM. They want you to pursue PCP, but you aren't required to do so, but it is highly frowned upon if you decide otherwise.

I'm not going to lie, primary care is where I see myself. During undergrad I volunteered with kids and cannot imagine pursuing anything other than pediatrics. Why? A few years ago I had the chance to shadow at a Childrens Hospital and fell in love with it. I understand things may change later on in medical school and that is why I am hesitant to apply to the MD school. Also, the MD school may throw a scholarship my way, due to completing this program. As my grandpa always says, don't turn down free money lol. Here are the pros and cons that I have found so far.

MD

Pros: I love the area, great name, produces great PCP's from what I hear, and they have a lot of scholarships available. I come from a poor family, so anything helps.

Cons: Pushed to pursue primary care and the program cost $$$

DO

Pros: Stellar campus, faculty seemed friendly, I can pursue any specialty, and they really care about their students

Cons: Afraid of the merger


Don't get me wrong, I am 100% happy if I receive an MD or DO acceptance. I'm just a little lost on what to do. Any wise words would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

When I was a pre-med I was 100% certain I wanted to do pediatrics. I am not a pediatrician. Don’t limit yourself when you haven’t even had a chance to sample other things. Just more food for thought.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

The country (and world) will always need excellent pediatric physicians.

People like to act that PC docs are inferior in some way when the reality is they are often the most needed and the ones that really make healthcare tick.

OP if you are cool with it PM me the programs and details. That will likely help me put together more specific advice outside of the usual “MD always” I usually give as your situation has a lot of variables.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

When I was a pre-med I was 100% certain I wanted to do pediatrics. I am not a pediatrician. Don’t limit yourself when you haven’t even had a chance to sample other things. Just more food for thought.

Very true. Do you have any suggestions? I don't think I am competitive for MD schools without using a program like this. It seems like the MD program is the best to go with, but I don't want to kick myself in the butt 4 years from now.

 

[Tenk]

Very true. Do you have any suggestions? I don't think I am competitive for MD schools without using a program like this. It seems like the MD program is the best to go with, but I don't want to kick myself in the butt 4 years from now.

I would do the MD program and do whatever I wanted to do with my life but it turns out primary care bored me to tears and I needed the ED to keep my adrenaline going. You might be different. In the end though if you are 100% primary care and no way going to specialize then whoever has the lowest debt burden is your best bet. Good luck!

 

[863168]

@DPTinthemaking15 You don't apply to medical schools on the basis of a 5-year plan for a desired specialty when you are a premedical applicant.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

I would do the MD program and do whatever I wanted to do with my life but it turns out primary care bored me to tears and I needed the ED to keep my adrenaline going. You might be different. In the end though if you are 100% primary care and no way going to specialize then whoever has the lowest debt burden is your best bet. Good luck!

Thank you!

@DPTinthemaking15 You don't apply to medical schools on the basis of a 5-year plan for a desired specialty when you are a premedical applicant.

I couldn't agree more. That is why I am trying to see if anyone else has ever been in a predicament similar to this. This is the first time I have ever thought that going DO may be a better option, but the MD program is hard to beat.

 

[mellie0]

You can also do internal medicine since it's a primary care field, and then do a fellowship and subspecialize. Just a thought.