md vs do (considering scholarship)

[pandemicpremed97]

I know MD is often more "desirable" than DO. But does significant scholarship aid change this? I was blessed to receive a half tuition scholarship to Kansas City (DO school). But I'll hear from Loma Linda (MD) post interview sometime this week.

If I go to KC I'll take out 135 in loans and if I go to LL I'll take out 228 in loans. I have 30k from undergrad as well.

So basically, is the steep price dif worth the MD title AND the ability to stay in CA (born and raised here)?

My KC deposit is due in a few days so I'm trying to decide what I'll do if I get into LL. If I don't get in I'll obviously submit my KC deposit.

Thank you!!

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[WheezyBaby]

So basically, is the steep price dif worth the MD title AND the ability to stay in CA (born and raised here)?

Personal decision but I think vast majority would say yes

 

[DNAJB6]

DOs make less on average than their MD counterparts. Many argue this is because many gravitate towards primary care and lower paying specialities, but is this because they followed their passion or is it because they failed to match into more competitive fields? I'm sure it's a combination. I'd go MD without reservation.

 

[deleted1066189]

To the OP, what specialty do you want to go into, and what would be the cost of living for both schools?

 

[Banco]

I would say yes, there is DO bias still in many specialties and academic programs unfortunately.

 

[LizzyM]

Just be careful that your sensibilities align with those of the Loma Linda administrators. Of course, if you haven't been admitted yet, that question is still up in the air, but if you do get admitted, consider the school rules before you sign on the dotted line. The restrictions would be confining to some folks and a comfort for those who want to be in solidarity with others who align their lives according to Adventist practices.

Being in a MD school is no bargain if you are sanctioned or even expelled for breaking the school rules.

 

[pandemicpremed97]

To the OP, what specialty do you want to go into, and what would be the cost of living for both schools?

Im not sure what speciality I want to enter. Open to non primary and primary and hoping to gain insight during rotations. To play it safe, I can try and make the decision based on getting a lower paying speciality in case thats what happens.

Cost of living in CA would be free (live w parents) whereas KC is pretty cheap. But I already factored in cost of living in my debt.

 

[pandemicpremed97]

Just be careful that your sensibilities align with those of the Loma Linda administrators. Of course, if you haven't been admitted yet, that question is still up in the air, but if you do get admitted, consider the school rules before you sign on the dotted line. The restrictions would be confining to some folks and a comfort for those who want to be in solidarity with others who align their lives according to Adventist practices.

Being in a MD school is no bargain if you are sanctioned or even expelled for breaking the school rules.

Good point. I heard the rules are unique and strict.

 

[DNAJB6]

Also worth considering: Kansas City, MO has a very high crime rate and the quality of living likely isn't much. I'm not sure about Loma Linda, CA.

 

[deleted1066189]

Also worth considering: Kansas City, MO has a very high crime rate and the quality of living likely isn't much.

The Joplin campus is safer, but very good point. Not sure which campus the OP got accepted into.

 

[Doctoscope]

DOs make less on average than their MD counterparts. Many argue this is because many gravitate towards primary care and lower paying specialities, but is this because they followed their passion or is it because they failed to match into more competitive fields? I'm sure it's a combination. I'd go MD without reservation.

On a per-specialty basis, they make the same amount of money. But there are probably less DO specialists than MDs.

 

[DNAJB6]

On a per-specialty basis, they make the same amount of money. But there are probably less DO specialists than MDs.

Is that because they are screened out in match or is there a huge skew towards primary care for other reasons? I would be surprised if demographics alone explain the DO v. MD disparity in some less competitive fields. That's what I am alluding to in my post. I agree with you.

 

[LizzyM]

Is that because they are screened out in match or is there a huge skew towards primary care for other reasons? I would be surprised if demographics alone explain the DO v. MD disparity in some less competitive fields. That's what I am alluding to in my post. I agree with you.

If undergrad GPA and MCAT are correlated with Step 1 (they may be a little bit) and Step 1 scores (in the past) were correlated with selection for residencies in lucrative specialties then if, as a group DO students have an average MCAT/GPA scores that is lower than the average scores of MD students, then it might follow that DO students are less likely, regardless of preferences, to match into lucrative specialties.

 

[Goro]

DOs make less on average than their MD counterparts. Many argue this is because many gravitate towards primary care and lower paying specialities, but is this because they followed their passion or is it because they failed to match into more competitive fields? I'm sure it's a combination. I'd go MD without reservation.

This is almost apples and oranges.

DOs and MDs will make the same salaries as attendings in the same field. So yes, the skew goes for MDs, but that because there are more of them in specialties. But within each specialty? The same.

Is that because they are screened out in match or is there a huge skew towards primary care for other reasons?

Yes. FYI, not all DOs are are Primary Care. EM is the third most DO-friendly specialty. Gas, Neuro, Path, Rads, and PM&R are also DO-friendly and Gen Surg is also doable.

 

[DNAJB6]

@zeddd78893 - What part of my statement do you take issue with?

Kansas City ranks as one of most dangerous cities in country, report says

Eight metro area cities rank among the safest in Kansas and Missouri.

www.kmbc.com

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If you get the choice go MD. Always.

 

[Davidfromcali]

I’m obviously super biased but I think the opportunity to stay in CA is already a strong enough reason to go to LL aside from the MD