Needing some help making a decision...

[andrewsmack05]

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I was accepted to a low tier MD school (marshall) and a nice DO school (WVSOM-Lewisburg). I am not sure on what I would like to specialize in yet, but I am asking which school might give me the best opportunity (least hoops to jump through) getting to where I might want to be. I am not trying to stir crap up here about MD's or DO's, I am just looking to put myself into a position where I wouldn't have to fight any sort of bias. With the changes now, where all the residencies are residencies, would I still be hindering my outlook if I chose to go DO? The DO school seemed to be really nice and were in the process of making changes to their curriculum but would it be worth it in the long run? I am not a soothsayer, I just dont know what is going to happen with the up and coming changes here. This is why I ask for SDN's input. Thanks to all for the help!

 

[Hemorrage]

Go MD. Even if the school sucks, having an MD degree will require you to take 1 less board exam and have the ability to specialize in all fields

 

[Sophocles]

I was accepted to a low tier MD school (marshall) and a nice DO school (WVSOM-Lewisburg). I am not sure on what I would like to specialize in yet, but I am asking which school might give me the best opportunity (least hoops to jump through) getting to where I might want to be. I am not trying to stir crap up here about MD's or DO's, I am just looking to put myself into a position where I wouldn't have to fight any sort of bias. With the changes now, where all the residencies are residencies, would I still be hindering my outlook if I chose to go DO? The DO school seemed to be really nice and were in the process of making changes to their curriculum but would it be worth it in the long run? I am not a soothsayer, I just dont know what is going to happen with the up and coming changes here. This is why I ask for SDN's input. Thanks to all for the help!

Umm.. This is definitely an MD vs DO thread. You have hit up some of the main topics and implicitly and perhaps inadvertently have answered your own questions.

Biases would only exist in the DO field (I don't think people care what school you graduated from as long as it's an MD-only stipulation seems to be academics, but even then this is dependent upon many factors), and there are no doors being closed to MD's for residencies.

Please correct me if I am wrong. This is what I have read up on SDN.

 

[excalibur]

It might come down to location and cost.

1. Are you happy with the cities these schools are located? Both are in West Virginia right? Could you see yourself living in either city for four years? -As a side note, medical school is about studying, and I feel most young students could live anywhere for for years.

2. Scholarships to either? What is tuition at school 1 vs 2? Will you be pulling out loans for tuition AND living expenses at both schools?

After you have the info on those two, then tackle the MD vs DO. I am now done with all my training, and I will admit that the path to get what you want is "somewhat" easier if you go through MD pathway. And let me stress that it is slightly easier. I don't feel DO's are any different, and there are many opportunities for DO's to obtain the specialty and the specific residency location they desire. However, it might be slightly easier for the MD applicant.

I feel all things being equal, "the residency application processes" are easier for MD's. Training is for all purposes about the same, and in the end many don't care if you are DO or MD when you are practicing, you are "Doctor".

If you would be happy in either school/city, and you would pay less at Marshall, I feel that would be a better choice. You would not have the little extra challenges facing DO's during application for residency, and you would incur less debt. Believe me the less that comes out of your pocket for a medical degree, the better off you will be.

 

[andrewsmack05]

It might come down to location and cost.

1. Are you happy with the cities these schools are located? Both are in West Virginia right? Could you see yourself living in either city for four years? -As a side note, medical school is about studying, and I feel most young students could live anywhere for for years.

2. Scholarships to either? What is tuition at school 1 vs 2? Will you be pulling out loans for tuition AND living expenses at both schools?

After you have the info on those two, then tackle the MD vs DO. I am now done with all my training, and I will admit that the path to get what you want is "somewhat" easier if you go through MD pathway. And let me stress that it is slightly easier. I don't feel DO's are any different, and there are many opportunities for DO's to obtain the specialty and the specific residency location they desire. However, it might be slightly easier for the MD applicant.

I feel all things being equal, "the residency application processes" are easier for MD's. Training is for all purposes about the same, and in the end many don't care if you are DO or MD when you are practicing, you are "Doctor".

If you would be happy in either school/city, and you would pay less at Marshall, I feel that would be a better choice. You would not have the little extra challenges facing DO's during application for residency, and you would incur less debt. Believe me the less that comes out of your pocket for a medical degree, the better off you will be.

This is what I feel I needed to see. I have a scholarship that covers tuition at both schools. I was thinking that in a few years a top echelon type DO school might outweigh a low to mid tier MD school. Thank you all for your responses!

 

[gettheleadout]

Full tuition scholarship to both? Go MD.


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[excalibur]

Full tuition scholarship to both? Go MD.


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Ditto above. Much more important HOW YOU PERFORM at the med school you attend then the actual med school you attend.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Full tuition scholarship to both? Go MD.

Ditto above. Much more important HOW YOU PERFORM at the med school you attend then the actual med school you attend.

Agreed 100% with these 2.

Get your MD and score well on you step 1 exam. That's the best you can do for yourself now.

 

[appleman123]

this is a non-decision. MD all the way.

9/10 DO candidates go the DO route because they do not have a US MD acceptance in hand, so think about that.

 

[Sophocles]

this is a non-decision. MD all the way.

9/10 DO candidates go the DO route because they do not have a US MD acceptance in hand, so think about that.

Please don't instigate an MD vs DO debate!

 

[MedPR]

This is what I feel I needed to see. I have a scholarship that covers tuition at both schools. I was thinking that in a few years a top echelon type DO school might outweigh a low to mid tier MD school. Thank you all for your responses!

Perhaps, but WVSOM isn't a top DO school.

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