On the road to DO, recently accepted MD

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howtofr4y

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OK...

Basically I've been accepted for a while at a top DO school (yeah, they aren't ranked, but I've heard it is). I'm fully confident in the education I'd receive at this school, and I know multiple people who have graduated here or are currently attending. I also feel I'd be happiest at this school (how the campus is, the fact that I'm pretty sure it's less competitive-in a good way, where the students tend to help each other out). OMM sounds interesting, but isn't much of a factor in my decision.

The MD school is not located in as safe of an area, and the campus is nowhere as nice. I also am pretty sure the students are pretty competitive here, and while competition is good in some ways, I'd rather not be surrounded by gunners. The school's main advantage for me is that the MD degree is still perceived, by some (not me!), as being superior to the DO degree (and I've been reading these boards for awhile, so I know this is mostly a premed/old guard MD phenonmenon). I'm big on not having my options limited, and I've heard that some specialties are easier to get into as an MD. Also, there's a small chance I may want to practice in an area of the U.S. where DO's are rare (would this make it harder to join a practice/start a practice/sign up patients who don't know what DO's are?), or I may move to another country someday. I do know that DO's are gaining more international practice rights, but, as of know they aren't as good.

Students from both schools seem to match well into residencies.

Cost should be about the same for each school, so, not a factor.

Also should be mentioned...I don't plan on going for a super-competitive specialty, but seeing as nothing in the future is certain (I could be perfectly happy at the MD school, or I could land my perfect career as a DO), I'd like to keep my options wide open (pointing to MD). But, if I knew I wanted to do FP or IM, I'd actually prefer DO.

P.S. Cost should be about the same, so, not a factor.

CLIFF NOTES: Probably happier at DO school, may have more future options at an MD school...which to choose?

BTW...I know this is a great decision to have to make 😀, and I'd like to wish some luck on those still waiting 👍.
 
DOs have residencies in Ortho, Neuro, etc reserved just for them..>so the competitive speciality deal should be a nonfactor...If you are happiest DO, go DO.
 
Asking on the Pre-MD forum, you're gonna get a bunch of people who just say go for the MD. Asking on the Pre-DO forum, you're gonna get a bunch of people who say just got for the DO. What you really have to think about is this: Is not having to explain the initials after my name for the next few decades worth being less comfortable for the next four years?

Also, which school costs less? A lot of the DO schools are friggen expensive... Have you gotten financial aid packages from both schools?
 
It seems you have reservations about the DO degree...so just go MD. No point in kicking yourself down the road if you have regrets.

If you feel your learning experience would be adequate, and equal, at both...then go with your gut.
 
Go to the DO school.

I think being happy is a much bigger advantage than some possible MD>DO mumbo-jumbo. You're spending 4 years of your life. It's probably going to be tough. You don't want to have some additional possible point of resentment going in.
 
Raryn said:
Asking on the Pre-MD forum, you're gonna get a bunch of people who just say go for the MD. Asking on the Pre-DO forum, you're gonna get a bunch of people who say just got for the DO. What you really have to think about is this: Is not having to explain the initials after my name for the next few decades worth being less comfortable for the next four years?

Also, which school costs less? A lot of the DO schools are friggen expensive... Have you gotten financial aid packages from both schools?
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Hahahah ... I'm glad you didn't just say ' go for the MD.' Anyway, OP ... it's too difficult to just ask which one. There are a ton of different assets to weigh when choosing a school that is the best fit for you. If the initial thing will bother you ... go MD. If that isn't what is important to you, but location is ... go DO. This could go on forever, and I think the best thing you can do is really figure out what you are looking for in a school, post your criteria, and it will then be easier to help make suggestions about the best route.

Put it this way though ... you are fine either way. A DO isn't going to slam any doors in your face if you are hard working, nor is it a completely altruistic community where you'll find no competition. On the other side of the coin, having an MD isn't going to give you every opportunity you want if you don't work and do the best you can. Good luck with your decision.
 
I think the OP already knows which school he REALLY wants from reading his post. Go for it, man. I know you REALLY like it, so you shouldn't even nitpick it with other option.
 
Gpan said:
I think the OP already knows which school he REALLY wants from reading his post. Go for it, man. I know you REALLY like it, so you shouldn't even nitpick it with other option.
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I was going to say the same thing. 👍
 
Whatever makes you happier in the long run. If you don't want the DO after your name, get an MD. If you don't want to go to the MD school, get a DO. Whatever you think will make you the happiest. Especially if you don't want a hypercompetitive residency, and if you're interested in primary care, DO is a sound option, especially the way you talk about it.
 
sentrosi said:
Go to the DO school.

I think being happy is a much bigger advantage than some possible MD>DO mumbo-jumbo. You're spending 4 years of your life. It's probably going to be tough. You don't want to have some additional possible point of resentment going in.
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I disagree. As a pre-med the mentality is "I just want to be a doctor." That's fine, but speaking as a graduating, matched M4 I can tell you that that attitude fades pretty quickly. You don't "just want to be a doctor" you want to be a neurosurgeon in Boston, or an anesthesiologist in California or whatever. Even if you are SURE you want to do primary care you will probably change your mind. If you are transcendentally happy for 4 years but have the door to the residency you want artificially closed it's not going to be worth it.

Being a DO does close doors, you can flame me or whatever you want to do but it's true. Some DO schools do have very good match lists but there are still alot of people out there with big time bias. SDNers might say that "you wouldn't want to go to any program with anti-DO bias" but I can tell you if you followed that logic you would be crossing off alot of excellent hospitals based on a silly idea.

If you are accepted to and MD school the ONLY reason to go DO is if you are 110% on board with the "philosopy" -- whatever that means. I personally think that the reverse stereotype of DOs being nicer and more holistic than MDs is offensive. They get all worked up if someone questions whether or not their degree is completely equal to MD and then turn around and claim that it's superior in "holistic" terms.
 
Either way buddy, you are still called 'doctor'. I'm not very sure about the bias deal, but I am sure that there are alot of programs that you can apply to DO wise. If you want to go MD, go MD, likewise with DO's.
 
yes would you mind telling us what schools? some advice from the inside (esp. from current students at the allo school) might definitely help you. I would say go MD. i know you want to go into primary care but what if you change your mind and decide you want to enter a more competitive specialty?
 
Talk to your doctors (both DO and MD) to get all the facts (not just opinions) straight. I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest in here but the doctors I talked to (including the DOs) have convinced me to go MD. But it all depends on the MD school that you have been accepted to. There are a few MD schools (I'm not gonna list them here) that I wouldn't want to go to.
 
I cant believe the posts on this thread. Youre way too young and life is way to uncertain for you to be closing so many doors. "fit" or "happiness" is something to consider when most else is equal. Get the md.
 
AmoryBlaine said:
I disagree. As a pre-med the mentality is "I just want to be a doctor." That's fine, but speaking as a graduating, matched M4 I can tell you that that attitude fades pretty quickly. You don't "just want to be a doctor" you want to be a neurosurgeon in Boston, or an anesthesiologist in California or whatever. Even if you are SURE you want to do primary care you will probably change your mind. If you are transcendentally happy for 4 years but have the door to the residency you want artificially closed it's not going to be worth it.

Being a DO does close doors, you can flame me or whatever you want to do but it's true. Some DO schools do have very good match lists but there are still alot of people out there with big time bias. SDNers might say that "you wouldn't want to go to any program with anti-DO bias" but I can tell you if you followed that logic you would be crossing off alot of excellent hospitals based on a silly idea.

If you are accepted to and MD school the ONLY reason to go DO is if you are 110% on board with the "philosopy" -- whatever that means. I personally think that the reverse stereotype of DOs being nicer and more holistic than MDs is offensive. They get all worked up if someone questions whether or not their degree is completely equal to MD and then turn around and claim that it's superior in "holistic" terms.
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I would just be repeating what he said above.
 
MD = DO = Physician. End of story.

Go where you think you will be able to succeed and be happy at the same time. I plan to apply to both MD and DO schools and I wil go to whatever school I'm most impressed with during interviews.
 
From your post it sounds like you clearly would like to attend the DO school over the MD school. So why you are posting this kind of question on the pre-allo forum is beyond me. Of course the pre-allo folks are going to say, all other things being equal go MD. It's what they'd do.

Except they aren't you, and from your post you seem to like the DO school better. Consider that by the time you graduate and complete residency (7+ years from now), there will have been that many more DOs practicing over that period of time, hopefully helping to diminish any lack of public awareness or other stigma imposed by others who don't know any better.

Instead of letting fellow premed students who don't know you or the schools you're considering try to persuade you to make an important life decision, talk about this situation with your mentors, other doctors, students at the schools, etc. to be sure your assumptions and feelings are all valid. You'll be fine either way. But from your own words, it sounds like you prefer the DO school.
 
4Health said:
MD = DO = Physician. End of story.

Go where you think you will be able to succeed and be happy at the same time. I plan to apply to both MD and DO schools and I wil go to whatever school I'm most impressed with during interviews.
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Just make sure you give yourself a chance to be impressed with a match list that includes Derm, Ophtho, Urology, Ortho, and Radiology and not just the smiling faces of the students.

Fit is important, but ultimately you are in medical school to get a residency. You can't walk into med school interviews acting as if nothing happens after you graduate.
 
I agree with many of the others here, it sounds like you've already made up your mind. If you work diligently, you won't be closing any doors. Go where you believe you'll be most comfortable.

I recently made a similar decision. I had 5 MD acceptances (3 with full tuition scholarships) and I will be going DO next year.
 
I was avoiding naming schools at first because I wanted people's opinions on the situation itself, not particular comments on each school. With that said, the schools are Wayne State and MSUCOM. Anything helpful on deciding between these schools (insider knowledge is helpful!).
 
well, i was kinda in your situation. I've gotten multiple offers, both MD and DO....chose a DO school instead. I felt more comfortable with the DO schools in general and that gunner attitude isn't as salient....but I'm sure its there regardless of where you end up. In terms of residencies, we can apply to both MD and DO residencies. I wouldn't make a MAJOR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL decision based on the consensus amongst a few jackass pre-med kids that skip all their classes to jack off to internet porn and play world of warcraft. Good luck with whatever you chose.
 
I was recently in the same boat. I was planning on going to KCOM, but last minute received an interview invite and subsequent acceptance from UT.

Here's what my decision making list looked liked

KCOM (DO)
-great facilities
-very very strong anatomy program ( I teach anatomy, its a big thing for me)
-learn OMM
-great location for myself and my husband
-large number of non-trads like me
-could do 3rd/4th year back in Colorado
-good match list
-got an overall "good" feeling about the program

UT (MD)
-Ohio (near family)
-roughly $60K cheaper over 4 years
-all 4 years on the UT campus
-ward based rotations at UT hospital
-great match list
-great Step I scores
-don't have to learn iffy OMM techniques (i.e. cranial)
-don't have to take 2 sets of exams (COMLEX, USMLE)
-got an overall "good" feeling about the program

In the end UT won out because (1) cheaper by alot, (2) Ward based rotations on UT's campus, (3) stronger step scores/match list.

I don't know how much this helps you because Wayne State and MSUCOM are different schools, but it gives you an idea on how I decided between a DO program I liked versus and MD program I also liked (for different reasons).
 
AmoryBlaine said:
Just make sure you give yourself a chance to be impressed with a match list that includes Derm, Ophtho, Urology, Ortho, and Radiology and not just the smiling faces of the students.

Fit is important, but ultimately you are in medical school to get a residency. You can't walk into med school interviews acting as if nothing happens after you graduate.
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This is why a DO or MD question can absolutely never be asked anywhere on this site. Ask it in Allo and get responses from people who know nothing about AOA residencies, DO match lists, or the fact that DOs practice everyday in all of the fields you listed above. You also bring up the misconception that having an MD behind your name is a fix-all solution. Do you think an allopathic student with poor step scores and no reference is going to be handed a derm or ophtho residency simply because of the MD behind their name??? I highly doubt it. ON the other hand, if you post this question in an Osteopathic forum all your responses will be along the lines of 'if you work hard enough you can land MD integrated plastics,' 'DOs interact better with patients' or ' DO friendly MD residencies.' Both sides are making pointless assumptions that vaguely hide their own personal agenda. Is someone who just worked their pompous @ss off for 4 years to get an MD going to like to humor the idea of DOs being equal and working in competitive fields of medicine??? NO. Are DO students going to want to hear that they are only fit for primary care and viewed poorly by the public??? NO. There is no truly unbiased answer OP. Do what feels right ... flip a god d@mn coin, or whatever you need to, but realize that everyone here has an agenda (myself included).
 
howtofr4y said:
OK...

Basically I've been accepted for a while at a top DO school (yeah, they aren't ranked, but I've heard it is). I'm fully confident in the education I'd receive at this school, and I know multiple people who have graduated here or are currently attending. I also feel I'd be happiest at this school (how the campus is, the fact that I'm pretty sure it's less competitive-in a good way, where the students tend to help each other out).
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Well then, you should know that while MSU has a nice campus, you'll be out in BFE by Fee Hall and the Life Sciences building, which are about as far away as you can get from campus. You'll be closer to cows than you will be to the libraries, stadiums, etc.

Also, about the competition bit, I've heard from friends at MSU that it can be just as competitive as Wayne is, in part because you have MDs and DOs in the same classroom trying to outdo one another.


The MD school is not located in as safe of an area, and the campus is nowhere as nice. I also am pretty sure the students are pretty competitive here, and while competition is good in some ways, I'd rather not be surrounded by gunners.
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Agree with you here. Detroit is not safe, but the area around Wayne isn't too bad and a lot of students don't even live in Detroit. And about gunners, I'm sure you're bound to run into them wherever you go. Just ignore them.


CLIFF NOTES: Probably happier at DO school, may have more future options at an MD school...which to choose?
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If I were in your shoes, I'd go to Wayne. During the application cycle, I viewed Wayne as the 2nd best school in state; I would've gone there had I not received financial incentives to attend elsewhere. But that's just me. You should definitely go where you'll be happiest. If that's MSUCOM, then that's where you should go.
 
I would personally go the MD route no question. I cannot think of a reason to go the DO route if you have an MD offer. If there is even a chance that you'll be thought of differently or that it even MIGHT have an effect on your future, why would you risk it. I'm not going to make claims that people will or won't think differently about you or that you might limit yourself, etc. I don't really care either way.... I just know that I would personally go the MD route. I think you need to just ask a bunch of people what they would do. Also pay attention to who these people are. I'd actually recommend you ask people who are what you want to be if that is possible. I'm a med student at an MD school, and I say MD. Perhaps my opinion isn't valid because all I ever see are MDs with some DOs thrown into the mix that are the exception to the rule. And I don't know any DO attendings personally. Honestly, my advice or anyone else's advice here isn't going to mean a lot since we're all so biased. Ask people who you know more about so you can know where their opinions are coming from. It's easy for someone with my personal background to say MD all the way.... and remember that it might be easy for someone who is banking on the DO route to say DO all the way since that's what option they have.
 
sunny1 said:
From your post it sounds like you clearly would like to attend the DO school over the MD school. So why you are posting this kind of question on the pre-allo forum is beyond me. Of course the pre-allo folks are going to say, all other things being equal go MD. It's what they'd do.

Except they aren't you, and from your post you seem to like the DO school better. Consider that by the time you graduate and complete residency (7+ years from now), there will have been that many more DOs practicing over that period of time, hopefully helping to diminish any lack of public awareness or other stigma imposed by others who don't know any better.

Instead of letting fellow premed students who don't know you or the schools you're considering try to persuade you to make an important life decision, talk about this situation with your mentors, other doctors, students at the schools, etc. to be sure your assumptions and feelings are all valid. You'll be fine either way. But from your own words, it sounds like you prefer the DO school.
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1. So your logic is to go to the DO school on the strength of the hope that anti-DO bias will be that much less in 7 years? You misunderstand the roots of the bias.* Everyone knows that there are awesome DOs out there, we have all worked with them. The people who are anti-DO are not going to work with 1, 2, or 10 good ones and then say, "oops, I guess I was wrong." Top notch residencies in super-competitive specialties are unlikely to be meaningfully more open to DOs 4 years from now.

2. "Fine" - yes. In the residency of your choice in the city of your choice - maybe not.


* I personally have no issue with DOs, but then again I don't make the residency rank lists ...
 
I would personally go with the MD as well, with the reasons that there are many more residency spots available in each specialty and it would be a pain in the butt writing two sets of licensure examinations. But then again I am also someone who really doesn't care where I study because I just tend the make the most out of any situation and will be happy anywhere. If you think you would be significantly happier at the DO school, then go there.
 
JaggerPlate said:
This is why a DO or MD question can absolutely never be asked anywhere on this site. Ask it in Allo and get responses from people who know nothing about AOA residencies, DO match lists, or the fact that DOs practice everyday in all of the fields you listed above. You also bring up the misconception that having an MD behind your name is a fix-all solution. Do you think an allopathic student with poor step scores and no reference is going to be handed a derm or ophtho residency simply because of the MD behind their name??? I highly doubt it. ON the other hand, if you post this question in an Osteopathic forum all your responses will be along the lines of 'if you work hard enough you can land MD integrated plastics,' 'DOs interact better with patients' or ' DO friendly MD residencies.' Both sides are making pointless assumptions that vaguely hide their own personal agenda. Is someone who just worked their pompous @ss off for 4 years to get an MD going to like to humor the idea of DOs being equal and working in competitive fields of medicine??? NO. Are DO students going to want to hear that they are only fit for primary care and viewed poorly by the public??? NO. There is no truly unbiased answer OP. Do what feels right ... flip a god d@mn coin, or whatever you need to, but realize that everyone here has an agenda (myself included).
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1. Odd to speak of "personal agendas" when your sig is a quote from Andrew Still... Do you think I have a personal agenda in where the OP goes to medical school? His/her ultimate decision affects me not at all. He/she did post a question on a discussion board so you can hardly get upset about discussion...

2. The hypothetical, poor qualified allopathic student you spoke of is obviously not headed for Derm. The difference is that an average to low-average MD student still has a shot at competitive residencies while I'm guessing a low-average DO student would have a heck of an uphill climb.

2.5. The point, which I thought I'd made convincingly is doors open/closed. My original argument was that the attitude of "I just want to be a doctor" might suddenly turn into "Whoa, actually I think I want to do Ophthalmology, and I really like the idea of living on the East Coast. I think I want to teach as well so I'd really like to go to a big, academic program." If it did, you would much rather be at a decent MD school than the very best DO institution.

3. The fact that there are DOs practicing in every field does not mean that the fields as a whole are open to DOs. I'm sure if you poked around you could find FMGs here and there in competitive fields but that doesn't mean that they are "open" to FMGS.


Like I said dude, I've got no DO hate in my heart. But the OP asked a question and as someone who just went through the Match I'm trying to provide some perspective outside of the "whatever your heart tells you cannot be wrong" crew.
 
howtofr4y said:
OK...

Basically I've been accepted for a while at a top DO school (yeah, they aren't ranked, but I've heard it is). I'm fully confident in the education I'd receive at this school, and I know multiple people who have graduated here or are currently attending. I also feel I'd be happiest at this school (how the campus is, the fact that I'm pretty sure it's less competitive-in a good way, where the students tend to help each other out). OMM sounds interesting, but isn't much of a factor in my decision.

The MD school is not located in as safe of an area, and the campus is nowhere as nice. I also am pretty sure the students are pretty competitive here, and while competition is good in some ways, I'd rather not be surrounded by gunners. The school's main advantage for me is that the MD degree is still perceived, by some (not me!), as being superior to the DO degree (and I've been reading these boards for awhile, so I know this is mostly a premed/old guard MD phenonmenon). I'm big on not having my options limited, and I've heard that some specialties are easier to get into as an MD. Also, there's a small chance I may want to practice in an area of the U.S. where DO's are rare (would this make it harder to join a practice/start a practice/sign up patients who don't know what DO's are?), or I may move to another country someday. I do know that DO's are gaining more international practice rights, but, as of know they aren't as good.

Students from both schools seem to match well into residencies.

Cost should be about the same for each school, so, not a factor.

Also should be mentioned...I don't plan on going for a super-competitive specialty, but seeing as nothing in the future is certain (I could be perfectly happy at the MD school, or I could land my perfect career as a DO), I'd like to keep my options wide open (pointing to MD). But, if I knew I wanted to do FP or IM, I'd actually prefer DO.

P.S. Cost should be about the same, so, not a factor.

CLIFF NOTES: Probably happier at DO school, may have more future options at an MD school...which to choose?

BTW...I know this is a great decision to have to make 😀, and I'd like to wish some luck on those still waiting 👍.
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Most DOs who I know (and I know and work with many) hold OMM and especially things like cranial-sacral manipulation (or whatever it's called), the one thing that really differentiates DOs from MDs, in complete and utter contempt. So you have to ask yourself: Putting aside all of the hokey "holistic," "We're treating the whole patient" propaganda how can you say you'll be happier at a DO school? With the exception of the OMM, the classes are the same, the rotations are the same, and you pretty much learn the same stuff but MD schools generally cost less, don't waste your time on too many goofy things (although we have our share) and you're never going to have to explain your initials to anybody.

You are crazy...goofy crazy or a troll...to even pretend it's a tough choice.

Jeez.
 
Laker4Life said:
Talk to your doctors (both DO and MD) to get all the facts (not just opinions) straight. I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest in here but the doctors I talked to (including the DOs) have convinced me to go MD. .
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Every MD I spoke to told me to go DO. I wonder who was right?
 
AmoryBlaine said:
Top notch residencies in super-competitive specialties are unlikely to be meaningfully more open to DOs 4 years from now.

2. "Fine" - yes. In the residency of your choice in the city of your choice - maybe not.
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You know, a few weeks ago I had a conversation with a doc on a similar topic who happens to be a program director at one of Michigan's largest teaching hospitals. I asked him about DOs and what he perceived of them applying to his program. He said he didn't think there was much of a difference between a DO or MD and didn't put much into the stigma theory. Then I asked him how many DOs he's had in the program or working there with him throughout his time. His answer? "Oh, uh, none that I can recall." His actions speak louder than his words. It certainly doesn't seem like he's going to be opening the doors to DOs any time soon.
 
AmoryBlaine said:
1. So your logic is to go to the DO school on the strength of the hope that anti-DO bias will be that much less in 7 years? You misunderstand the roots of the bias.* Everyone knows that there are awesome DOs out there, we have all worked with them. The people who are anti-DO are not going to work with 1, 2, or 10 good ones and then say, "oops, I guess I was wrong." Top notch residencies in super-competitive specialties are unlikely to be meaningfully more open to DOs 4 years from now.

2. "Fine" - yes. In the residency of your choice in the city of your choice - maybe not.


* I personally have no issue with DOs, but then again I don't make the residency rank lists ...
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Dude, get off my back already. My logic wasn't to go there because stigma might lessen over 7 years, my logic was he says he prefers the DO school but he's still worried about what others think. It was just one out of many possibilities to consider. Now is not 7 years from now. Things change.

Let's say the OP changes his mind and wants to do derm or rad. In addition to trying to match through an allopathic residency, there are 4 AOA derm residencies in Michigan alone (obviously the OP's homestate). There are 7 AOA diagnostic radiology residencies in Michigan as well. Clearly I have no idea how good any of these programs are. The OP knows this, though, as he's posted about it before.

By your reasoning, no one should EVER go DO. However, a logical person realizes that in some cases, maybe not most - who cares, it is the better decision (depending on finances of the two comparative schools, location, family factors, etc.).

As opposed to belaboring your point to never go DO, do you have any inside knowledge of MSUCOM or Wayne State? I think that would be the more fruitful discussion going forward. The OP sees himself as happier at MSUCOM over Wayne State. If any current medical students at those institutions would chime in, then we might get somewhere to determine if his gut feelings were correct.
 
Panda Bear said:
Most DOs who I know (and I know and work with many) hold OMM and especially things like cranial-sacral manipulation (or whatever it's called), the one thing that really differentiates DOs from MDs, in complete and utter contempt. So you have to ask yourself: Putting aside all of the hokey "holistic," "We're treating the whole patient" propaganda how can you say you'll be happier at a DO school? With the exception of the OMM, the classes are the same, the rotations are the same, and you pretty much learn the same stuff but MD schools generally cost less, don't waste your time on too many goofy things (although we have our share) and you're never going to have to explain your initials to anybody.

You are crazy...goofy crazy or a troll...to even pretend it's a tough choice.

Jeez.
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Um...I'm not a troll.

And when you say "how can you say you'll be happier at a DO school?"...remember, I'm comparing two specific schools, and I'm only guessing I'd be happier (since we're talking about the future); I never said I'd be happier at ANY DO school over an MD school. I also said cost was about the same. Your point about possibly wasting time on "goofy things" is a valid point, but not a very important one for me.

I have to ask though...are the DO's you know and work with competent and content physicians? If so, why can't you imagine this being a tough choice?
 
I think that DO's and MD's are biased against each other and they don't know enough about the other. Some MD's don't know what a DO is and think it's a lesser degree. Some DO's assume they're more holistic and their philosophy is better but they never went to allopathic school. I would just look at the individual schools and see which offers the best education and which has students that tend to match better or w/e. If OMM is the only thing that you want to learn that sets the DO school apart from the MD just get an MD and learn OMM after.
 
AmoryBlaine said:
1. Odd to speak of "personal agendas" when your sig is a quote from Andrew Still... Do you think I have a personal agenda in where the OP goes to medical school? His/her ultimate decision affects me not at all. He/she did post a question on a discussion board so you can hardly get upset about discussion...
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If you check my original reply to your post, you will find that I included myself in the 'personal agenda' category. However, I may be more neutral than one might assume. I'm applying both, when that time rolls around, and really have no preference. My agenda lies more in dissolving incorrect DO stereotypes and my personal hatred for people automatically assuming everything MD > DO, and that's the end of that. I actually found out about Osteopathic Medicine by chance, and have never really understood why some people (namely pre/current MD students) take such offense to DOs in medicine. Also, I just find the quote to be cool ... it's not supposed to be my declaration of Osteopathic love.

Also, I'm not upset about the discussion ... I actually thought my post covered the incorrect stereotypes -which annoy me-on both sides of the Mason-Dixon,err I mean, Allopathic/Osteopathic divide. I also disagree with your claim of possessing no personal agenda. Even if it's subconscious ... you seem to strongly suggest attending the MD school.

AmoryBlaine said:
2. The hypothetical, poor qualified allopathic student you spoke of is obviously not headed for Derm. The difference is that an average to low-average MD student still has a shot at competitive residencies while I'm guessing a low-average DO student would have a heck of an uphill climb.
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With the increasing number of students graduating from Med school, I think it's a safe assumption that mediocre applicants, MD or DO, don't have much of a 'shot' when competing with thousands of highly qualified students. Do I think that, in a hypothetical situation, a moderate MD applicant shooting for an MD residency would have a better shot than a moderate DO applicant?? Of course. I'm not here to deny logical claims, but I highly doubt that an extremely motivated and hard-working individual would end up doing something they hated simply because they attended a DO school. Would this person maybe have to relocate, or apply to AOA residencies?? Probably ... but this brings me to your next (half) point.

AmoryBlaine said:
2.5. The point, which I thought I'd made convincingly is doors open/closed. My original argument was that the attitude of "I just want to be a doctor" might suddenly turn into "Whoa, actually I think I want to do Ophthalmology, and I really like the idea of living on the East Coast. I think I want to teach as well so I'd really like to go to a big, academic program." If it did, you would much rather be at a decent MD school than the very best DO institution.
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This piece of your argument becomes confusing for me personally. First, I assumed that your doors open/closed argument meant strictly matching into a specialty. Ie: you attended a DO school, ergo you CANNOT become a dermatologist. If this is was you're argument ... then no. And two ... sure, I can see the point you are trying to make: going to an MD school opens up more specific/life style friendly residency choices due to the volume of MD residencies (in comparison to DO). Here is where I take issue: 1. the first goal of getting into medical school SHOULD be ' I just want to be a doctor.' What is the point of saying: 'I am only applying to x school to become a Boston based Ophthalmologist at a big academic program who teaches in his/her spare time.' Also, honing in on something that specific is going to greatly limit your options no matter what. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing there aren't hundreds of EXTREMELY specific programs, like your example, located in the exact area of the East coast where you may decide to spend the rest of your life?? I suppose MD programs give you a better shot at this ... but being this specific seems to greatly limit one's options regardless.


AmoryBlaine said:
3. The fact that there are DOs practicing in every field does not mean that the fields as a whole are open to DOs. I'm sure if you poked around you could find FMGs here and there in competitive fields but that doesn't mean that they are "open" to FMGS.
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DOs currently only compromise only about 10% of attending physicians in the United States. If you take into account the overwhelming amount of MDs when compared to DOs ... they aren't going to seem extremely well represented in any field. It's basic numbers. Also, a lot of DO schools are geared towards primary care (which I think is what the OP said he wanted), so it's not surprising that they are well represented in primary care fields. Also, I'm fairly certain (if I'm wrong here, then I'm just wrong) that a large percent of graduating MD students go into IM, meaning that all specialty fields probably have less doctors than primary fields (ie: there are less plastic surgeons in the US than there are Family Docs and Internists), and that not everybody wants the highly competitive surgery spot.


AmoryBlaine said:
Like I said dude, I've got no DO hate in my heart. But the OP asked a question and as someone who just went through the Match I'm trying to provide some perspective outside of the "whatever your heart tells you cannot be wrong" crew.
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Seriously, I completely understand your point of view, and as strange as it may seem, I do respect your opinion. You have obviously had experience that I haven't, and your advice is valid in this situation. I really didn't mean for any of my responses to come off as pre-med know-it-all-ism, nor did I intend to offend you or anyone else. I understand and respect your realistic perspective, and wish you the best of luck with your residency.
 
howtofr4y said:
Really? Any reasons given for this?
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The point is you will become a physician either way, whether you do an allopathic residency or osteopathic residency. Stop listening to what all the know-it-alls in here have to say and go where you will be happy and be able to do your best work for 4 years.
 
Unless you are really interested in OMM (which it doesn't sound like you are), have geographic reason for MI, or really can't stand the other school's curriculum (ie PBL or 8hr/day mandatory lectures), I'd go with the MD route. There are some minor nuisances to the DO route (for example taking two sets of boards) that aren't terrible but still there, you might as well do without them. Detroit may not be as bad as it seems; I went to UG in St. Louis which vies w/ Detroit for the title of "most dangerous city in America" every year and it was a nice place to live as long as you were careful in certain areas.
 
congrats on your acceptances. in the end, if the cost is the same, you are right - people perceive the two degrees differently. i would go with the MD unless there were extenuating circumstances.

if you will be genuinely concerned about safety at the MD school and think you will be happier at the DO school, it sounds like a no-brainer... go where you will be happier. you'll be a better student because of it.
 
LOL, this thread is sneakily becoming a DO vs. MD war. To the OP I know you know which school you want to go. Just admit it, so we can all move on. I can read your mind:meanie:
 
Flip a coin.

Heads MD, tails DO.
 
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