Pass up DO seat to reapply for MD?

[jayoh]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Honestly, no. I am almost certain I will keep my seat. My brain says keep the seat, but my gut says re take. I'll likely go with my brain

This whole question is really something you have to decide for yourself. I'm going to a DO school in August. I have met a few people who would rather go caribbean than DO just so they have an MD. I've also talked to people who would reapply in a heartbeat rather than taking a DO acceptance. That's their choice, and it doesn't really bother me. Then there are those that applied to MD and DO and will take either one happily. Heck, there are even more people I've met that would never want to go to med school in the first place. Everyone is different.

The idea of wearing a white coat gets me fired up, not necessarily the degree name. But I also think (MY opinions here--) that surgical subspecialties sound wayyy too all-consuming (I want to have a good life outside of medicine) and I also think derm sounds horrible. That said, I have a close friend who is an MS3 and wants to do trauma orthopedic surgery. I don't believe he would have been happy at a DO school because he is shooting for something super competitive.

Figure out what's important to you and where you fall. I don't personally believe in worrying about the opportunity cost, I just think you should do whichever option you'll be excited about.

 

[hallowmann]

Here's the thing: you should not be going on the stressed out ride of intense medical education with this idea you are selling yourself short. You need to go into it completely sure you will be mpre than happy with the outcome, just to motivate you on this.crazy long journey. If you have a perpetual "gut feeling" like you will regret not trying for MD, then I'd be worried about your ability to succeed.

That said, you also got a low 20s score on your first MCAT attempt. Now not everyone is the same, but I basically blew off the MCAT the first time I took it way back in the dark ages (many years ago). I "studied" for <2wks, and strolled in and got a high 20s score. When I took it before applying (score was long since expired) I studied for ~1mo and scored in the mid-30s. Given 2-3 mos, I genuinely think I could have gotten a high-30s score, but that would have been my limit. That's a max of a 10 point change for me from barely studying to studying my heart out.

Now its generally easier to improve by 10 points when you start out low, but still its rare for people to get that sort of jump. Can you really guarantee you'll break a 30 if you really study? Is that worth wasting 2 more years of your life?

Anyways, just keep this stuff in mind. The last thing I want is someone going into my profession thinking they could have done "better" or thinking they are selling themselves short. On top of that, its a hard ride going through med school with the "gut feeling" that you should have reapplied to an MD school. That said, be honest with yourself and really ask yourself if you could have done it.

One thing you could do is start studying right now for the MCAT. Take it in 2 mos (you really don't need much more than that) and see what you score is. You can always try to defer or just pull out before the semester starts if you do really well and if you don't, you'll have your answer.

 

[SurgeDO]

He's at BU. I met him on the interview trail. It's no top 20, but I wouldn't call it a bottom tier.

That's good to hear. The group I was with genuinely felt bad for him, but I am glad to hear that at least one school was able to take him in. Hats off to BU.

Hopefully he will be able to match in a couple years.

 

[dyspareunia]

That's good to hear. The group I was with genuinely felt bad for him, but I am glad to hear that at least one school was able to take him in. Hats off to BU.

Hopefully he will be able to match in a couple years.

Jokes on us I guess.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Just a question about ped surgery.

How does the country manage with such few residencies? I mean I've had plenty of surgeries done on me as a kid such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, etc.

Are you saying that new 30 doctors a year are managing that?

 

[DoctorKrieger]

One thing you could do is start studying right now for the MCAT. Take it in 2 mos (you really don't need much more than that) and see what you score is. You can always try to defer or just pull out before the semester starts if you do really well and if you don't, you'll have your answer.

That would be a total **** move to people on the waitlist, though. At that point, waitlisters would have already reapplied or given up and made different plans for the next year. Those who actually want to acceptance shouldn't have to pack up and move everything and scramble for financial aid, etc. within a matter of weeks just because someone can't make grown-up decision.

Whatever, it's her seat to do that with.

 

[Mad Jack]

Saw that you wanted to do peds surgery.. I would personally give up the DO spot. Re-take the mcat. You won't be able to do what you want to do as a DO.

But you also have to keep in mind, many docs change their mind about what they want to do anyway once they get into med school and start their rotations..so it just depends on how well you know yourself. Tough call, but I would stay true to myself and go after the thing I originally was striving for.

Pedi surgery probably isn't in the cards even with a retake and an MD admit. I mean, if you want to throw away a guaranteed shot at medical school on the chance that you will score two whole standard deviations higher on the MCAT, be my guest. You'll be throwing away your shot at DO, as most of the schools that you interviewed at which accepted you will not touch your application again, so basically you'll be all-in on MD. If you don't significantly improve your MCAT, into the trash go your chances of being a doctor basically. Even if you snag a MD seat, you will have lost a year's earnings for a tiny tiny shot at a field you probably won't land a residency in. The odds are against you, on three different levels. Think it over thoroughly, and choose wisely.

 

[cliquesh]

Just a question about ped surgery.

How does the country manage with such few residencies? I mean I've had plenty of surgeries done on me as a kid such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, etc.

Are you saying that new 30 doctors a year are managing that?

Most surgical fields have a pediatric subspecialty. Pediatric ent, for instance, does the procedures you listed. Pediatric urology does stuff for the kidneys, penis, bladder, etc.

Pediatric surgery, at least where I am, does mostly congenital heart repair and resections for rare, solid pediatric cancers, like abdominal neuroblastomas and hepatoblastomas. They also do stuff for the GI tract, like Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and transplants. But its mostly congenital heart repair.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Most surgical fields have a pediatric subspecialty. Pediatric ent, for instance, does the procedures you listed. Pediatric urology does stuff for the kidneys, penis, bladder, etc.

Pediatric surgery, at least where I am, does mostly congenital heart repair and resections for rare, solid pediatric cancers, like abdominal neuroblastomas and hepatoblastomas. They also do stuff for the GI tract, like Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and transplants. But its mostly congenital heart repair.

Gotcha

 

[dyspareunia]

That would be a total **** move to people on the waitlist, though. At that point, waitlisters would have already reapplied or given up and made different plans for the next year. Those who actually want to acceptance shouldn't have to pack up and move everything and scramble for financial aid, etc. within a matter of weeks just because someone can't make grown-up decision.

Whatever, it's her seat to do that with.

Then they should've made grown-up decisions and been competitive enough to not get wait listed. It's not the accepted-premed's responsibility to be courteous to the waitlisted-premed.

Plus, nobody should be scrambling for financial aid. You are encouraged to list any and all schools you are wait listed at on your FAFSA so that the money is ready should you get accepted. At least that's what MD financial aid departments tell you at interview days.

 

[pattr]

Then they should've made grown-up decisions and been competitive enough to not get wait listed. It's not the accepted-premed's responsibility to be courteous to the waitlisted-premed.

Sad that this is similar to the thought process that leads to no-shows or last-minute cancellations at residency interviews, not allowing otherwise qualified candidates to interview.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Most surgical fields have a pediatric subspecialty. Pediatric ent, for instance, does the procedures you listed. Pediatric urology does stuff for the kidneys, penis, bladder, etc.

Pediatric surgery, at least where I am, does mostly congenital heart repair and resections for rare, solid pediatric cancers, like abdominal neuroblastomas and hepatoblastomas. They also do stuff for the GI tract, like Hirschsprung’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and transplants. But its mostly congenital heart repair.

Aren't congenital heart issues usually handled by CT surgeons who do a further subspecialization in pediatric cardiac surgery?

I'm no one here, but from reading I gathered that ped surgeons are basically general surgeons who specialize in operating on children. Thus, they are usually called the last true general surgeons.

 

[dyspareunia]

Sad that this is similar to the thought process that leads to no-shows or last-minute cancellations at residency interviews, not allowing otherwise qualified candidates to interview.

I don't see why this is a problem from the perspective of a premed prematurely passing up a spot just so another premed can have it.

 

[cliquesh]

Aren't congenital heart issues usually handled by CT surgeons who do a further subspecialization in pediatric cardiac surgery?

I'm no one here, but from reading I gathered that ped surgeons are basically general surgeons who specialize in operating on children. Thus, they are usually called the last true general surgeons.

What you said is definitely correct, but every hospital is different. I was just describing what the peds guys, who have done multiple fellowships, do at my hospital.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

He's at BU. I met him on the interview trail. It's no top 20, but I wouldn't call it a bottom tier.

Are you sure? Last time I spoke to him, he was going to a low tier in Michigan.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Then they should've made grown-up decisions and been competitive enough to not get wait listed. It's not the accepted-premed's responsibility to be courteous to the waitlisted-premed.

Plus, nobody should be scrambling for financial aid. You are encouraged to list any and all schools you are wait listed at on your FAFSA so that the money is ready should you get accepted. At least that's what MD financial aid departments tell you at interview days.

You're not wrong. You are just an... Well, you know the meme.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

You're not wrong. You are just an... Well, you know the meme.

Lol. Love a good Lebowski reference.

 

[hallowmann]

That would be a total **** move to people on the waitlist, though. At that point, waitlisters would have already reapplied or given up and made different plans for the next year. Those who actually want to acceptance shouldn't have to pack up and move everything and scramble for financial aid, etc. within a matter of weeks just because someone can't make grown-up decision.

Whatever, it's her seat to do that with.

There's 2 people in my class that were offered seats within 1 week from the start of school. You know their attitude? They're really happy they didn't have to waste an extra year.

The people who already have plans are just fine, but for the people that are sitting without an acceptance, it doesn't matter if they get the acceptance 1 month before school starts or 1 day, they are going to be happy to be there. I think I'd rather have someone excited to be offered a chance even a day before than someone who thinks maybe they could have done "better".

That said, its not a particularly classy move but every year hundreds of students do that exact thing (i.e. pull out right before school starts).

 

[dyspareunia]

Are you sure? Last time I spoke to him, he was going to a low tier in Michigan.

Unless his Facebook is an elaborate hoax...

 

[PartyROC]

While it's good to listen to the advice here...you should also ask in the allopathic forum.

A lot of DOs chose to settle for a DO acceptance instead of trying another year...which is fine, but for some people taking an extra year to work and make some money, get some experience in the field, and increase your mcat score isn't the end of the world. Many of these posters here have described that as "wasting a year"...but it's not a waste if it gives you a far better shot at peds surg and allows you to earn a degree you're proud to share. I think you're getting the views of just one side here...and I don't think it's giving you the full picture.

There's nothing wrong with going to a DO school, but it may hurt your career aspirations...I think at the very least you need to get some input from the otherside.

 

[mct2762]

While it's good to listen to the advice here...you should also ask in the allopathic forum.

A lot of DOs chose to settle for a DO acceptance instead of trying another year...which is fine, but for some people taking an extra year to work and make some money, get some experience in the field, and increase your mcat score isn't the end of the world. Many of these posters here have described that as "wasting a year"...but it's not a waste if it gives you a far better shot at peds surg and allows you to earn a degree you're proud to share. I think you're getting the views of just one side here...and I don't think it's giving you the full picture.

There's nothing wrong with going to a DO school, but it may hurt your career aspirations...I think at the very least you need to get some input from the otherside.

Thanks! I would love to have posted on the allo side too, but cross posting isn't allowed 🙁

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If I were you, I would retake the MCAT and reapply to both MD and DO. Unlike your GPA, your MCAT is easy to improve if you put in the proper work. This is what I would have done if I were in your position during the application process. Unfortunately for me, I knew that no MCAT score would make an MD school look beyond my 3.0 cGPA/sGPA. Also I'm from California so there's that.

Like everyone said, the most competitive specialties are difficult to obtain regardless, however there will be less hoops and hurdles to jump through to have a chance. Retake your MCAT. You won't regret it (unless you half-ass it and do worse.)

Note: If you do decide to retake your MCAT, I recommend reading 2-3 articles from the Economist daily. Their article style is similar to the Verbal Passages and it helped me bump my verbal score 5 points on my practice exams.

Just reading them did?

 

[pattr]

Honestly, no. I am almost certain I will keep my seat. My brain says keep the seat, but my gut says re take. I'll likely go with my brain

While it's good to listen to the advice here...you should also ask in the allopathic forum.

A lot of DOs chose to settle for a DO acceptance instead of trying another year...which is fine, but for some people taking an extra year to work and make some money, get some experience in the field, and increase your mcat score isn't the end of the world. Many of these posters here have described that as "wasting a year"...but it's not a waste if it gives you a far better shot at peds surg and allows you to earn a degree you're proud to share. I think you're getting the views of just one side here...and I don't think it's giving you the full picture.

There's nothing wrong with going to a DO school, but it may hurt your career aspirations...I think at the very least you need to get some input from the otherside.

OP if you share the opinion of the bolded above, then by all means please go for the MD school. And if you are at all serious about gunning for pediatric surgery, then the choice is really quite simple.

I for one am of the opinion that whether you go to an MD or a DO school, you should be comfortable and accepting of the possibility that you may end up in primary care or *gasp* family medicine. There is always that very real possibility and you should be okay with that if you are making the decision to attend medical school.

 

[Petypet]

A lot of DOs chose to settle for a DO acceptance instead of trying another year...which is fine, but for some people taking an extra year to work and make some money, get some experience in the field, and increase your mcat score isn't the end of the world. Many of these posters here have described that as "wasting a year"...but it's not a waste if it gives you a far better shot at peds surg and allows you to earn a degree you're proud to share. I think you're getting the views of just one side here...and I don't think it's giving you the full picture.

There's nothing wrong with going to a DO school, but it may hurt your career aspirations...I think at the very least you need to get some input from the otherside.

Really ignorant. If they applied to a DO school, then why are the settling for it? If you aren't willing to go to a school that is inferior to an MD school, become less of a physician, and prescribe voodoo medication then why spend the several hundred-to-thousands of dollars in applications and interviews. If you applied to a DO school you instinctually knew you were inferior and frankly you shouldn't have applied to any MD schools.

 

[michow87]

Just reading them did?

Yessir. Reading those articles over and over with the focus of finding the "Main Point" taught me how to navigate through that style of passage faster and find the main point with ease. It helped me a lot and that's why I'm a big advocate for it.

 

[nilbog]

.

 

[mct2762]

Really ignorant. If they applied to a DO school, then why are the settling for it? If you aren't willing to go to a school that is inferior to an MD school, become less of a physician, and prescribe voodoo medication then why spend the several hundred-to-thousands of dollars in applications and interviews. If you applied to a DO school you instinctually knew you were inferior and frankly you shouldn't have applied to any MD schools.

yeah, voodoo is one of the things that really drew me to DO

 

[Sam212]

OP, you sold yourself short, how do you do so poorly on the MCAT yet have such a high GPA? I assume you went to some school with grade inflation and majored in something super easy. Either way, you owed it to yourself to retake the MCAT, I read you're URM too? All you had to do was to get a 27+ with your GPA and you would have been in at an MD school. You didn't play the game right.

Also, there is a correlation between MCAT and board scores, I guarantee you the kids who were towards the bottom end of the MCAT range in their classes likely didn't do so hot on their boards either, or at least that was the case in my class.

 

[Crow T. Robot]

I feel like the MCAT was the only real weak spot in my application, albeit a giant weak spot.

This is the real problem here- you have no idea if it was your MCAT keeping you out? Yet you're willing to give up a sure thing for a cross-my-fingers-and-wish-really-hard thing? That's absolutely crazy. Little story- I was told it was my MCAT keeping me out of my state MD school too, yet when I improved it by 3 points, it still wasn't enough. And I had a 13 in verbal. (And first author pubs, was also a scribe, thousands of hours in the hospital, etc.)

You have already made it further than most applicants- you have a spot. Take it and run with it. I can think of 30 people off the top of my head who would cherish that DO spot like it was their firstborn child because it means they'll finally be a doctor.

 

[mct2762]

OP, you sold yourself short, how do you do so poorly on the MCAT yet have such a high GPA? I assume you went to some school with grade inflation and majored in something super easy. Either way, you owed it to yourself to retake the MCAT, I read you're URM too? All you had to do was to get a 27+ with your GPA and you would have been in at an MD school. You didn't play the game right.

Also, there is a correlation between MCAT and board scores, I guarantee you the kids who were towards the bottom end of the MCAT range in their classes likely didn't do so hot on their boards either, or at least that was the case in my class.

I went to a four year university, majored in biology and minored in chemistry.

And you are right, I didn't play the game right. At the time I got my score, I knew it was good enough for DO, which was what I had originally wanted anyway, so I applied. Now it's two years later. I know I played the game wrong. But is it worth going back for?

 

[abolt18]

...

 

[Sam212]

I went to a four year university, majored in biology and minored in chemistry.

And you are right, I didn't play the game right. At the time I got my score, I knew it was good enough for DO, which was what I had originally wanted anyway, so I applied. Now it's two years later. I know I played the game wrong. But is it worth going back for?

I don't want to sound rude or anything but it is highly unlikely for you to get into pediatric surgery, MD or DO. It's an exceptionally competitive field. You will likely end up in primary care or Some subspecialty of a primary care field, or may be EM. And DO is perfectly fine for that. Even if you want to be a surgeon, DO provides very reasonable opportunities, and you will likely get a residency somewhere as long as you're at least average.

So at this point, I would cut my losses and just start the DO school.

 

[dyspareunia]

I don't want to sound rude or anything but it is highly unlikely for you to get into pediatric surgery, MD or DO. It's an exceptionally competitive field. You will likely end up in primary care or Some subspecialty of a primary care field, or may be EM. And DO is perfectly fine for that. Even if you want to be a surgeon, DO provides very reasonable opportunities, and you will likely get a residency somewhere as long as you're at least average.

So at this point, I would cut my losses and just start the DO school.

Yea, and most med school applicants will get rejected. Might as well not apply.

 

[mct2762]

I don't want to sound rude or anything but it is highly unlikely for you to get into pediatric surgery, MD or DO. It's an exceptionally competitive field. You will likely end up in primary care or Some subspecialty of a primary care field, or may be EM. And DO is perfectly fine for that. Even if you want to be a surgeon, DO provides very reasonable opportunities, and you will likely get a residency somewhere as long as you're at least average.

So at this point, I would cut my losses and just start the DO school.

I don't want to sound rude or anything, but this just is not true. Like I've said multiple times earlier, I've met numerous physicians who did poorly on the MCAT and killed the steps. They are two different tests. This is what I've been told anyway. I went to undergrad with a girl who scored a 21 on her MCAT, graduated from kycom last year, and just matched to PGY-2 DERM a few months ago. Derm. From a 21 MCAT. So please don't assume that, because of my MCAT, I won't be able to do anything competitive.

As far as peds surg? Yeah, you are right. It's unlikely that anyone will get in to peds surg. There are so few spots. But as I've said before, my mind isn't set on peds surg, it's just one of my many interests. All of my other interests involve starting with a primary care residency (peds EM, peds oncology). I really have no idea how you think you know what I'll go in to...you have no idea who I even am...

 

[mct2762]

Yea, and most med school applicants will get rejected. Might as well not apply.

Exactly. Thank you.

 

[Sam212]

I don't want to sound rude or anything, but this just is not true. Like I've said multiple times earlier, I've met numerous physicians who did poorly on the MCAT and killed the steps. They are two different tests. This is what I've been told anyway. I went to undergrad with a girl who scored a 21 on her MCAT, graduated from kycom last year, and just matched to PGY-2 DERM a few months ago. Derm. From a 21 MCAT. So please don't assume that, because of my MCAT, I won't be able to do anything competitive.

As far as peds surg? Yeah, you are right. It's unlikely that anyone will get in to peds surg. There are so few spots. But as I've said before, my mind isn't set on peds surg, it's just one of my many interests. All of my other interests involve starting with a primary care residency (peds EM, peds oncology). I really have no idea how you think you know what I'll go in to...you have no idea who I even am...

May be I was too harsh, but I have been thru med school and you have not. Nothing is impossible and one must always shoot for stars, but always be realistic. In your case, going to MD school will slightly increase your chances of getting into pediatric surgery, which is contingent on Many many things.

 

[mct2762]

May be I was too harsh, but I have been thru med school and you have not. Nothing is impossible and one must always shoot for stars, but always be realistic. In your case, going to MD school will slightly increase your chances of getting into pediatric surgery, which is contingent on Many many things.

Yeah, I totally agree with that 100%. It would more than slightly help. It would help a lot. The cards are already stacked against you as a DO. I will be fighting an uphill battle from the get go, and I know that. I just think it's unfair to say that I'm doomed to primary care because of my MCAT. Just not true.

And I see you are a DO in ortho. Why did you go to DO school? Apparently you have done well for yourself.

 

[Sam212]

Yeah, I totally agree with that 100%. It would more than slightly help. It would help a lot. The cards are already stacked against you as a DO. I will be fighting an uphill battle from the get go, and I know that. I just think it's unfair to say that I'm doomed to primary care because of my MCAT. Just not true.

And I see you are a DO in ortho. Why did you go to DO school? Apparently you have done well for yourself.

Simple, didn't get into an MD school. Picked EM out of med school but decided it wasn't for me and went after Ortho, and luckily got in.

 

[mct2762]

Simple, didn't get into an MD school. Picked EM out of med school but decided it wasn't for me and went after Ortho, and luckily got in.

Well then I'm very surprised to hear you saying that I'll likely end up in primary care! Anyway, congrats on the awesome match. Good luck.

 

[mct2762]

Simple, didn't get into an MD school. Picked EM out of med school but decided it wasn't for me and went after Ortho, and luckily got in.

Also, do you ever regret not trying again for MD?

 

[Petypet]

Also, do you ever regret not trying again for MD?

Once you are in school, there is little time for regret. If you sit around dwelling what should've or could've been, you waste a lot of your precious free time. You will realize once you are taking classes, bottom 5 or top 20, medicine is medicine.

 

[Sam212]

Also, do you ever regret not trying again for MD?

No, never, DO community gave me the opportunity to become an orthopedic surgeon where as MDs thought I wasn't even good enough to be a doctor.

 

[dyspareunia]

No, never, DO community gave me the opportunity to become an orthopedic surgeon where as MDs thought I wasn't even good enough to be a doctor.

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

Good old flame war baiting.

 

[dyspareunia]

Good old flame war baiting.

Idk how that could start a flame war. He's happy to be a DO.

 

[Sam212]

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

Ha, no, it makes absolutely no difference at this point of my career whether I got into MD schools or not. I may have thought about it 7 years ago. Fact is I get to do what I love and will be paid handsomely to do so. How can you have a chip on your shoulder for being so fortunate?

 

[dyspareunia]

Ha, no, it makes absolutely no difference at this point of my career whether I got into MD schools or not. I may have thought about it 7 years ago. Fact is I get to do what I love and will be paid handsomely to do so. How can you have a chip on your shoulder for being so fortunate?

Don't know, but many people do. Your prior post just sounded bitter, but you've cleared that up.

 

[ArtOfWar]

Tbh I felt like we were in somewhat similar situations, though my weaknesses were applying late and poor presentation. Thus, while my stats were competitive for MD, I was accepted to 4 DO schools and 0 MD schools. At the end of the day I was debating whether I should take another gap year and reapply that way I could maximize my chances for a competitive MD residency - heck I even heard a top student (someone that had placed in to competitive surgical ACGME residency) at tell my AZCOM interview group that we should take an MD acceptance over any DO.
On the one hand it is clear that going MD has its advantages in residency application, it is more prestigious, and to put it bluntly most people feel like they earned it - they are entitled to an MD spot because they worked their butt off in undergrad; yet ultimately none of this will make a difference once you are actually a doctor. Though the sample size is small out of the 3 DOs I shadowed (each with a career spanning 20+ years in a metropolitan area) they each answered my question about prestige the same way, not a single patient has ever asked them where they went to school on the basis of evaluating their skills - the only time it was brought up was by patients and colleagues trying to relate with the doctor. This is the point that most people will berate you with, and it will make you feel like absolute scum for even considering the option of re-applying MD though they are generally right they tend to be very overzealous so it is best to just ignore them and try to glean what facts you can from their comments.
It is ok for you to consider applying MD, however I urge to figure out why - is it the prestige? was the school not a good fit? or do you truly feel like it would limit your residency opportunities? For me (and it sounds like this is true for you) it was the last point and I was able to find a "solution" that allowed me to take my DO acceptance and still feel like I would be able to attain a competitive ACGME residency spot. For four easy payments of 19.95 you can have the solution.... sorry I just reread what I wrote and I feel like this could be an infomercial 😛
Back on topic, after I learned more about Traditional Rotating Internships I realized that to me they were superior to taking a gap year before med. school in virtually every way. If you really think you are hot **** and can succeed academically then work your ass off in Med. school and do an ACGME TRI at a top school then go after the residency spots you want. Virtually every DO school I looked at placed people in top hospitals - CCOM places multiple people at Mt. Sinai, Western places people at nearly all of the UC's, AZCOM places at many Ivy league school. Taking this "gap year" after Med school will bolster an application (in my opinion) more so than having an MD vs a DO after your name. You have the potential to network with amazing people in top programs, you make more money during your TRI than you would working as a scribe now (though you are most likely accruing interest and working a ton more hours), and for me there was a lot less uncertainty to this path compared to reapplying MD. Who knows maybe by the time you get through your second year you will realize that you are ranked number 1 and have near perfect board scores and can land your dream residency without a TRI.

 

[mct2762]

Tbh I felt like we were in somewhat similar situations, though my weaknesses were applying late and poor presentation. Thus, while my stats were competitive for MD, I was accepted to 4 DO schools and 0 MD schools. At the end of the day I was debating whether I should take another gap year and reapply that way I could maximize my chances for a competitive MD residency - heck I even heard a top student (someone that had placed in to competitive surgical ACGME residency) at tell my AZCOM interview group that we should take an MD acceptance over any DO.
On the one hand it is clear that going MD has its advantages in residency application, it is more prestigious, and to put it bluntly most people feel like they earned it - they are entitled to an MD spot because they worked their butt off in undergrad; yet ultimately none of this will make a difference once you are actually a doctor. Though the sample size is small out of the 3 DOs I shadowed (each with a career spanning 20+ years in a metropolitan area) they each answered my question about prestige the same way, not a single patient has ever asked them where they went to school on the basis of evaluating their skills - the only time it was brought up was by patients and colleagues trying to relate with the doctor. This is the point that most people will berate you with, and it will make you feel like absolute scum for even considering the option of re-applying MD though they are generally right they tend to be very overzealous so it is best to just ignore them and try to glean what facts you can from their comments.
It is ok for you to consider applying MD, however I urge to figure out why - is it the prestige? was the school not a good fit? or do you truly feel like it would limit your residency opportunities? For me (and it sounds like this is true for you) it was the last point and I was able to find a "solution" that allowed me to take my DO acceptance and still feel like I would be able to attain a competitive ACGME residency spot. For four easy payments of 19.95 you can have the solution.... sorry I just reread what I wrote and I feel like this could be an infomercial 😛
Back on topic, after I learned more about Traditional Rotating Internships I realized that to me they were superior to taking a gap year before med. school in virtually every way. If you really think you are hot **** and can succeed academically then work your ass off in Med. school and do an ACGME TRI at a top school then go after the residency spots you want. Virtually every DO school I looked at placed people in top hospitals - CCOM places multiple people at Mt. Sinai, Western places people at nearly all of the UC's, AZCOM places at many Ivy league school. Taking this "gap year" after Med school will bolster an application (in my opinion) more so than having an MD vs a DO after your name. You have the potential to network with amazing people in top programs, you make more money during your TRI than you would working as a scribe now (though you are most likely accruing interest and working a ton more hours), and for me there was a lot less uncertainty to this path compared to reapplying MD. Who knows maybe by the time you get through your second year you will realize that you are ranked number 1 and have near perfect board scores and can land your dream residency without a TRI.

most helpful response I have gotten. Thank you so much!

 

[cliquesh]

I personally think that TRI/transitional year thing is a bad idea. Just going to throw that out there.