Ponce St. Louis (US MD) vs Des Moines University (DO)

[hwisc1207]

Looking for some guidance on choosing between a newer US MD institution and a far more established DO program. Recently accepted to both. Interested in pursuing internal medicine but hoping to specialize further into something far more competitive, possible Hem/onc, allergy immunology, cardio. Undecided.

Ponce Health Science University St. Louis
Pros

• Affiliated with Mercy Hospital for clinical rotations
• I believe coursework in P/F, if someone has attended would love if you could confirm
• New campus built within the last 4 years, up to date facilities
• Small class size? May be pro or con, but able to interact closely with professors
• Has a well-known Puerto Rico school, similar curriculum and PR school been well regarded
• Located in St. Louis next to SLU, opportunities for collab and research

Cons

• Newer MD school, no data on residency match rates. I believe currently in its third year of matriculants
• Virtual cadaver
• Slightly further than other school from home, but still within reason
• NEW SCHOOL, not sure how well they prepare for boards, didn't find any data on pass rates
• Higher tuition than DMU, higher cost of living

Des Moines University
Pros

• Probably one of best DO programs. Impressive outcomes (high comlex pass rate, high residency match rates, and impressive match results for a DO program)
• Brand new, larger campus as well, built 2023. Toured this facility and had impressive study spaces, hands on opportunities, SP simulations etc
• Real cadaver
• Cheaper tuition, cheaper cost of living
• Closer to home, within 3-4 hours

Cons

• Heavy focus on OMM
• COMLEX, prepares well but extra exams in addition to MD exams
• Lack of focus on research, did not seem particularly emphasized during campus tour and in online materials, want to land good residency and I know research is important
• Not P/F, switching to Honors/HP/P/F as I matriculate but still means same as letter grading

Summary: I am grateful to be accepted to both of these schools, and I am still waiting to hear from a few other MD's that are more established. Also hoping for acceptance at CCOM, although higher tuition much closer to home and may consider instead of DMUI. I ultimately would want to end up with residency somewhere in the Chicago-Illinois surrounding area, and continue to practice in this area. Any guidance or advice is greatly appreciated!

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[DrStephenStrange]

US MD > DO in most situations even newer MD schools vs the oldest of DO schools.

 

[popoon]

MD

 

[Muq]

I would go with the fully LCME accredited, hospital-associated MD school.

Significantly fewer barriers when applying to residencies from an MD school. Given your intent to subspecialize, going MD will give you more control over where you match for residency.

You mentioned Ponce is also P/F, which is a huge lifestyle plus. You also don’t need to take COMLEX.

I think Ponce is better by a long shot

 

[darkeon]

even as a newer MD school, it carries the Ponce name from its well established PR campus. With the STL campus, you get to remain in the states and don't have to actually speak Spanish so I vote for them as well

 

[future_doctor_29]

I think if you want to match into IM you're fine going to both. Might be slightly easier to match into a competitive IM subspecialty/ fellowship if you pick the MD. But there are also other factors to consider - where will you be happiest and most likely to succeed? Where will you have the most support to succeed in medical school?

 

[hwisc1207]

@Mr.Smile12 @wysdoc Would love for your input as well, although most say choose the MD school, still stuck on the well-established program that Des Moines offers. Thanks!

 

[thefirerisen]

Please go for the MD. Having DO at the end of your name will automatically close doors for you when applying to certain residencies (in competitive specialties) & OMM/COMLEX is a huge huge pain.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Please go for the MD. Having DO at the end of your name will automatically close doors for you when applying to certain residencies (in competitive specialties) & OMM/COMLEX is a huge huge pain.

That is not entirely true. The DO letters do not automatically close doors for competitive residency programs. In fact, DOs literally match in every single specialties every year. However, being a DO does make it much more difficult, and hence you have to work harder than your MD counterparts. Meaning taking 2 sets of board exams (COMLEX and USMLE) and score higher than them, have more extracurricular activities including research, and have better connections to individuals in the field that can vouch for you. All while having to learn over 300 hours of extra materials than an MD (OMM). Despite doing everything right, you’d still be at a disadvantage even in non-competitive fields like IM/FM/Peds/EM.

I have attached the match rates in different specialties from the 2024 charting outcome for comparison.

 

[thefirerisen]

That is not entirely true. The DO letters do not automatically close doors for competitive residency programs. In fact, DOs literally match in every single specialties every year. However, being a DO does make it much more difficult, and hence you have to work harder than your MD counterparts. Meaning taking 2 sets of board exams (COMLEX and USMLE) and score higher than them, have more extracurricular activities including research, and have better connections to individuals in the field that can vouch for you. All while having to learn over 300 hours of extra materials than an MD (OMM). Despite doing everything right, you’d still be at a disadvantage even in non-competitive fields like IM/FM/Peds/EM.

I have attached the match rates in different specialties from the 2024 charting outcome for comparison.
View attachment 397289View attachment 397290

by residencies, I meant certain programs. There are programs, often higher ranked, that have not accepted DO applicants. Apologies for not being clear. Also, should point here that on top of neurosurgery & derm, ophthalmology is also very very DO unfriendly. They have different application processes so it doesn't show up in the data here.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

by residencies, I meant certain programs. There are programs, often higher ranked, that have not accepted DO applicants. Apologies for not being clear. Also, should point here that on top of neurosurgery & derm, ophthalmology is also very very DO unfriendly. They have different application processes so it doesn't show up in the data here.

I agree!

 

[DoneDone3451]

MD and dont look back

 

[neymarpluto]

Ponce