Quick question

[jackets5]

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okay, i applied to only MD schools this year. Have a bad feeling im not going to get an acceptance, GPA is low (3.2) and MCAT isnt high enough (28). Im considering applying to some DO schools next cycle. Hey, i just want to be a doctor, its the only thing other than playing ball ive ever wanted to do, i dont care about MD or DO after my name. My problem is the only field i want to go into is Orthopedics and after talking to some Ortho docs. They said that there is nothing wrong with DO training it is the same as MD but they said that its more suited to primary care rather than a surgical specialty. While not looking down upon DO in general they have expressed concern about the quality of DO ortho reciendency programs, they have worked with DO orthopods and said the quality of their work is not up to par, in there opinoin.

My question is, with really concentrating on trying to get ortho research and doing summer internships and trying to get some Big name docs to write LOR's. Is it impossible to get an MD ortho residency with the Do initials behind your name.

 

[Redneck]

You have 100+ posts on SDN and your asking this question? Seriously, use some initiative and cruise the preosteo or osteo forums and you'll find your answer. But I'll oblige you and answer it for you. You'll find the SDN world has proclaimed it quite difficult but not impossible. Furthermore, either letters will face a hard trek. Good luck, and don't forget the pixie dust.

As you have just proclaimed your deep desire for medicine, why then, are you waiting to put apps into the DO pool for next year? There is ample time left.

 

[jackets5]

because truthfully, id rather go to an MD school in order to not to limit my options with regards to residency, job opportunities etc. I dont care about the letters after the name but there are people who do. so if i dont get into an MD school this year i will apply to both MD and DO next cycle. ive looked at some of the DO's and probally would apply to about 5 of them (CCOM,AZCOM,NOVA,Western U, LECOM-Bradenton) i hope no offense was taken by my comments

 

[mx_599]

kcom

 

[Redneck]

I'm still baffled that if your willing to apply DO next year, why not just do it now? There's still time and a benefit of applications and interviews and the whole process is you can choose to accept or decline if your so lucky to receive an offer in the first place. Your logic just baffles me.

 

[jackets5]

My logic is i would like to give myself 2 shots at getting into an MD school before going to a DO school. Again, i have no personal problems with DO behind my name, just for what i want to do it may put me at a severe disadvantage in terms of residency and jobs. thats the logic behind it

 

[DarkWingDuck]

Hey, even if you think you would rather apply to MD 3 times before applying to DO it would be a really good idea to apply DO now anyway. First, you are going to lose a lot of time if you only apply to MD and don't get in. At least a year and maybe even more. Second, one of DO schools' favorite questions is," Why all MD, no DO, last year and then all of a sudden you want to be a DO?" Uncomfortable, and diff., question to answer. Apply to DO schools this year. It is worth a few hundred dollars, and peace of mind.

 

[SOUNDMAN]

I plan on going into orthopedics as well and I have an acceptance to DMU. It is not impossible, there are plenty of DO orthopedic residencies as well, and you'll do just as well and learn the same stuff. DO surgeons are just as good as MD, and if someone tells you different, ask them for proof.

 

[LT2]

Hey, even if you think you would rather apply to MD 3 times before applying to DO it would be a really good idea to apply DO now anyway. First, you are going to lose a lot of time if you only apply to MD and don't get in. At least a year and maybe even more. Second, one of DO schools' favorite questions is," Why all MD, no DO, last year and then all of a sudden you want to be a DO?" Uncomfortable, and diff., question to answer. Apply to DO schools this year. It is worth a few hundred dollars, and peace of mind.

in defense of the OP, the extra year would give him/her time to research the DO option and maybe shadow a DO perhaps even an ortho DO if they can find one. i don't think there's any problem with the OP taking a year off to 1. strengthen his application for MD (and DO) programs and 2. take the time to research the DO option further... good luck to you whatever you end up doing. but always keep in mind, if you do apply DO next cycle, be prepared as others have warned to answer why DO?

 

[jackets5]

Not quite sure how DO schools would know if i applied to any MD schools the year before, the application services are sperate entities. The doctors who told me this worked with a few DO orthopedists and said that the level of their work was below par. Theyve also seen a DO ortho residency program in the area and mentioned that it was inferior to an MD program. They dont consider DO inferior in all education, just from what theyve seen thats their opinoin on the ortho aspect and the limitation on job opportunities

 

[FrkyBgStok]

it won't matter if you have a DO or an MD after your name, orthopedics is one of THE MOST COMPETIVE specialties and you really need to be in the top of your class. good luck, but this is the are most surgeons want to go into!