School Choices?

[Geronimo]

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I'm seeking a little guidance here. Although I will make my decision based on a number of things, I thought it would be interesting to see how others might make decisions based on a limited amount of info.

Would you go to a state M.D. school for $15K or a private D.O. school for $30K if you had a choice?

 

[Truce57]

I found a DO program I L-O-V-E, and compared to my state schools (Ohio), I'm easily going to choose it if I get in. To me, at this point, it's not about cost. Not that I have that luxury, but even a public school will put me in debt over my head since I want to work for the urban underserved and not make millions. I'm good at treading water.

 

[cooldreams]

i think the question is designed to go one way.

when you get out, sure, your debt will be higher, but you shouldnt chose a school just based on money. the amount between the two will seem insignificant when you are out making 150k+ per year....

 

[Sharon Lee]

I would definitely choose a DO school because that is what I want to be, an osteopath. I'm a little discouraged by the number of people who apply to both types of schools taking whatever they can get, or when I visit an osteopathic school and one of the students tells me that OMM "really works." I don't understand why someone would choose an osteopathic school if they weren't already convinced that osteopathy is real medicine.

A doctor(DO) is not a doctor(MD) is not a doctor(PhD). So maybe you already know you want to be a doctor, but now, what kind?

Good luck!

 

[cooldreams]

I would definitely choose a DO school because that is what I want to be, an osteopath. I'm a little discouraged by the number of people who apply to both types of schools taking whatever they can get, or when I visit an osteopathic school and one of the students tells me that OMM "really works." I don't understand why someone would choose an osteopathic school if they weren't already convinced that osteopathy is real medicine.

A doctor(DO) is not a doctor(MD) is not a doctor(PhD). So maybe you already know you want to be a doctor, but now, what kind?

Good luck!

a DO is legally equal to MD.

 

[DORoe]

I would definitely choose a DO school because that is what I want to be, an osteopath. I'm a little discouraged by the number of people who apply to both types of schools taking whatever they can get, or when I visit an osteopathic school and one of the students tells me that OMM "really works." I don't understand why someone would choose an osteopathic school if they weren't already convinced that osteopathy is real medicine.

A doctor(DO) is not a doctor(MD) is not a doctor(PhD). So maybe you already know you want to be a doctor, but now, what kind?

Good luck!

Listen, people choose to apply to both types of schools because mainly they want to be physicians. It isn't about MD vs. DO it's about doing what they love. To be honest I think that it is odd that someone would be "discouraged" because others want to be doctors plain and simple. As far the students saying that OMM "really works" well that is what we think. I was very excited when I came to my school to learn OMM even though I really had no way of knowing if it did in fact work. The first time you try out your technique on someone with a problem and they tell you that you helped them you really feel like, "Wow! This stuff does work!" It's the type of feeling you get a lot when you are in medical school. I also want to point out that being a DO is more than OMM. It is an approach to patient care and to interactions with others. If a DO practices without using OMM that does not make him/her any less of a DO.

Now, to the OP. Go wherever you feel most comfortable. If you really liked the more expensive DO school then go there. If you think that you would be just as happy at your state MD school, then go there. It's simply about where you would be most comfortable spending at least the next two years of your life.

 

[Nate]

Every physician and medical student I have asked about my multiple acceptances have all said this right away, go to the cheaper school, period.

 

[Robz]

when its money alone as the deciding factor....pick the school thats the cheapest....

you'll feel much better for it.

 

[PreMedAdAG]

i think the question is designed to go one way.

when you get out, sure, your debt will be higher, but you shouldnt chose a school just based on money. the amount between the two will seem insignificant when you are out making 150k+ per year....

yea.. 150+.... when you're in your 40s.. think about living in squalor until then! 😱

 

[cooldreams]

yea.. 150+.... when you're in your 40s.. think about living in squalor until then! 😱

why are you going to be so old? started late?? family issues?? i suppose you could be right if you have a family to look after and are already atthe end ofyour career... 😕

 

[BigRedPingpong]

😕 😕
I'm puzzled too. Why 40s? Alot of attendings are in their early 30s. I hope they still aren't getting resident's pay. That would blow.

yea.. 150+.... when you're in your 40s.. think about living in squalor until then! 😱

 

[medic170]

Well, for me, I chose to go to a PUBLIC DO school, but that was not among the choices. I realize not everyone has that option though. Man, I love Michigan.

 

[kaikai128]

The two choices are not choices based upon money alone...it is the choice of a degree, of a philosophy, and a way of thinking for some people. My vote would also go to "public DO school," but since the choice is not there I will have to shell out the extra money. 🙂

 

[Geronimo]

The two choices are not choices based upon money alone...it is the choice of a degree, of a philosophy, and a way of thinking for some people. My vote would also go to "public DO school," but since the choice is not there I will have to shell out the extra money. 🙂

Let me try and explain a little bit of my reasoning for the poll. I would prefer to go to a DO school, all else being equal. However, I have no "public DO" options available to me in my state. However, I do have an MD school that is incredible at training primary care physicians (top 5 in the nation according to USNEWS). They even have an elective in manipulation (not the same full training as OMM at DO schools) but cool that they think outside the box. Anyway, I just found out on Saturday that I'm going to be a dad and that is going to keep my wife from being able to work. I know I want to work with indigent patients and probably in missions medicine as well. $150K in debt is so prohibitive. I will not be your typical doctor making the big bucks and so $60K in debt still doesn't sound doable but it is a heck of a lot more reasonable than $150K. I'm seriously considering scholarship offers like the NHSC but from what I understand, you can't know if you are in on the scholarship until August. By then, I'll have had to make my choice. It would be too late to change streams. Any advice/experience/insight would be appreciated...

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

I would definitely choose a DO school because that is what I want to be, an osteopath. I'm a little discouraged by the number of people who apply to both types of schools taking whatever they can get, or when I visit an osteopathic school and one of the students tells me that OMM "really works." I don't understand why someone would choose an osteopathic school if they weren't already convinced that osteopathy is real medicine.

A doctor(DO) is not a doctor(MD) is not a doctor(PhD). So maybe you already know you want to be a doctor, but now, what kind?

Good luck!

Sharon.....you may know that you want to be an osteopathic physician (osteopath and osteopathy aren't really used anymore)......but there are many people that don't know exactly what the whole philosophy is quite yet. So, don't be too quick to judge.

And I argue that you can't really know what the philosophy is until you start school. And once you start...you'll find out you are SURROUNDED by students who applied allopathic and osteopathic. And you will also find out that there is HARDLY a difference at all between an MD and DO.

So be nice to the students who are interested in MD and DO because they will be the ones studying in the library with you day and night. Who knows....they might also be the ones who like OMT more than you do!!!!

And by the way.....OMM is not the only difference. Remember, if someone wasn't convinced that ostepathic medicine isn't real medicine, then why would they apply in the first place????


I didn't post this to try to be mean or pick on you. But you will soon see that in medical school, your opinion will be in the severe minority. And I'm sure it will change. 🙂

 

[Sharon Lee]

I am already learning that my opinion is in the minority. I am not putting anyone down that has the passion to practice medicine, though, I just thought that there would be more passion for specificly osteopathic medicine from those applying to DO schools.

But why should I change my opinion and not be passionate about being a DO...so not "to be mean or pick on you" but maybe you should not "be too quick to judge," yourself.

My posting was not intended to put anyone down, or to show that I will one day not be nice to students that have applied both ways, it was to bring up the point that when accepted to both kinds of schools, students should look at the philosophies and since they know they want to be a doctor, they can now decide on which kind.

But to Geronimo who originally posted this message, first congrats!...and I understand that it is risky to apply for a NHSC scholarship, but if you didn't get it your first year you can always apply again your second. And if you didn't get it then you could also apply for their loan repayment program after your residency. From the information I have read about them, there is about a 1 in 7 chance of acceptance for the scholarship, and it is based on how "passionate" you are (which you seem to be very) in caring for the underserved.

 

[stoic]

I just went through making the exact same decision. In the end I decided to go to my state MD school. I like the atmosphere at the DO schools I applied to more than the atmosphere at the MD school I'm going to... but not 20k a year more. There were two main factors that I couldn't ignore when making my choice:

1) money. tution instate ~15k a year and tution at a private DO school at about ~35k a year. That's a lot of freaking money.

2) access to teaching hospitals. it's better at most state md schools than at most do schools.

As much as I love OMT and the DO philosophy, for me the factors listed above are more important.

Best of luck with your decision. Feel free to PM me with more questions.

P.S. It's a nice "problem" to have, isn't it 🙂

 

[Geronimo]

P.S. It's a nice "problem" to have, isn't it 🙂

You are right there. It is a nice "problem" to have. Do you feel like you are "missing out" on anything by having chosen an M.D. school? I doubt I would have such a "feeling" once I'm in school and realize how wonderful my training will be at a state school. I tend to always think the best of my situation once I've made a decision. For instance, I've never had a job I didn't like. I always find something to like about without really trying.

Thanks stoic for your story. I suppose I'm leaning that way today. We'll see what tomorrow holds (besides an election).

 

[stoic]

You are right there. It is a nice "problem" to have. Do you feel like you are "missing out" on anything by having chosen an M.D. school? I doubt I would have such a "feeling" once I'm in school and realize how wonderful my training will be at a state school. I tend to always think the best of my situation once I've made a decision. For instance, I've never had a job I didn't like. I always find something to like about without really trying.

Thanks stoic for your story. I suppose I'm leaning that way today. We'll see what tomorrow holds (besides an election).

I definately think I'll be missing out on some great stuff by going MD instead of DO. I spent a couple of weeks really thinking about this. I got advice from friends, family, sdn'ers and perhaps most importantly my "mentor," who is a DO. He straight up told me to go to the state school. Basically he said it wasn't worth an extra 20 grand a year to, in the end, to the same job.

Also, I have concerns about a couple of things in DO land. I don't like the branch campuses. That might make me unpopular around here. In no way do I mean to disrespect those who go to the branches, I just don't think they are a good thing for the profession (at least not in the way they're being opened right now). There are also some fundamenalist DO schools/professors out there that seemed determined to keep OMT in the 19th century while steering clear of basic science research. And finally the often discussed problems with DO clinical/post-grad education.

It sounds like I'm bashing the osteopathic profession in the last paragraph, and I want to make sure it's clear I'm not. I just sat down are really ripped apart my thoughts and feelings about MD vs DO. I really dislike the impersonality at MD schools; it's so easy to just "be another number." But all in all, I decided that the MD school would be a better choice for me.

let us know what you decice!
S

 

[superflyDO]

I hate to say this, but the cheaper school sounds so much better (unless you are really compassionate about Osteopathy)

 

[Ypo.]

Well, to the OP-when I read your specific situation, the choice seemed obvious to me. You should go to your state MD school. Its cheaper, more convenient for wife and future child to not have to move. You can be comforted by being able to take OMM electives, and you can always have DOs as your professional colleagues. We need MDs who are willing to talk about the merits of OMM and DOs just as well, so just go where you think you'll be most happy after taking into consideration all aspects.

 

[Geronimo]

Another point that was brought up to me today is to consider international work. Some have suggested MDs may be more recognized around the world than DO's. I certainly intend to work in mission's medicine a great deal. The other side of that argument is that most countries where "medicine" is needed could care less if you are MD or DO given that you are an "American certified doctor."

One of my interviewers at a DO school pointed out that I should consider that if I am working in another country and may not always have meds to hand out, it would be nice to have alternate therapies such as OMM. So, now I am thinking about even more possibilities. 😕

 

[Nate]

I am also interested in mission medicine and having a DO instead of an MD doesn't worry me one bit. Most countries that are third world will accept a DO, in fact Peru hadn?t until this year when NSU sent over a team to set up missions and now they do. I think that is where OMT will really shine, not only in your ability to treat patients without medicine in some instances, but also in leaving some knowledge of it to the native physicians so that they may continue to use it long after you are gone.

 

[DD214_DOC]

To address the question, if money was the only factor considered, then I think it's silly to even ask if someone would attend a cheap school or an expensive school.

Without that limitation, I would choose the DO school over the cheaper MD school based on personal preference. I'm not one of these people who believes DO > MD or that OMM cures everything. I think OMM is useful and I believe the osteopathic approach to medicine is beneficial. However, to me osteopathic medicine just "felt more like me" to me.

I think if you're so unsure of what to do what you have to analyze really trivial factors such as which countries accept the DO degree, then you should just go to the MD school and save yourself some money. There's nothing wrong with this.

I think the best thing to do is to say, "I want to be a DO, and I'm going to make it work" instead of seeing if what you want to accomplish in life will work with a DO degree.

Just my two pieces'o eight. Do what you want.

PS: By the way, would the DO school happen to be VCOM? Personally, I think you're insane if you're passing up VCOM. After all, you may get to be a classmate of mine. 😀

 

[PublicEnemy]

yeah i think polling the corollary would be significantly more informative.

how many people would choose a cheaper DO school versus a considerably more expensive MD school?

then you might get a sense of how many people are truly interested in the DO route vs. the MD route. for obvious reasons, as it stands, people that would prefer an MD but would just as willingly go to a DO school should they not get into allo schools (yes, this is a ton of people) would clearly pick the MD school, perhaps regardless of cost, but if you're telling them their first choice is even cheaper than their second choice, then yeah, no brainer.

but it would be interesting to see if all the people that say they would just pick the cheaper option would actually choose the DO school over an MD school given the option.

but seriously all of this is academic or moot, each individual needs to figure it out for themselves. there's no formula for where you should go to school. you can only go somewhere if you've gotten in there, so there's a start. next, if you have choices, go where you feel right. where you like the curriculum, the students, the rotations, the opportunities, the location and weigh in finances if you think you need to. i don't think money should be the end all be all, but maybe a tie-breaker or just another factor.

but i have say its definitely nice and encouraging to see that people would consider finances a factor before making a blanket generalization like any MD schools regardless of cost before any DO schools. it shows people are really informed about their choices and about osteopathic medicine in general and its a reflection of how good DO schools are.

 

[Geronimo]

it shows people are really informed about their choices and about osteopathic medicine in general and its a reflection of how good DO schools are.

I agree.

 

[momo7430]

My two cents... The type of physician you are going to be is totally up to you. MD or DO, you can integrate any philosophy you see fit. Plus there is no reason that if you go to the cheaper school but still feel like you're missing out on DO training... I'm sure there must be some CME (continuing education) type of classes you could take. Go with the better financial situation and go out on your own to get all the supplement training (seminars, etc.) that you feel will benefit your patients. A knuckhead may go to Ivy Leage, and the best surgeon in the country may grad from USNowhereCOM. It's ALL in your hands, and I'm sure as long as your patients remain your #1 concern, you will not go wrong. We will all have to build our own reputation no matter where we go. Best of Luck! -Momo