Should I go DO

[Kyoo]

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To start off, I'm new here.

I'll be applying to medical schools within the next couple weeks in Texas. So here's the short and sweet of my dilemma: at the moment my interest lies in plastic surgery; BUT, who knows what will pan out once I actually get to medical school and do my rotations in the 3rd year. I'm perfectly willing to say that my mind can change. At the very least, however, I want to be doing some type of surgery. Anyway, from what I've seen, when it comes to plastic surgery, the residencies available are geared towards taking MDs first and DOs second. I'm completely at terms with the osteopathic philosophy however it seems as though I will only hinder my ability to do plastic surgery if I go to an osteopathic school. I don't want to start a thread of people bashing DOs and MDs I just want your thoughts. Thanks!

Fyi, I'm only applying in Texas so if I were to get in to a DO school, it would be TCOM if that matters. Either way, I'll be pretty much be doing a shotgun blast to most of the medical schools in Texas and seeing where I get in before I make any final decision.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

To start off, I'm new here.

I'll be applying to medical schools within the next couple weeks in Texas. So here's the short and sweet of my dilemma: at the moment my interest lies in plastic surgery; BUT, who knows what will pan out once I actually get to medical school and do my rotations in the 3rd year. I'm perfectly willing to say that my mind can change. At the very least, however, I want to be doing some type of surgery. Anyway, from what I've seen, when it comes to plastic surgery, the residencies available are geared towards taking MDs first and DOs second. I'm completely at terms with the osteopathic philosophy however it seems as though I will only hinder my ability to do plastic surgery if I go to an osteopathic school. I don't want to start a thread of people bashing DOs and MDs I just want your thoughts. Thanks!

Fyi, I'm only applying in Texas so if I were to get in to a DO school, it would be TCOM if that matters. Either way, I'll be pretty much be doing a shotgun blast to most of the medical schools in Texas and seeing where I get in before I make any final decision.

You should just apply and if you get into TCOM and another MD school, bump this thread.

 

[PressPforPi]

IMHO, the letters don't matter, and the "DO philosophy" is equal to the "MD philosophy." I plan on judging the schools based on things such as location, how well they prepare you for the future standardized tests (like boards), tuition, location, etc. I'll pick either MD or DO, because at the end of the day, my goal is to be a physician. Since you are considering a rather competitive specialty, I feel you should check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=813819&highlight=match+rates

 

[OnTheOtherHand]

There *are* DO General Surgery & Plastic Surgery residencies, just so you know - but there are no integrated Plastic Surgery residencies. According to the AOA Residency Opportunities database, there are 43 General Surgery residencies (one of these is in Texas) and 7 Plastic Surgery residencies (none of them are in Texas).

But, I must ask, purely out of curiosity, why the HELL would you want to stay in Texas?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

But, I must ask, purely out of curiosity, why the HELL would you want to stay in Texas?

7 or 8 public medical schools, 95% of their accepted students are from Texas, and cost on average 8k a year. Climate is also pretty pleasant and the cities are very diverse/cultured.

 

[slammer922]

But, I must ask, purely out of curiosity, why the HELL would you want to stay in Texas?

.... You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas. - DC

 

[TriagePreMed]

.... You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas. - DC

So we're all meeting in Texas then?

 

[Kyoo]

IMHO, the letters don't matter, and the "DO philosophy" is equal to the "MD philosophy." I plan on judging the schools based on things such as location, how well they prepare you for the future standardized tests (like boards), tuition, location, etc. I'll pick either MD or DO, because at the end of the day, my goal is to be a physician. Since you are considering a rather competitive specialty, I feel you should check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=813819&highlight=match+rates

Ah thanks! That helps a lot. I believe I saw this thread yesterday in passing but didn't really check it out. Can someone explain the difference in the two programs used for matching? Is AOA more for DO specific residencies while the NRMP is more MD specific?

 

[Kyoo]

There *are* DO General Surgery & Plastic Surgery residencies, just so you know - but there are no integrated Plastic Surgery residencies. According to the AOA Residency Opportunities database, there are 43 General Surgery residencies (one of these is in Texas) and 7 Plastic Surgery residencies (none of them are in Texas).

But, I must ask, purely out of curiosity, why the HELL would you want to stay in Texas?

Essentially what Serenade said plus my family lives in Texas and being in familiar territory is important for me while in medical school. I'll be more willing to branch out for residencies but for now why leave?

 

[DocEspana]

So we're all meeting in Texas then?

👍👍👍

 

[fiznat]

You should just apply and if you get into TCOM and another MD school, bump this thread.

👍 What he said.


Let the adcoms decide for you. If you're lucky enough to get accepted to both you can worry about this stuff then.

 

[PressPforPi]

Ah thanks! That helps a lot. I believe I saw this thread yesterday in passing but didn't really check it out. Can someone explain the difference in the two programs used for matching? Is AOA more for DO specific residencies while the NRMP is more MD specific?

AOA is restricted to DO medical students only. However, the ACGME allows for both MDs and DOs to apply.

 

[Longshanks]

AOA is restricted to DO medical students only. However, the ACGME allows for both MDs and DOs to apply.

But if we're solely focusing on Integrated Plastics ACGME residencies then only one DO has successfully matched into this, which was this past year. Of course you could get into plastics by doing a fellowship after ENT or Gen Surg, but even those a little tricky as a DO for ACGME.

My advice to the OP: apply to both MD & DO schools. See how the application cycle goes. You say you are comfortable with OMM and the DO "philosophy" so then you should be fine with applying to DO schools. Do it. It's a wonderful opportunity. Should you get accepted to both, then figure out what is best for your future career options and which school will give you the best educational opportunities, while also being the place you'd be happy at the most. If you do go to a DO school, as other posters have pointed out, there are AOA Plastic Surgery residencies which are only open to DO graduates (as all AOA residencies are). So going DO will no way in whichever shape or form deny you from being whichever specialty you desire, as those opportunities exist through the AOA.

Understand that whether as a MD or DO, plastics is an extremely competitive field to match into, at least an Integrated Plastics match. Don't let that deter you, just simply recognize it will be a tough path regardless of it being an LCME or AACOM school you go to.

Good luck!

 

[patel2]

But if we're solely focusing on Integrated Plastics ACGME residencies then only one DO has successfully matched into this, which was this past year. Of course you could get into plastics by doing a fellowship after ENT or Gen Surg, but even those a little tricky as a DO for ACGME.

My advice to the OP: apply to both MD & DO schools. See how the application cycle goes. You say you are comfortable with OMM and the DO "philosophy" so then you should be fine with applying to DO schools. Do it. It's a wonderful opportunity. Should you get accepted to both, then figure out what is best for your future career options and which school will give you the best educational opportunities, while also being the place you'd be happy at the most. If you do go to a DO school, as other posters have pointed out, there are AOA Plastic Surgery residencies which are only open to DO graduates (as all AOA residencies are). So going DO will no way in whichever shape or form deny you from being whichever specialty you desire, as those opportunities exist through the AOA.

Understand that whether as a MD or DO, plastics is an extremely competitive field to match into, at least an Integrated Plastics match. Don't let that deter you, just simply recognize it will be a tough path regardless of it being an LCME or AACOM school you go to.

Good luck!

is there a residency of DO integrated plastics? Or just AOA fellowships after GS residency

 

[Longshanks]

is there a residency of DO integrated plastics? Or just AOA fellowships after GS residency

http://www.opportunities.osteopathi...essionid=f030d9d2f559a0f0db8827513176e21477be

edit #1: (maybe someone further down the line can correct this.. since this website does also list fellowships as residencies)

edit #2: my bad.. yeah these are all OGME years 6 & 7 so they're fellowships after ENT or Gen Surg presumably. I guess then your best bet is to match one of those, either ACGME or AOA and bust your tail off and see if you can work your way into a fellowship. But then Hockey's spreadsheet lists 22 AOA "integrated" matches... so I'm confused now.

 

[patel2]

http://www.opportunities.osteopathi...essionid=f030d9d2f559a0f0db8827513176e21477be

edit #1: (maybe someone further down the line can correct this.. since this website does also list fellowships as residencies)

edit #2: my bad.. yeah these are all OGME years 6 & 7 so they're fellowships after ENT or Gen Surg presumably. I guess then your best bet is to match one of those, either ACGME or AOA and bust your tail off and see if you can work your way into a fellowship. But then Hockey's spreadsheet lists 22 AOA "integrated" matches... so I'm confused now.

alot of DO match lists refer to ENT as "facial plastic surgery", so it might ahve to do with that.

 

[OnTheOtherHand]

7 or 8 public medical schools, 95% of their accepted students are from Texas, and cost on average 8k a year. Climate is also pretty pleasant and the cities are very diverse/cultured.

😵 Have you come to Colorado to some some of our medical marijuana? I lived in Texas most of my childhood, so that story simply doesn't fly. I know that (1) the climate is anything but pleasant and (2) the cities are not very diverse/cultured.

.... You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas. - DC

But I don't want to go to Texas! ;-P

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

😵 Have you come to Colorado to some some of our medical marijuana? I lived in Texas most of my childhood, so that story simply doesn't fly. I know that (1) the climate is anything but pleasant and (2) the cities are not very diverse/cultured.


But I don't want to go to Texas! ;-P

Why would I go get medical marijuana? I'm neither suffering from glaucoma nor dying, so I'd rather not mess up my midbrain and hypothalamus' endocabanisis systems. Anyways, while I am not a Texan, I do know that Austin and Dallas are incredibly cosmopolitan.

 

[willen101383]

Why would I go get medical marijuana? I'm neither suffering from glaucoma nor dying, so I'd rather not mess up my midbrain and hypothalamus' endocabanisis systems. Anyways, while I am not a Texan, I do know that Austin and Dallas are incredibly cosmopolitan.

lmao...guess i shouldnt be able to get the grades that I am easily getting in med school than 😀

 

[drctother]

lmao...guess i shouldnt be able to get the grades that I am easily getting in med school than 😀

👍

 

[Vishna]

lmao...guess i shouldnt be able to get the grades that I am easily getting in med school than 😀

Than what?

 

[willen101383]

Than what?

haha nice catch thEn

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

lmao...guess i shouldnt be able to get the grades that I am easily getting in med school than 😀

Redundancy is good 😉.

 

[willen101383]

Redundancy is good 😉.

I forgot that I was being redundant 😉

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I forgot that I was being redundant 😉

Well, your neurons specifically were.... that wasn't an attack btw.

 

[PED05]

To start off, I'm new here.

I'll be applying to medical schools within the next couple weeks in Texas. So here's the short and sweet of my dilemma: at the moment my interest lies in plastic surgery; BUT, who knows what will pan out once I actually get to medical school and do my rotations in the 3rd year. I'm perfectly willing to say that my mind can change. At the very least, however, I want to be doing some type of surgery. Anyway, from what I've seen, when it comes to plastic surgery, the residencies available are geared towards taking MDs first and DOs second. I'm completely at terms with the osteopathic philosophy however it seems as though I will only hinder my ability to do plastic surgery if I go to an osteopathic school. I don't want to start a thread of people bashing DOs and MDs I just want your thoughts. Thanks!



You should definately consider DO. The DO infrastructure for educating plastic surgeons might be smaller (less places to choose residency), but certainly of equal quality. The opportunities are there for you. Good Luck!