Should I re-apply for MD schools this year or start at DO school this fall?

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chinamazing

chinamazing

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I just found out that the last MD school I interviewed has rejected me and now I face the decision of whether to attend DO school this fall or re-apply this year to MD schools and wait another year and a half to start school. Here's some of my reasons to re-apply and to start school this fall, please feel free to add any because I'm sure others have this same decision to make. Please realize I'm not trying to make this into another tired MD vs. DO thing

Re-apply- I feel I didn't get a fair shake at this last admissions cycle for two reasons. 1=I applied in late August, 2=My MCAT score of 31 was unbalanced because one section I completely got stuck on a question and left 5-6 questions blank because I ran out of time (stupid, I know, I should've just put all c's or something but I over-estimated my speed-reading/educated guess effeciency). MD schools are cheaper by in large than DO and I am a tightwad who is very nervous about looming debts. I feel MD programs have better 3rd and 4th years because of school affiliated or teaching hospitals. Despite how many people think DO schools are great you always meet d**kwads, educated and uneducated, who consider DO's to not be doctors or to be some kind of sub-par doctor. D**kwads like that bug me!

Attend- I don't have to wait forever and continue working at a job I am not fond of just to pay the bills, I don't have to take the MCAT again (or study for two months for that matter). The DO schools I'm considering attending are close to family. I don't really get too caught up in the whole title and the last two letters after my name thing so I'm not a DO hater at all, I think they're pretty great, we need as many medical schools as we can get in the US as long as they're quality programs.


Sorry to create such a long post, I really wanted to put more personal ideas of mine and not generic MD/DO comments so please ignore those, Thanks
 
I'd go DO.


you also have to consider the fact that if you reapply to the same schools, adcoms are looking to see a marked improvement. unless you've been doing awesome things since you applied, i'd worry about this.
 
That's a tough call, especially since proximity loved ones and cost are two very important factors in schools I plan on applying to. Overall, I think I would go ahead and attend the D.O. school. How much of a difference in cost is it after all is said and done?
 
I vote for DO unless you really want a very competitive residency. If you are interested in family medicine , rural medicine, or internal medicine, then go DO, it will not make any difference. Brain surgery, well, ok, go MD. Good luck with this.
 
Searun made a good point to consider. Any idea of what you want to specialize in (even though they tell us it doesn't matter)? I've always wanted to go into pathology (not too competitive) so I'll be good with either M.D. or D.O. so maybe weigh the competitiveness of what you think you'll be specializing in.
 
i'd just like to point out that there's nothing guaranteed about a second MD app cycle. you could always end up in the same situation again (though I hope that wouldn't be the case.)

if you start at DO school this fall, you will be a doctor.
 
Jolie South said:
i'd just like to point out that there's nothing guaranteed about a second MD app cycle. you could always end up in the same situation again (though I hope that wouldn't be the case.)

if you start at DO school this fall, you will be a doctor.
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I agree with JolieSouth. I am on a couple of MD waitlists and plan on attending a DO school this fall if they don't come through.

Everyone mentions specialities. If you are dead set on something like Rad/Onc or neurosurgery you path may be easier with a MD. I, however, am leaning towards EM, IM, FP or Psych. So, for me it really doesn't matter if I have a DO/MD in order to get either a allo/osteo residency at many places for any of those. I don't have my heart set on a super duper competative speciality.

Unless you plan on doing something phenomenal during the next few months to boost your application (saving african babies, curing cancer), I would attend now because next year isn't a guarantee. Otherwise you might find yourself posting this same thing again in 12 months.
 
this is the situation that i am hoping to not be in when i apply. Tought choice, especially since im leaning towards rad oncology.
 
Thanks for the advise. I'm not set on any specific specialties but I do have interest in general surgery, anesthesiology, sports med, or EM. I think my EC are decently strong and I would probably make a marked improvement on my MCAT, the timeliness of my application, unbalanced MCAT 14, 10, 7, and maybe some roughly written secondaries might have been my undoing. If so than my success applying this next year might be significantly better.

Then again I hate waiting another year and I hate the uncertainty of it.
 
First of all, I'd like to point out that the economy is going down the toilet. There will probably be even MORE applicants next year than there were this year, if trends continue (and this year has been crazy! something like a 25% increase?).

Second, just because you go DO, that doesn't mean you can't get into a neurosurgery or radonc program. Yes, it will probably be harder, but the DO stigma is falling away now, and if you rock the boards, the world is your oyster (or maybe I'm just being delusional and too optimistic, I don't know).

I'd go DO rather than re-apply. Just my $0.02.
 
kedrin said:
this is the situation that i am hoping to not be in when i apply. Tought choice, especially since im leaning towards rad oncology.
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If you only apply to one path or the other you never get to this question. If your goal is a competitive specialty, then MD is the path you'd benefit most from. A lot of people seem to use DO as a backup path, but if it's probable you wouldn't go anyway (as the OP seems to be leaning), then it's not a good use of your application fees, and you probably should not have applied in the first place.

I would caution that you shouldn't get sold on a single specialty, let alone a very competitive one, before you even get to med school because, honestly, a bad showing on Step 1 and that dream is probably over. If you cannot see yourself practicing in a less competitive field of medicine, then you probably are taking a huge gamble going to med school because a good percentage of folks on here will not end up in the cushy lifestyle specialties. So it's fine to think of rad onc as something that might be cool, but I sure wouldn't go to med school expecting that future. Best to keep an open mind because you may have a different set of choices available to you than seem possible at this juncture.
 
i think if you dont have the guts to take a year off and retake the MCATs, then you really shouldnt be a doctor.

you know what you did wrong, as far as mcats goes, and you should be willing to retake it and correct your mistake. the only time you can be satisfied (regardless of score) is when you know you took it and did the best you can.

further more, go ahead, go be a DO. but do you really want to live the rest of your life asking "what if" or when/if you are discriminated against, do you really want to ask "what if" ? especially when you know damn well you can get in an MD ?



think about it. i'm not flaming against DO's. but the fact is, they are comparatively easier to get into. Do you want to take the easier way out? (or rather in?)
 
PistolPete said:
First of all, I'd like to point out that the economy is going down the toilet. There will probably be even MORE applicants next year than there were this year, if trends continue (and this year has been crazy! something like a 25% increase?).

Second, just because you go DO, that doesn't mean you can't get into a neurosurgery or radonc program. Yes, it will probably be harder, but the DO stigma is falling away now, and if you rock the boards, the world is your oyster (or maybe I'm just being delusional and too optimistic, I don't know).

I'd go DO rather than re-apply. Just my $0.02.
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This is definitely something I thought about. Most doctors I work with and talk to are suprised at how difficult it is to get in(I know it was still difficult in their day). The MCAT averages are going up at a significant rate and will only rise higher. Seems like 34 or 35 on the MCAT is the new 30.
 
Why did you apply DO? Answer this question. If you were worried about specialty and competitiveness of said specialty you wouldn't have applied to both, would you?

It seems you applied to both because you want to be a doctor. Take the DO acceptance and run. Medical education is medical education. You'll be "fine" wherever you go.
 
ahaydt said:
Why did you apply DO? Answer this question. If you were worried about specialty and competitiveness of said specialty you wouldn't have applied to both, would you?

It seems you applied to both because you want to be a doctor. Take the DO acceptance and run. Medical education is medical education. You'll be "fine" wherever you go.
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obviously chinamazing, people of lower stats (and by which i mean premed gpa+mcats) are going to give you this advice
 
biggiesmallsiz said:
obviously chinamazing, people of lower stats (and by which i mean premed gpa+mcats) are going to give you this advice
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I may have lower stats but I realize that. OP, as far as the specialties you listed... many of the DO schools match candidates each year into EM, Anesthesiology, etc. This is about you. You want to be a doctor and you have been given the opportunity. Take it.
 
I applied to both MD and DO schools as well. I will definitely attend the DO school, if my one MD school doesn't come through. It's the same thing. You just have to deal with people's ignorance regarding your degree more often. Maybe it'll be disheartening at first to hear people undermine your education, but people do that depending on what MD school you choose to go to as well. Top tier MD schools vs. lower tier MD schools. This is something that will come up in most cases.

So if you have a change in perspective, go ahead and go for the DO!
 
Well, this is an MD forum, so there is an obvious bias. Probably 98 percent of the folks that post on this forum, have an MD bias so factor that into your reflections.
 
chinamazing said:
This is definitely something I thought about. Most doctors I work with and talk to are suprised at how difficult it is to get in(I know it was still difficult in their day). The MCAT averages are going up at a significant rate and will only rise higher. Seems like 34 or 35 on the MCAT is the new 30.
Click to expand...

brb hangin myself 😱
 
Katatonic said:
Searun made a good point to consider. Any idea of what you want to specialize in (even though they tell us it doesn't matter)? I've always wanted to go into pathology (not too competitive) so I'll be good with either M.D. or D.O. so maybe weigh the competitiveness of what you think you'll be specializing in.
Click to expand...

No, Searun doesn't make a good point. There isn't a residency out there that isn't open to a DO with good board scores and clinical evaluations and that includes neurosurgery.
 
PistolPete said:
First of all, I'd like to point out that the economy is going down the toilet. There will probably be even MORE applicants next year than there were this year, if trends continue (and this year has been crazy! something like a 25% increase?).

Second, just because you go DO, that doesn't mean you can't get into a neurosurgery or radonc program. Yes, it will probably be harder, but the DO stigma is falling away now, and if you rock the boards, the world is your oyster (or maybe I'm just being delusional and too optimistic, I don't know).

I'd go DO rather than re-apply. Just my $0.02.
Click to expand...

I would like to point out that while, yes, there has been a big increase in applicants, there has also been a big increase in graduates (more slots for more people) over the past few years especially. Numbers above 25%.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=277016
 
What state are you from? What's your GPA? How great are your EC's? Did you have ANY interviews this year at MD schools, or any good feedback at all? Also, how many MD schools did you apply to? Are there many others you could apply to next year that you didn't this year?

I applied last year, very late...like submitting secondaries at deadlines. Though I only ended up submitting 8 secondaries and had 1 interview. You can look at my MDapps, but I reapplied at only 2 of those schools (my undergrad, and Pitt where I currently work), and didn't hear a thing, so I think reapplicants are looked at differently at some schools.

I was about 90% sure the lateness of my apps had a huge impact, and from my experience this year, I think I was right. My MCAT and GPA did not change, and I only had like 1 new significant experience. So nothing really changed except the timing and my essays, which you'll find a lot easier the 2nd time around.

There are a lot of factors that you should consider, and if you're okay with taking a year off and think you can get into a different program that you know you would love then you should go for it.
 
Jolie South said:
i'd just like to point out that there's nothing guaranteed about a second MD app cycle. you could always end up in the same situation again (though I hope that wouldn't be the case.)

if you start at DO school this fall, you will be a doctor.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Do you think that your application will really improve in the eyes of an adcom? And then you run the gamble of not getting in anywhere a second time. The school you have been accepted to this time is much less likely to seriously consider you again.

It's your decision, but I would say take the acceptance and run, go be a doctor.
 
Your mcat of 31 can get you to MD school if you also have an average GPA. One year is nothing compared to the rest of your life. So, think about it carefully. To my opinion, one year off is so much better than being remorsed later in your life. You might not even need to re-take mcat. You can also apply for master program of some sort. And improve on your essays!!!!

On the other hand, if you are 100% sure that you don't care either DO or MD, then go with DO.

Good Luck!
 
chinamazing said:
Re-apply- I feel I didn't get a fair shake at this last admissions cycle for two reasons. 1=I applied in late August, 2=My MCAT score of 31 was unbalanced because one section I completely got stuck on a question and left 5-6 questions blank because I ran out of time (stupid, I know, I should've just put all c's or something but I over-estimated my speed-reading/educated guess effeciency).
Click to expand...

Huh??

Didn't get a fair shake? You applied late and you had an unbalanced MCAT score. What exactly was unfair about the way medical schools processed your application? You put yourself in that position, there's nothing unfair about it.
 
I personally am biased towards MD, but I may eventually have to go the DO route.

Do what feels right. In the end, either way at the end of school you will be a doctor.
 
rogerwilco said:
Huh??

Didn't get a fair shake? You applied late and you had an unbalanced MCAT score. What exactly was unfair about the way medical schools processed your application? You put yourself in that position, there's nothing unfair about it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for pointing that out. I agree that fair isn't the right word to use. To say it better, I don't think my MCAT accurately portrayed how well I can do and I underestimated lateness in the application process. You are correct in both are completely my fault.
 
chinamazing said:
Thank you for pointing that out. I agree that fair isn't the right word to use. To say it better, I don't think my MCAT accurately portrayed how well I can do and I underestimated lateness in the application process. You are correct in both are completely my fault.
Click to expand...


Fair enough. I wasn't trying to come off like a total *******. It's been a long day.
 
I don't think you are going to get an honest answer wherever you ask this question. I'm banging my head against the keyboard reading some of the responses in here regarding the terrors of having to answer the 'what ifs' and 'what is a DO' question everyday for the rest of your life. However, if you asked it in the pre osteo you'd probably get bias just as bad the other way (but probably more logical :laugh:). Regardless, this decision is up to you. Do you want to be a DO? Or do you want the MD? Do you feel like going through the motions again??? I mean, people here can tell you all kinds of stuff, but in the end it is really all up to you. Sorry, that probably didn't help at all, but it took everything in me to just write a civil response!!!
 
my vote goes to "attend this fall."

make it your personal goal to be at the top of your class and hit that 260 on your step I's. you can worry about specialties later (most people match into their desired specialty, iirc).
 
Just Joshin said:
No, Searun doesn't make a good point. There isn't a residency out there that isn't open to a DO with good board scores and clinical evaluations and that includes neurosurgery.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, but the general idea I've heard is that doors open easier with an M.D. for certain specialties (it's probably quite a bit SDN myth but I don't know). Either way I'd say go for the D.O. as you will still become a physician, which is the point.
 
Katatonic said:
Fair enough, but the general idea I've heard is that doors open easier with an M.D. for certain specialties (it's probably quite a bit SDN myth but I don't know). Either way I'd say go for the D.O. as you will still become a physician, which is the point.
Click to expand...

I mean ... you weren't being bad about it. Some people say really foolish things, but there is some truth to your statement. Sure, DOs match into every specialty that MDs do, but there are cases where it is easier for an MD to match into allo residencies. I think that point is that the degree is what you make out of it and some people confuse the door analogy. If you're an MD applying for residencies with low board scores and no references doors aren't going to fly open for you because your an MD, and if you're a DO with great COMLEX and USMLE scores doors aren't going to slam in your face just because you're a DO. Now, if you have two applicants, one MD and one DO with similar stats both applying for an allo program that has an existing preference for allos students ... well I think it's safe to assume that, though the decision will be difficult, the allo student probably has somewhat of a better shot. People shouldn't go to a DO school just to become a physician and practice in a field they don't like just because they are a doctor??? No, they should go in and dominate and realize that if they are shooting for competitive allo spots they need to prove themselves and hard work will pay off.
 
Your situation is a tough one to be in. But there are definitely some things to consider:

1. If you're 100% sure that the degree you get is inconsequential to YOU, then take the DO acceptance. When I was considering applying to DO schools, I talked to one of my family friends who has been on the admissions committee for 15 yrs at a top 30 MD med school. She said in her professional opinion, once you get to residency, an MD degree is equivalent to a DO degree. Also, a good friend of mine is doing her ObGyn residency in NY, has interviewed several candidates for her residency program, and said that the DO vs MD discussion has never come up. If you have the credentials, you're good to go no matter what letters you have at the back of your name. Plus, by the time you're practicing, the DO "stigma" will decrease so I'm not sure you'd have too much trouble explaining it to your patients or fellow colleagues.

2. BUT if you feel like you're settling for a degree that you didn't intend on getting in the first place, then I say it's worth it to take a year off and try again for the MD degree. Like an earlier poster said, if in 5 or 10 yrs, you think you're gonna wonder "Hey I wonder if I could've gotten into MD schools had I done this..." then make sure you do everything in your power to present your absolute best application next cycle. That way you won't live with regrets.

(Also, I'm not sure if this is even possible, but you might want to see if you can defer your DO acceptance for a year. Maybe do something awesome during this extra year off, try again for MD schools, and worse case scenario - you don't get in again but still have a spot at that DO school)

Hope this helps and good luck!
 
DocNroll said:
Your situation is a tough one to be in. But there are definitely some things to consider:

1. If you're 100% sure that the degree you get is inconsequential to YOU, then take the DO acceptance. When I was considering applying to DO schools, I talked to one of my family friends who has been on the admissions committee for 15 yrs at a top 30 MD med school. She said in her professional opinion, once you get to residency, an MD degree is equivalent to a DO degree. Also, a good friend of mine is doing her ObGyn residency in NY, has interviewed several candidates for her residency program, and said that the DO vs MD discussion has never come up. If you have the credentials, you're good to go no matter what letters you have at the back of your name. Plus, by the time you're practicing, the DO "stigma" will decrease so I'm not sure you'd have too much trouble explaining it to your patients or fellow colleagues.

2. BUT if you feel like you're settling for a degree that you didn't intend on getting in the first place, then I say it's worth it to take a year off and try again for the MD degree. Like an earlier poster said, if in 5 or 10 yrs, you think you're gonna wonder "Hey I wonder if I could've gotten into MD schools had I done this..." then make sure you do everything in your power to present your absolute best application next cycle. That way you won't live with regrets.

(Also, I'm not sure if this is even possible, but you might want to see if you can defer your DO acceptance for a year. Maybe do something awesome during this extra year off, try again for MD schools, and worse case scenario - you don't get in again but still have a spot at that DO school)

Hope this helps and good luck!
Click to expand...
Your suggestion of deferring and sticking it to a DO school (possibly) is not gonna fly with adcoms.
 
It doesn't really matter what any of us think...it is your decision to make.. i applied to both md and do schools and at first i didn't care where i got accepted because i wanted to become a doctor in the end...there are supporters of both degrees on this board...and u will always get two opinions which are on opposite sides of the spectrum...yes there is a stigma...absolutely no stigma that is a "pre med thing"...you can work hard and get a great residency...ppl with do degrees almost never get great residencies unless they are almost perfect...yadda yadda yadda...we can argue it for days...but you will never know until you get to those points in your life...

i wouldn't pass up an acceptance and gamble on another year of applications...however if u r going to be genuinely unhappy with the do degree when u r done and wonder what if...then u shouldn't start do school in the fall and wait another year...
 
I'd go DO.

The process is hard as it is, you really want to do it all over again. There is no guarentee you'll get what you want the second time around. I though reapplicants usually have zero acceptances, if you want a DO one take it.

Either way, people will be calling you Doctor Chinamazing
 
This is truly a tough call. I think that if you were unsure of the DO degree, you should not have applied there in the first place and should have left it for your reapplication year. You never know what may happen, and you can probably get into an MD school next year, but nothing is a sure thing. Right now, I hold acceptances to a local DO school, and 2 MD schools that are pretty far away. One physician I know tells me that I should absolutely without a doubt get the MD. Other docs tell me there is no difference b/w DO and MD. In the end, I am going to choose MD because I want to have options for any residency I want and I want to go to a good school with good resources (my local DO school has pretty crappy facilities). I'm also already exhausted with explaining to every person I meet (YES EVERY non-physician) what a DO is. It's freaking annoying.
 
Can't he defer admission to the DO school and put in some MD apps? Isn't that possible since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate applications?

Or could he possibly get screwed over by that?
 
gplex86 said:
Can't he defer admission to the DO school and put in some MD apps? Isn't that possible since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate applications?

Or could he possibly get screwed over by that?
Click to expand...

Defer admission to the DO school and basically only reapply for MD through AMCAS? If that is what you are asking ... I'm pretty sure deferring implies that you are accepting a seat for the next year, which would make the whole process really messy and I guess kinda dishonest if you were just holding onto it while looking elsewhere. Plus, it does kinda suck for the kid waitlisted at that DO school who is absolutely dieing to go but doesn't get a chance because of something like this. Possible, perhaps. A good route? Probably not.
 
gplex86 said:
Can't he defer admission to the DO school and put in some MD apps? Isn't that possible since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate applications?

Or could he possibly get screwed over by that?
Click to expand...
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. AMCAS asks if you previously matriculated anywhere. So, you could answer No. However, I believe some secondaries ask if you've ever been accepted anywhere. Answering no to that question is a death sentence if a school finds out.

Plus, what is the point in not being honest? Oh wait, I forgot, this is a cutthroat business 😉.
 
JaggerPlate said:
Defer admission to the DO school and basically only reapply for MD through AMCAS? If that is what you are asking ... I'm pretty sure deferring implies that you are accepting a seat for the next year, which would make the whole process really messy and I guess kinda dishonest if you were just holding onto it while looking elsewhere. Plus, it does kinda suck for the kid waitlisted at that DO school who is absolutely dieing to go but doesn't get a chance because of something like this. Possible, perhaps. A good route? Probably not.
Click to expand...

That may be true, but wouldn't the deferral free up a spot for an anxious waitlister this year? And lets say he does get into an MD school next year - someone's still coming off the waitlist at the DO school. But you're right, it would probably delay someone's admission.
 
gplex86 said:
Can't he defer admission to the DO school and put in some MD apps? Isn't that possible since AMCAS and AACOMAS are separate applications?

Or could he possibly get screwed over by that?
Click to expand...
That is a big no-no. When you defer admission, you are contractually bound not to attempt applying anywhere else (MD or DO). Eventhough they are seperate application services, there is no way around this.
 
Rooter76 said:
That is a big no-no. When you defer admission, you are contractually bound not to attempt applying anywhere else (MD or DO). Eventhough they are seperate application services, there is no way around this.
Click to expand...

Seriously? Has anyone else heard this? That sounds wrong to me.
 
gplex86 said:
Seriously? Has anyone else heard this? That sounds wrong to me.
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For one, you have to have a valid reason to defer in the first place, and usually you have to document that reason. So saying you are deferring only to apply to MD schools or BSing won't cut it in the first place.

But even so, almost all schools will not allow you to apply to any other medical school while on deferral. There were a few exceptions a couple years back but I am not sure if their policy has changed or not.
 
Do most people really have no idea what a DO is??

My PCP from age 6 on is a DO, and he's fabulous. I never thought that there was a stigma or 'inferiority' until I came on these boards...
 
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