Thoughts on a "pathway" program vs. matriculation this fall?!

[AkGrown84]

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So.....I have a little bit of a dilemma. I have an acceptance to a D.O. school which I am really excited about and have fully intended to matriculate at. However, I also just received an acceptance to a "pathway" program to an M.D. school that, upon successful completion (1 year), you are automatically accepted into the M.D. program without taking the MCAT again, applying again, or interviewing again. I truly could care less about the MD vs DO argument, but I do also recognize the pain in the rear it can be as a DO in terms of residencies. If every single thing was equal, I have to say that I'd lean more towards DO. I am also somewhat interested in international medicine and being able to volunteer and provide medical care abroad a little later in my career, and there are some hiccups with the DO degree that you don't have with the MD degree.

Both tuitions are similar, and they are in the same basic area, so living expenses are equal. I would, however, end up essentially adding a year onto my medical education, and that not only costs more in living expenses, but also one year of lost income. I know that this is a completely subjective argument, but I'd like other's take on this!

 

[polylux]

Congrats on getting into both!

This might depend on the schools themselves. If you were comparing, say, CUSOM and UNC Chapel Hill, I would tell you to go to UNC, hands down, because although CUSOM is great, it just does not compare to UNC... Similarly, if you said UCLA and Western U/COMP, UCLA would definitely win out. BUT. If you were to say like Virgina Commonwealth vs VCOM... I think I would save the one year of expense. I guess it depends on how much worth you put on the convenience of an MD.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Whatever you do internationally, chances are a DO degree will let you, unless your goal is to live and be licensed in certain countries.

Your dilemma depends on how many students the pathway really takes. Is it 90%? Then I'll play. Anything below 75% and I'd start to debate if the risk is worth it.

 

[AkGrown84]

Congrats on getting into both!

This might depend on the schools themselves. If you were comparing, say, CUSOM and UNC Chapel Hill, I would tell you to go to UNC, hands down, because although CUSOM is great, it just does not compare to UNC... Similarly, if you said UCLA and Western U/COMP, UCLA would definitely win out. BUT. If you were to say like Virgina Commonwealth vs VCOM... I think I would save the one year of expense. I guess it depends on how much worth you put on the convenience of an MD.

So without really being overly obvious, it's a "higher tier" DO school (as far as reputation....I am well aware that there are no REAL ranking, but we all know there is kind of an unofficial ranking), and a mid/low-tier MD school just a few miles apart from each other.

Whatever you do internationally, chances are a DO degree will let you, unless your goal is to live and be licensed in certain countries.

Your dilemma depends on how many students the pathway really takes. Is it 90%? Then I'll play. Anything below 75% and I'd start to debate if the risk is worth it.

The pathway takes 100% of the students that complete in good standing...I would assume passing all classes, but I am not completely sure if you're required to have all A's and B's, or if a C or two is ok. Either way, I only have one C on my transcript, so I'm not inclined to get anything other than an A or B.

I'm not looking to move to another country to practice, but it would be nice to be able to travel for a few months and provide care. There is a doc I currently work with that has a foundation who sends volunteer physicians to provide care in Liberia. Things like that I'm definitely interested in, and I don't want to limit myself if I don't have to.

I'm inclined to just take my acceptance and run with it. This process is already going to be an 8-10 year course, and I'm not necessarily looking forward to extending that another year if I don't have to.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

So without really being overly obvious, it's a "higher tier" DO school (as far as reputation....I am well aware that there are no REAL ranking, but we all know there is kind of an unofficial ranking), and a mid/low-tier MD school just a few miles apart from each other.



The pathway takes 100% of the students that complete in good standing...I would assume passing all classes, but I am not completely sure if you're required to have all A's and B's, or if a C or two is ok. Either way, I only have one C on my transcript, so I'm not inclined to get anything other than an A or B.

I'm not looking to move to another country to practice, but it would be nice to be able to travel for a few months and provide care. There is a doc I currently work with that has a foundation who sends volunteer physicians to provide care in Liberia. Things like that I'm definitely interested in, and I don't want to limit myself if I don't have to.

I'm inclined to just take my acceptance and run with it. This process is already going to be an 8-10 year course, and I'm not necessarily looking forward to extending that another year if I don't have to.

Those trips are still under american license with foreign agreements. Therefore, you are equivalent to any MD. The difference in international rights is when you want to go live there and have a license in that country. Medical missions are 100% DO friendly.

It's a tough call on where to go. I know how it feels to not want to lose yet another year. Ultimately, you'll have to weigh it out and make your true first "professional" decision in medicine.

 

[Lost Vagus]

Do whatever option is cheaper. If being a DO is really going to upset you, then do the MD pathway program. Seems to me like more work and more money. I would take the acceptance and run with it.

 

[AkGrown84]

Those trips are still under american license with foreign agreements. Therefore, you are equivalent to any MD. The difference in international rights is when you want to go live there and have a license in that country. Medical missions are 100% DO friendly.

It's a tough call on where to go. I know how it feels to not want to lose yet another year. Ultimately, you'll have to weigh it out and make your true first "professional" decision in medicine.

In this case, then I could really care less whether I have a DO or an MD behind my name! Thanks for the clarification. Losing another year effects me a bit more than the average student as well-for some perspective, my oldest kiddo will graduate high school while I am in my residency! In other words, I'm not getting any younger 🙂

Do whatever option is cheaper. If being a DO is really going to upset you, then do the MD pathway program. Seems to me like more work and more money. I would take the acceptance and run with it.

This is what I'm inclined to do. If my acceptance was to a newer DO school, I think it'd be a little more of a temptation, but it's at a very, very good DO school with very established rotations. I could really care less about the initials behind my name...my only care is which opportunities (or not) each would potentially offer!

 

[user3]

So.....I have a little bit of a dilemma. I have an acceptance to a D.O. school which I am really excited about and have fully intended to matriculate at. However, I also just received an acceptance to a "pathway" program to an M.D. school that, upon successful completion (1 year), you are automatically accepted into the M.D. program without taking the MCAT again, applying again, or interviewing again. I truly could care less about the MD vs DO argument, but I do also recognize the pain in the rear it can be as a DO in terms of residencies. If every single thing was equal, I have to say that I'd lean more towards DO. I am also somewhat interested in international medicine and being able to volunteer and provide medical care abroad a little later in my career, and there are some hiccups with the DO degree that you don't have with the MD degree.

Both tuitions are similar, and they are in the same basic area, so living expenses are equal. I would, however, end up essentially adding a year onto my medical education, and that not only costs more in living expenses, but also one year of lost income. I know that this is a completely subjective argument, but I'd like other's take on this!

I think I know what program you are talking about. I would take it, it is REALLY hard to get accepted to.

 

[Ogmora]

I would take the "top-tier" DO acceptance and run with it, especially if both are in the same metropolitan area. That being said, if the pathway program was through a highly desirable school and gave you a masters degree after the first year and was in a more desirable location, I might reconsider.

My opinion comes from my growing experience being in a slightly similar circumstance. I'm torn between a newly opened DO school and facing a re-application cycle armed with a master's degree, a refurbished, graduate GPA and a new MCAT. Although I'm 99% set on going DO and never looking back, I will admit there is a small part of me that is very curious to see how much my application will be affected with these new components added to it, not to mention how much my future career may be affected, if at all. As of right now, the extra year of applying, cost of living and the loss of a guaranteed acceptance does not seem to be worth the reward of gaining an acceptance to a school that may be the same caliber, nor does it seem to be worth the risk of not getting an acceptance at all.

My story aside, though I'm sure there is a miniscule risk of you not succeeding in the program and eventually getting accepted, whatever risk/reward there may be, it's not as certain as the acceptance you have in hand.

So.....I have a little bit of a dilemma. I have an acceptance to a D.O. school which I am really excited about and have fully intended to matriculate at. However, I also just received an acceptance to a "pathway" program to an M.D. school that, upon successful completion (1 year), you are automatically accepted into the M.D. program without taking the MCAT again, applying again, or interviewing again. I truly could care less about the MD vs DO argument, but I do also recognize the pain in the rear it can be as a DO in terms of residencies. If every single thing was equal, I have to say that I'd lean more towards DO. I am also somewhat interested in international medicine and being able to volunteer and provide medical care abroad a little later in my career, and there are some hiccups with the DO degree that you don't have with the MD degree.

Both tuitions are similar, and they are in the same basic area, so living expenses are equal. I would, however, end up essentially adding a year onto my medical education, and that not only costs more in living expenses, but also one year of lost income. I know that this is a completely subjective argument, but I'd like other's take on this!

I think I know what program you are talking about. I would take it, it is REALLY hard to get accepted to.

You think she should take the MD program?

 

[DocWinter]

I would take the "top-tier" DO acceptance and run with it,


As of right now, the extra year of applying, cost of living and the loss of a guaranteed acceptance does not seem to be worth the reward of gaining an acceptance to a school that may be the same caliber, nor does it seem to be worth the risk of not getting an acceptance at all.

Second this. You're looking at another year of tuition, living and all else, and losing that extra year of making $$ as a physician.

You said yourself you'd rather go DO, all things equal. I'd take the high-end DO acceptance now and get studying.

 

[coolingglasses]

Those trips are still under american license with foreign agreements. Therefore, you are equivalent to any MD. The difference in international rights is when you want to go live there and have a license in that country. Medical missions are 100% DO friendly.

It's a tough call on where to go. I know how it feels to not want to lose yet another year. Ultimately, you'll have to weigh it out and make your true first "professional" decision in medicine.

Just here to back this statement.

If you're not convinced, check the website of the organizations you're interested in and you'll typically find they take DOs and MDs.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Really, really hard to get a med school acceptance coming out of Alaska - I know cuz I did it. If you are looking at IM for a career it's not going to matter what degree is behind your name. If your kids are that old, I personally would not waste another year waiting if I didn't have to.

 

[Mad Jack]

If you aren't looking to go into ultracompetitive specialties, go DO. If not having an MD on your name badge for the rest of your life will rustle your jimmies or you want to go into neuroendovascular neuroradiology, you might want to do the pathway. Keep in mind that pathway programs are often not as real of a guarantee as they seem, as many are heavily curved so that only a fraction of accepted students actually end up matriculating into medical school, and that graduating a year earlier is an extra 160-350k in your pocket, depending on specialty of choice.

 

[mke520]

It really comes down to what type of specialty you want to get into like Mad Jack said. If you want some surgical specialty like neurosurgery, plastics, ENT or some other field like dermatology or radiology then I'd say take the pathway since having a MD next to your name will be the path of least resistance to get one of those spots. If you're wanting to do just about anything else in medicine then take the DO acceptance, save the time, and save the money. It's absolutely ridiculous that these more competitive residencies still have their thumbs up their butt and won't pick a DO even if they're a better applicant but that's the way things are right now and you gotta play their game.

 

[cliquesh]

It really comes down to what type of specialty you want to get into like Mad Jack said. If you want some surgical specialty like neurosurgery, plastics, ENT or some other field like dermatology or radiology then I'd say take the pathway since having a MD next to your name will be the path of least resistance to get one of those spots. If you're wanting to do just about anything else in medicine then take the DO acceptance, save the time, and save the money. It's absolutely ridiculous that these more competitive residencies still have their thumbs up their butt and won't pick a DO even if they're a better applicant but that's the way things are right now and you gotta play their game.

Radiology is a reasonable goal for an osteopathic med student. Radiation oncology, on the other hand, not so much.

 

[IslandStyle808]

The pathway takes 100% of the students that complete in good standing...I would assume passing all classes, but I am not completely sure if you're required to have all A's and B's, or if a C or two is ok. Either way, I only have one C on my transcript, so I'm not inclined to get anything other than an A or B.

The better question would be "how many pass in good standing in this pathway program?" Some programs maybe geared to be tougher than actual medical school.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Both tuitions are similar, and they are in the same basic area, so living expenses are equal. I would, however, end up essentially adding a year onto my medical education, and that not only costs more in living expenses, but also one year of lost income. I know that this is a completely subjective argument, but I'd like other's take on this!

If the cost of this program is the same as a year of medical school tuition then run to DO and dont look back.

 

[user3]

Radiology is a reasonable goal for an osteopathic med student.

jobs seem to be pretty scarce though for new rads

 

[cliquesh]

jobs seem to be pretty scarce though for new rads

People are drama queens. You may not be able to find a job starting at 500k anymore and you may not find a job in your ideal location, but you'll still find a job for 350k somewhere. Its not the end of the world.

 

[AkGrown84]

jobs seem to be pretty scarce though for new rads

I'm pretty confident I'll return to Alaska once I finish. There's no shortage of physician positions there (with the exception of very obscure specialties that we don't have the population to support), and we're pretty DO friendly.

Bottom line, I've weighed the pros and cons for my family, and it doesn't make much sense to take the extra year just for the MD, so I'll be matriculating DO in the fall!!

 

[polylux]

Congratsssss!

 

[user3]

People are drama queens. You may not be able to find a job starting at 500k anymore and you may not find a job in your ideal location, but you'll still find a job for 350k somewhere. Its not the end of the world.

In auntminnie (rads forum) a thread was posted by a graduating fellow who claims to have looked everywhere but 3 states but has not been able to find a job. Some people called it a troll, then others chimed in who said they or people they know were in similar situations and that it isn't uncommon.

Granted, I am just an incoming student browsing around right now, but seeing stuff like this is scary.

 

[cabinbuilder]

In auntminnie (rads forum) a thread was posted by a graduating fellow who claims to have looked everywhere but 3 states but has not been able to find a job. Some people called it a troll, then others chimed in who said they or people they know were in similar situations and that it isn't uncommon.

Granted, I am just an incoming student browsing around right now, but seeing stuff like this is scary.

This just seems silly anymore. radiology is all done remotely in many places. With the internet you can be anywhere and read/dictate films. When I worked in Alaska my radiologist was in Oregon. After hours in TX my radiologists are in Australia. Unless you are and Interventional Rad you can work anywhere. No excuse.

 

[AkGrown84]

This just seems silly anymore. radiology is all done remotely in many places. With the internet you can be anywhere and read/dictate films. When I worked in Alaska my radiologist was in Oregon. After hours in TX my radiologists are in Australia. Unless you are and Interventional Rad you can work anywhere. No excuse.

Agreed. We have a couple staff radiologists for day reads at the hospital I work at, and everything 11pm-7am is read by a radiologist in Australia! There are ways to figure it out. I suspect that those who "can't" find a job are narrowing their job hunt down to specific locations, or won't take making slightly less than the "average" radiologist. Regardless.....I'm not sure exactly what I want to go into, but working at the hospital has taught me a few specialties that I know I DON'T want to go into, and radiology is one of them! 🙂