Transfer from a DO school to another DO school

[whiteout]

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I heard it is possible, but how does it actually happen?

 

[costales]

It depends on where you're headed. Generally you must have good standing and a very good reason, and both schools must approve the transfer. It's possible, but rare.

 

[coffeeeandtea]

Nothing official, but the general gist is..
#1: you need a really, really good reason to transfer, i.e. something to do with your spouse, your child/ren, parents, immediate family, etc.
#2: you need a letter from the dean of the originating DO school saying that they're allowing you to leave in good standing from the school (something to that effect)
#3: you need a letter from the dean of the receiving DO school saying that they're willing to accept you in good standing.

Number 3 is easy to get. Number 2, however, is more difficult, especially without Number 1. Also, depending on the school, you might have to repeat first year (variable).

I knew someone at my school who got a 3rd year DO to 3rd year DO transfer, so it can be done (not easily, though).

 

[whiteout]

Would it be easier if students transfer within sister schools (LECOMs, TOUROs, or MWUs)?

 

[costales]

You have to ask them. Your chances are probably good if you're a superstar student who just got married to the dean's daughter at the other school.

 

[danzman]

I heard it is possible, but how does it actually happen?

I think this is more common than most people think. We had a couple of transfer students between 2nd and 3rd year. I just cant think of many reasons to do so outside of family issues, which should be a good enough reason for the schools.

 

[whiteout]

I think this is more common than most people think. We had a couple of transfer students between 2nd and 3rd year. I just cant think of many reasons to do so outside of family issues, which should be a good enough reason for the schools.

Do students have to provide schools with marriage certificate or other things?

 

[scummie]

It's like some urban legend or something. Does anyone have any stories of people they know that transferred after they already started? I'm not thinking of transferring--I've just always wondered why people did it.

 

[costales]

I have not met a transfer student. My friends on the MD side haven't either - transfers are truly rare:
http://www.usnews.com/education/blo...08/22/transferring-between-us-medical-schools
"How do you transfer between medical schools? Unlike undergraduate institutions, it is very difficult, in general, to transfer between medical schools... Only a handful of students transfer between U.S. medical schools successfully."

 

[DocEspana]

It's like some urban legend or something. Does anyone have any stories of people they know that transferred after they already started? I'm not thinking of transferring--I've just always wondered why people did it.

Yea, I only know of one. Friend and colleague from my school transferred to a different DO school at the start of 3rd year. (same guy coffeeeandtea referenced). Ran into him again recently,at a conference, and he was treated like a celebrity by everyone around when it came out that he had done that. Everyone had thought it was essentially impossible, so meeting someone who did it was a big deal.

 

[marke]

i think it's hard but totally doable

randomly, i personally met 3 people who transferred to our school (they all transfered after completing 2 years at another school..)

all 3 had the same situation- their spouse can't leave their job (residency, government job) so the only way it works is for them to move

they all told me the process can be tough but it's doable
they also mentioned that there are a couple few more of people transferred to our school in their class.

i think this is especially hard because usually you have to be in pretty good standing for the other school to consider you, but no school (the school you came from) want to lose their star student.

anyhow, hope this helps! best of luck!

 

[scummie]

Whoaa....My husband works for the CIA, so I need to go to your school. Yeah, I guess that's a good reason to move. Never really thought about residency requirements either...Maybe if your kid/spouse had a serious issue? But then you would probably take a leave.

 

[the alchemist]

a couple of years back, we had 2 students transfer to my school from 2 different do schools. they were both single (so didn't move for a spouse, etc) but i think that they were both from the local area and i never asked what their reasons were for transferring. they both transferred into the same class after their 2nd years. so it's possible esp since at my school, they started to expand the class sizes below mine so since these 2 were actually a year ahead of me, school had already expanded some rooms, etc to anticipate for the incoming first years (larger class) so i don't think that it mattered that 2 new students were added to the much smaller 3rd yr class (so they might've gotten lucky).