Transfer from MD school to DO school?

[Idontcare]

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I am currently attending an allopathic school on the east coast and am considering transferring to a DO school so that I can be back in California (bay area). I don't want to offend anyone here but I am really unhappy here and at this point it doesn't seem worth it just to get the MD over the DO.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[OncoCaP]

I am currently attending an allopathic school on the east coast and am considering transferring to a DO school so that I can be back in California (bay area). I don't want to offend anyone here but I am really unhappy here and at this point it doesn't seem worth it just to get the MD over the DO.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Why the DO vs MD question? Do you have a particular COM opportunity that looks promising or do you think that maybe COM's would be more likely to accept a transfer?

 

[Idontcare]

The DO school I spoke with were encouraging about my prospects to transfer.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

I am currently attending an allopathic school on the east coast and am considering transferring to a DO school so that I can be back in California (bay area). I don't want to offend anyone here but I am really unhappy here and at this point it doesn't seem worth it just to get the MD over the DO.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Sorry you're not happy - that's really unfortunate. But, you might want to consider - the first semester of MS-I was very difficult for all of us - for me, I was expecting hard work, but nothing like what it turned out to be. Would being in a different city have really changed that much? It's going to get easier next semester because we know what to expect and how to study.

I don't think you could go to Touro or any other DO school without starting over - and you'd have a very difficult time explaining your decision. This has nothing to do with the DO-vs-MD argument - the simple fact is that allopathic schools and osteopathic schools have different accreditation agencies. I don't disagree that osteopathic and allopathic medical education is basically equivalent, but the fact is - in an osteopathic school's eyes, you aren't coming from an accredited institution if you're coming from an allopathic school - and vice-versa.

But, before you even reach that point - no school that I know of allows transfers except after year 2 before year 3 starts - and you have to have passed the USMLE-Step 1. Even then, there are usually very few transfer spots and you have to have an extremely good reason to transfer - plus a Dean's letter from your old school approving the transfer and stating that you were in good standing. You wouldn't be eligible to take the COMLEX-I that Touro would probably want.

Sorry about the bad news - but try to hang there. I understand how difficult things can be, but I suspect that they will get better.

 

[njaqua]

Sorry you're not happy - that's really unfortunate. But, you might want to consider - the first semester of MS-I was very difficult for all of us - for me, I was expecting hard work, but nothing like what it turned out to be. Would being in a different city have really changed that much? It's going to get easier next semester because we know what to expect and how to study.

I don't think you could go to Touro or any other DO school without starting over - and you'd have a very difficult time explaining your decision. This has nothing to do with the DO-vs-MD argument - the simple fact is that allopathic schools and osteopathic schools have different accreditation agencies. I don't disagree that osteopathic and allopathic medical education is basically equivalent, but the fact is - in an osteopathic school's eyes, you aren't coming from an accredited institution if you're coming from an allopathic school - and vice-versa.

But, before you even reach that point - no school that I know of allows transfers except after year 2 before year 3 starts - and you have to have passed the USMLE-Step 1. Even then, there are usually very few transfer spots and you have to have an extremely good reason to transfer - plus a Dean's letter from your old school approving the transfer and stating that you were in good standing. You wouldn't be eligible to take the COMLEX-I that Touro would probably want.

Sorry about the bad news - but try to hang there. I understand how difficult things can be, but I suspect that they will get better.

sounds pretty easy, actually. at least at COMP:
http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/admissions/do_transfer.xml

 

[Idontcare]

Sorry you're not happy - that's really unfortunate. But, you might want to consider - the first semester of MS-I was very difficult for all of us - for me, I was expecting hard work, but nothing like what it turned out to be. Would being in a different city have really changed that much? It's going to get easier next semester because we know what to expect and how to study.

I don't think you could go to Touro or any other DO school without starting over - and you'd have a very difficult time explaining your decision. This has nothing to do with the DO-vs-MD argument - the simple fact is that allopathic schools and osteopathic schools have different accreditation agencies. I don't disagree that osteopathic and allopathic medical education is basically equivalent, but the fact is - in an osteopathic school's eyes, you aren't coming from an accredited institution if you're coming from an allopathic school - and vice-versa.

But, before you even reach that point - no school that I know of allows transfers except after year 2 before year 3 starts - and you have to have passed the USMLE-Step 1. Even then, there are usually very few transfer spots and you have to have an extremely good reason to transfer - plus a Dean's letter from your old school approving the transfer and stating that you were in good standing. You wouldn't be eligible to take the COMLEX-I that Touro would probably want.

Sorry about the bad news - but try to hang there. I understand how difficult things can be, but I suspect that they will get better.

Thanks for the thoughts however the logistics of transferring are something I have already worked out with the schools...I can't say much more beyond that.

I was looking for advice about the decision to transfer from a MD school to a DO school. Like I said earlier, it doesn't seem worth it to be miserable in the city I am in for four years to get the MD over the DO. Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location. Its hard to explain without going in too personal of details.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Thanks for the thoughts however the logistics of transferring are something I have already worked out with the schools...I can't say much more beyond that.

I was looking for advice about the decision to transfer from a MD school to a DO school. Like I said earlier, it doesn't seem worth it to be miserable in the city I am in for four years to get the MD over the DO. Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location. Its hard to explain without going in too personal of details.

Well, I was flat wrong, and I apologize. I know that allopathic transfers are very difficult (nearly impossible) to do, but I have just learned that it's not quite that difficult to do with osteopathic schools - at least not at Western U. If you don't feel that you can stay at your current school, "going DO" shouldn't be an issue if it's your only option. In my part of the country, DO's and MD's are unquestioned professional equals. Osteopathy is less well-known in California, but I think Tuoro and Western are changing that. I do think, however, that you should have a good understanding of the osteopathic philosophy and make sure you are comfortable with it - otherwise, you will be no more happy at an osteopathic school than you are now and the osteopathic school certainly won't be happy with you. You certainly need to resolve the "is a DO inferior to an MD?" question in your own mind before you go to an interview, because a subtle negative attitude (or an ignorance of osteopathy) is a good way to blow an osteopathic school interview.

 

[OncoCaP]

Thanks for the thoughts however the logistics of transferring are something I have already worked out with the schools...I can't say much more beyond that.

I was looking for advice about the decision to transfer from a MD school to a DO school. Like I said earlier, it doesn't seem worth it to be miserable in the city I am in for four years to get the MD over the DO. Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location. Its hard to explain without going in too personal of details.

I wouldn't let the DO hold me back. Here is an article that explains some of the considerations and I'm sure there are some threads on this that others could point you to.
http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/research/articles/decide/DOissues.asp

"D.O. programs concentrate more effort on primary care, training strong, general physicians before specialists. They emphasize preventative care and a holistic approach to patient care, ...

"One final factor to consider is that, while most D.O.s feel that their training is as strong as ... M.D. training, prospective D.O.s should be prepared to be a part of the minority in the medical community. Because they comprise only 6 percent of American doctors, osteopathic physicians must often explain—and sometimes defend—their educational background. When considering the weight of this issue, it may also be useful to consider where you plan to practice. In states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, osteopathic doctors comprise about 10 percent of all practicing physicians, whereas in many Southern and Southwesters states like Arizona and Arkansas, they make up less than 1 percent of the physician population. If you are not comfortable being part of a misunderstood or minority group, osteopathy may not be a good fit for you.

"Whether you chose to become an M.D. or a D.O., medical school is a long and challenging journey that will require stamina, commitment, and a lot of hard work. You will be most successful—not to mention happiest—in a program that fits with your personal philosophy and career goals. Before you apply to any medical school, allopathic or osteopathic, you should carefully consider where you can get the education you need to do the work you want to do.

 

[smq123]

Thanks for the thoughts however the logistics of transferring are something I have already worked out with the schools...I can't say much more beyond that.

I was looking for advice about the decision to transfer from a MD school to a DO school. Like I said earlier, it doesn't seem worth it to be miserable in the city I am in for four years to get the MD over the DO. Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location. Its hard to explain without going in too personal of details.

I was always told that certain specialties are more difficult to get into if you go to a DO school. The only way to even be considered for those specialties is to take the USMLE exams (in addition to the COMLEX - ugh, that's basically taking Step 1 twice in the same month), and apply for an allopathic residency via the ERAS match (and not via the separate osteopathic match.) I'm not sure if that's just rumor, though.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=347278
I hope that the above link works, and is helpful.

 

[smq123]

I'm just going to paste the important post from that thread that I linked to above:

I-am-currently-a-4th-year-DO-student,on-the-interview-trail-at-the-moment-for-anesthesiology(space-bar-broke-hence,the-hypens!)...Granted,anesthesia-is-not-nearly-as-competitive-as-derm,rads,neurosurg,it's-still-up-there,and-this-yr-is-one-of-the-most-competitive-for-the-specialty...My-advice-is-if-you're-certain-you-want-to-go-int0-neurosurg,which-is-extremely-tough-to-get-int0-due-to-the-limited-amount-of-spots,you-should-without-a-doubt-go-the-allopathic-route.

Sure,you-can-rock-the-boards,kick-ass-on-your-rotations-but-as-a-DO,you-will-be-held-at-a-higher-standard-than-your-MD-counterparts-when-you-apply-for-competitive-residency-programs...I-am-in-the-top-10percent-of-my-class,scored-600on-comlex1,228on-usmle1,great-letters-of-rec,did-away-rotations-at-big-academic-programs-like-nyu-and-mass-general,did-well-on-my-3rd-yr-clerkships,etc...while-i-got-interviews-at-good-programs,i-noticed-that-average-or-even-below-average-MD-applicants-got-interviews-at-good-and-top-notch-programs.

I-am-proud-to-be-a-DO,and-believe-that-my-education-has-been-equivalent-for-the-most-part-to-an-MD's-but-certain-facts-of-life-will-remain-true...and-one-such-is-the-pecking-order-when-you-go-through-the-residency-application-process(allopathic-programs)...MD's>DO's>FMG's...so-if-you-want-to-make-your-life-a-lil-easier-going-through-the-match,then-go-allo,but-keep-in-mind,going-DO-doesn't-make-you-any-less-qualifed!

 

[berkeleyboy]

I am currently attending an allopathic school on the east coast and am considering transferring to a DO school so that I can be back in California (bay area). I don't want to offend anyone here but I am really unhappy here and at this point it doesn't seem worth it just to get the MD over the DO.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Don't do it. You might be unhappy now, but you might be even worse off in the future. Lets say you want to do ENT, plastics, rad onc, Optho, Ortho, rads, derm, or even general surgery in the future. Graduating from a DO school will make it extremely difficult to gain one of those specialties. I have yet to meet one DO applicant at the Gen Surg interviews I have been to in California. I'm not saying its not possible. I'm just saying it makes it so much harder to get into the residency.

If you really want to make the best of this situation. Study your butt off now and do really well on Step 1. Than you can transfer from LCME MD school to another LCME MD school in California. I've known people that transfered to USC after thier 2nd year in medical school after rocking the boards and doing well in their basic sciences. It happens all the time. They usually have spots open every year at USC b/c of the huge class, someone takes a year off, someone doesn't pass their boards, some kid drops out...etc.

Seriously, don't do it. Because you never know what you might want to do in the future. You have the chance to do whatever you want right now...start doing research in something you might be interested in, that be derm, plastics, ENT, whatever....it might help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. And if you do really well in your classes and boards, you might have a good shot at transferring to CA for your clinicals!

 

[Law2Doc]

Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location.

Location is only a state of mind -- I find it difficult to believe that the inside of a library, lecture hall, hospital or pizza joint (ie pretty much the only four places many dedicated med students spend any significant time over the course of med school) is so dramatically different in any city or state, regardless of whether you are at an MD or DO school, that you managed to find some that are unbearable.

 

[OncoCaP]

OP made it pretty clear it wasn't academic and not something s/he can talk about.

Ok, here is some speculation this person might want to get out of the city (without getting into specifics -- which I have no clue about):

(a) Some type of health issue. Although med students are indoors, perhaps some kind of health issue (weather-related or prevelant lack of some type of accommodation in say, transportation for a person with a disability)

(b) Relationship issues, whether personal or professional. Need I say more. Perhaps love or hate gained or lost or any number of variants with people either in the med school or outside it.

(c) Sick parent / dependent in CA.

(d) Bizarre (running from the law, etc.)

 

[Law2Doc]

(d) Bizarre (running from the law, etc.)

If you are running from the law, they will still find you at a DO school in CA. Plus they will do background checks on you before licensure. If this is the issue, a local lawyer can do more for you than transferring.

 

[OncoCaP]

If you are running from the law, they will still find you at a DO school in CA. Plus they will do background checks on you before licensure. If this is the issue, a local lawyer can do more for you than transferring.

Maybe it's something that's not considered illegal in CA?? 😉

 

[Law2Doc]

Maybe it's something that's not considered illegal in CA?? 😉

Wouldn't matter. CA will typically respect a warrant/judgement of another state. If he was seeking transfer to an offshore school, you might be on to something, though.

 

[OncoCaP]

Wouldn't matter. CA will typically respect a warrant/judgement of another state. If he was seeking transfer to an offshore school, you might be on to something, though.

Not if the student hasn't been identified as a suspect yet ... maybe the student feels the detective/dean/hall-monitor/infection-control is getting a little too close for comfort but hasn't made the connection yet.

(I really really hope this isn't the situation!! -- Interesting to speculate about, however.)

 

[turkleton]

It seems like on SDN you will find people who had admissions to allopathic and osteopathic and chose the DO route- to be honest, this was new to me. Nearly everyone I know who went to a DO school- our state has a decent sized one- did so because they did not receive admissions to allopathic ones and weren't willing to go to the Carribean. Interpret this as you wish, although from a purely objective standpoint, they weren't as strong candidates (GPA, MCAT's etc etc)

So while the training of the two are probably very similar, like the post before mentioned, I think residency programs are very cognizant of the DO/MD difference. If you already know you want to be a PCP, then go nuts. But if you have any aspirations for the rads, ENT, derm, or even IM subspecialties like cardio, GI I think you might be fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure someone will post a story of some brilliant DO who's a chair of surgery... but this, from my experience, is far and away the exception.

I was miserable during my first semester as well and thought about quitting. However, if there ever was place where you can get lost in your studies, and completely ignore the outside world around you, it would be medical school. If the city you're living in is crappy, just stay in library- you get my drift. I personally would wait till after 2nd year, and if you still feel that way then make the move. Whether its fair or not, there is definitely benefits to having an MD.

 

[Tired]

OP made it pretty clear it wasn't academic and not something s/he can talk about.

Ok, here is some speculation this person might want to get out of the city (without getting into specifics -- which I have no clue about):

(a) Some type of health issue. Although med students are indoors, perhaps some kind of health issue (weather-related or prevelant lack of some type of accommodation in say, transportation for a person with a disability)

(b) Relationship issues, whether personal or professional. Need I say more. Perhaps love or hate gained or lost or any number of variants with people either in the med school or outside it.

(c) Sick parent / dependent in CA.

(d) Bizarre (running from the law, etc.)

Actually, I read it as: "I can't hack it out here and I'm homesick. There's a DO school near where my family lives, maybe that would be easier?"

OP, if your line of thinking is that a DO school will be a lot easier than an MD school, my guess is that you will find yourself dead wrong. I'm in an allopathic program, but from talking to DO friends, I don't think you'll "cruise" through a DO if you're having trouble with an MD program.

 

[OncoCaP]

Actually, I read it as: "I can't hack it out here and I'm homesick. There's a DO school near where my family lives, maybe that would be easier?"

I suspect that you and everyone else who picked up on this is probably right ... I guess I'm just trying to consider the possibility that sometimes odd circumstances are the reality.

 

[DoctorMom78]

I am currently attending an allopathic school on the east coast and am considering transferring to a DO school so that I can be back in California (bay area). I don't want to offend anyone here but I am really unhappy here and at this point it doesn't seem worth it just to get the MD over the DO.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

If you are miserable due to personal reasons that will be resolved if you transfer, then do it. If you think it will be easier, then don't. Good luck!

 

[Tired]

I suspect that you and everyone else who picked up on this is probably right ... I guess I'm just trying to consider the possibility that sometimes odd circumstances are the reality.

I enjoyed your ideas about running from the law or "health problems", I hadn't even considered those. If it were a law issue, how would that interview go?

DO: "So tell me why you'd like to transfer to our school?"

Student: "Well, I haven't been happy where I'm at and I'd like to come back to California."

DO: "Why don't you like it?"

Student: "I'm sorry, I can't really talk about that."

DO: "Excuse me?"

Student: [pulls out a knife] "Motherf*cker, I will cut you!"

 

[humuhumu]

Don't do it. You might be unhappy now, but you might be even worse off in the future. Lets say you want to do ENT, plastics, rad onc, Optho, Ortho, rads, derm, or even general surgery in the future. Graduating from a DO school will make it extremely difficult to gain one of those specialties. I have yet to meet one DO applicant at the Gen Surg interviews I have been to in California. I'm not saying its not possible. I'm just saying it makes it so much harder to get into the residency.

If you really want to make the best of this situation. Study your butt off now and do really well on Step 1. Than you can transfer from LCME MD school to another LCME MD school in California. I've known people that transfered to USC after thier 2nd year in medical school after rocking the boards and doing well in their basic sciences. It happens all the time. They usually have spots open every year at USC b/c of the huge class, someone takes a year off, someone doesn't pass their boards, some kid drops out...etc.

Seriously, don't do it. Because you never know what you might want to do in the future. You have the chance to do whatever you want right now...start doing research in something you might be interested in, that be derm, plastics, ENT, whatever....it might help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. And if you do really well in your classes and boards, you might have a good shot at transferring to CA for your clinicals!

I don't have enough information to support or refute these general statements, but I do think a good DO can do whatever he/she wants to do. Two of the nicest specialists I've met are DOs. One is a recently hired interventional radiologist at Fletcher Allen hospital in Vermont; the other is a pediatric neuroradiologist in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

[arcin]

Listen I may not be a Med School student but I know a little about life, and honestly location is just a state of mind. I agree with most of these posts and stay try to stick it out. I have lived all over the nation and some places I have loved and others I have hated but well my attitude about the location is what made the difference in survival. The work from what I have heard is the same but well there is a difference in a MD vs DO degree. I would strongly consider that before you continue. Good luck. If you are home sick, a person I knew once said "Forget yourself, and go to work."

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

So while the training of the two are probably very similar, like the post before mentioned, I think residency programs are very cognizant of the DO/MD difference. If you already know you want to be a PCP, then go nuts. But if you have any aspirations for the rads, ENT, derm, or even IM subspecialties like cardio, GI I think you might be fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure someone will post a story of some brilliant DO who's a chair of surgery... but this, from my experience, is far and away the exception.

You know, I honestly don't want to start at DO vs MD flame war. I've always tried to make clear in my own posts that I have full respect for osteopaths, and one of the country's best osteopathic schools is in my hometown.

However, when we talk about residency programs discriminating against DO graduates, I think we ought to mention that we're talking about LCGME residency programs - i.e., allopathic residency programs. DO's don't get discriminated against in osteopathic residencies and, moreover, allopathic grads can't even apply to an osteopathic residency.

If allopathic schools increase enrollment anywhere close to what AAMC is recommending, I think there will be far fewer spots for osteopathic grads because I think Congress may not increase authorized residency spots as fast as enrollment will increase - even if they do, it's hard for a residency to ramp-up staffing and facilities quickly. It's not unfair (to my mind) for an allopathic residency to take care of its own first. If that does happen, the osteopathic community, as a separate-but-equal branch of medicine, is going to have to make a much bigger effort to establish more osteopathic residency spots for DO graduates. Foreign grads may end up having an even more difficult time than anyone else.

I honestly don't mean this discussion as an anti-DO slam - I think I know several DO's who would agree with me. But I also don't think it's fair to think that DOs are turned loose into the allopathic residency world with no other options. There are not nearly enough osteopathic residency slots for all DO graduates, but those programs, covering the entire range of medicine and surgery, are an option for DO grads.

 

[OncoCaP]

I enjoyed your ideas about running from the law or "health problems", I hadn't even considered those. ..

Given the amount of stress and embarrassment involved in something like this, there must be a Seinfeld episode about this somewhere in the archives:

DO: "So, Mr. Costanza, tell me why you'd like to transfer to our school?"

Student: "Well, I need to get out of the city."

DO: "Oh really, why is that?"

Student: "I'm sorry, I can't really talk about that."

DO: "Don't worry, everything we talk about here is totally private. I just want to understand the nature of the situation so that I recommend you for transfer to our school."

Student: Ok, there was an incident in the school cafeteria. The whole thing was the other student's fault, and now I'm paying the price for it ... {insert favorite disaster / episode here} ... now, no matter where I go, everyone always asks: "Aren't you the guy ... " I can't study; I can't concentrate; even the parking garage attendant is asking me questions. I need to get out of there!!

DO: Yes, I can see why you would need to leave and why it would be best for everyone involved. I'm sure the committee will have no trouble approving your request. Now, a couple of questions about becoming an osteopath ....

 

[turkleton]

Non-Trad Tulsa, you're absolutely right. I completely forgot about the osteopathic residencies which were offered. However, the fact that the allo's don't know them is a due to the fact that there aren't very many of them or we're just ignorant? I would think if there aren't a lot of them, then the entire limited slots for competitive fields arguments would still have to be entertained.

Idontcare, you really should research the residency implications pretty exhaustively before you make the move. It sounds like many of us have vague ideas based only loosely on facts, and more on impressions and anecdotes. If there is a healthy diversity of fields and locations which the DO school matches to, then what I said earlier might not be as valid. And this extends to fellowships as well. Are there osteopathic cardiology, GI, IR fellowships???

Four years is short compared to the length of your career.

 

[Taus]

Non-Trad Tulsa, you're absolutely right. I completely forgot about the osteopathic residencies which were offered. However, the fact that the allo's don't know them is a due to the fact that there aren't very many of them or we're just ignorant? I would think if there aren't a lot of them, then the entire limited slots for competitive fields arguments would still have to be entertained.

Idontcare, you really should research the residency implications pretty exhaustively before you make the move. It sounds like many of us have vague ideas based only loosely on facts, and more on impressions and anecdotes. If there is a healthy diversity of fields and locations which the DO school matches to, then what I said earlier might not be as valid. And this extends to fellowships as well. Are there osteopathic cardiology, GI, IR fellowships???

Four years is short compared to the length of your career.

The DO residencies are largely clustered in certain areas of the country (ie states w/ a large DO population) and represent almost every specialty out there. While small in number, they relatively represent the fact that only 5% of Docs are DO's and the competition for them probably approximates that among MD students for the coveted MD spots. Without continuing the rumor/hear-say type junk that most people seem to take as fact here on SDN, here is the DO version of Frieda (ie listing all available residencies.

http://opportunities.aoa-net.org/search/search.cfm?searchType=1&CFID=819002&CFTOKEN=94542214

here are the residencies that my school offers (keep in mind that DO's are heavily represented in PA...ie around 1 out of every 10 docs here).

http://www.pcom.edu/Graduate_Medical_Education/Residency_Programs/Residency_Programs.html


For a fair judgement of this specific situation w/ Cali...I would suggest doing a search for the match list of the school in question and look at how many remain in CA. To me that seems like a better way to go about this then he-said/she-said type BS

 

[FungManX]

Location is only a state of mind -- I find it difficult to believe that the inside of a library, lecture hall, hospital or pizza joint (ie pretty much the only four places many dedicated med students spend any significant time over the course of med school) is so dramatically different in any city or state, regardless of whether you are at an MD or DO school, that you managed to find some that are unbearable.

don't know if this post has been replied to or not yet as i'm in a bit of a rush, but just imagine if your girlfriend was being banged by some other dude while u were on the other side of the country..

or... even your close relative was just diagnosed with some sort of cancer..

 

[RxnMan]

The OP could try and post on the DO forums. I'm sure that they'd get some straight answers about the DO side of this question there...

 

[Tired]

don't know if this post has been replied to or not yet as i'm in a bit of a rush, but just imagine if your girlfriend was being banged by some other dude while u were on the other side of the country..

If she's riding some other dude, last thing you want to do is run home to her. If she can do another guy and you actually move to be closer to you, she's got you forever and she knows it. Expect her to cheat on you a lot more after that, because what are you going to do about it?

 

[Taurus]

Suck it up and stick it out. You'll be glad you did.

 

[flukemcd]

Idontcare,

I Private Messaged you. I don't know if you check those, but perhaps you could take a look for some advice.

 

[DrBMX]

Idontcare,
I don't know if you are telling a true story or something else. I get accepted to DO last year. After months of researching, I gave up the spot and retake the MCAT. I think you should do more research before thinking about transfer to a DO school.

 

[Samoa]

If she's riding some other dude, last thing you want to do is run home to her. If she can do another guy and you actually move to be closer to you, she's got you forever and she knows it. Expect her to cheat on you a lot more after that, because what are you going to do about it?

That viewpoint is so messed up, I don't even know where to start.

 

[Tired]

That viewpoint is so messed up, I don't even know where to start.

So you're saying that if his girlfriend is cheating on him, he should immediately move home to prove his devotion to her and "fix" their relationship? I thought I was being pretty reasonable.

 

[Samoa]

What I'm saying is that the impulse to cheat arises from emotional, not physical, distance. You're viewing this as a power struggle, when it may not be that at all. She may simply want someone who can be there for her. He could move next door and still not be able to be there for her in any meaningful way. Likewise, a long-distance relationship doesn't prevent him from doing so, although it's definitely more difficult.

Granted, it's pretty immature to act out instead of explaining, but the meaning is the same. Moving closer won't change whether and how much she cheats. It will only make it more painful if it does happen. Becoming closer emotionally is what will make a difference.

 

[Law2Doc]

So you're saying that if his girlfriend is cheating on him, he should immediately move home to prove his devotion to her and "fix" their relationship? I thought I was being pretty reasonable.

Agree with you on this one. If she's cheating on you, it's time to find a new girlfriend, not move home. Cheating is often a pattern not a one time thing. Even if you work things out for a time, you will have lingering trust issues, are setting yourself up for future disaster. During rotations and residency you are going to be spending a lot of time away from home even if you live in the same city, so if she's prone to jump ship the window of opportunity will be there again. No way cheating would make me uproot my life and switch schools.

 

[snz12x]

you may possibly need to start over - because you would not have learned any of the OMM required during the first & second years of DO school. This is on top of what you'd already have to learn for med school (but you probably already know that stuff well since you've already done part of school). But yes, the sunshine in CA would be nice. Then keep in mind the COMLEX that you'll have to take, in addition to the USMLE if choose to take that also.

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

Thanks for the thoughts however the logistics of transferring are something I have already worked out with the schools...I can't say much more beyond that.

I was looking for advice about the decision to transfer from a MD school to a DO school. Like I said earlier, it doesn't seem worth it to be miserable in the city I am in for four years to get the MD over the DO. Actually I don't even know if I'll make it here for four years. Its not the workload. Its the location. Its hard to explain without going in too personal of details.

Are you sure it is not anything else like depression/Anxiety, etc... I mean it seems like there is more to this than the location of your med school. There are 10,000s of prospective US students who go to med school in the carib on crappy islands with primitive life styles just to have the chance to become a doctor. Alot of them DONT LIKE where their location and prefer to be closer than 100000000000000 miles from there family and friends and be able to take more government loans instead of high priced private loans, etc... but the passion of medicine and their career orientation gets them thru. What is the real story behind this all?

 

[Idontcare]

Are you sure it is not anything else like depression/Anxiety, etc... I mean it seems like there is more to this than the location of your med school. There are 10,000s of prospective US students who go to med school in the carib on crappy islands with primitive life styles just to have the chance to become a doctor. Alot of them DONT LIKE where their location and prefer to be closer than 100000000000000 miles from there family and friends and be able to take more government loans instead of high priced private loans, etc... but the passion of medicine and their career orientation gets them thru. What is the real story behind this all?

-I am extremely unhappy at my current geographic location due its' climate, the lack of my favorite past times/sports/interests, and its' dissimilarity in culture to where I grew up. Its hard to explain unless you grew up as I did.

-I am not passionate at all about medicine. I didn't want to be a lawyer. Didn't want to work on Wall Street, and didn't want to go into the basic sciences.

I am not clinically depressed. It just doesn't seem like its worth it suffer this much out here for something I am not really into in the first place. I know people might say that there are thousands who would love to be in my spot but that doesn't help me. Thanks for (most) everyone's replies so far.

 

[Law2Doc]

-I am not passionate at all about medicine. I didn't want to be a lawyer. Didn't want to work on Wall Street, and didn't want to go into the basic sciences.

Based on this statement, what you need is not a change in location but to get out and fast. There is no location that is going to make medicine more palatable. You are clearly unhappy because you are coasting your way into a field you don't give a darn about. There are many jobs besides the 4 you listed, and many are easier paths which give you more time to spend with your "favorite past times/sports/interests". You don't go to med school on a lark, and don't do it out of some sense that it is the only way to reach a certain social/income status (as suggested by the limited career choices you listed in the above statement). If you don't like the field, get out before the expense to change is so high you can't. The answer is not to transfer to a new location and perhaps even have to start over (due to a lack of OMM). You do medicine only if you WANT to practice medicine. If you don't it's an absurdly hard road, will at times (especially rotations, residency) eliminate ALL time to do other past times/sports/interests, and probably make you even more miserable than you are now, location notwithstanding. You don't want to choose a career where you are just serving your time in hopes of a light at the end of the tunnel. This isn't prison. Most of your classmates are enjoying their pursuit, at least at times.

 

[helpfuldoc2b]

-I am extremely unhappy at my current geographic location due its' climate, the lack of my favorite past times/sports/interests, and its' dissimilarity in culture to where I grew up. Its hard to explain unless you grew up as I did.

-I am not passionate at all about medicine. I didn't want to be a lawyer. Didn't want to work on Wall Street, and didn't want to go into the basic sciences.

I am not clinically depressed. It just doesn't seem like its worth it suffer this much out here for something I am not really into in the first place. I know people might say that there are thousands who would love to be in my spot but that doesn't help me. Thanks for (most) everyone's replies so far.

I guess is admirable to be honest, but really what is your story? What is your stats? What did you do before medical school? And why did you go to Medical School to begin with?

As the previous poster addressed, it really doesnt matter if you went to med school on a yacht on Miami beach, if your heart's not into it, you will be miserable for many years to come, and it will be an expensive misery too (both taxing on your finances, health, and years of your life). I probably take a year off to re-evaluate your career goals and priorities before transferring.

Good luck on your decision. Trust me, transferring to a DO school will just make it worse. When you get into clinicals/residency you wont have too much time for side activities anyhow, you must at least have some great passion for medicine to hack it thru.

 

[snz12x]

what if you take a 1/2 or 1 year off, & go find out what you want to do? Then you can still come back to school. Don't do it when you're too much in debt, because really, you won't be able to pay it off fast & you'll be miserable because of the debt. But seriously, go find out what you want to do. Your time & energy & youth is not worth investing into medicine. This isn't a field meant for you to decide "along the way" if you want it or not. Maybe law school or business school is more like that. Maybe you could go into something involving sports, or even sports medicine if you still want to do medicine. But put some thought into this soon because you'll owe so much money that you won't know how to get out of the debt!!!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Suck it up and stick it out. You'll be glad you did.

If you are home sick, a person I knew once said "Forget yourself, and go to work."

Two words: Military deployment. Treat this 4 years like one (with short stints home over the holidays and what not). I would not transfer from an allopathic to an osteopathic program even if my mother's life depended upon my moving closer, but that's just me.

 

[Idontcare]

I guess is admirable to be honest, but really what is your story? What is your stats? What did you do before medical school? And why did you go to Medical School to begin with?

As the previous poster addressed, it really doesnt matter if you went to med school on a yacht on Miami beach, if your heart's not into it, you will be miserable for many years to come, and it will be an expensive misery too (both taxing on your finances, health, and years of your life). I probably take a year off to re-evaluate your career goals and priorities before transferring.

Good luck on your decision. Trust me, transferring to a DO school will just make it worse. When you get into clinicals/residency you wont have too much time for side activities anyhow, you must at least have some great passion for medicine to hack it thru.

I got a 35 on the MCAT, 3.6 overall GPA, 3.4 science. Before med school I did a lot of random jobs. I went to med school because I was working full time in a low paying job that wasn't paying the bills and since I had the premed classes and MCAT behind me I thought, well, might as well do that...

 

[OncoCaP]

I got a 35 on the MCAT, 3.6 overall GPA, 3.4 science. Before med school I did a lot of random jobs. I went to med school because I was working full time in a low paying job that wasn't paying the bills and since I had the premed classes and MCAT behind me I thought, well, might as well do that...

Have you taken any kind of career assessment to see what kind of career might be a good fit for you? If so, what came up? Going into medicine for the money is one way to drive yourself crazy.

 

[Idontcare]

Have you taken any kind of career assessment to see what kind of career might be a good fit for you? If so, what came up? Going into medicine for the money is one way to drive yourself crazy.

I've taken a couple of them but either they are too broad "you would be good leading people" to too specific and seemingly random, "National Park Ranger, air conditioning repairman, or priest".

 

[OncoCaP]

I've taken a couple of them but either they are too broad "you would be good leading people" to too specific and seemingly random, "National Park Ranger, air conditioning repairman, or priest".

Why do you think the specific ones are seemingly random? Just from your minimal reply it looks like from "you would be good at leading people" and "National ..." I get the impression you might be a great National Park Ranger. There is no reason to believe you only have one option for earning a living. Do you like outdoors? If medicine wasn't an option, what else might you like to do that would pay your bills and that you think you have a talent for? Have you looked into alternatives like physicial therapy, teaching, sales, etc.? Given your willingness to leave a school because of your local climate and lack of non-work-related activities/friends, you clearly are not very flexible or willing to make sacrifices ... so perhaps doing something you love in a particular locale and being careful with your money is your best option.

 

[Law2Doc]

I got a 35 on the MCAT, 3.6 overall GPA, 3.4 science. Before med school I did a lot of random jobs. I went to med school because I was working full time in a low paying job that wasn't paying the bills and since I had the premed classes and MCAT behind me I thought, well, might as well do that...

You are the textbook example of why you shouldn't take the plunge into med school unless you really want to practice medicine. "I might as well" tends to be the battle cry of someone who will ultimately hate their job. Saw it a lot in law and it holds true in medicine too. You need to figure out what you want to do with your life, not mess around with transfers and MD/DO issues.

I assume you provided your stats to prove to us that medicine makes sense for you. But your numbers are meaningless in terms of what will make you happy in life. The ability to do something doesn't mean you should. Most career changers were qualified for and good at their former jobs but can attest that such adequacy has no role in personal satisfaction. You are smart enough to find a career you will enjoy -- So go do it. It appears this isn't it and a transfer won't cure what ails you, it will just change the symptoms a bit.