Where you looking MD or DO?

[mshheaddoc]

Ok, no flaming please. Serious question, are you looking at DO schools or MD schools? I know that they are the same, but I know that some people who are looking at specialties try for MD programs over DO programs. I'm trying to get more information and I am curious as I see most of you going DO over MD. Any preference why? And what do you plan on practicing? (I know it could change, but trying to see thought process in direction!)

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[N-toxicologist]

My first choice is TCOM. I just "feel" like a DO. I believe in the mentality. I've spent a lot of time on the campus as well, and I like the laidback atmosphere; I think it fits in better with my non-trad life than any other school in this area. I'm also applying to UT Houston, only to not put all my eggs in one basket. Their stats are similar, and Houston is about as far away as I'm willing to get from my two oldest kids.

Here's the somewhat troublesome part: I plan on specializing--in Neurosurgery of all things. I have never heard that being a DO will hurt me in going for residency, and I've often wondered how to "use" the philosophy in something like that. Even with these questions in the back of my mind, I finally decided to go where I want to be (TCOM), and the rest (like the philosophy) will show in my work regardless. I think the "DO mentality" allows me to approach the field of research with an interesting perspective, too. (I'm going for a DO/Ph.D)

I should probably say something like this in the interview *crosses fingers*

 

[EvoDevo]

While I've been accepted to DMU, I'd really prefer an acceptance to an in-state (TX) school. Sooooooooo much cheaper!!

 

[DrMom]

Talk to Idiopathic about the DO-neurosurgery thing. Neurosurg is top of his short list.

 

[EvoDevo]

Talk to Idiopathic about the DO-neurosurgery thing. Neurosurg is top of his short list.

How'd YOU do???

yeah, at this point it's about $$$$ for me (as in having less debt).

 

[DrMom]

How'd YOU do???

was that for me or Idio?

 

[EvoDevo]

was that for me or Idio?

thou.

 

[DrMom]

aww right back at ya



now, back to the topic....


I only applied DO for a few reasons: I liked the philosophy, my state's DO school is nationally ranked (in sub-categories), I'd already dealt with my state's MD school while I was in grad school & had had enough of them (lets just say it has a very different atmosphere than my school)

I had the stats to apply to either. I'm not alone at my school in the decision I made. There are many who turned down acceptances to our MD school (and I imagine there are about the same # at the MD school who turned down acceptances at my school).

 

[WillowRose]

I applied to both--state school is MD, but I didn't want to go there for sooooooo many reasons. (Turns out, they didn't want me there either! LOL)

I preferred DO because I wanted to go that school. I was very open in my interviews telling them that I don't think it makes a damn bit of difference which set of initials you get, your personality determines much of what kind of doctor you'll be.

As far as why you see so many on here "going DO..." Typically, they are more open to non-traditional students...but more & more MD's are seeing the light there. Maybe we're just more "vocal"?

Honestly, when I interviewed at Indiana, I felt like I had to defend my decision to go to medical school "at my age." The interviewer even asked me why I thought I could go to school with 2 kids at home. (He was a neurosurgeon...and a real a--! LOL) It felt confrontational from the start. I would've gone there if I had no choice....but why would I want to?

As for the original question, I'm not sure what I want to practice. I've always thought peds would be fun. But, then again...I apparently have the personality of a pathologist. We shall see!

Willow

 

[N-toxicologist]

...I apparently have the personality of a pathologist.

Willow

That's both macabre and funny,.... but befitting of me, also

 

[OrthoFixation]

I am applying to both MD & DO. The more I learn, the more DO seems to fit my own philosophy. My stats are less than stellar in the typical MCAT/GPA sense but I have a lot of career success and leadership history.

Two things do bother me though. First, that DO is tailored to primary care. I want to specialize. I know that board scores will level that field. Taking double boards to gain allo residency bites. Secondly, most DO schools that offer an acceptance require huge, non-refundable deposits. This is wrong, since the school is just trying to lock you in when I have to wait for the TX match in order to get the best tuition deal.

On DO biases: I think that this will disappear over the next 20 years.

Additionally, is anyone surprised that large sectors of practicing DO's do not use OMM in practice?

 

[N-toxicologist]

On DO biases: I think that this will disappear over the next 20 years.

I agree that the bias will disappear; this does not bother me in the least (the bias, that is) Like you, my only hesitation was the desire to specialize. I mean, most DO's are primary care. Is this because DO's are more able to "use" the training in this type of field, i.e. those who share the philosophy are more likely to pursue a path that allows them to use it, or is it because DO's are less likely to be chosen for the specialties? I think the former, rather than the latter, at least I hope so.

Additionally, is anyone surprised that large sectors of practicing DO's do not use OMM in practice?

I'm not surprised. Osteopathic medicine is still fairly new, and the general public is unaware of the (however slight) difference, so from a physician's standpoint, perhaps some are hesitant to offer OMM (?) OR, you take into account those DO's who have gone to specialize who probably don't use OMM, and then there's the MD wannabe's who were only accepted at DO schools and don't really buy into the philosophy, which of course, doesn't help the bias issue any, but I truly believe that (bias) only exists in the pre-med/residency world, but nonetheless...

 

[OrthoFixation]

Hey UNT,

I had a great day learning more about Osteopathy at the TCOM open house today. The DO philosophy really hits home with me.

An OMT chief resident also felt that DO bias was dead with all but the oldest MDs. I think this board represents some uneducated opinions on the subject (the naysayers, that is). The double board issue could certainly suck, but I'm willing to grin and bear it.

I just wish those non-Texas osteo schools did not have those ridiculous, non-refundable acceptance deposits.

I want to be a physician first and foremost. Hopefully TCOM will agree with me. If not, I'll stay in-state for the reduced debt burden if I get allo love. Otherwise, an out-of-state osteo will get all my loan money.

 

[flighterdoc]

Anyone I can convince

 

[omarsaleh66]

I interviewed at TCOM and liked it alot.

This is a stupid reason, but 1 thing i didnt like about DO was when i was there, peeps were telling me that they took the COMLEX and USMLE. I hate exams and thought allopathic was less of a headache cuz u just gotta worry about USMLE.


COMLEX and USMLE emphasize differnet things, acing both exams must be pretty hard, I give a lot of props to DOs that get high USMLE scores when there school emphasizes COMLEX. However, i think these people are geniuses and are not the norm.

However, TCOM pro's outweight the cons. Its a great school, ur gonna learn ur stuff, and its in a great area, great campus, etc.. so if u like it, u should go for it.

In the end, I think the most important thing is not to pick DO or MD but to pick a med school based on location and comfort where u will be happy, able to be close to ur family, etc...

The DO philosophy maybe sound great and different than MD, but honestly i think that DO and MD both end up in the same residencies so they end up practicing the same way cuz its the residency where ur gonna actaully learn ur specialty. I've talked to some DO physicians and i felt that they the DO/MD thing really doesnt matter because once u are in residency, its like starting from scratch. For example, u go to TCOM and do neurosurgery residency at UT Southwestern and ur colleague comes from an allopathic school. At the end of ur resideny, u and ur colleague, 1 DO and 1 MD are gonna have the same neurosurgery expertise. get what im saying?

 

[EvoDevo]

Anyone I can convince

Hey FD, you appying this year?

 

[Cerbernator]

old people always go DO

 

[mshheaddoc]

old people always go DO

watch it banana boy!

 

[Cerbernator]

watch it banana boy!

watch where your swingin that kane!

 

[mshheaddoc]

watch where your swingin that kane!

lol. No need for the cane yet! By the time I get in I might need it at the age of 28

 

[DSM]

old people always go DO

Go back to daycare......it is Barney time for you....banana

 

[mshheaddoc]

bumping

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
Back when I applied in 1996, there were no DO schools within my geographical area so I applied only to allopathic medical schools. It really would not have made any difference whether I had become an MD or DO it just turned out that MD was closer and convienent. I applied to six allopathic schools and got into all six. If there had been an osteopathic medical school in the DC-VA-MD area, I probably would have applied there too.

In 2004, the best residency programs want the best residents so I don't think that it makes much difference whether you attend osteopathic or allopathic medical school as long as you do well in your coursework. You should attend the school that accepts you and the school where you feel most comfortable. If you are not comfortable, you won't do well and you will not be in control of your career.

I have spoken with plenty of residency directors (general surgery) who just want the best applicants that they can find. DO versus MD just doesn't matter so choose the school that fits you best! Attending osteopathic medical school does not limit one to primary care. There are plenty of ostopathic specialists out there.

njbmd

 

[OrthoFixation]

(tomb creaks open as thread revives from the afterlife)

Yes, I'm still waiting on the Texas Match. I also ranked TCOM #1 over MD.