Which are the top 5 DO schools?

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
California37 said:
Your opinions? And why? Thanks!:luck:
Click to expand...

You should do a search ... this subject has been covered, many, many times. The consensus is usually ... it's pretty subjunctive and about where you get in, look for good 3/4 years, etc.
 
Although I am fairly new to researching DO (like less than 6 months), I have definitely come to the same conclusion as JaggerPlate (who by the way has some ridiculous amount of posts on here, I always see him answering the harder, less obvious questions).

It definitely comes down to what YOU want. Consider these factors:
1) Where do you want to practice after DO school?
2) Cost? Both for living and the school
3) Can you see yourself living in the city where the school is? (Arizona/Cali weather Vs Lake Erie/ New England)
4) Does it matter to u if the school is new or older/ more established?

Its really what YOU want, because at the end of the day...its your life.

Maybe tell people what you are looking for, and I think people can get some more specific answers🙂
 
you will be a doc no matter where you go, but i'm looking for a school that has a strong reputation and strong connections for rotations during 3rd and 4th year.
 
Since people keep bumping this thread, and in case you haven't searched yet, there's a current thread in the osteopathic forum addressing the exact same issue. Although in my fair, balanced, and unbiased opinion, CCOM is hands down the best by such a large margin that it's altogether in a completely separate category.
 
Last edited:
Let me be clear on this (which has been discussed many many times before):

STUDENTS choose what residency to go into. Your school does not. If you don't want to do FM, then don't apply for FM. Do well on your boards, don't fail them, don't fail classes, get good LORs and you can apply for whatever you want. Look at the recent match lists being posted in the Osteo forum. Neurosurgery at Loma Linda. Several Derm. Rad Onc. Rads. All ACGME (if that matters to you). Bottom line, the students are getting WHAT THEY APPLIED FOR and WHAT THEY CHOSE.

Everyone in my class that went into FM WANTED TO. Let's also be clear: IM isn't necessarily primary care. It is the gateway to cardiology, GI, pulmonary, critical care, nephrology, etc.

So. Study hard. Get good grades. Don't fail classes. Get good board scores. Get good LORs. Apply broadly for residency. And you'll do fine. And who knows - you might surprise yourself and find you like FM. (several in my class did exactly that - MS1: "I'll *never* do FM!" Flash forward: MS4: "I'm applying for FM because I found I really had fun and enjoyed it!")
 
Dr Skeptismo said:
Since people keep bumping this thread, and in case you haven't searched yet, there's a current thread in the osteopathic forum addressing the exact same issue. Although in my fair, balanced, and unbiased opinion, DMU is hands down the best by such a large margin that it's altogether in a completely separate category.
Click to expand...

i understand that D is next to C on the keyboard so i can see where you made the initial mistake. fixed it. your welcome.
 
SolidWater said:
Why is that? Other than the obvious that you're going there...

Better than AZCOM? Same university/curriculum I'd think right? 😕
Click to expand...

Sarcasm me thinks ^_^

SolidWater said:
Well I meant similar to where I've seen elsewhere (maybe on the MSAR i saw it?) where a percentage is given of what residencies graduates got into from each school.

I know by and large DOs seem to go into primary care, but I don't want to do family practice. I want to go into cardiology or emergency medicine, and don't want a DO on the end of my name to prevent residencies from taking me into their programs (as this is what I've heard from med students and here on SDN).
Click to expand...

Based on this year's match results, your individual performance (class, boards, etc) is what matters.
 
SolidWater said:
Not taking my frustration out on you specifically, but with that other thread, and by and large all threads I "SEARCH" for, I get nothing but garbage because sure, there will be maybe 10 threads related to what I want to know, but 90% will have people saying "search for it, another thread already exists!" for 10 posts, meaning I have to search through what boils down to diluted crap just to find a simple answer.

I guess it's unavoidable when you have a perpetual influx of newbies each year... 😳
Click to expand...

I imagine it was simply answered the first time the question was asked. It gets diluted because it was then asked again and again and again in new threads every week since the creation of SDN. Hence, people get mad at posters who dilute the search function even further by starting another thread on the same topic. If people had just added to the first thread this question was asked in, your search would reveal one thread with pages upon pages of relevant info from years past to the present.

Alas, with every new thread the answer is addressed, just never to the satisfaction of the OP. This is because there is no perfect formal ranking. You want what doesn't exist. Every ranking is thus subjective based on the desires and goals of each poster. The criteria of what makes a school best is different for everyone. Some like older more established schools, some like the idea of newer schools. Some want primary care, some want neurosurg or derm. You would be better off listing your specific desires and then asking which school fits those criteria best.

Also, you must not have perused the link I provided very thoroughly. After one or two posts flaming the OP, it goes on for another 1.5 pages discussing subjective merits of different schools. Good luck, and I'll look forward to addressing this topic next week.
 
Last edited:
BassCaster said:
i understand that D is next to C on the keyboard so i can see where you made the initial mistake. fixed it. your welcome.
Click to expand...

LOL 😎 for the change in comment slick move. The top medical schools listed on US News include PCOM, LECOM, VCOM, WVSOM this is along with other MD schools as well. This ratings is based on:

"A medical career starts with finding the program that best fits your needs. With U.S. News's rankings, narrow your search by location, tuition, school size, and test scores. Plus, see the top schools in specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, and women's health. "

If you want to confirm.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/items
 
Last edited:
ShyRem said:
Let me be clear on this (which has been discussed many many times before):

STUDENTS choose what residency to go into. Your school does not. If you don't want to do FM, then don't apply for FM. Do well on your boards, don't fail them, don't fail classes, get good LORs and you can apply for whatever you want. Look at the recent match lists being posted in the Osteo forum. Neurosurgery at Loma Linda. Several Derm. Rad Onc. Rads. All ACGME (if that matters to you). Bottom line, the students are getting WHAT THEY APPLIED FOR and WHAT THEY CHOSE.

Everyone in my class that went into FM WANTED TO. Let's also be clear: IM isn't necessarily primary care. It is the gateway to cardiology, GI, pulmonary, critical care, nephrology, etc.

So. Study hard. Get good grades. Don't fail classes. Get good board scores. Get good LORs. Apply broadly for residency. And you'll do fine. And who knows - you might surprise yourself and find you like FM. (several in my class did exactly that - MS1: "I'll *never* do FM!" Flash forward: MS4: "I'm applying for FM because I found I really had fun and enjoyed it!")
Click to expand...

SolidWater said:
Well I meant similar to where I've seen elsewhere (maybe on the MSAR i saw it?) where a percentage is given of what residencies graduates got into from each school.

I know by and large DOs seem to go into primary care, but I don't want to do family practice. I want to go into cardiology or emergency medicine, and don't want a DO on the end of my name to prevent residencies from taking me into their programs (as this is what I've heard from med students and here on SDN).
Click to expand...

Solid the above post by ShyRem explains it all.
 
Dr Skeptismo said:
Since people keep bumping this thread, and in case you haven't searched yet, there's a current thread in the osteopathic forum addressing the exact same issue. Although in my fair, balanced, and unbiased opinion, CCOM is hands down the best by such a large margin that it's altogether in a completely separate category.
Click to expand...

BassCaster said:
i understand that D is next to C on the keyboard so i can see where you made the initial mistake. fixed it. your welcome.
Click to expand...

Frickin' hilarious! 🤣 DMU is my top choice too but so many factors go into choosing medical schools that everyone has different opinions, I guess.
 
BassCaster said:
i understand that D is next to C on the keyboard so i can see where you made the initial mistake. fixed it. your welcome.
Click to expand...

But wouldn't that be DCOM? Rookie mistake, no wonder you're stuck with DMU:laugh:
 
scaredoflife said:
LOL 😎 for the change in comment slick move. The top medical schools listed on US News include PCOM, LECOM, VCOM, WVSOM this is along with other MD schools as well. This ratings is based on:

"A medical career starts with finding the program that best fits your needs. With U.S. News’s rankings, narrow your search by location, tuition, school size, and test scores. Plus, see the top schools in specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, and women's health. "

If you want to confirm.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/items
Click to expand...

Um, that was a directory index. Most, if not all, medical schools were on that list. Further, the rankings you're speaking of from U.S. News don't rank osteopathic schools except to say which ones turn out the most primary care doctors. That's it. There's no other formal ranking.
 
There's no real ranking. However without a doubt the best DO schools are PCOM,DMU,CCOM,TCOM,KCOM,KCUMB. They are the oldest and most well established, and have the best clinical rotations of most DO schools. However with the exception of Tcom, those schools are also the most expensive.
 
serenade said:
There's no real ranking. However without a doubt the best DO schools are PCOM,DMU,CCOM,TCOM,KCOM,KCUMB. They are the oldest and most well established, and have the best clinical rotations of most DO schools. However with the exception of Tcom, those schools are also the most expensive.
Click to expand...

Good list ... if we've resorted to making them. I'd add UMDNJ (that's right elf, I said it), and probably NSUCOM.
 
If you care about residency match lists, pass rate on boards, faculty, and definitely cost - then Ok State has got to be in your discussion. Not to mention, its 1 of 2 state schools in Ok and therefore gets great students by virtue of 90% IS enrollment rules.

That last stat is why OSU and TCOM dont usually get love for "ranking" lists among premeds (dont like discrimination).
 
RevDoc said:
If you care about residency match lists, pass rate on boards, faculty, and definitely cost - then Ok State has got to be in your discussion. Not to mention, its 1 of 2 state schools in Ok and therefore gets great students by virtue of 90% IS enrollment rules.

That last stat is why OSU and TCOM dont usually get love for "ranking" lists among premeds (dont like discrimination).
Click to expand...

You're right ... OSU is a great program. I just don't think it gets the recognition because, like you said, it's almost all IS.
 
RevDoc said:
If you care about residency match lists, pass rate on boards, faculty, and definitely cost - then Ok State has got to be in your discussion. Not to mention, its 1 of 2 state schools in Ok and therefore gets great students by virtue of 90% IS enrollment rules.

That last stat is why OSU and TCOM dont usually get love for "ranking" lists among premeds (dont like discrimination).
Click to expand...

Ditto for OUCOM. It has an excellent system for clinical rotations, is state supported, has tons of research opportunities, great COMLEX pass rates, but lacks notoriety due to the significant in-state bias. I'm glad to be one of the OOS'ers who got in.

MC
 
Essentially, we've come down to most of the D.O. schools getting into the top 5, hahaha. But, based on $$$, faculty, board scores (pass rate), and rotation availability--Oklahoma State Medical because it covers three of those four just as good as anyone else. The IS tuition, I've heard, is redonculous. good day mate
 
But the top school will be whatever one I get into. I highly doubt I'll get into TCOM anyway, unless I really surprise myself with my MCAT performance in August/September.
 
DRMRL said:
Essentially, we've come down to most of the D.O. schools getting into the top 5, hahaha. But, based on $$$, faculty, board scores (pass rate), and rotation availability--Oklahoma State Medical because it covers three of those four just as good as anyone else. The IS tuition, I've heard, is redonculous. good day mate
Click to expand...

I 2nd!!
 
In my completely unbiased opinion :laugh: I would have to go with CCOM, hands down!
 
serenade said:
There's no real ranking. However without a doubt the best DO schools are PCOM,DMU,CCOM,TCOM,KCOM,KCUMB. They are the oldest and most well established, and have the best clinical rotations of most DO schools. However with the exception of Tcom, those schools are also the most expensive.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't add NYCOM to that list? They have good rotation sites in the NYC/LI region, is an established school, in the group of 'older' DO schools, strong match lists (and yes I know match lists are more a reflection of student interests than the school, but I'm more talking about the quality of hospitals people get residencies into) etc.
 
serenade said:
There's no real ranking. However without a doubt the best DO schools are PCOM,DMU,CCOM,TCOM,KCOM,KCUMB. They are the oldest and most well established, and have the best clinical rotations of most DO schools. However with the exception of Tcom, those schools are also the most expensive.
Click to expand...

Is Western considered up there too? Trying to wind down my list of schools to apply to.. hmmmmmm
 
Jeez, someones gotta pitch in a +1 for UNECOM, so I guess that'd have to be me.

Although Shyrem's post is a de facto nod, it's not explicit enough for my tastes.
 
Western and NYCOM are both extremely solid ... I wouldn't ever discourage someone from going to either school. This is the fallacy with this argument. Good schools are left off every list, people rank by different things (location, old schools, state schools, etc), and it just ends up in a mega-list, where essentially every DO school can get on. Hahaha. It would probably be easier to create a list asking what schools to avoid, and asking for FIRST hand knowledge as to why. This however, may create move controversy. This or, when you list the 'best' schools, include a sub-category as to why (ie: PCOM, KCOM, and CCOM are good b/c they are old and therefore have their acts together, etc).
 
dweji16 said:
Is Western considered up there too? Trying to wind down my list of schools to apply to.. hmmmmmm
Click to expand...

Westerns a great school. But its a newer school which more people apply to from instate Cali then anywhere else. If your from Cali and want to practice in Cali then its going to be a good place to apply. If you like Cali, go ahead and put it on your list.
My list primarily just has the DO schools which are the oldest's and most well established. It might not be smart to say this blanket statement, but I feel like schools like PCOM, CCOM, KCOM are so well established that there curriculum and clinical rotations are better.
However this is all subjective, you really can't rank schools like this for everyone. For me personally I see these schools are good because of many reasons. However I know if Vcom was like a mile away from my house I'd be trying everything I can and go there.
So take what I say with a grain of salt.
 
Last edited:
I fail to see how students do not include MSU COM as one of the top DO programs. I think people forget about it because they accept mostly IS students. Here are some reasons:

-we take some classes with MD students
-there is a statewide campus with 23 base hospitals, if a student is aiming to have a certain clinical experience they will be able to, all rotations are set up for you or you can have a few away electives too
-it is Big 10 school and is nationally recognized, when I went on interviews at some of the other private DO programs, most people (even physicians) had never heard of them
-we are rated very highly for primary care, but also have students matching into some excellent specialties

I am not bashing on other programs because there are some great DO schools out there. I was just curious why people forget about MSU COM.
 
wishintobedoc said:
I fail to see how students do not include MSU COM as one of the top DO programs. I think people forget about it because they accept mostly IS students. Here are some reasons:

-we take some classes with MD students
-there is a statewide campus with 23 base hospitals, if a student is aiming to have a certain clinical experience they will be able to, all rotations are set up for you or you can have a few away electives too
-it is Big 10 school and is nationally recognized, when I went on interviews at some of the other private DO programs, most people (even physicians) had never heard of them
-we are rated very highly for primary care, but also have students matching into some excellent specialties

I am not bashing on other programs because there are some great DO schools out there. I was just curious why people forget about MSU COM.
Click to expand...

We'll add it to the list ... lol


This is my point though. MSU is a great school, but it's categorized as being great because it's a well-known state school, the same way KCOM/PCOM are categorized as great because they are old and well established. This thing gets too muddled without sub-categories of greatness!!
 
wishintobedoc said:
I fail to see how students do not include MSU COM as one of the top DO programs. I think people forget about it because they accept mostly IS students. Here are some reasons:

-we take some classes with MD students
-there is a statewide campus with 23 base hospitals, if a student is aiming to have a certain clinical experience they will be able to, all rotations are set up for you or you can have a few away electives too
-it is Big 10 school and is nationally recognized, when I went on interviews at some of the other private DO programs, most people (even physicians) had never heard of them
-we are rated very highly for primary care, but also have students matching into some excellent specialties

I am not bashing on other programs because there are some great DO schools out there. I was just curious why people forget about MSU COM.
Click to expand...

It's not included because it accepts mostly Instate and for out of state it costs 60k. If your a in stater then it's a good school. For the rest of us there's not much point applying or going there for that much debt. Also because its in the cold lands :meanie:.
And since most of us can't get into Msu-com we don't really talk about it. As such more people consider the other schools which more people go to and consider them as the top schools.
 
serenade said:
It's not included because it accepts mostly Instate and for out of state it costs 60k. If your a in stater then it's a good school. For the rest of us there's not much point applying or going there for that much debt. Also because its in the cold lands :meanie:.
And since most of us can't get into Msu-com we don't really talk about it. As such more people consider the other schools which more people go to and consider them as the top schools.
Click to expand...

I'm going to pay out of state tuition! I don't mind the cold because I'll be indoors studying most of the time. I felt it was an honor to be accepted there as an out of state student.
 
dr.z said:
I'm going to pay out of state tuition! I don't mind the cold because I'll be indoors studying most of the time. I felt it was an honor to be accepted there as an out of state student.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to pry, but isn't it almost $60,000???
 
dr.z said:
I'm going to pay out of state tuition! I don't mind the cold because I'll be indoors studying most of the time. I felt it was an honor to be accepted there as an out of state student.
Click to expand...

I'd be reluctant to pay 60k tuition. Thats 60k x 4 = 240k debt + living expenses maybe 15k a year? So you'll be getting out of 300k debt. That's a hell of a lot....
 
Yeah but plenty of D.O. schools are getting to be 40K +, ideally 60k is a bit over the top. It sucks being outstate, question is if you only got accepted to a good school but tuition is a bit high would you rise reapplying a whole another year? Or take the acceptance?

For me I would take the acceptance and go the school even if the tuition was high. I mean ideally its better than risking another year of MCAT and not knowing if you could get in or not. My opinion though, others prefer cheap so they might wait a year to risk.
 
JaggerPlate said:
I'm not trying to pry, but isn't it almost $60,000???
Click to expand...

They offer $15,000 scholarships to out of state students.

As per their financial aid office, the total average debt for out of state students were about 240K. If you do a residency in Michigan, the debt is reduced by about 30K.

Cost is high, but if you went to a private school in large metro area it is pretty comparable. I also don't have any other debt to pay back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Removing 8 schools, which ones?
Replies
23
Views
4K
MedASF
M
C
  • Question Question
Which DO schools have the nicest gyms?
Replies
17
Views
4K
futureshedoc
F
H
are DO graduates who are not citizens considered IMG?
Replies
7
Views
1K
havil
H
Dr.Gains
Deciding between a few different DO schools.
Replies
3
Views
1K
running.till.doctor
R
S
Which DO schools (that require Casper) weigh it the most?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top