'Why D.O.?' I don't have an answer...

[southpawcannon]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all. First, I know you see me here seeking a lot of advice yet giving very little. Once I get on the other side, matriculate into medical school and beyond, I'll certainly pass along what I've learned to help the future applicants. But for now, I'm in this conundrum with my D.O. personal statement. First, I think it's totally unfair that the max character length 4500. When writing my MD statement, I could write a much stronger statement by just having the extra 800 characters. Second, and related, my advisor is telling me that I have to include within the D.O. statement an explanation as to why I choose D.O. I told her that I don't want to just go to a D.O. school, nor do I just want to go to an MD school. I just want to go to medical school and be a physician. And while I do have some work and volunteer experiences that have shaped my outlook on how to treat a patient-holistically, that is-I don't have a direct 'I met Dr. so-n-so and he compelled me to consider osteopathic medicine' moment. I work with 3 D.O.s in the ER and their approach to a patient's complaint and treatment plan is not discernible from the M.D.s' approach. What I have learned is the physicians' approach all has to do with their attitude towards people in general. So, how can I reflect the above in my PS for DO and how, if granted an interview down the road, do I answer their question of 'why D.O.?' It doesn't sit well with me to have to pander to what they want to hear as I'd never do that anyway.

 

[Member 0922]

Your personal statement doesn't have to tell "why DO?" it should be more general, as in "why be a physician?" So you don't have to worry about that at this exact moment. HOWEVER, almost every DO school asks "why DO?" on their secondary applications. Every school I applied to did, anyway. So think about it and be prepared to answer this question by the time you start getting secondaries.

 

[Goro]

In your secondary, you WILL be asked about this, so you'd better come up with something. We've had borderline applicants who were moved off of waitlist due to a decent "Why DO?" essay, and had others stay on wait list because of a mediocre one.

Hello all. First, I know you see me here seeking a lot of advice yet giving very little. Once I get on the other side, matriculate into medical school and beyond, I'll certainly pass along what I've learned to help the future applicants. But for now, I'm in this conundrum with my D.O. personal statement. First, I think it's totally unfair that the max character length 4500. When writing my MD statement, I could write a much stronger statement by just having the extra 800 characters. Second, and related, my advisor is telling me that I have to include within the D.O. statement an explanation as to why I choose D.O. I told her that I don't want to just go to a D.O. school, nor do I just want to go to an MD school. I just want to go to medical school and be a physician. And while I do have some work and volunteer experiences that have shaped my outlook on how to treat a patient-holistically, that is-I don't have a direct 'I met Dr. so-n-so and he compelled me to consider osteopathic medicine' moment. I work with 3 D.O.s in the ER and their approach to a patient's complaint and treatment plan is not discernible from the M.D.s' approach. What I have learned is the physicians' approach all has to do with their attitude towards people in general. So, how can I reflect the above in my PS for DO and how, if granted an interview down the road, do I answer their question of 'why D.O.?' It doesn't sit well with me to have to pander to what they want to hear as I'd never do that anyway.

 

[southpawcannon]

Understand. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

The answer for "why DO" doesn't have to involve Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. I think the reasons I gave were the emphasis on treating the whole patient rather than the symptoms, I wanted to be in a class with lots of nontrads, and the hands-on approach of osteopathic medicine fit well with my goal of becoming an orthopod. It must have worked, since I got interviews at almost all of the DO schools I applied to. You should be able to read the Wikipedia page on osteopathic medicine and find enough plausible reasons to go to a DO school to write a decent essay.

 

[ChEMD]

"Why DO" is honestly the most ridiculous question I've ever heard. You don't see MD schools asking "why MD". The question should only be "why physician". To me, the "why DO" question is just a reflection of the insecurities of DO schools, feeling that they need to make students answer this question so they don't feel as though they are the backup for MD schools. It baffles me that DOs fight so hard to say that they are equivalent to their MD colleagues (and I believe that they are) but yet at the same time feel the need to differentiate themselves with silly questions like this one.

All of that being said, just come up with some answer that the DO schools will want to hear. Talk about how you believe in a holistic philosophy and other things that DO schools like to claim that they are better at (I mean really, does anyone honestly believe that MD graduates are only taught to treat symptoms and not care for the entire patient?). Sometimes you just have to play the game, even if you don't believe in it.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

"Why DO" is honestly the most ridiculous question I've ever heard. You don't see MD schools asking "why MD". The question should only be "why physician". To me, the "why DO" question is just a reflection of the insecurities of DO schools, feeling that they need to make students answer this question so they don't feel as though they are the backup for MD schools. It baffles me that DOs fight so hard to say that they are equivalent to their MD colleagues (and I believe that they are) but yet at the same time feel the need to differentiate themselves with silly questions like this one.

All of that being said, just come up with some answer that the DO schools will want to hear. Talk about how you believe in a holistic philosophy and other things that DO schools like to claim that they are better at (I mean really, does anyone honestly believe that MD graduates are only taught to treat symptoms and not care for the entire patient?). Sometimes you just have to play the game, even if you don't believe in it.

What happens when a patient asks you same question?

 

[ChEMD]

What happens when a patient asks you same question?

I would probably just use whatever answer I used in my application to DO schools.

 

[Quizlet04]

I'm trying to figure out what to cut out from my MD statement to make it fit my DO statement. It's a shame because a lot of the things I'm talking about in my MD statement are highly applicable to DO. I'm sad to both cut out these crucial parts of my statement in order to both make the cut off and cover why I want to be a DO.

 

[Petypet]

What happens when a patient asks you same question?

From my experience this is a moot point. I've had more people ask why med school rather than why DO school. Traditionally it was because we didn't have the MCAT to get into an MD school, but now its more about other factors such as tuition, location, long term goals, etc as things are getting more competitive. Maybe I live in a bubble, but it feels like 99% of the population knows you are a physician, and only the small medical community really discerns between schools/residency/fellowships.

I'm trying to figure out what to cut out from my MD statement to make it fit my DO statement. It's a shame because a lot of the things I'm talking about in my MD statement are highly applicable to DO. I'm sad to both cut out these crucial parts of my statement in order to both make the cut off and cover why I want to be a DO.

Its all about sounding good. Make your self to sound as interested in being a competent, caring, compassionate physician, with the interest in treating the whole patient. Throw in some mumbo jumbo about family medicine and DO schools will salivate over you.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

From my experience this is a moot point. I've had more people ask why med school rather than why DO school. Traditionally it was because we didn't have the MCAT to get into an MD school, but now its more about other factors such as tuition, location, long term goals, etc as things are getting more competitive. Maybe I live in a bubble, but it feels like 99% of the population knows you are a physician, and only the small medical community really discerns between schools/residency/fellowships.

Agree w/this.

I was responding to rant about why DO question in essays/interviews. Patients will ask what the distinction between MD and DO is. Going on a rant would be the wrong answer.

EDIT: Playing the game, saying what patients want to hear is the wrong answer.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

To OP: I went w/the honest route. It worked out well.

 

[Petypet]

Agree w/this.

I was responding to rant about why DO question in essays/interviews. Patients will ask what the distinction between MD and DO is. Going on a rant would be the wrong answer.

EDIT: Playing the game, saying what patients want to hear is the wrong answer.

And DO schools should stop asking this. Made me think like, what do they think students put on their MD applications. I want to go to an MD school so I can only treat 1/2 the patient, non-holistically, treating only the disease. The DO's of today are markedly different than what was produced even 20 years ago.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

And DO schools should stop asking this. Made me think like, what do they think students put on their MD applications. I want to go to an MD school so I can only treat 1/2 the patient, non-holistically, treating only the disease. .

lol.. don't agree w/ majority of this. Oftentimes in practice it is hard to distinguish DO vs. MD- we are in agreement there.

But when asked "why DO" the point is not to compare to MD. The point is to guage an understanding of the profession. More powerful to say "DO emphasis on prevention, primary care, rural practice (insert whatever) resonanates w/me.. blah blah" than it is to say "DO's emphasize prevention (insert whatever reason here) more than MDs therefore I choose DO." - the latter obviously not being necessarily true.

In my case - when I was asked in interviews why DO. I started my answer w/ why medicine. But finished off reasons why I would fit in at DO school (more forgiving about GPA mistakes, older crowd, students pursuing second careers, few others).

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Hello all. First, I know you see me here seeking a lot of advice yet giving very little. Once I get on the other side, matriculate into medical school and beyond, I'll certainly pass along what I've learned to help the future applicants. But for now, I'm in this conundrum with my D.O. personal statement. First, I think it's totally unfair that the max character length 4500. When writing my MD statement, I could write a much stronger statement by just having the extra 800 characters. Second, and related, my advisor is telling me that I have to include within the D.O. statement an explanation as to why I choose D.O. I told her that I don't want to just go to a D.O. school, nor do I just want to go to an MD school. I just want to go to medical school and be a physician. And while I do have some work and volunteer experiences that have shaped my outlook on how to treat a patient-holistically, that is-I don't have a direct 'I met Dr. so-n-so and he compelled me to consider osteopathic medicine' moment. I work with 3 D.O.s in the ER and their approach to a patient's complaint and treatment plan is not discernible from the M.D.s' approach. What I have learned is the physicians' approach all has to do with their attitude towards people in general. So, how can I reflect the above in my PS for DO and how, if granted an interview down the road, do I answer their question of 'why D.O.?' It doesn't sit well with me to have to pander to what they want to hear as I'd never do that anyway.

The only thing unfair is your attitude. Why should we cater to the MD style of personal statement?

If you have no reasons to be a DO, it reflects that you haven't studied the profession. People don't need to pin it into MD vs DO to have a reason to apply to DO schools. DO schools have a rich history and the schools offer particular things. Anyone that takes the time to understand the profession can easily write about what they find attractive Osteopathic Medicine. Maybe rephrase your question from "why DO?" to "what about DO?" I explicitly said that my goal was to be a physician first and foremost, but the reason I chose to apply to DO was XYZ. There's no penalty to that.

 

[southpawcannon]

The only thing unfair is your attitude. Why should we cater to the MD style of personal statement?

If you have no reasons to be a DO, it reflects that you haven't studied the profession. People don't need to pin it into MD vs DO to have a reason to apply to DO schools. DO schools have a rich history and the schools offer particular things. Anyone that takes the time to understand the profession can easily write about what they find attractive Osteopathic Medicine. Maybe rephrase your question from "why DO?" to "what about DO?" I explicitly said that my goal was to be a physician first and foremost, but the reason I chose to apply to DO was XYZ. There's no penalty to that.

My attitude is perfectly fine, thank you. I first wrote my DO statement, and over time have written the MD statement. I like how my message is more thorough with great examples in the latter statement. I don't explicitly say 'why D.O.?' On my PS. I've read about osteopathic medicine, discussed with physicians about it, etc. In 2014, there really isn't that big a difference aside from the philosophy already stated here and the desire to promote primary care. (And from what I recall while learning more about D.O., much less emphasis, if at all, on research).Which if you go by what previous posters have said, there is really no difference. Yet, I can certainly express, and support with my experiences, that I would fit in well as a D.O. student and physician per said philosophy.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

My attitude is perfectly fine, thank you. I first wrote my DO statement, and over time have written the MD statement. I like how my message is more thorough with great examples in the latter statement. I don't explicitly say 'why D.O.?' On my PS. I've read about osteopathic medicine, discussed with physicians about it, etc. In 2014, there really isn't that big a difference aside from the philosophy already stated here and the desire to promote primary care. (And from what I recall while learning more about D.O., much less emphasis, if at all, on research).Which if you go by what previous posters have said, there is really no difference. Yet, I can certainly express, and support with my experiences, that I would fit in well as a D.O. student and physician per said philosophy.

If you have no compelling reason, just be honest. Say your priority is to be a physician and you see both degrees as indistinguishable for that purpose. Just make sure you have a compelling reason to apply to the campuses you do and not just "all schools are the same thing."

 

[southpawcannon]

If you have no compelling reason, just be honest. Say your priority is to be a physician and you see both degrees as indistinguishable for that purpose. Just make sure you have a compelling reason to apply to the campuses you do and not just "all schools are the same thing."

Thank you, AlbinoHawk. I'll certainly do that and research further into specific reasons why I am choosing to apply to 'X' DO school.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Thank you, AlbinoHawk. I'll certainly do that and research further into specific reasons why I am choosing to apply to 'X' DO school.

np. I still think you should make an effort to see if you like something specific in Osteopathic Medicine. It doesn't need to be the curriculum or something like that. I know a lot of people appreciate the "second chance" nature of the schools with the retakes or how they produce more primary care physicians than MD colleges. Good luck.