Why Did You Choose a DO school over MD schools?

[DocMan22]

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I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO school doesn't count).

What made you choose the school you did?

Did you specifically want to be a DO or don't you really care what the initials after your name are?

What made you turn down the MD schools?

Any other thoughts on DO vs MD...

 

[DocMan22]

What made you choose the school you did?
I choose CCOM over other DO schools and 2 MD schools I was accepted to. The school's reputation, location and clinical rotations are why I choose it.

Did you specifically want to be a DO or don't you really care what the initials after your name are?
I don't really care what initials are after my name are though I have a DO in the family so I may be more open/accepting of being a DO. I know there is sometimes a stigma against it but I've met enough MDs and DOs to know that the quality of the physician has much more to do with the individual's personality, effort, and attitude than anything else.

What made you turn down the MD schools?
The MD schools weren't a top choice location for me - I have a family, proximity to Grandparents, aunts & uncles for my children is important to me. I didn't feel their clinical rotations were as strong either. There are MD schools I would have choose over CCOM though.

 

[sky2012]

What made you choose the school you did?
I choose CCOM over other DO schools and 2 MD schools I was accepted to. The school's reputation, location and clinical rotations are why I choose it.

Did you specifically want to be a DO or don't you really care what the initials after your name are?
I don't really care what initials are after my name are though I have a DO in the family so I may be more open/accepting of being a DO. I know there is sometimes a stigma against it but I've met enough MDs and DOs to know that the quality of the physician has much more to do with the individual's personality, effort, and attitude than anything else.

What made you turn down the MD schools?
The MD schools weren't a top choice location for me - I have a family, proximity to Grandparents, aunts & uncles for my children is important to me. I didn't feel their clinical rotations were as strong either. There are MD schools I would have choose over CCOM though.

I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO school doesn't count).

What made you choose the school you did?

Did you specifically want to be a DO or don't you really care what the initials after your name are?

What made you turn down the MD schools?

Any other thoughts on DO vs MD...

I'm still in undergrad now , I don't care what initials I have DO MD RQ TV or TT lol🙂 anyways my heart beats more for DO ,so I hope I'm accepted mostly at DO med schools

 

[dntke1518]

The beers, bros, and b!tche$!










I keeed...

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Honestly, the fact that the school closest is a DO school. That's about it.

 

[dbizzy]

The grade replacement policy. Without being able to retake 10+ classes, I'd have no chance of attending medical school this fall.

 

[DrapDO]

Ok I will play along,

What made you choose the school you did?
I chose KCOM over acceptances from PNWU, TuroNV, RVU, AZCOM, and DMU. My decision came down to lots of factors but the main ones were,Reputation/boards/res placement which are all among the best in the world of DO schools. Cost of living (really cheap) rotation sites close to home ( three sites within 3 hours of my family). Technology, KCOM is one of only 5 med schools in the country (the only DO school) to have integrated ultrasound in their curriculum. They have 4 or 5 state of the art ultrasound machines that students use. The other 4 schools are all elite MD schools. (At least that was what I was told on my interview day)Their sim labs are great as well similar to DMU’s. The cadaver lab is second to none (that I interviewed at) with computers and two monitors at each cadaver and lots of windows give it a nice bright feel. Small town/family friendly, being from a small town I loved Kirksville, and having a family I was impressed with how KCOM provides for their students with families (nursing suite, family night once a month, gym with free child care system ect.)

Did you specifically want to be a DO or don't you really care what the initials after your name are?
I really don’t care about initials, my decision to only apply to DO schools was quick and easy to make because I do not have a state MD school and my states weren’t good enough to make fighting for OOS spots at MD schools worth the effort and cost.

What made you turn down the MD schools? I didn’t turn down an offer per say, but I might have had a decent chance at University of Washington even with my below average states, as I have been researching for 2 years at one of their teaching hospitals side by side with two facility of UW one of which I am really good friends with and both would have written me good LOR. The one hounded me constantly to apply because she would do everything in her power to help me get in. I was seriously considering it but decided it would be a waste of money because after meeting students on rotations/applying for residencies and talking to their representatives at my undergrad I concluded that they have quite the elitist, egotistical, gunner mentality atmosphere and I didn’t want to be a part of that so I didn’t apply because I simply didn’t want to go there. (I know every med school will have some of this but UW seems to have a double or triple helping of it.)

Any other thoughts on DO vs MD...

The MD/DO measuring contest on SDN needs to stop. The facts are MD’s don’t have a monopoly on specialties, and DO’s don’t have a monopoly on holistic care. Does being an average DO put you at a “disadvantage” to the average MD yes a little, but so the freak what? I got news for you if you’re worried about having to work hard for what you want out of life then MD initials aren’t going magically make it easy. If you want to go to a competitive specialty, run a successful private practice, be chief of medicine, have the respect of your collogues and patients, and that most elusive and sought after mythical prestige that typical premeds base their life off of. Then you are going to have to work your living butt off, pay for it with blood sweat and tears, and overcome obstacles and “disadvantages” NO MATTER WHAT MEDICAL SCHOOL YOU ATTEND!!! MD or DO, top 10 MD or hick in the stick DO, get over it and get to work. Be grateful to be able to attend medical school and make the best of the opportunity you are given .....and I’m spent..end rant.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

He's curious about why you choose a DO school over a MD school. The answer is unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as having a family or being simply mortified by the MD school, there is no good reason to attend a DO school over a MD school. Even if you're interested in OMM you can take an elective course in it.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

In regard to specialty monopoly, there is no denying that a DO can match into many residencies, however how strong the program is, is a different story. And strength of the program will be a deciding factor in potential fellowships.
So point being is, you'll be a doctor as a DO, but in the end a MD makes life easier.

 

[SnakeOil]

He's curious about why you choose a DO school over a MD school. The answer is unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as having a family or being simply mortified by the MD school, there is no good reason to attend a DO school over a MD school. Even if you're interested in OMM you can take an elective course in it.

Elective course in OMM? Haven't heard of many MD schools that offer that. I know mine didn't.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

He's curious about why you choose a DO school over a MD school. The answer is unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as having a family or being simply mortified by the MD school, there is no good reason to attend a DO school over a MD school. Even if you're interested in OMM you can take an elective course in it.

fine..... to better explain. I chose DO because I was born and raised in Des Moines and my wife was as well. My parents live here, her parents live here, my friends are here, my sisters are here, and my grandparents are here. My daughter attends the parochial school that my wife attended and we own a home in the suburb I grew up in. My two sons will attend that school next year. DMU is about 10-15 minutes from my house depending on traffic. I am a nontraditional student. My wife has a job here. My wife loves Des Moines and we have a babysitter anytime we need one. She also feels comfortable in the area when I am not home my third and fourth year. I think that basically covers it all.

I have said numerous times that if it was smart to apply to one school I would have. i applied to 8 schools and if I didn't get into DMU this year but I did get in elsewhere, I may have withdrew and tried DMU again. But I have also said that if DMU was an MD school, I would have applied MD. Proximity and my desire to stay here drives my desire to choose DO over MD.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yah, frsk I know your story, I was directing my message to the KCOMer. In your situation I completely agree with you choosing DMU. Which is why I stated it as one of the few realistic reasons people might choose a DO school over a MD school.

 

[donkeykong1]

Reasons why myself and others I know chose DO over MD:

1. more established GME with a larger number of home residency positions

2. cheaper cost by going to a state school

3. the philosophy

4. location

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Yah, frsk I know your story, I was directing my message to the KCOMer. In your situation I completely agree with you choosing DMU. Which is why I stated it as one of the few realistic reasons people might choose a DO school over a MD school.

Haha cool. Can't say I disagree with you.

 

[SnakeOil]

Reasons why myself and others I know chose DO over MD:

1. more established GME with a larger number of home residency positions

Maybe I'm misreading this but I believe allopathic residency programs outnumber osteopathic by about 26:1. Are you just referring to GME positions at the hospital closest to where you currently live?

 

[DrMediterranean]

Maybe I'm misreading this but I believe allopathic residency programs outnumber osteopathic by about 26:1. Are you just referring to GME positions at the hospital closest to where you currently live?

I'm gonna guess he meant exactly what he said. And I'm gonna guess he's talking about MSUCOM. It's the only school that would fit such a description.

 

[ChiDO]

$$$$$$$$

LECOM - $29235 tuition
UIC Chicago - $40000 tuition

So the cheapest instate medical school for me in illinois is $10k more already than LECOM. I'm pretty excited to have $100-150k vs $200-300k in debt. This means I get to buy a house during residency since my load debt will be half!

This is why the answer to "What school I should go to" is ALWAYS the CHEAPER ONE.

 

[donkeykong1]

I'm gonna guess he meant exactly what he said. And I'm gonna guess he's talking about MSUCOM. It's the only school that would fit such a description.

I meant exactly what I said. But not MSU.

 

[MossyFiber]

The grade replacement policy. Without being able to retake 10+ classes, I'd have no chance of attending medical school this fall.

Similar for me. My GPA sucks, so I'm retaking classes and I'll be applying DO. I don't want to but I don't think I could get into an MD school and it's better than not being a doctor at all.

 

[DrMediterranean]

I meant exactly what I said. But not MSU.

Tell me tell me!

 

[Eric552]

I chose D.O. because my undergraduate and medical school are on the same campus. I have already built relationships with many of the faculty before even starting. Had OUHCOM been an MD school, I would have applied MD because it was the school that I wanted to attend.

So in short, location, convenience, cost, and many other factors.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

$$$$$$$$

LECOM - $29235 tuition
UIC Chicago - $40000 tuition

So the cheapest instate medical school for me in illinois is $10k more already than LECOM. I'm pretty excited to have $100-150k vs $200-300k in debt. This means I get to buy a house during residency since my load debt will be half!

This is why the answer to "What school I should go to" is ALWAYS the CHEAPER ONE.

My opinion is always attend the school which you feel most comfortable and will provide you with the most opportunities post-graduation. Money is important, but there is no doubt in my mind, 10k more a year would in my mind be more than enough for the extra stuff you will undoubtedly receive at a state school with stronger rotations ( Aren't cheap) and a single year's match list that is undoubtedly superior to all of the ACGME placements of all of LECOM's classes combined.
Point being: What school should I go to?
The one that has the best material to make you a stronger physician and the best post-graduate connections, while at the same time having a reasonable price tag attached to it ( Looking at you MSU).

 

[donkeykong1]

I was talking about Ohio University's outstanding CORE (centers for osteopathic research and education) of about 600 residency spots. Looks like i'm not alone either with that choice in this thread shout out to eric552..

I received an acceptance at one of the newer MD schools but am going DO for the reasons mentioned before.

also the misconception on SDN of all AOA residencies being tainted while all the ACGME ones are somehow jewels is some sort of crazy fallacy. Job opportunities coming out of either path are the same. The quest for fellowships should also be similar as it is now and hopefully it will stay that way since the recent ACGME proposal is looking like it will get shut down sometime in june.

 

[LawlasaurusRex]

Ok I will play along,

What made you turn down the MD schools? I didn’t turn down an offer per say, but I might have had a decent chance at University of Washington even with my below average states, as I have been researching for 2 years at one of their teaching hospitals side by side with two facility of UW one of which I am really good friends with and both would have written me good LOR. The one hounded me constantly to apply because she would do everything in her power to help me get in. I was seriously considering it but decided it would be a waste of money because after meeting students on rotations/applying for residencies and talking to their representatives at my undergrad I concluded that they have quite the elitist, egotistical, gunner mentality atmosphere and I didn’t want to be a part of that so I didn’t apply because I simply didn’t want to go there. (I know every med school will have some of this but UW seems to have a double or triple helping of it.)

Any other thoughts on DO vs MD...

I agree with that particular statement. UW is my alma mater for undergrad. While I didn't get in myself (but would have attended regardless of the atmosphere), several of my friends who were at the top of the class didn't even apply because they thought the students were too full of themselves and that the school's good reputation didn't quite match up to their subpar board averages

 

[DrMediterranean]

I was talking about Ohio University's outstanding CORE (centers for osteopathic research and education) of about 600 residency spots. Looks like i'm not alone either with that choice in this thread shout out to eric552..

I received an acceptance at one of the newer MD schools but am going DO for the reasons mentioned before.

also the misconception on SDN of all AOA residencies being tainted while all the ACGME ones are somehow jewels is some sort of crazy fallacy. Job opportunities coming out of either path are the same. The quest for fellowships should also be similar as it is now and hopefully it will stay that way since the recent ACGME proposal is looking like it will get shut down sometime in june.

Job opportunities are the same for all AOA specialties? What about Anesthesiology?

 

[donkeykong1]

Job opportunities are the same for all AOA specialties? What about Anesthesiology?

Yes even gas. My attitude towards this topic has changed after speaking to an anesthesiologist attending who was board certified under the osteopathic version of the ABA. I'm sure the 30 or so anesthesiologists who graduate an AOA residency each year are not on the streets, rather they are in private practices, ICU's, ER's doing their thing and getting compensated for it. That's really the only reason why ABA is considered a standard. Its because there's not too many professionals out there with the alternative certification.

 

[drgioiadds]

I'm too sexy to be an MD. DO's look better 🙂

I hope we can all take a joke...

 

[DrMediterranean]

Yes even gas. My attitude towards this topic has changed after speaking to an anesthesiologist attending who was board certified under the osteopathic version of the ABA. I'm sure the 30 or so anesthesiologists who graduate an AOA residency each year are not on the streets, rather they are in private practices, ICU's, ER's doing their thing and getting compensated for it. That's really the only reason why ABA is considered a standard. Its because there's not too many professionals out there with the alternative certification.

I agree. They are definitely not on the streets. But saying that the job opportunities are the same is very different. There have been plenty of threads on this topic where AOA gas guys are complaining that their job opportunities are not as great as the ACGME equivalent trained docs.

 

[donkeykong1]

I agree. They are definitely not on the streets. But saying that the job opportunities are the same is very different. There have been plenty of threads on this topic where AOA gas guys are complaining that their job opportunities are not as great as the ACGME equivalent trained docs.

I know which threads you're referring to, and please take all of that with a grain of salt. The thing is that the job market for anesthesiologists is strained as such with infiltration of CRNAs, and AAs. private practice in gas on the other hand is difficult to start up straight out residency too. Its definitely a squeeze even for ACGME trained docs at places like NY, LA, San Fran...and its only going to get worse as the Affordable healthcare act champions efficiency and the relatively low costs of having more mid levels in their system over physicians.

 

[lacrosse87]

My personal reason-

 

[poopyhead]

I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO school doesn't count).

I think the OP is specifically asking people who turned down an MD acceptance to go DO.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I think the OP is specifically asking people who turned down an MD acceptance to go DO.

But isn't "choosing not to apply md" essentially the same thing? Especially if one has reasonably competitive stats?

 

[DrapDO]

He's curious aboutwhy you choose a DO school over a MD school. The answer is unless there are extenuating circumstances (translation=unless you have a good reason),such as having a family or being simply mortified by the MD school, there is no good reason to attend a DOschool over a MD school. Even if you're interested in OMM you can take anelective course in it.

I find it totally awesome that you know what my answer (and everyone else'sfor that matter) is to this question, if med school doesn't work out you have afuture (no pun intended) as the next great mind reader/fortune teller. I'm nottrying to be jerk just my attempt at a little humor. I agree with you for themost part if you could choose a MDschool of your choice vs a DO school of your choice most people will and should choose the MD school. However that is not a reflection of reality most people cant simply pick a school.

Your opinion is also a little extreme and fallacious. You seem to be a bit partial to the fallacy of causal oversimplification. Which occurs when an argument assumes that there is a single,simple cause of an outcome when in reality it may have been caused by a number jointly sufficient causes. Most people can grasp that where to apply/attendmedical school is usually a personal decision dependent on many variables for example:location, cost, residency placement, board scores, personal goals, personal beliefs, your state of residence, your application competitiveness, desired school atmosphere ect. You can further complicate the variables by factoring inhow important each variable is to you.

Where you go to school DO or MD is dependent on all of these and many more variables so don't try and make it cut and dry. You further put a qualification of "extenuating circumstances" on your over simplified description of reality. This contradicts your premise ofthere is no good reason to go to DO over MD schools because you are admitting that there are indeed good reasons you are just discounting them to make your point. So I agree, there are no good reasons to go DO over MD except for good reasons.

Are you starting to see how unprofound your statements are and how useless it is to nitpick other people's personal choices based on your goals/beliefs/opinion? Now if you go back and look at my post i think you will see my reasons/extenuating circumstances as to why I applied to only DO schools and my disliked for UW.

In regard to specialty monopoly, there is no denying that a DO can match into many residencies, however how strong the program is, is a different story. And strength ofthe program will be a deciding factorin potential fellowships.

Again you make another over simplification and another non earth shattering conclusion. I really don't think PD just sit there and rank applicants based on program strength alone? important yes, life and death im not so sure. You also discount the fact the not every MD can go to a"strong program" and down play that some DOs do go to "strong" programs. Further,some people MD and DOs alike WANT TO (reasons why could be more of those pesky extenuating circumstances that refute your arguments) go to and are NEEDED in those"weaker locations" to provide health care to people. Further not everybody wants to pursue a fellowship making your statement even less impactful.

"So point being is, you'll be adoctor as a DO, but in the end a MD makes life easier" I agree that a MD would make your life easier but you have to agree it does not make your life easy! To get what you want you will have to work very hard, overcome biases,and flat out know your stuff DO or MD. That was my point and you totally missed it, or at least didn't talk about it.

Lastly, how worth it would it be to sacrifice going a DO school or even alower ranked MD school you loved in a community you wanted to live in, to get that magic MD at a"desired" school that you really hated and therefore didn't do as well at which lead to you being in one of those dreaded lesser residency/fellowships?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Your answer is irrelevant to the topic, you were not accepted to a MD school, thus you did not choose a MD school over a DO school. That is the only situation that the op is interested in. Thus your experience is while meaningful does not provide any information or perspective of people in this situation.

In regard to residency programs, it is simply the truth. DO's rarely get into academic and more competitive programs. This does not mean that they are excluded from those specialties in most cases, but it does mean that residencies at hospitals, which may better train you with a wider and more diverse population and pathology may be closed. I'm not saying going MD will make life easier, but it'll probably make it easier.

Like I said, your reasons are valid. However I think that it is very infrequent and for the most part MD v.s DO is literally based on what you think of the school.

 

[DrapDO]

Your answer is irrelevant to the topic, you were not accepted to a MD school, thus you did not choose a MD school over a DO school. That is the only situation that the op is interested in.

hey way to not address my anwser and even more points for changing the topic of the thread!

Why Did You Choose a DO school over MD schools? funnyI don't see acceptance/accepted/offer anywere in that sentence only why DO and not MD. Which is why I anwsered why I applied to only DO and not MD even though i had a shot at MD. I think thats pretty on topic.

 

[sylvanthus]

Really think you would have had much of a shot at MD or did you think your chances were higher at DO and are trying to justify it to yourself?

"I have pretty average stats 3.45 CGPA 3.49 SGPA (with retakes in a few classes) took the MCAT once and got a 27 (7P 9V 11B)."

 

[hmainn]

Let's stop arguing. We do that enough on the md vs do thread haha.
Plus, how often are posts off topic on SDN... probably 50% of the time 😛

 

[ChiDO]

My opinion is always attend the school which you feel most comfortable and will provide you with the most opportunities post-graduation. Money is important, but there is no doubt in my mind, 10k more a year would in my mind be more than enough for the extra stuff you will undoubtedly receive at a state school with stronger rotations ( Aren't cheap) and a single year's match list that is undoubtedly superior to all of the ACGME placements of all of LECOM's classes combined.
Point being: What school should I go to?
The one that has the best material to make you a stronger physician and the best post-graduate connections, while at the same time having a reasonable price tag attached to it ( Looking at you MSU).

I cannot wait till you are a 4th year medical student, 400k in debt from your "non-cheap" school that gave you "better opportunities." As for looking at match lists, please refer to my signature for a wake up call. I could tell you how many ortho, derm, ophtho, plastics matches we have this year, but that is counter-productive and means jack **** (as you will see when you read my sig).

Furthermore, unless you are going to some big-name MD school (looking at you Mayo / Hopkins), where you MAY get a chance to make some big time connections, 96.483% of you other pre-meds are probably better off going to the cheapest school possible. You'll thank me in 4-5 years when you graduate with half the debt your friend has and you are both in your desired specialties.

And just for the record, I turned down a MD school, went to LECOM, and matched Ortho (what I wanted, where I wanted), so I would say, my decision to be 100-200k less in debt was COMPLETELY worth it.

 

[SLC]

And just for the record, I turned down a MD school, went to LECOM, and matched Ortho (what I wanted, where I wanted), so I would say, my decision to be 100-200k less in debt was COMPLETELY worth it.

Well now we know you're a troll 😛 Everyone knows DO's can't match into competitive specialties.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I cannot wait till you are a 4th year medical student, 400k in debt from your "non-cheap" school that gave you "better opportunities." As for looking at match lists, please refer to my signature for a wake up call. I could tell you how many ortho, derm, ophtho, plastics matches we have this year, but that is counter-productive and means jack **** (as you will see when you read my sig).

I've seen the match list, I see only Ortho matchs.

Furthermore, unless you are going to some big-name MD school (looking at you Mayo / Hopkins), where you MAY get a chance to make some big time connections, 96.483% of you other pre-meds are probably better off going to the cheapest school possible. You'll thank me in 4-5 years when you graduate with half the debt your friend has and you are both in your desired specialties.
I'd rather attend a school that I'm happy at with a moderately higher price tag attached to it than LECOM.
And just for the record, I turned down a MD school, went to LECOM, and matched Ortho (what I wanted, where I wanted), so I would say, my decision to be 100-200k less in debt was COMPLETELY worth it.

Ok, that's cool. But honestly there are cheaper and better schools to attend even in the DO world, like UMDNJ, OUCOM, TCOM, etc. That will award you instate tuition and give you a crap ton of connections. LECOM charges a lot less and inevitably the put back less into the school. Just my opinion.

 

[poopyhead]

But isn't "choosing not to apply md" essentially the same thing? Especially if one has reasonably competitive stats?

I think people are overestimating their chances and stats in terms of MD acceptances. IMO, I wouldn't consider that the same thing as actually having an MD acceptance.

hey way to not address my anwser and even more points for changing the topic of the thread!

Why Did You Choose a DO school over MD schools? funnyI don't see acceptance/accepted/offer anywere in that sentence only why DO and not MD. Which is why I anwsered why I applied to only DO and not MD even though i had a shot at MD. I think thats pretty on topic.

I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO school doesn't count).

 

[Nymphicus]

This whole price thing is kind of off-topic, but here, from the AACOM and AAMC publications are the mean debt of 2010 graduating seniors.

DO: $186,509
MD: $157,944

 

[flight24]

Location. I picked Western over 2 MD schools. But honestly speaking if those MD schools were in the top 25, I would go there. I didn't want to move 3000 miles for just any "run of the mill school" just because it was an allopathic school. Unfortunately being in California has its disadvantages, but the weather makes up for it. lol

 

[DrapDO]

Really think you would have had much of a shot at MD or did you think your chances were higher at DO and are trying to justify it to yourself?

"I have pretty average stats 3.45 CGPA 3.49 SGPA (with retakes in a few classes) took the MCAT once and got a 27 (7P 9V 11B)."

Oh boy you caught me! 😱 It's not likeI already said I had below average stats or anything. Oversimplification strikes again! Yes UW and MD in general have a much higher average GPA and MCAT, however if that's all they and every other MD factored into admissions, application cycles would be much less stressful!

It's not like I worked 30 hrs. a week in school, have been married for 3 years have a two year old child, carried a 3.7 gpa over the last year and a half of nothing but upper division chem and biology classes. I'm sure they wouldn't care about two years of infectious disease research at their own teaching hospital, of which I won an award for, presented at their hospital's research week and mutiple conferences and have a manuscript ready for publication as second author. They would have totally not factored in two LOR from their own faculty, nor cared about my extensive exposure and passion for health care, and you can forget about leadership, speaking foreign language, international experience, and the plentiful meaningful service activities I have done. I mean there is not a snowballs chance in Hell that someone who got accepted to ALL the DO schools they applied to would ever be able to pull an acceptance at any MD schools! I never claimed to be a shoe in, I said/meant I had a valid reason to put in an application to UW but didn't because I decided it wasn't the place for me. It seems reasonable that my success with DO schools would validate that idea, but I guess not. 🙄

"I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO schooldoesn't count."

As far as being on topic goes the OP's key word is particularly (as in mostly or primarily) ,had the op said only I would not have posted. But I only got a 9 in VR so I could have misinterpreted.

 

[docdonny]

Oh boy you caught me! 😱 It’s not likeI already said I had below average stats or anything. Oversimplification strikes again! Yes UW and MD in general have a much higher average GPA and MCAT, however if that’s all they and every other MD factored into admissions, application cycles would be much less stressful!

It’s not like I worked 30 hrs. a week in school, have been married for 3 years have a two year old child, carried a 3.7 gpa over the last year and a half of nothing but upper division chem and biology classes. I’m sure they wouldn’t care about two years of infectious disease research at their own teaching hospital, of which I won an award for, presented at their hospital’s research week and mutiple conferences and have a manuscript ready for publication as second author. They would have totally not factored in two LOR from their own faculty, nor cared about my extensive exposure and passion for health care, and you can forget about leadership, speaking foreign language, international experience, and the plentiful meaningful service activities I have done. I mean there is not a snowballs chance in Hell that someone who got accepted to ALL the DO schools they applied to would ever be able to pull an acceptance at any MD schools! I never claimed to be a shoe in, I said/meant I had a valid reason to put in an application to UW but didn’t because I decided it wasn’t the place for me. It seems reasonable that my success with DO schools would validate that idea, but I guess not. 🙄

"I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO schooldoesn't count."

As far as being on topic goes the OP's key word is particularly (as in mostly or primarily) ,had the op said only I would not have posted. But I only got a 9 in VR so I could have misinterpreted.

you would have not gotten into an MD school.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

Oh boy you caught me! 😱 It's not likeI already said I had below average stats or anything. Oversimplification strikes again! Yes UW and MD in general have a much higher average GPA and MCAT, however if that's all they and every other MD factored into admissions, application cycles would be much less stressful!

It's not like I worked 30 hrs. a week in school, have been married for 3 years have a two year old child, carried a 3.7 gpa over the last year and a half of nothing but upper division chem and biology classes. I'm sure they wouldn't care about two years of infectious disease research at their own teaching hospital, of which I won an award for, presented at their hospital's research week and mutiple conferences and have a manuscript ready for publication as second author. They would have totally not factored in two LOR from their own faculty, nor cared about my extensive exposure and passion for health care, and you can forget about leadership, speaking foreign language, international experience, and the plentiful meaningful service activities I have done. I mean there is not a snowballs chance in Hell that someone who got accepted to ALL the DO schools they applied to would ever be able to pull an acceptance at any MD schools! I never claimed to be a shoe in, I said/meant I had a valid reason to put in an application to UW but didn't because I decided it wasn't the place for me. It seems reasonable that my success with DO schools would validate that idea, but I guess not. 🙄

"I wanted to hear from people who choose to go to a DO school over an MD school - particularly those of you who were accepted at both (only being accepted at a DO schooldoesn't count."

As far as being on topic goes the OP's key word is particularly (as in mostly or primarily) ,had the op said only I would not have posted. But I only got a 9 in VR so I could have misinterpreted.

Burn! 🙂
Break out the tape measure boys! We have real knee banger here!

 

[DocMan22]

I intended the question to be directed at people who had acceptances at both MD and DO schools but someone who didn't even both to apply MD isn't really off topic and I'm glad to hear about their choice.

I didn't intend for this to be a DO vs MD thread, there are plenty of those out there. I just wanted to hear from people who had to make the same choice I did. I think we can all acknowledge that the MD route is less of a hassle if you want to specialize. If you want to argue about the quality of education or opportunities ect start a new thread.

Anyone else out there that choose a DO school over a MD school?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I applied to both, and was rejected by MD, however, I applied to way more DO schools than MD schools because of grade replacement... I probably would have had some love from my state MD schools if I had retaken the MCAT (so they told me)... 🙂

 

[DrapDO]

you would have not gotten into an MD school.

I respect your opinion, but let's look at some facts:
https://www.aamc.org/download/270906/data/table24-mcatgpagridall0911.pdf

Around 3700 current US MD medical students were accepted between 2009-2011 with equal or lesser "numbers" than mine. Your assumption that a 3.3 GPA (my AMCAS cGPA) and 27 MCAT are not sufficient to get you into a US MD school, may be the likely outcome, but in no way is the guaranteed outcome. According the AAMC in cycles of 2009-2011 16-20% of applicants with those numbers were successful, therefore it might behoove someone who really wants an MD who has those numbers with a compelling story behind them to at least try and see what happens.

My point is and was only to say that if having an MD was extremely important to me I would have at least put out a few applications especially to a school whose faculty I work with. I don't understand why that is so hard to grasp. I realize my situation and ECs aren't that fantastic and in no way would or did write/wrote my ticket to any medical school. Choosing and being accepted to medical schools is extremely complicated and personal I think the OP's intent was to hear some of those personal reasons people had for the electing to go DO and not MD. I felt my experience could contribute to that discussion.

I do not believe the OP was interested in hearing negativity extruded from people wishing they did not go to a start up no name DO school or those who wish they could have or did choose an MD school but didn't. I probably shouldn't have responded the way I did but, the arrogance of SDN got to me and for that I am sorry. IMHO we need to be done analyzing my situation and let others share their experiences and maybe this thread will turn into something worthwhile.

 

[engin33ring]

I am in the boat of those who only applied to DO programs (received secondaries from USC/UCI but never bothered to send them in). Not because of my stats, but because it was what I wanted to study. I felt that the philosophy of osteopathic medicine was more suiting for me. cGPA: 3.76 sGPA: 3.75 and under-represented minority.

Here is how see it. It's not where you go, but what you make out of it. When I transferring from a junior college to a University, I had a 3.92. I'm pretty sure that would have been good enough for some great schools. I went to Cal State Northridge. Not a competitive school, but it had what I wanted. I don't care about "name brand".

Now, I have a more competitive application than most of my classmates that went to a "better" university. Choose the school you want because of what they offer, not because of the MD vs DO stigma.