Why do the majority of pre-meds prefer M.D.?

[Karicean]

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Why do so many pre-meds look down upon being a D.O.? I was told by my academic advisor that there was no real difference between them.

This is a serious question so please be respectable. Thank you.

 

[eteshoe]

Are you applying to DO? There's nothing wrong with doing so but posting this question in a pre-allo forum won't yield the answers you're looking for.

In my case, I'm into research & medicine and the MD pathway is more conducive to my career goals (plus it's funded).

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Because if you say want to do something like neurosurgery, or orthopedic surgery M.D will open more doors for you.
It's not because D.O is bad or not capable, it's just how the system is..
Also if you want to know about looked down, I heard several pre-meds basically compare D.Os to naturopathic doctors... That's a bunch of rubbish, a D.O is just as qualified as an M.D.

 

[Mwooster]

Why do so many pre-meds look down upon being a D.O.? I was told by my academic advisor that there was no real difference between them.

This is a serious question so please be respectable. Thank you.

Why would anyone wanna be
Anything other than an MD?

See what I did there? 😉

In all seriousness both MDs and DOs have the same practicing rights and after 2020 same residency opportunities, at least nominally, in the US. This topic has been beaten to death. Do a simple search using the search bar on top Right hand corner of SDN would give you the same reasons over and over again.

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Why would anyone wanna be
Anything other than an MD?

See what I did there? 😉

In all seriousness both MDs and DOs have the same practicing rights and after 2020 same residency opportunities, at least nominally, in the US. This topic has been beaten to death. Do a simple search using the search bar on top Right hand corner of SDN would give you the same reasons over and over again.

What will change after 2020?

 

[eteshoe]

What will change after 2020?

Merge of DO & MD residencies

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

lol because M.D. on the badge

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Merge of DO & MD residencies

Would this potentially mean a higher enterance requirement for D.O schools?

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Why do so many pre-meds look down upon being a D.O.? I was told by my academic advisor that there was no real difference between them.

This is a serious question so please be respectable. Thank you.

The way current GME is set up, going the MD route will be the path of least resistance into competitive specialties. Most other differences between the two are superfluous.

 

[Mwooster]

lol because M.D. on the badge

Heard those 2 magic letters on IDs... Etc have gotten nerds some action/attention at social events such as Yelp Elite parties since the dawn of time 😉

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

In case you are being serious.
MD VS DO

Anyway, in b4 the lock.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Heard those 2 magic letters on IDs... Etc have gotten nerds some action/attention at social events such as Yelp Elite parties since the dawn of time 😉

Thats as real as real gets.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

Would this potentially mean a higher enterance requirement for D.O schools?

I feel like it would have to. Why else would residencies want to give an equal amount of spots to DO applicants if they have more lax acceptance rates?

 

[Dr.Sticks]

I feel like it would have to. Why else would residencies want to give an equal amount of spots to DO applicants if they have more lax acceptance rates?

I think in the foreseeable future D.O will no longer be a "backdoor" where you can have slightly lower stats than a typical M.D applicant and get in. It's going to get incredibly competitive!

 

[Cara Delevingne]

Many pre-meds look down on a DO degree because it seems like an easy way out to being a doctor with its lower MCAT/GPA. These pre-meds think they're all top of the class, straight-A, HMS-bound students and probably turn their nose up at state MD schools.

I personally wouldn't attend a DO school if it were my only option. Probably go get a PhD

 

[terra330]

The ACGME/AOA merger does not mean MDs and DOs will get equal treatment. If LCME absorbs COCA, then they might get equal treatment, but otherwise MDs will always be treated preferentially by residencies.

Knowledgeable people will prefer the MD because MD schools have better rotations, and an MD is more likely to land you a good residency. Others will prefer it because they like the letters more. Oh and to some, having to learn pseudoscience like OMM would be unbearable.

 

[eteshoe]

Would this potentially mean a higher enterance requirement for D.O schools?

Seems like a likely possibility

 

[darkjedi]

fun fact, SDN was started by a DO

 

[GrapesofRath]

The majority of premeds prefer MD over DO for the same reason the majority prefer DO over Caribbean or US MD over Caribbean. We all like the superior choice

DO's and MD's dont differ in what they do functionally as part of their job description. In terms of licensing exams, residency options residency limitations as well as other things, the differences however are apparent.

 

[Mansamusa]

I think in the foreseeable future D.O will no longer be a "backdoor" where you can have slightly lower stats than a typical M.D applicant and get in. It's going to get incredibly competitive!

That's not true. Have you seen how many new DO programs are opening and how many more have been proposed? If DOs don't lobby for COCA to start setting higher standards, they can destroy the marketability of a DO.

Then everything is yet to be seen with the residency merger. Plus, since things are getting competitive on every level, it's important to set yourself up for the highest quality residency you can, so you have the best chance you can give yourself at matching into the fellowship you want. And research possibilities

 

[----x----]

DO creates more limitations than MD.

Some countries don't recognize DO, while recognizing MD. I don't want to be limited in international medicine.

Many residencies prefer MD, I don't want to be limited in where I can get in.

I don't plan on doing OMM and would prefer not to learn it or be with a bunch of peers that think it's amazing.

 

[trs88]

I don't plan on doing OMM and would prefer not to learn it or be with a bunch of peers that think it's amazing.

You don't need to worry about that last little bit. It's super rare to find a student who is just so adamant that everything about omm works. There are a few things that we are taught that are a borderline placebo effect. I would like to point how how cool it is to see a patient come in for our "general public omm sessions" being unable to walk correctly without pain, be evaluated, ends up having a pelvic dysfunction, gets treatment, and the patient starts tearing up because it doesn't hurt anymore.