DO student looking for advice on MD residencies

[Sleeper]

I know this topic has been posted a bunch of times but I'm just wondering why the hostility or the exclusivity of ACGME programs to DO students. What exactly does it take for a DO student to match into an ACGME program? I feel like if I went to any allopathic school I would be pretty competitive, so my question is, what do I need to do? My USMLE Step 1 score is a 255, I've done a year of research in orthopedics and will be second author on a publication by the time I apply to programs (I'm a third year), I have great grades, honored 2/3 rotations so far (high passed the other), have done a bunch of volunteering and even spent my first summer of med school doing an international research exchange program. I plan on doing a couple of audition rotations with ACGME programs next year but with only 3 DO students matching into 698 Ortho spots, is it even worth it? Any advice would help. Oh and the reason why I want to even do an ACGME program is location and research

[wozo30]

Hey duder I am in the same boat, though probably not as strong of an applicant, 228 on USMLE. I would just contact programs and see what they say. See if you can find programs that have taken a DO in the past. Not sure what area of the country you are looking to go but surely there are some programs that have matched a DO in the past. I think the main reason that 3/650+ is that our match is prior to the allo match and someone doesn't want to give up a safe spot for a shot of not matching. I'd like to stay in the midwest so I am going to rotate through both allo and osteo and see what happens. I'll have research too and most programs have a research requirement through residency and have been told its a bonus to have some. Might be able to get a "pre-match" if they like you enough and are willing to do so. Now this will get trolled to death by the allo side just like SDN, but don't worry about it. I personally knew the DO that matched into KU Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery this past year. Honestly his scores and grades were NOT stellar, just a go getter, research (some with the PD so that didn't hurt.) But good luck to you and stay positive, and stay out of the midwest

[fractured2012]

Last time I checked, MD's aren't even allowed to apply to DO residencies. 3 DO's matching in MD programs > 0 MD's at DO programs. I'd say there is more discrimination and bias on the DO side based on that. If you look at the history of the philosophies, DO was founded on different principles but has subsequently become more and more similar to MD programs. I think the powers that be need to decide whether the DO programs will retain their original character/practices and remain a separate, distinct entity or merge with the MD licensing/pathway due to the increasingly insignificant differences in training. Best of luck in your future endeavors, and trust me that with only 77% of graduating MD seniors successfully matching in the last NRMP Matching Outcomes... I am stressed out myself about getting a spot.

[wozo30]

I think it's set up that way since osteopathic side doesn't have enough training sites to train all of its grads. Agree that it is a bias and an advantage in our favor. But it's still an uphill climb for those that venture to the MD side of the pool in competitive disciplines. And I also agree that the designation of DO needs to simply be MD, or perhaps MDO. And the gates opened. Truth is though that the old timers talk about osteopathic principles, BS. It's all about money, the exam money, prep material money. Retired millionaire docs that would pull donations if a paradigm shift occurred. So for now it's match where you can, for an MD you only have one avenue but have an advantage in that avenue, as you should. Us DOs have two paths, but have to prove ourselves as stellar applicants above and beyond what's expected to be recognized for an MD residency. Also we have to bypass the DO match to chance it in the MD match. Not complaining at all or saying we have it tougher just that it's a gutsy/heroic/not smart many times choice to make. But good luck to you both, again stay out of the Midwest I mean it's boring and flat...farmers. Yeah, go to the coast

[sam212]

That DO who matched integrated PRS has some connections, his father is an ENT in the area. Still pretty baller IMO