SGU vs. WVSOM, please help...

[drbmx]

Hi guys,
My close friend is debating b/w WVSOM and SGU. Both are very expensive (SGU = 240k, WVSOM = 300k). Both have similar match results. What do you think? please give him some thoughts. I'm sorry that I'm talking about this matter again. However, I didn't any threads regarding SGU and WVSOM.

Thanks

[jaywalk81]

does WVSOM stand for west virginia SOM? if it does, i would definitely choose WVSOM, why? because its in the states.

[AKdoc]

Is WVSOM a DO school? There are multiple threads on DO vs. Caribbean MD or SGU degree..... please run a search.

[db3cool]

I was forced with the same choice (not WVSOM though) and decided to stay here. Both choices are very good and will get you where you want to go...are you sure WVSOM is 300k? seems awfully pricey and I've never heard of even private medical schools charging that much.

[vtrain]

240K is stretcing it a bit. more like 200-220K.

As for your decision, depends. Do you want to be a DO or an MD? This topic has been dicussed at nauseum - do a search. You'd be hard pressed though to find a thread specifically with ur school however, the MD vs DO threads will still be very relevant. Good luck.

[The Trifling Jester]

You should go with the school that leaves you the most options. You're just entering medical school now, so who knows if you'll end up wanting to do surgery. IMO your chances for surgery are much better coming from SGU than any DO school.

-The Trifling Jester

[drbmx]

Thanks so much for your responses,

Yes, we did a lot of searching on this and SDN. However, there weren't specific comparisons b/w the west virginia school of osteopathic medicine and SGU. And yes, the tution at WVSOM is 75k per year or 300k total. He's worried about WVSOM because they are doubling the number of enrollement, from 100 to 200.

Jester, could you tell us why chance for surgery at SGU is better than DO school? you have any valid reason. In my mind, a US med school will have a better than (even the DO) any foreign med schools.

Thanks

[RussianJoo]

it depends do u want to be an MD or a DO... i think most people want to be MD's and also as an MD we don't agree with a lot of the osteopathic stuff the DO schools teach you, and to be honest i would have a problem believing that stuff... Also in the long run i don't think people ask what medical school you went to they just ask if you are a DO or an MD. But this is all just my opinion.

[microphage]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2004/03/23/national/23wva.l.jpg

[Miklos]

Jester, could you tell us why chance for surgery at SGU is better than DO school? you have any valid reason. In my mind, a US med school will have a better than (even the DO) any foreign med schools.

Thanks
1) There are very few AOA (that is DO only) surgery residencies. I checked the number of general surgery programs on their website and it listed a total of 39. See their website (http://opportunities.aoa-net.org/search/search.cfm?searchType=1) to confirm this for yourself.

2) Although there are 252 ACGME (MD) general surgery residency programs, DOs are vastly underrepresented there.

According to the data published by JAMA (http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/294/9/1075/JSC50015T1), we find that overall 5,675 DOs are in ACGME residencies representing 5.6% of the total number of residents. This compares to 26,720 (26.4%) for IMGs and 68,456 (67.6%) USMDs.

In general surgery ACGME residencies, however DOs only represent 2.3% of the entire resident population, accounting for 177 individuals. Compare this to IMGs at 1,392 residents or 18.1%. Note that these numbers do not differentiate between categorical and preliminary spots. (You need access to the entire JAMA article in the aforementioned issue, Appendix II, Table 1 to verify this information -- it is by subscription only.)

For reasons for this, see my post here (http://www.valuemd.com/434599-post10.html).

Although you may have a relatively better chance at SGU, you should know that even that route is extremely competitive. For this year's match, out of the 1,047 categorical general surgery residencies, 872 were filled by US Seniors, leaving 174 to be filled by independent applicants (IMGs, DOs, past US grads, 5PW, Canadians). Only one was left unfilled. See the datatables (http://www.nrmp.org/2006advdata.pdf). For another measure of competitiveness, see the ERAS statistics (http://www.aamc.org/programs/eras/programs/statistics/residency/surg-c.htm). In 2005, for instance, a total 4,129 applicants competed for those roughly 1,050 spots.

EDIT/ADDED: For ACGME residencies where DOs do better than expected, see this post (http://www.valuemd.com/327035-post7.html).

[olywa]

As I'm sure you have heard before...this is a very old topic on this and every other board.

The simple reality always shines through in these posts. Make no mistake, SGU...along with the rest of the Big 3 (and more) will educate and provide you with top notch training. Med school is what YOU make of it...the Big 3 WILL provide you with the opportunity to be a leader in the field. But the simple reality is...YOU ARE BETTER OFF AT THE WORST MEDICAL SCHOOL IN AMERICA...THAN YOU ARE IF YOU GO FOREIGN.

You can guage 'worst' by many criteria...that thread will go on for years...but your life and future will be 1000 times easier as a US grad.

Personally...I plan on attending SGU. Why?...for the same reasons as your friend. But...let me be self serving here and strongly recommend that everyone who is considering the foreign v. DO situation...definitely attend SGU.

The more open slots you leave at the low-end DO schools...the more opportunity I have to transfer into them.

If you're approaching medicine from the EXTREMELY JUVENILE..."I want to go to the BEST school" mindset...you might want to re-evaluate why you're applying in the first place.

Scrubs & ER do not equal the reality of medicine. Drug seekers, non medication compliant COPD'ers, people that can't poop, kids that hate you for your absentness, and a divorce...are what you have to look forward to in medicine.

[olywa]

As I'm sure you have heard before...this is a very old topic on this and every other board.

The simple reality always shines through in these posts. Make no mistake, SGU...along with the rest of the Big 3 (and more) will educate and provide you with top notch training. Med school is what YOU make of it...the Big 3 WILL provide you with the opportunity to be a leader in the field. But the simple reality is...YOU ARE BETTER OFF AT THE WORST MEDICAL SCHOOL IN AMERICA...THAN YOU ARE IF YOU GO FOREIGN.

You can guage 'worst' by many criteria...that thread will go on for years...but your life and future will be 1000 times easier as a US grad.

Personally...I plan on attending SGU. Why?...for the same reasons as your friend. But...let me be self serving here and strongly recommend that everyone who is considering the foreign v. DO situation...definitely attend SGU.

The more open slots you leave at the low-end DO schools...the more opportunity I have to transfer into them.

If you're approaching medicine from the EXTREMELY JUVENILE..."I want to go to the BEST school" mindset...you might want to re-evaluate why you're applying in the first place.

Scrubs & ER do not equal the reality of medicine. Drug seekers, non medication compliant COPD'ers, people that can't poop, kids that hate you for your absentness, and a divorce...are what you have to look forward to in medicine.

[McGillGrad]

Considering that WVSOM is rated top 10 in a specialty or two, it is worth your attention.

Even though some SGU students feel that recommending DO schools would be deriding their own education (which stems from a lack self-esteem), it is worth remembering that it medical education is all just a journey and not necessarily a destination.

300k versus 240k? That makes no difference in the long run.

WV versus Grenada? Makes a difference if you have a family or if you have never left your home town.

If I were American, I would go to WVSOM and Grenada to at least check them both out. But since I am Canadian, I will be going to a Caribbean school, and proudly so.

[drbmx]

Guys,

Thanks so much for your input. I'm going to Wayne State this fall, and I would love if he stays in the US. However, he doesn't like OMT that much and think that is a waste of time. I've never been in both schools but he told me WVSOM is very isolated. He doesn't mind about condition in Greneda. We're both coming from a third world country too. What we're looking for aree education quality and best chance for residency.
I'm wondering if you're DO board certified (in plastic surgery), does it make any difference than an MD board certified ( also in plastic surgery)? Do you have a larger number of clients b/c you're an MD?

This is WVSOM recent match, what you think?

WVSOM
Match List
Class of 2006

Anesthesiology

Pennsylvania State University / Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA


University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Internship: Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg
Bethlehem, PA


West Virginia University / Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, WV
Internship and residency


Emergency Medicine

Doctors Hospital
Columbus, OH


Grandview Hospital
Dayton, OH


Hamot Medical Center
Erie, PA


Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown, PA


Ohio Valley Medical Center
Wheeling, WV


Family Practice

East Tennessee State University / Bristol Regional Hospital
Bristol, TN


Greenbrier Valley Medical Center
Ronceverte, WV


Riverside Regional
Newport News, VA


St. Joseph's Hospital
Syracuse, NY


Trinity at Terrace Park
Bettendorf, Iowa


United Hospital Center
Clarksburg, WV


University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN


Wheeling Hospital
Wheeling, WV


Wilson Memorial Regional Hospital Center
Johnson City, New York


Winchester Medical Center
Winchester, VA


General Surgery

Grandview Medical Center
Dayton, OH


Internal Medicine

Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston, WV


East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

Mercy Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA


Norton Community Hospital
Norton, VA

Ohio Valley Medical Center
Wheeling, WV


Samaritan Medical Center
Watertown, NY


University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN


West Virginia University / Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, WV


Wright State University / Wright-Patterson Medical Center
Dayton, OH

Internship

Altoona Regional Health System
Altoona, PA


Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston, WV


Mercy Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA


Naval Medical Center Portsmouth


Ohio Valley Medical Center
Wheeling, WV

West Virginia University / Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, WV


OB/GYN

Grandview Medical Center
Dayton, OH


Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown, PA


Mercy Suburban Hospital
Philadelphia, PA


New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Wilmington, NC


Portsmouth Naval Hospital
Portsmouth, VA


West Virginia University / Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, WV


Orthopedic Surgery

Memorial Hospital
York, PA


St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center
Toledo, OH

Pediatrics

Doctors Hospital / Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH

University of Arizona
Tuscon, AZ

West Virginia University / Ruby Memorial Hospital
Morgantown, WV


Urology

Charleston Area Medical Center
Charleston, WV


Combined Emergency Medicine / Internal Medicine

Ohio Valley Medical Center
Wheeling, WV

Combined Medicine /Pediatrics

Geisinger Hospital
Danville, PA

[nyphys1]

I think that SGU has more matches in competitive specialties and at more well known hospitals.However these 2 schools cannot be fairly compared.The WVSOM is very small class compared to SGU and has much of its student population from WV and their local area.These individuals tend to stay close to home.That schools focus is rural primary care.Med school graduates tend to match more commonly in hospitals they rotate through or are somehow affiliated with their med school.SGU has many Students frim NY/NJ and the northeast and they tend to end up there.
Overall I dont think your professional opportunities will differ between having graduated from either of these schools.Lifestyle-geography and other considerations would decide this.

[emt036]

Posting of names without person's consent is against the TOS (http://www.valuemd.com/disclaimer.php), please see recent sticky on the topic.

[Miklos]

I'm wondering if you're DO board certified (in plastic surgery), does it make any difference than an MD board certified ( also in plastic surgery)? Do you have a larger number of clients b/c you're an MD?

According to the AOA website there are only 4 (!) approved DO plastics residency programs. Simply getting a plastics residency presents a very difficult challenge, be it AOA or ACGME.

[guppy249]

WVSOM is a top notch school--small but very supportive of their students. It is also excellent for rural primary care if you are interested in that.

[brob311]

I have been faced with the same dilemma, D.O. vs Carib med. In reading all of the different opinions expressed on many forums I have come to a solution for those facing this problem: Everyone wanting to get into medicine has different motivations, different needs, and different goals in their life. Choose the school that fits these general criteria the best for yourself and/or your family. What school is going to give the most oppurtunities to achieve this balance. When researching a school check the schools USMLE pass rate, Residency match lists, clinical rotation lists, and liscensing in different states. From reading the different forums, a D.O. and a Caribb MD will have stigma's attached, although different, and both paths create similar oppurtunities/hurdles for a future Dr. I don't think there really is a black and white answer for choosing whether to become a Caribb Md vs DO. It depends on what the student wants, what school it is, and where the student wants to head in the future.

Viel Glück!

[drbmx]

Guys,
I talked to WVSOM school today. It's interesting to know that if you're a DO grad, then do an MD residency, you could be an MD or DO ( it's up to you to call yourself). As far as I know, California has some restrictions in term of using DO vs MD. However, in NY, there are no differences b/w DO and MD grads as this list.

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=4676

[Miklos]

Guys,
I talked to WVSOM school today. It's interesting to know that if you're a DO grad, then do an MD residency, you could be an MD or DO ( it's up to you to call yourself). As far as I know, California has some restrictions in term of using DO vs MD. However, in NY, there are no differences b/w DO and MD grads as this list.

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=4676

Until I see some more proof, I'm going to chalk that up to a clerical error (those folks are still in residencies).

Historical note: When osteopathy was fighting to become accepted, there was a time in California when all they had to do was take a short course and pay a fee and they would get their MD. The California Medical Association thought that it had co-opted DOs. Instead, this lead to their acceptance nationwide. BTW, California and several other states have separate boards for osteopaths (http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_license) and allopaths.

[emt036]

Guys,
I talked to WVSOM school today. It's interesting to know that if you're a DO grad, then do an MD residency, you could be an MD or DO ( it's up to you to call yourself). As far as I know, California has some restrictions in term of using DO vs MD. However, in NY, there are no differences b/w DO and MD grads as this list.

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=4676
Umm, seems to be a clerical error to me until you pull something up from NYSOP to prove your claims. (You won't find it). Just like that "Hero, MD" last week (month?) in Time. All the DO's that work in the NY hospital where I am have exactly that on their name badges - DO, not MD.

[rokshana]

Guys,
I talked to WVSOM school today. It's interesting to know that if you're a DO grad, then do an MD residency, you could be an MD or DO ( it's up to you to call yourself). As far as I know, California has some restrictions in term of using DO vs MD. However, in NY, there are no differences b/w DO and MD grads as this list.

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=4676

it is not up to you what you call yourself!! The school that you go to is the degree -issuing institiution - if you go to a school that issues an MD you are an MD, if it issues a DO you're a DO.
A DO can TRAIN allopathically so long as they sit and pass the USMLE steps, but an allopathically trained DO, is still a DO.

brob said it best - can't really add to it.
surgery and plastics are competitive, whether you are coming from a US allo school, US osteo school, or foreign, allo school- look to which has a better track record for it.

[nyphys1]

Guys,
I talked to WVSOM school today. It's interesting to know that if you're a DO grad, then do an MD residency, you could be an MD or DO ( it's up to you to call yourself). As far as I know, California has some restrictions in term of using DO vs MD. However, in NY, there are no differences b/w DO and MD grads as this list.

http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?id=4676

You cannot call yourself what you want,not in New York.To misrepresent your degree would be considered fraud.Whoever typed this list up didnt know any better-its an error.The MD and DO are considered equivalent degrees but are not the same degree and cannot be interchanged.

[The Trifling Jester]

Jester, could you tell us why chance for surgery at SGU is better than DO school? you have any valid reason. In my mind, a US med school will have a better than (even the DO) any foreign med schools.

Miklos has summed it up quite nicely. There's hardly anything more to add. You should also consider university versus community programs in the respective fields. SGU's match list is better than West Virginia's for surgery (and from what I can see most other specialties as well) because we send more people to more university programs. This might not apply to family practice since FM programs are considered better off if they're unopposed.

-The Trifling Jester

[Dr.Masr]

if getting a DO and then doing an MD residency changes your credentials to MD, im catching the first flight out in the morning.

[MD04]

Until I see some more proof, I'm going to chalk that up to a clerical error (those folks are still in residencies).

Historical note: When osteopathy was fighting to become accepted, there was a time in California when all they had to do was take a short course and pay a fee and they would get their MD. The California Medical Association thought that it had co-opted DOs. Instead, this lead to their acceptance nationwide. BTW, California and several other states have separate boards for osteopaths (http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_license) and allopaths.


DOs Must be practice osteopaths only. They should stick to what they belive in.

[xavierburns]

I spent a semester at SGU a while ago and then received admission to a DO school. I would highly recommend the DO school whatever it may be. The pressure to get a residency will be gone, you will actually have a life other than trying to score well on your USMLEs. I don't think you realize how horrible life is studying medicine in the caribbean until you actually study medicine here as well. I could go on and on and I obviously do not know enough about your financial situation but being that I had the same choice to make a short while ago (and was considering it just like you because I was informed by a physician relative than an MD looks much better than a DO), I would go to the DO school in a heartbeat.

[daguru]

I spent a semester at SGU a while ago and then received admission to a DO school. I would highly recommend the DO school whatever it may be. The pressure to get a residency will be gone, you will actually have a life other than trying to score well on your USMLEs. I don't think you realize how horrible life is studying medicine in the caribbean until you actually study medicine here as well. I could go on and on and I obviously do not know enough about your financial situation but being that I had the same choice to make a short while ago (and was considering it just like you because I was informed by a physician relative than an MD looks much better than a DO), I would go to the DO school in a heartbeat.

Hey xavier, I am glad you are happy where you are now at the DO school. I am sorry you didnt have a good time down here in G'da, but I feel like I have to give the flip side to the coin.

Honestly, we all really really want to find someone who will tell us what is best, what to do, which one is better, whatever. It just makes us feel better.

It's not gonna happen. Everyone is different. People go through the same trials and tribulations down here, some end up loving the islands and G'da, others hate it and can't wait to leave.

Some people want to practice internal medicine in West Virginia somewhere. Others might want to do Vascular Surgery in New York. It's not to say one is better than another, or anything like that....it's just different. So, if you want to do something that is well represented by the match in WVSOM, then maybe that's best for you. If you think you want to do something that is represented well in the SGU match list, then maybe go SGU.

One of the biggest draws for me to come to SGU was that the match list was pretty darn diverse. I didnt know(heck, i am just now figuring out) what i wanted to do after medical school. So, I chose SGU because I saw that their grads get residencies in basically EVERYTHING. So, i was covering all my bases. And unlike some people who came down here, I actually like the caribbean!! I am not much of a beach and sun person, i would much rather be in an air conditioned room to be honest. But it's nice never having to dress warmly and button up to go shovel snow on the morning before my path final!! I love the weather,(after the sun starts to set, that is), the attitude of the students, the facilities, and our reputation.


WV is a great school im sure. What I am trying to say is that everyone is different. You might hate the sun or hate heat or....idunno..whatever. Most importantly, more importantly than anything anyone says on here....you have to figure out what's best for you. So, use valueMD to look up stuff about SGU, maybe come by for a visit...then decide for yourself.

Good luck,

guru.

[drbmx]

xavietburns and SGU students,
Could you please tell us more about the study environment? is it competitive, easy? hard to concentrate, very pressure?...ect..Thanks so much for all of your inputs. Whatever path he picks, we really appreciated your help.

[xavierburns]

Perhaps things have changed recently at SGU but I can tell you when I attended, I along with the vast majority of friends I had (actually everyone I knew) couldn't wait to go home. The amount of studying was something I've never seen in my life anywhere. People spending litearlly all day in the library almost everyday of the week. There was one girl who I swear didnt budge from her seat in the library from 8:30am to 1am every single day, just getting up to eat,. I swear it. I would see her sprinting in the morning to secure her seat, not wanting anyone to get it, it was somewhat psychotic. I'm sure everyone has a different degree of intelligence but the number of people like her there are numerous. Perhaps its the pressure of getting a good residency from a foreign school or perhaps many students feel that they have something to prove being that they are in a foreign school and thus need to work much much harder. I dont know if its still there, but there was even a written countdown in one of the lecture halls stating how many days left to go home, everyday a student would update it with a big explanation mark after. At the time, I thought this was normal, after all it is medical school right? Only after attending school here and seeing how normal life was for med students here do you realize. I mean, imagine attending a school and just counting the days when you can leave. It is an awful experience. They used to call it the "rock", 75 days till we can leave the rock! Then again, I had some friends from remote areas in Alabama who loved it at SGU, perhaps because it was a change from the environment they had been in. I can tell you that noone who attends my school is miserable or at least outwardly expresses it; I have plenty of friends who are at UMDNJ (MD) who I see on a weekly basis and I am just shocked at the difference in the experience they are having compared to that I had in the caribbean. The USMLE for medical students in the states is a test you take and want to do well in, it is not the be all and end all of every action you take for two years. You will here a lot of things on here especially from students who attend SGU and say they "love it" but until you see both sides for yourself you cannot possibly fathom the differences between attending school in the caribbean and attending school in the states. But I highly recommend visiting before making a decison, do not take my word or any persons word on this board, go and see for yourself.

[rokshana]

Perhaps things have changed recently at SGU but I can tell you when I attended, I along with the vast majority of friends I had (actually everyone I knew) couldn't wait to go home. The amount of studying was something I've never seen in my life anywhere. People spending litearlly all day in the library almost everyday of the week. There was one girl who I swear didnt budge from her seat in the library from 8:30am to 1am every single day, just getting up to eat,. I swear it. I would see her sprinting in the morning to secure her seat, not wanting anyone to get it, it was somewhat psychotic. I'm sure everyone has a different degree of intelligence but the number of people like her there are numerous. Perhaps its the pressure of getting a good residency from a foreign school or perhaps many students feel that they have something to prove being that they are in a foreign school and thus need to work much much harder. I dont know if its still there, but there was even a written countdown in one of the lecture halls stating how many days left to go home, everyday a student would update it with a big explanation mark after. At the time, I thought this was normal, after all it is medical school right? Only after attending school here and seeing how normal life was for med students here do you realize. I mean, imagine attending a school and just counting the days when you can leave. It is an awful experience. They used to call it the "rock", 75 days till we can leave the rock! Then again, I had some friends from remote areas in Alabama who loved it at SGU, perhaps because it was a change from the environment they had been in. I can tell you that noone who attends my school is miserable or at least outwardly expresses it; I have plenty of friends who are at UMDNJ (MD) who I see on a weekly basis and I am just shocked at the difference in the experience they are having compared to that I had in the caribbean. The USMLE for medical students in the states is a test you take and want to do well in, it is not the be all and end all of every action you take for two years. You will here a lot of things on here especially from students who attend SGU and say they "love it" but until you see both sides for yourself you cannot possibly fathom the differences between attending school in the caribbean and attending school in the states. But I highly recommend visiting before making a decison, do not take my word or any persons word on this board, go and see for yourself.

While I understand everyone has differenct experiences, I really don't think yours was a typical one. My class I thought was much more laid back. Everyone I know (and knew) didn't spend every waking moment in the library(and maybe that girl was a little frantic 'cause she DID spend every moment in the library- she shoulda gone to class, maybe).

As for wanting to go home, sure near the end everyone wants to, I mean you've been away from SOs, family, friends, etc, for a good four months...who doesn't want to see the familiar? But I think most people liked the time they spent there, and in the beginning were excited to be there.

As for the relaxed attitude of US students? Well I don't thinkk that is necessarily accurate. It depends on the program. If a school is only P/F, then yeah, all they have to do is pass, P=MD. But if the program is H, HP, P, and F and is based on the mean and SD, then you have competition. I have a somewhat unique prospective, since I spent 2 years taking classes (the same classes) with MD students(I was getting my Masters) and there were a range of students, some competititve, some not.

Maybe because you are at a DO school there isn't as much emphasis put on the USMLE, but I know many of my friends(who are now either finished or in residency) were concerned about them- especially if they were intersted in the more competitive residencies.

Grades for the 1st 2 years and Step I scores determine AOA(alpha omega alpha) membership and those who wanted uber competitive residencies are aware of the importance of membership and try hard to get good grades.

You were in gnd for your 1st term and that was all. I think many of us would agree that 1st term is probably one of the harder terms- you have to get use to the volume of material, moving to a new country, making new friend, etc(and the volume here wasn't any different than the volume of material presented to me when I took classes at Eastern Virginia Medical School (Dr. G.'s new home!!))- maybe since you repeated the material- it came a little easier to you- I know it helped me at sgu the 1st term that i had seen most of the material before.

I think this is a decesion that you have to make based on what is right for yourself- if WVSOM offers what you want in terms of class makeup, USMLE pass rates, residency placements, etc. then go for it!! If its SGU then go for that!

On a side note- lived in WV when i was little - it was beautiful country- but probably not much different than living in GND- everythings not available, things can be expensive, and there aren't any local stations so you need cable!!

[drbmx]

guys,
Thanks so much for your inputs. After couple days doing "research" in both SGU and DO, I found more things to ask

1. It seems like WVSOM has better 2 basic science years b/c smaller class size, 24/24 access to anatomy lab, .v...v and living conditions are better in the first two years compare to SGU. However, I'm not sure if WVSOM has better clinical rotations than SGU. According to WVSOM website, year 3 students rotate thru community centers and rural medical offices. I'm not sure about year 3 at SGU in NY or NJ? Also, DOs school seems to have problems with clinical rotations since they're doubling class size. Year 4 at WVSOM, a student is almost by his/her own. Could anyone tell me about SGU year 4?

2. I read "why should not attend a DO school" at SDN, a very helpful thread. Their main concerns are lacking of residency spots as well as questionable quality of DO residencies? What do you think about this? Does anyone have any ideas DO residencies have any problems of finding jobs?

Thanks so much for your help.

[stephew]

If possible, DOs tend to be even more touchy than IMGs about their status. IMGs get very snotty and arrogent about the "lesser" off shore schools (are you kidding me?) While ive had unbeilevable guy hate mail from posts about the DO pathway that couldnt remotely be seen as have a bias against the program by anyone with reasoning abilitities . Having warned you with my experience, i offer you the suggesting of asking DOs about their expereinces with residencies; IMGs wont have any first hand expereince at that. I also advice you to take anyone who has a blanket statment of the supposed superiority of one path over the other with lots and lots of salt. It indicates someone with a political view rather than a reasoned one. because the reality is fairly complex with no simple answer. And the more cheerleading you hear the more should suspect that there is really just a lot of hand waving going on and a lot of hot air blowing about. Also be sure to get over any "I just want an MD behind my name" sentiment you might have. If that's really compelling, you dont want to do doctoring. You might just want to "be" a doctor in which case you really run the risk of a miserable life in a demanding field that is one of the worst to go into for the wrong reasons. The time and money you'll invest can't be taken back.

[drbmx]

Dr. W,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I want to do doctor, not to be...
Guys,
Thanks so much for your comments. As of today, I'm going to SGU...I hope the family SGU will welcome me...:)
I found this is a personal reason. I don't really care much about DO or MD, I'm looking for a school that best fit my personality. I would love to share my thoughts about any thing SGU MD/ US DO related after days of research.
Thanks again,

[miasma]

good job on making an decision about med school. now good luck with your future!