Wait 1-2 for DO school or Carribean??

[anomorato]

Just wanted to get some of your opinions: If your 26 Canadian Citizen, and had a gpa of 3.2 and 3.3, would you wait another 1-2 yrs to try gaining acceptance at a DO school or start in January 07 in the Carribeans (SMU) ????

As I am going insane in trying to decide, I'd greatly appreciate everyone's feedback on this
THanks

[YODA]

knowing what i know now, i would not wait

[HocusPocus]

don't wait to go to an osteopathic school, it's not worth it. If you think you can get into an MD program in Canada or the US then you might consider waiting. As for the Caribbean, SMU is not a bad choice, but you could also try applying to SGU, Ross, AUC, and Saba to see if you get in there.

[AmericanIMG]

DO schools get a bad rap...you can be a very good doctor being a DO, and they actually have it easier when it comes to Orthopedic Surgery residencies (they have their own residencies that are closed out to MD students, but they can also apply for regular residencies).
ultimately its your call, but going back i think i would have done an US DO, but thats just my opinion.

[Doc2010]

DOs are full doctors who have same knowledge as MDs and receive almost same training. The only difference is that they are taught OMM. DOs can apply to MD residency or DO residency. I am not saying that DOs are better than MDs, but they are equal. This is just my opinion.

[DrShikima]

Just wanted to get some of your opinions: If your 26 Canadian Citizen, and had a gpa of 3.2 and 3.3, would you wait another 1-2 yrs to try gaining acceptance at a DO school or start in January 07 in the Carribeans (SMU) ????

As I am going insane in trying to decide, I'd greatly appreciate everyone's feedback on this
THanks

Wait for DO before going to the Carib. You'll have to explain what a DO is but from what I've seen, people don't ask that question too much. And the more tough residencies are more open to you.

[swimguy23]

Wait for DO before going to the Carib. You'll have to explain what a DO is but from what I've seen, people don't ask that question too much. And the more tough residencies are more open to you.

then you dont rotate with a lot of DO residents. Its funny to see the transformation from interns. First they explain it very nice to the patient. Then by the time their a pgy2 they just yell "I AM THE DOCTOR!" kinda funny.
I contemplated DO but in the end decided that yes i am superficial and if i want to go thru all this I want the MD after my name. Kinda the same with swimming, if I'm going to bust my butt in the water every day of high school and college for 2-5 hours I am going to make it to the most competitive meets......kinda bad example but hey im studying

also if i waited for DO i wouldnt be graduating soon and im ready to graduate

nothing against DO's, i rotate with a lot of DO students and residents and theyre all as clueless as the rest of us

[stateofequilibrium]

1 or 2 years is a long wait.

[MDXRS22]

Don't wait a minute please.

You will not regret it at all!

1-2 years is a long time to wait.

[stateofequilibrium]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a different university for undergrad, done a humanities major, spaced out my science classes, partied more, and gone to a US med school instead.

[sheikh1]

I will pick carib...in a heart beat!!!!

[Sam84]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a different university for undergrad, done a humanities major, spaced out my science classes, partied more, and gone to a US med school instead.
mee tooo...:(

but I am glad that I didnt waste couple of years and have decided to go to carib. I dont regret it now and hopefully never will!

[DrShikima]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a different university for undergrad, done a humanities major, spaced out my science classes, partied more, and gone to a US med school instead.

That's a good way to look at it. Doesn't matter what your degree is in, as long as you have the pre-req's done.

Also, Swimguy, I rotate with plenty of DO's. I don't see any of them having to explain that they're the doctor. Maybe it's a NY mentality thing??

[thgunner57]

you don't care from where your referals come. MD DO SABA ROSS A lot of primary care is filled by off shore grads and DO grads so they eventually have a lot of clout. It pays to b3e diplomatic. Does it make a difference; only if you let it.

[anomorato]

Well the thing is, I cant really afford any of the big 3 schools in the carribean, and no loan company would offer me such a huge amount, considering Iam Canadian, and my options are very limited. But I got in SMU, and from what I learned and heard, it is a good school.
But here's the big one, would you wait 1-2 yrs to go to DO school of Start at SMU? in Jan 07?





That's a good way to look at it. Doesn't matter what your degree is in, as long as you have the pre-req's done.

Also, Swimguy, I rotate with plenty of DO's. I don't see any of them having to explain that they're the doctor. Maybe it's a NY mentality thing??

[stateofequilibrium]

But here's the big one, would you wait 1-2 yrs to go to DO school of Start at SMU? in Jan 07?

Wait 1-2 years actually if that was the case. No offense to SMU, I know it graduates some fine students. But as long as it's not Cali-approved, I can do without further restrictions coming from an offshore school thank you very much. So I'd just wait a year to go to a better school.

[DrShikima]

Wait 1-2 years actually if that was the case. No offense to SMU, I know it graduates some fine students. But as long as it's not Cali-approved, I can do without further restrictions coming from an offshore school thank you very much. So I'd just wait a year to go to a better school.

That's some goooood reasoning there padnah!

[anomorato]

How is it going to affect its future students if SMU was not approved by Cali? I have met a lot of successful residents from that school as well as students from other schools that say only good things about SMU?
Meanwhile, for those that disagree with SMU, what do you think about MUA?

[stateofequilibrium]

How is it going to affect its future students if SMU was not approved by Cali? I have met a lot of successful residents from that school as well as students from other schools that say only good things about SMU?
Meanwhile, for those that disagree with SMU, what do you think about MUA?

It means you can't practice in California, and whomever decides to use the California approved list as well. Also Texas I believe as well.

[anomorato]

Yes, Iam well aware of the restriction of Working in Cali. Working in Cali is not a preference for me anyways. But why would this have any affect on the school, rather than looking at SMU as a whole?

[DrShikima]

Yes, Iam well aware of the restriction of Working in Cali. Working in Cali is not a preference for me anyways. But why would this have any affect on the school, rather than looking at SMU as a whole?

Because you can be restricted in other states for licesnsure. What happens when your offered a good job in a state you never expected only to find out you can accept that job because of your lack of obtaining said license?

Need to think more down the road than immediately.

[AmericanIMG]

those disapproved states would never offer the job. period.


some people know where/what they want to do. cali/texas/kansas isn't a big deal for them (see EVERY student basically from NY).


the Cali licensure only causes issue w/ students who want to live/work in California (and of course the other states that aren't cleared). it doesnt mean the students are more or less qualified or intelligent, it doesn't mean as docs former SMU students will be any less qualified, it really in the end only means there are certain states where you can't work.


i know good docs from Saba and St. George and even Spartan. its all up to you as an individual.

[anomorato]

Thats true;
But would you think its a long wait another 1-2 yrs. I am 26 now, so by the time I am done I'll be about 32 and still gotta do residency.
Whereas, if I start at the Carribean (SMU) now, I'll save 2 yrs easy and will have an MD instead, althought it doesnt make a huge difference for me between having an MD or DO.

[rokshana]

Yes, Iam well aware of the restriction of Working in Cali. Working in Cali is not a preference for me anyways. But why would this have any affect on the school, rather than looking at SMU as a whole?
because more and more states are adopting the cali lists and so it could limit you in those states.

my bigger concern would be, as a canadian, will you be able to practice in Canada with a DO?