Well so far there is no name calling, flame wars or SMU cheerleaders or trolls on the thread - so I don't see why it would get locked. I think as long as everyone behaves - maybe some DO types will post. I see nothing wrong with a DO degree. I have been to DO's for sinus infections and so on. I did notice they spent more time with me on average than some MD types and asked good historical questions. So What you have to ask yourself if you are considering both options is what are your long range plans. If you are interested in FP/IM and Rehab and don't plan to go with Doctors without borders. Don't plan to do research and so on - It is a very good choice. The schools are in the US and you can live for 4-5 semester in one place before clinicals.

I am in the position of either going to 2 ofcarib schools and the option of a DO school. Thanks for yopur input. Iguess I will ahve to figure it out for myself. It seems DO school is a sure thing. Schools in the caribbean have high attrition rates, If you work hard enough my guess is those statistics are not relavent to you.

Wait, so your telling me, that if a DO graduate, does an MD residency, they cannot practice (get a license) in certain states?? That doesn't sound right to me?!?! please explain further or offer some proof...

thanks

DO's can practice anywhere in the US. Some states require that they get a DO internship year first, though.

The HUGE benefit to DO's is that they have access to all specialties through the DO match, as well as all allopathic residencies.

Those that speak of the "stigma" of DO are pretty ignorant. It is so rare as to be almost non existent. Additionally, nearly every program I interviewed at and spoke with preferred DO's, as they are a known entity. The better offshore schools are certainly just as good as getting you where you need to be, but the lower tier carib schools are not even close.

I'm not ignorant but the stigma is there why else would DO's worry about getting MD behind the name, and yes there are patients who notice the "DO", Caribbean grads unless told the Patients see nothing but MD behind the name Hence the DO's have the stigma. This stigma has little to do with professionals BTW, and DO's have a tough time practicing out of the USA. England still will not accept them, I looked this past week, they are considered Chiropractors there.

Lower tier Carib Schools yeah right believe what you want I have seen some impressive residencies form several so called schools and I've read where the programs see all caribbean as the same but go ahead believe what you want.

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I'm Busy with clinicals and study, If you wait for a response on a thread or PM it may take a week or so.

Hmmm...I have seen RARE impressive residency matches from low tier schools. However, I have seen far more frequently even lower tier residency programs declining to invite them for interviews. On the other hand, out of every DO class there are several strong residency matches.

The only schools that come close to a DO are the SGU, Ross, AUC and Saba, as far as the carib goes. From those schools you can pretty easily argue equivilency. All other carib schools, well they are far behind.

I think your opinion is based on your perception of the DO. The reality is that DO's do fantastic both at getting residency positions and at getting jobs after residency. And, you are glossing over the fact that DO's have every specialty available to them and only them in the DO match.

Sure, a DO has different letters behind their name. And, sure, some of them would rather trade it for an MD. But, the glaring fact is, and MD from a low tier school is far, far more likely to get you nothing than it is to get you a competitive residency. And, almost every graduating DO gets a residency, and almost every graduating DO resident gets a job.

Remember, only about 50% of IMG's make it through to the match and get spots. And, the vast, vast majority of that 50% are from the more established schools. So, to attempt to claim that you are in better shape than a DO if you come from a school such as St James reeks of ingnorance and shows that you are really, really grasping at straws. Your school needs a licensed grad or two before you can start thinking that your degree is more valuable or less stigmatized than a DO.

I never said I was better off from SJSM in fact I posted in general for this discussion. I always believe the "Big 4" are the best schools to attend due to the fact of the Cali approval and the possibility of all 50 states for practice.
These schools are also better established and have better facillities.

I'm at SJSM yes you are right but that's my choice I made. I'm going into Rural FP and already have everything lined up for myself with that so at this point for me it doesn't matter just have to focus on studying and passing the USMLE. For others, I Always think the BIG 4 would be better but some cannot get into the Big 4 or have other reasons then yes I think they will have a harder time for some specialties, Not FP or IM at the moment but others sure.
You are right I just want to point out I think it's more the Board scores and the individuals then anything else. I respect DO's I posted as realistic as I could to learn from others, you really didn't post anything new for me. My opinion is still Caribbean beats DO, but for you the Big 4 beats DO if thats what you want me to say. To me its all the same. ( BTW I appreciate you not ragging on me about my school I know it's not the 5th or anything I dont pretend, of course I wonder if the school will keep improving but I will be long gone by then probably since I only have 2 years left.)

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I'm Busy with clinicals and study, If you wait for a response on a thread or PM it may take a week or so.

Where do you have the data to back this up? I looked at a few ultra prestigious residency programs, I saw a few DOs but not a single Caribbean graduate, the program takes IMGs, the IMGs were from Australian and Irish schools. Like it or not, in the US, the US degree counts more than any degree from a foreign country. DO students get a much higher limit on their federal Stafford loans than students in the Caribbean, Australia, UK, Ireland, etc. The military has a scholarship program that it offers to both US MD and DO students. Anyway why would anyone want to practice medicine outside the US? The only country where doctors earn 200K+ a year is the USA.

Hey, if you really think schools like St James, MUA belize, Spartan, Windsor, St E, etc... beat DO schools, more power to you. You offered zero evidence, however, and the numbers do not support you. Despite your opinion about a stigma, in the real world patients do go to these DO's, and at most they may ask what a DO is.

I am just a fan of evidence over opinion, especially when people come to these forums seeking real advice. I would hate for somebody to gain the mistaken idea (at least based on numbers, regardless of your opinion) that they are just as well off in the lesser known schools. They clearly are NOT.

I always find it amusing, reading these opinion posts. It is usually somebody trying to convince themselves of something using a vague justification (like "stigma") that flys in the face of common sense and the real numbers that are out there.

To everyone else....look at the DATA when deciding what is better. DO's do very, very well. Especially when compared to the low end schools. The better carib schools match up well, but all the rest...chances are poor, at best, to do well.

[quote=pruritis_ani;536060]
Remember, only about 50% of IMG's make it through to the match and get spots. And, the vast, vast majority of that 50% are from the more established schools.quote]

Which means if you are in those established schools, you have a much higher chance than 50% of getting a residency position. Also, you fail to mention the number of FMGs that typically prematch and are not included in statistics and falsely elevate the non-match rate

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