Hey all, I am a MS2 and just finished my renal/urology block and really have become interested in urology. Been doing a lot of research and checking various allo resident lists, doesnt seem there are that many osteopathic students matching in the allo world. Ive read other posts but was wondering if there is anyone who has successfully matched that can give me some advice. I know score well on my boards, mentor, rotate etc. Is there anything else I should be doing. Does anyone know anything about the new PCOM program or UMDNJ program?mt
It'd certainly be an uphill battle to match into an allopathic program, but it has been done. I went on like 15 interviews this year and did not see a single osteopathic student, though I wasn't actively looking at everyone's nametags and whatnot. I don't know any statistics, as most around here probably don't. Most information is going to be anectdotal.
Thanks for the reply. I guess just going to have to try my best. Do you think its a good idea to perhaps calling some of the allopathic programs and see what their stance is on osteopathic candidates?
I think that's probably not going to be very fruitful for you. SOME allo programs will take a DO student, it happens. A lot won't. You can't call every program in the country, and even if you could, you wouldn't have a straight answer from everyone. You need to apply broadly yet selectively, doing your best to maximize your chances at a reasonable local program where you can really get to know them. That will probably be your best shot...but I think what you really need to do is talk to a DO student who's been there. Has anyone at your school done it? There's been a couple of DOs who posted threads here this year about applying, so hopefully one of them will respond to you. Best of luck.
Give the 10 or so of us I'm guess who I saw the trail/talked to (there are probably more) 10 days and I will offer some key advice, but I can't really unless I know what I did helped. Look for a post on the 24th or 25th, I'd be more than happy to chime in
I am also a 3rd year shooting for Urology. I'd also appreciate advice... Good luck to everyone!
As a DO entering the DO match for urology, I made a calculated decision not to apply to allopathic residencies. Every year certain DOs enter MD residencies successfully. More often than not these students are not just at the top, but are generally ranked in the top 5 of their class. They also score greater than 240 on step 1. Can MDs get in to uro residencies with <240? Sure, bu realistically DOs usually cannot. You have to also consider other variables such as research. Strong first author publicatons go a long way. Middle author pubs in big studies contrary to popular belief are not worth nearly as much. I have personally known a DO who not only matched at an allo residency, however also managed to transfer to a top tier program.
What I am trying to say is, if you are a high ranking student who did well on step 1 and have quality research and recommendations by all means apply. You should, however, apply to the 9 DO programs as well because even the most qualified DO students get rejected every year. And a word of advice regarding DO programs is your audition interview is by far the most important factor regarding getting a spot. Each year students who seemingly look "worse" on paper get spots over seemingly "more qualified" applicants based on their rotation performance. So if you think you are good enough on paper for MD program, you will also look good on paper for DO programs, but be sure to focus on a number 1 DO program as well and demolish your audition in the likely scenario you don't get an MD spot.
As for what DO programs are best, I believe there are tiers
Tier 1: Albert Einstein/Hahnemann, MSU lansing, DMC, Cook County
Tier 2: Botsford, POH, Grand Rapids (although very successful grads), West Va, UMDNJ
Best of luck