Applicant Email 8-10-09

MD vs. DO

Shirley and I believe very strongly that anyone who wants to be a physician should be seriously researching osteopathic medicine (the DO degree) as well as the MD degree.

Today, osteopathic physicians work in every medical specialty and every setting that MDs works in. The restrictions and prejudices of the past have largely been eliminated. Do not talk to an older MD to learn about this field. Read about it and talk to DOs. They can tell you about their work, the DO educational model, and how they feel about the profession.

To learn about osteopathic medicine, go to www.aacom.org. Recently a wonderful resource was developed that highlights current DO students. It is very interesting and worth reading as well http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/profiles/Pages/default.aspx.

There is also information on osteopaths practicing abroad at http://www.oialliance.org/directories.htm

This is the time to begin the DO application as well. AACOMAS is similar to AMCAS in many ways, although a bit easier. It can be found at https://aacomas.aacom.org/. In addition, Shirley has done screen shots of the application, as she did for AMCAS. They are found on our website under application process. You can have your MCAT scores sent to AACOMAS and we can send your letters to DO schools through our Virtual Evals system.

We do not want to force you to apply to DO schools, but you owe it to yourself to look into this very viable option.



Regards,

Carol