Transfer from Osteopathic to Allopathic

[Jordan]

Hi,

I am a first year Osteopathic student and am thinking about transferring to an Allopathic School. I would like to transfer for several reasons:

1. I am dissatisfied with the school. For instance, the school would purposely drop questions on an exam in order to help students pass. I think this is unfair since some students use up lots of their time to study and some go out and party and drink on weekends. Those students who study hard are the only ones deserving to pass and do well.

2. I feel that I would be at a disadvantage when competing for residency postions, especially since I would like to ultimately work and practice in California.

3. I feel as though my school is pushing the students towards primary care and I am interested in specializing.

What should I do to transfer, if it’s possible?

I am in good academic standing, but since my school does not rank, I don’t know where I stand. My school also gives letter grades and my GPA so far is 3.8 (this includes Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Genetics and Embryology, some Anatomy, some Physiology, and other classes that are part of our curriculum) I say some because we have a block schedule and we have Anatomy and Physiology in every block.

Thank you.

[Ericsenn]

Jordan,
Your reasons for transferring are weak. EVERY med school, whether DO or MD encourages the general fields, i.e. FM, PEDS, or IM…and most of the specialties are in the IM genre. Additionally, when competing for residency positions, especially in California, they care much more about board scores and rank than what letters are on your jacket. (For that matter, just take the USMLEs to show your worth.) Third, EVERY med school reviews the exam. Some accept more than one answer, some drop questions. In fact, if you drop a question that you got correct, your average goes down, not up…so I don’t think that your DO school is just doing this so the drunkards (which happens in MD schools as well) can pass.
In summary, if you want to be a doctor, there is NO –repeat NO difference in DO and MD. If this makes you insecure then for sure switch. Otherwise, quit complaining and stay where you are. All the DOs I know are well respected, informed, and great physicians (which ought to be your ultimate goal, right?)

Sincerely, Eric (M4 in MD school)

[Author]

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