This is my first post on UH. I use to read up on nsmatch when that was still going but now I am in a position where I need some advice/help. Currently I am at an osteopathic medical school. From its reputation and quality of its matchlist, it is fair to say that it is one of the top three programs. I have had a great time so far and done well. I am really interested in ns and trying to figure out if I have a chance of matching into a strong ACGME program. I haven’t taken the step I yet, but I know that I will study hard and shoot for the best possible score. While I am not at the point where I will be doing away rotations, I am semi-interested in a few programs like Utah, Mayo, Kansas, WashU, and Cleveland. I guess I will have a better idea when I get a chance to do some sub-i’s. What do you guys recommend that I do? I have quite a bit of research experience that has resulted in a few papres, posters, abstracts and presentations. I plan on doing some research this summer either in a department of neurosurgery or possibly a neuroscience lab. I am still trying to figure out the logistics of which lab to work in. I know that there has been a bad connotation associated with osteopathic medicine in the past, but I feel that it is slowly going away. To be honest I feel that I can compete with just about any MD student and be a terrific ns. I tried searching for some threads on this topic but only came up with one that wasn’t very helpful. Thanks guys.

Mike

Any help would be great!

if you’re serious about NS, you should give it your best shot: shoot for a stellar step 1 score, keep up the research, and plan on doing several sub-i’s.  remember that you’ll be going up against some of the best MD students so you’ll want your application to look just like theirs if not better.

I know that AMA has opened residencies to DO students, but how true is that within the ns community. Since there are qualified MD applicants, is there any chance that I would be given a spot if I have a comparable/better application? I think the the 06 match there were 3 DOs that matched (KU, LSU-Shrevport, and SUNY-Syracuse). Are there any programs that are against DOs applying for sub-i’s, meaning no sense in applying there for residency?

i think you’re treading where no one has trod before.  if you are highly qualified, i can’t imagine the majority of programs turning you down just for a subinternship.  i don’t think anyone knows the answer to your question.  it’s probably best that you call particular programs you’re interested in to see if they will take your application.

I don’t think you’ll have any program reject you for a SubI because you’re a DO.  However, some MD med schools can’t let DO students participate in patient care due to insurance reasons (or something like that) so at some rare places you’d only be allowed to observe during a SubI.  But I think that’s pretty unusual.  Maybe the best thing to do would be to track down those DO applicants that matched this year and see what they think.  They had excellent applications and rotated at some top places; I’m sure you could benefit from their advice.

Regarding programs turning you down for a sub-I simply because of you are a DO, that does happen apparently… Cedars-Sinai turned me down, reason: only accept allopathic students. I didn’t have my USMLE score at the time of application, which didn’t help. Mistake on my part.

There are DO neurosurgery residencies. Just stick to those. You really have no shot at a strong program (as you put it) but you may have an outside chance at a weak allopathic program (such as the ones you named that have taken DOs before).

The decision you made to go to a DO school closed doors for you. Thats just the way it is. Sorry.

you’re prob obsessing too much about your DO status… just like some other applicants i’ve seen who spend too much time thinking about their fmg status, a low board score, grade or lack of research--try not to fixate on these things.  what programs want is actually quite simple: someone who works hard, is friendly, has a track record of demonstrated ability, and desires to strive for excellence in residency… moreover, they want to be able to work easily with you, and they depend on your ability to get along with staff, patients, residents etc… if u have these things, then being a DO will be perceived as a strength not a weakness, and you should take confidence from the differences in your program from traditional MDs.

you obviously cant change your DO status.  of course you can match, but stop worrying about things u cant change and improve where you can… if programs see you work hard, are humble, and you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, DO or not, you have a good chance.