<p>There is a program in my state (TX) that offers a BS/DO in seven years and I wondered if I should apply for it or wait and just apply under regular decision to MD programs. Will it matter if I get a DO instead of an MD?</p>
<p>What are your goals?</p>
<p>I am thinking of becoming either a anestiologist (spelled that horribly) or a pathologist. Maybe pathologist because I can spell that better jk. Oh and do all pathologists have to examine dead bodies, bc I really would not want to do that.</p>
<p>For the most part, if you work hard, there's little difference. You may encounter some MD's who are somewhat prejudiced against you, but most patients don't care. The data is out there that shows that DO students don't do as well on the USMLE's or in the Match, but I suspect that at least some of that is due to some DO students not really caring about their USMLE score because they can fall back on DO licensing exams and be fine, as well as the fact that they're classes are not so directly aimed at the topics covered on the USMLE. Remember that there is a significant portion of their education spent on mastering Osteopathic principles and techniques. </p>
<p>Pathologists look at tissue. Whether that's from dead bodies or surgical specimens is largely irrelevant isn't it?</p>
<p>It should be pointed out that the following subspecialties in pathology are available:</p>
<pre><code>* Selective Pathology
* Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine
* Chemical Pathology
* Cytopathology
* Forensic Pathology
* Hematology
* Medical Microbiology
* Neuropathology
* Pediatric Pathology
</code></pre>
<p>Most of which are 1 year fellowships. But keep in mind that you'll have do a residency in pathology which will require you to spend at least some portion of your training doing autopsies.</p>
<p>In your position, I'd take the BS-only route. You'll almost certainly be able to get into a DO school the second time around anyway, if they're willing to take you now. Anesthesia can be tough sometimes.</p>
<p>And no, it is not the case that every pathologist has to deal with dead bodies. What is it about the field that draws you?</p>
<p>I would just wait and apply to both (if you dont mind either program). DO schools are pretty much the exact same thing as MD schools. Some like say DO = MD + OMM. You will learn OMM in you first two years, but it up to you if you want to use it after that. Also as a DO, you dont have to take the USMLE, but many do to be competitive in some of the allopathic residencies. As for anesthesiology, you will see a good amount of DO's in it, but you might not see a lot in the top, competitive programs (i.e UCSF, MGH, Columbia, etc). For pathology you can choose AP (anatomical pathology), CP (clinical pathology), or both AP/CP (all are 4 years). If you dont want to deal with autopsies and stuff then do CP only. I think the minimum number for AP or AP/CP is 50 sole autopsy, but not sure.</p>
<p>The DO program is only seven years which is what makes it appealing, the pathology seems more like being a scientist which is what I want to do but they don't make any money, comparatively.</p>
<p>well, apply to the program first because i dont know how competitive it is to get in. But have you seen OMM. i found it quite weird, actually very very weird.</p>
<p>but if you shooting for ROAD, i go with traditional route of bs and then apply MD.
overall TCOM isnt too bad, like one of the top DO schools out there, with a research department so you can go DO/PHD if you wanted to</p>