<p>Is the D.O. considered inferior to the M.D.? Not just in terms of what is actually taught, but professionally. Are D.O.'s discriminated against in terms of seeking residencies and employment. I.E. would a top graduate from the lowest ranked M.D. medical school be considered "better" or be chosen over a top graduate from a top ranked D.O. medical school?</p>
<p>Furthermore, could a MSU medical school grad, go on to UMICH hospital for a residency and/or employment? Not just if, but has this ever happened?</p>
<p>It depends upon the residency. In the high demand residencies it actually works in reverse. An allopath medical student would have to do an osteopathic internship in order to be chosen by an osteopathic residency, whereas an exceptionally talented osteopathic student could match with an allopathic residency right out of osteopathic school. Almost no allopathic students are going to take the risk of doing an osteopathic internship to be turned down again. The osteopathic student has two shots at matching as the osteopathic residencies are pretty much reserved for them by this mechanism. On the other hand, the allopathic residencies that are in such demand will be extremely hard to get into.
So, to answer your question, it is possible for MSU student to match at UMich, but only in certain subjects.</p>
<p>lol my grandma is a pediatrician and i asked her what she thinks of DO and she says they mostly are the rejects of MD. haha. she's like, MD is better of course.</p>
<p>On balance that is of course true. Just like some MD programs are generally considered "better" than others. Point being, it's a continuum. Just as kids shouldn't turn up their noses at UC Davis medical school, they should also not snub DO programs just because they're DO programs.</p>
<p>DO's have all the same priveleges MD's have in a health care context. If you want to be a doctor, a DO is one way to go.</p>
<p>It also depends where you want to practice. In some areas of the Midwest there are many DO's and their status is equivalent to MD's. In most Northeastern cities (except for Philadelphia), they are much less common, and you won't find any on the staffs of the major academic centers in NYC.
So it does depend on where you want to practice, and what type of practice you are interested in. I have never heard of anyone who got into an allopathic medical school deciding to attend an osteopathic one, so that kind of says it all.</p>