DO Secondary: "speciality of interest.."

[perrcoxmd1]

When asked on a secondary to explain my specialty of interest, am I supposed to "lie" and say primary care even if it's not true, given that this is a DO school obviously with a primary care focus? I feel like I can come up with a good explanation for primary care, it's just not my first choice. Should I say I'm unsure and look forward to the opportunity to explore X,Y, Z specialties in medical school etc...

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[DO2015CA]

Dont do that, the ADCOM will see right through it. If your application involves a bunch of surgeons and specialists with no PC exposure then they will see you are lying.

 

[perrcoxmd1]

Dont do that, the ADCOM will see right through it. If your application involves a bunch of surgeons and specialists with no PC exposure then they will see you are lying.

I shadowed and have a letter from a DO PC. So I could probably write something relatively convincing about how seeing him in action convinced me to be PC (blah, blah blah.)

 

[DO2015CA]

I shadowed and have a letter from a DO PC. So I could probably write something relatively convincing about how seeing him in action convinced me to be PC (blah, blah blah.)

Okay. If you do that just remember to be ride or die PC at the interview

 

[FutureD.O]

It depends on what you've demonstrated interest in through shadowing. You can say anything you want, but it usually won't mean anything unless it's backed up in some way, shape, or form.

When I had to answer those questions, I was honest and spoke about have interest in just about everything. You don't necessarily have to have a strong in primary care, but make sure you at least express the potential to gain interest in it during medical school.

 

[perrcoxmd1]

It depends on what you've demonstrated interest in through shadowing. You can say anything you want, but it usually won't mean anything unless it's backed up in some way, shape, or form.

When I had to answer those questions, I was honest and spoke about have interest in just about everything. You don't necessarily have to have a strong in primary care, but make sure you at least express the potential to gain interest in it during medical school.

Well, probably TMI, but here's my shadowing:
Ortho (MD): 40hrs
Plastic surg (MD): 18hrs
Anesthesiology (MD): 18hrs
Derm (MD): 32hrs
Cardiology (MD): 24hrs
Physical Med & Rehab (DO): 5hrs
PC (DO): 4hrs
Also another ~2500hrs as a cardiology scribe.

So I've seen a good bit of stuff. I could talk about how PC was far and away the best and outshined everything else, but I'll probably end up saying discussing how I'm intrigued by PC and it's one of my options.

 

[FutureD.O]

Well, probably TMI, but here's my shadowing:
Ortho (MD): 40hrs
Plastic surg (MD): 18hrs
Anesthesiology (MD): 18hrs
Derm (MD): 32hrs
Cardiology (MD): 24hrs
Physical Med & Rehab (DO): 5hrs
PC (DO): 4hrs
Also another ~2500hrs as a cardiology scribe.

So I've seen a good bit of stuff. I could talk about how PC was far and away the best and outshined everything else, but I'll probably end up saying discussing how I'm intrigued by PC and it's one of options.

After reading that, you're completely fine. Just be honest, but do not forget to mention PC as a potential choice due to its all encompassing nature.

There are literally a million directions you can take that question with your shadowing hours/diversity. Again, just don't forget to put some light on PC.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM

 

[Electric Head]

Never lie - ADCOMs are experts at body/textual language and will see right through you. Tell the correct truth, that you are in the informative stages and have yet to decide what to do. You should supplement that theme about what aspects of the specific fields you have experience with and what you enjoy and are passionate about.

I.E., what did you find exciting about the interpersonal relationships/bonds between the doctors and the patients in the different fields you have shadowed in? What types of work can you see yourself doing 5 years from now - high stress and fast paced, or would you prefer methodical and quiet work (research)?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

When asked on a secondary to explain my specialty of interest, am I supposed to "lie" and say primary care even if it's not true, given that this is a DO school obviously with a primary care focus? I feel like I can come up with a good explanation for primary care, it's just not my first choice. Should I say I'm unsure and look forward to the opportunity to explore X,Y, Z specialties in medical school etc...

Play the game. Either say you don't know what specialty you want or say it's primary care/psychiatry.

 

[SurgDoc95]

Don't lie, but you can say you have an interest in primary care. You don't have to specify a specialty before even starting school even if there's one you prefer. You'd be better off approaching the question as you're interested in X but are keeping an open mind heading into medical school and hope to find your niche from rotations, specialty clubs, mentors, etc.

 

[stickgirl390]

Threads like this make me smile because I actually do want to be in primary care

 

[DO2015CA]

Threads like this make me smile because I actually do want to be in primary care

Yes! It made writing that prompt so easy