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Just from their residency list in the past 4 years, they have not had a DO. Does anyone know if they are open to DOs?
Just from their residency list in the past 4 years, they have not had a DO. Does anyone know if they are open to DOs?
Thank you @smq123. Is this just bias or is there another reason? PCOM is in the area so I am surprised.As far as I am aware, they don't typically interview DOs.
Thank you @smq123. Is this just bias or is there another reason? PCOM is in the area so I am surprised.
Just from their residency list in the past 4 years, they have not had a DO. Does anyone know if they are open to DOs?
I didn't apply to the inside Philly programs, but applied to many other ones throughout the state. PA FM programs are very DO friendly and half are dual-accredited. Its possible Jeff isn't particularly DO-friendly, or its possible there are just so many other options that DOs that would apply don't feel the need to jump through hoops when there are equivalent or better programs that don't say things like "USMLE-only" in the same area.
I've gotta back up Jeff here. They aren't biased against DO's, but you need to be as competitive as anyone else when applying to their program. I.E. USMLE only and whatever else any MD student has. Seeing it from the insider's perspective now, there aren't many FM applicants who have strong board scores, but the ones who do do get in to top programs. (We've had students match to UPenn for FM as well, although rare).
UPenn isn't a top FM program. Lancaster General on the other hand is (its why Penn affiliated with the LGH program). I've interviewed at a lot of the "top" FM programs (including Lancaster General). Most don't have a "USMLE only" policy. I personally took the USMLEs and I still think its ridiculous for an FM program to require it. It has nothing to do with getting "top only" applicants, its got to do with making DOs pay an extra $1200 and jump through extra hoops or pure laziness.
Depends on how you look at it. I can see a PD saying this is the fairest way to compare candidates apple-to-apple. Also I’ve noticed a general trend where it’s usually the university programs (just the main hospital campus) that require USMLE’s, generally for higher-tier MD programs.
Also it could be another screening tool as these programs probably get more applicants and need to trim down applicants like more competitive specialties do.
For FM its simply not a given that the university campus is a better/higher tier program. It varies. I'm not saying its not the case anywhere, but in this case, it absolutely is true. I've already explained it. Believe what you want.
the USMLEs and I still think its ridiculous for an FM program to require it.
No, what's ridiculous is that there are two "types" of medicine and two sets of qualification exams.
There should be one standard.
End of story.
HH
That has nothing to do with whether or not its ridiculous for an FM program to require the USMLE in a DO heavy state with plenty of DO programs and familiarity with the COMLEX.
There is no way an allopathic residency should be worry one second about the COMPLEX or accommodating students who study a different discipline and take a test that examines knowledge about a discipline that is not under their purview or of their concern.
The burden is fully on the applicant applying to allopathic programs to meet the allopathic standards. If said applicant wants to take some extra courses and some extra tests -- no problem. Extra knowledge maybe looked upon favorably, whether it be in law, business, engineering, basic science, or osteopathy. Excellence on the LSAT or COMPLEX may be considered a bonus by some programs -- but the standards and minimum requirements for allopathic medicine (the USMLE) must be met before acceptance.
HH