Any ATC/DO Students or Physicians Out There?

[DPManeen]

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I am a senior in undergrad about to graduate and be certified as an athletic trainer. The time spent as an athletic trainer in school obviously made me fall in love with the osteopathic approach to medicine (the love of the musculoskeletal system and the relationships you build with your athletes). I was wondering if there are any ATC's in Osteopathic School that would care to share insight into their path. Whether that be the amount of inclusion as an ATC in your apps, how you utilize your ATC background in school, and most importantly how you presented yourself in the interview as an ATC. Thank you very much.

 

[MilitaryMed]

I am a senior in undergrad about to graduate and be certified as an athletic trainer. The time spent as an athletic trainer in school obviously made me fall in love with the osteopathic approach to medicine (the love of the musculoskeletal system and the relationships you build with your athletes). I was wondering if there are any ATC's in Osteopathic School that would care to share insight into their path. Whether that be the amount of inclusion as an ATC in your apps, how you utilize your ATC background in school, and most importantly how you presented yourself in the interview as an ATC. Thank you very much.

Might be best to also post this in the DO medical student thread, not just the pre-med thread.

 

[DPManeen]

I am a senior in undergrad about to graduate and be certified as an athletic trainer and apply to medical school this summer. The time spent as an athletic trainer in school obviously made me fall in love with the osteopathic approach to medicine (the love of the musculoskeletal system and the relationships you build with your athletes). I was wondering if there are any ATC's in Osteopathic School that would care to share insight into their path. Whether that be the amount of inclusion as an ATC in your apps, how you utilize your ATC background in school, and most importantly how you presented yourself in the interview as an ATC. Thank you very much.

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

I put it on my pre-med resume. We talked about it in interviews. It helps with anatomy and OMM a lot, as you already have an idea of joint motion, muscle origin/insertion/action, etc.

 

[nvboy]

I am an ATC and accepted to DO school for 2012. I also have 10 years experience and a master's degree in sports medicine. So it would be tough to say what the ATC credential alone versus the experience means on my application. But I think if you frame your ATC experience correctly in the application it is a perfect pre-medical degree.

Is your team physician a DO? There are quite a few out there actually and that would certainly help if you if you have spent time with him/her seeing your athletes. If you are applying immediately after graduation, just make sure that your AT experience is strong, with some primary care and other experiences mixed with the athletic medicine. Just having the certification won't mean much if you haven't practiced however, so you might consider some internships or other opportunities to get work experience within a clinical setting as an ATC. That will take you a couple years but it won't hurt your application any if you are engaged in medical work.

You might check the NATA website to find out how many ATCs also have medical degrees. I know they are out there but I couldn't give you a number. Hope that helps you.

 

[RIdoc11]

i am an ATC starting this fall... Can't really explain experiences as a medical student but as far as my applications and interviews, athletic training was a big part of them. I worked as an ATC for a few years after graduating so I was able to put some experience behind it.

 

[DPManeen]

Yes I am hoping in my interim year to do an athletic training internship. From both of your personal experiences, my GPA is good (3.7ish), my EC's are plentiful including representing TSATA at the Hit the Hill in DC, I somehow managed classes with sport assignments and a job. That being said my MCAT score is average at best, do you think with an average MCAT but everything else pretty substantial I will be able to lock up an interview? Thanks

 

[RIdoc11]

Yes I am hoping in my interim year to do an athletic training internship. From both of your personal experiences, my GPA is good (3.7ish), my EC's are plentiful including representing TSATA at the Hit the Hill in DC, I somehow managed classes with sport assignments and a job. That being said my MCAT score is average at best, do you think with an average MCAT but everything else pretty substantial I will be able to lock up an interview? Thanks

Yup, sounds like you should be good to go! Make sure you apply broadly... good luck!