Career Switch..

[kxk010]

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Hi guys. I did, indeed, create this dummy account to ask this question just to avoid flaming and other crap that tends to occur in SDN land. I have a few questions in light of my current situation and am hoping some more friendly, patient SDN'ers might oblige.

I recently applied to several DPT programs and really do enjoy many things about the field. However, I truly enjoy many of the aspects of medicine that I've observed from my time as a scribe in a hospital/shadowing, many of which I won't be able to employ as a physical therapist. I understand how fickle this seems, but I assure you all that I've been debating DPT vs. DO for some time now. Some of the reasons I moved away from DO included the money and time commitment, which is considerably larger when compared to PT, especially considering I am 27 (an older, non-trad applicant). However, I'm worried that I'll always regret not going for my goal just because I wanted to save a few years and a few bucks.

So I'll get to the point of my post. I just have a few concerns/questions moving forward if I do choose to go down the road to DO. Fortunately, I've taken 90% of the pre-reqs for DO programs, as there is a great deal of overlap between pre-PT and pre-med. I just need to take O-Chem I and Biochem. My biggest hurdle will be studying for and taking the MCAT, which I know is a massive commitment.

Questions:
1. Do D.O. schools have to know that I applied to DPT schools, prompting me to have to explain my switch from PT to DO? I know that if you apply to the same school but a different program this has to be disclosed, but assuming that I'd be applying to an entirely new crop of schools, I'm wondering if I have to tell them.

2. I've shadowed docs and physical therapists, volunteered at hospitals, etc, which was sufficient for PT programs. To apply to DO schools, do I need to do research, publish a paper, etc?

3. I have a really low cumulative GPA: 3.3 (insert excuse for terrible freshman year as a liberal arts student), but my BCPM GPA is a 4.0 (achieved through 2 years of post-bacc). I know that "almost anything is possible" but I'm worried I have a dismal chance of acceptance with such a low cumulative.

Sorry for the novel. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HalfListic]

Short answers to help get this rolling

1- best advice, tell everything and be able to use it to your advantage. You now know that you want to go into medicine as a physician, right? And you have experience to back it up. Use it.

2-no research needed. Shadowing and letters from a Doc, service, etc but no research. Technically you don't even need service, but it's pretty helpful!

3-your GPA is low, but it's just fine. Just focus on getting a 26+ MCAT. Not that you're out of luck if you score lower, but to make it safe, I think a 26 is lower end goal area.


Good luck!!!

 

[Iheartnachos]

1. I think it would help you rather than hurt you to explain it in a potential interview.

2. Same as HalfListic said, no research needed. Definitely doesn't hurt, but not required.

3. If you're worried about your cgpa you could always take a couple of classes here and there to raise it a little. The 2 ochem classes and biochem should help a little. As long as you dont bomb the MCAT I think you'll definitely get some interview love when you apply with your current gpa.

As a side note, and It sounds corny as hell, but I honestly hope you dont give up on a goal/dream because of your age. 27 Is definitely not too old to be starting this. I went through a post-bacc program at 26 and my friend in the program was 29. There are easily those who are older who go through this pre-med nonsense too. If you get the opportunity to have a career you will really love then what are a few more years in the grand scheme of things? Either way, best of luck in whichever way you choose to go.

 

[Eiot]

Hi guys. I did, indeed, create this dummy account to ask this question just to avoid flaming and other crap that tends to occur in SDN land.

You really shouldn't let us anonymous internet folk get to you like that.

 

[timmaycakes]

Go for it! You dont want to regret not trying later in life.

Also, I noticed you said that you needed to take ochem 1 and biochem for pre-reqs. All med schools require orgo 1+2 with labs, and only a minority require biochem. fyi 😀

 

[kxk010]

Thanks for taking the time to write thoughtful replies, guys! The fact that my volunteer and shadowing experience up until now is sufficient definitely makes this seem like a possibility. If I had to start all over and get research positions, etc. it might be too hard to do, so that's encouraging. Especially because I would be aiming to apply next cycle and might not have sufficient time to get that done.

You really shouldn't let us anonymous internet folk get to you like that.

Ha! I promise that internet folk don't get to me in a personal way. If that were the case I'd already be eating my feelings in a dark corner, because people on this forum can be total d**kho**s. I really meant that I was trying to avoid the whole, "I researched kxk010's ENTIRE post history and he said X in Y thread!!! HE'S PRE-PT, not PRE-MED, what a loser!!!! ATTACK!!!!!!" phenomenon that I've seen. However, I will say that you pre-DO people are far friendlier than the pre-allo people. So thanks for that!

Go for it! You dont want to regret not trying later in life.

Also, I noticed you said that you needed to take ochem 1 and biochem for pre-reqs. All med schools require orgo 1+2 with labs, and only a minority require biochem. fyi 😀

This is kind of at the core of why I want to pursue it, the fear of regret. As far as OChem1/Biochem, I was thinking that I've seen a lot of DO schools allow you to take Biochem in lieu of OChem2, so I was thinking of taking OChem 1 and then Biochem for my remaining 2 prereqs. Maybe I'm wrong and that's not commonly allowed, however. Should I just take OChem 1 and 2?

Also, another general question. I would have to take OChem 1 in Spring 2013 and then OChem 2 or Biochem in Summer 2013 in order to make the next app cycle. Do you think I could take the MCAT having only completed OChem 1? Is OChem2/Biochem tested much on the MCAT? Just concerned that I wouldn't have enough time to fully study if I waited until after completing OChem 2.

 

[timmaycakes]

My personal opinion is that Biochem is better understood if you also take Orgo 2. This is because the last topics in Orgo 2 are basic biochem...which is the perfect segue into the actual class.

I didnt know DO schools accept biochem in lieu of Orgo 2. Its definitely not the conventional path students take.

You can do the MCAT with only Orgo 1. If you look at the topic list given by the AAMC there are only a couple of Orgo 2 reactions you need to know, and those are easily memorizable because you will have learned all the underlying mechanisms in Orgo 1.

 

[superfan56]

dude, use your interest in PT as a branch into manipulation.