Chiropractor to DO school

[JamesBailyDC]

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I am currently a practicing chiropractor but I'm looking to expand my education and go to DO school. I am short on Organic Chemistry credits so I'm enrolled in a local community college to get the credits I need to meet the pre-reqs. My current stats are undergad cGPA 3.4 and Chiropractic school cGPA 3.4. I plan on taking the MCAT in the spring. I know my GPA isn't the strongest so I was curious how much my Chiropractic degree will help in the admission process? My goal is to bring a strong MCAT score to help but obviously that's not a guarantee. I plan on getting some shadowing/volunteer work done as well but also looking for any advice on what else I can add to strengthen my resume. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cornfed101]

@Deecee2DO

 

[Deecee2DO]

OP, PM me

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Bring an MCAT around 505 and you should be fine. We have a DC in our 2nd yr class and they are doing well. Obviously, the shadowing ,volunteering and ECs need to be there. Good luck and best wishes

 

[Deecee2DO]

For clinical volunteering you dont really need to worry about that you ovviously have clinical experience if you are practicing and being an intern in clinic or any preceptorship you had. Work on shadowing hours ~30-50 hrs in at least 2 specialties one being preferrably primary care since DO schools like that. Non clinical volunteering is where youll need to spend some time aside from shadowing and MCAT studying but yes like avo said 505+ is what you should shoot for. 500-505 you arent out of the running but a 505+ is a safe number since youll want to get II from established DO schools not new ones (try and stay away from those if you can with a nice MCAT score). Not having a a DO LOR wont hurt you but having one will help you. Your GPA is around avg to a little below avg for DO so try to bring your A game everywhere else. Also, APPLY EARLY! (June-Aug) lol biggest mistake premeds make

 

[Deecee2DO]

How did it go? I have a friend that I really want to help with some information, but your post is the closest to it I can find. Hope you are still active.

PM me if you want. Former DC and current 3rd year med student here

 

[dstrand]

PM me if you want. Former DC and current 3rd year med student here

Hi, I'm a DC interested in pursuing medical school. I graduated in 1993 and practiced during the 1990's. Taught public high school as a certified teacher as well as college( anatomy/physiology) for about 26 years. I took the MCAT's in 2017. I will retake them this year. I plan on starting school in 2023. Can you give me some guidance? Thanks,
dstrand

 

[Deecee2DO]

Hi, I'm a DC interested in pursuing medical school. I graduated in 1993 and practiced during the 1990's. Taught public high school as a certified teacher as well as college( anatomy/physiolog) for about 26 years. I took the MCAT's in 2017. I will retake them this year. I plan on starting school in 2023. Can you give me some guidance?

What specific questions do you have?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

We need ro know some stats. GPA, MCAT. Age? You ought to be in your 50s as you will have graduated with your DC 30 yrs before you expect to enroll in med school. There is a lot to unpack here.

 

[dstrand]

What specific questions do you have?

Do you have specific schools that are suggested? I want to leave NJ. I am interested in both allopathic and osteopathic schools. I have been very interested in Kaiser Permanente in California. I have taken the Exam Krackers review course(live). Do you suggest any other supplemental prep materials? Thanks.

 

[dstrand]

We need ro know some stats. GPA, MCAT. Age? You ought to be in your 50s as you will have graduated with your DC 30 yrs before you expect to enroll in med school. There is a lot to unpack here.

My gpa in chiropractic college was 2.75. My last MCAT score from 2017 was 500. I'm 58.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Do you have specific schools that are suggested? I want to leave NJ. I am interested in both allopathic and osteopathic schools. I have been very interested in Kaiser Permanente in California. I have taken the Exam Krackers review course(live). Do you suggest any other supplemental prep materials? Thanks.

MD schools in my opinion. Bust your butt on the MCAT and shoot for MD. dont go to DO school if you can help it since Step 1 is going pass fail but if you want to do primary care and just want to be a doctor it doesnt really matter. Getting into a CA medical school is insanely difficult if youre out of state so keep that in mind. Where you apply depends on your MCAT score and GPA. Your classes may be outdated meaning youd have to retake all of your premed course prerequisites which you could do an accelerated post-bacc or SMP program with or without linkage to an MD or DO program. this would take a year and a half-2 years or so im guessing but dont quote me on that

 

[Deecee2DO]

My gpa in chiropractic college was 2.75. My last MCAT score from 2017 was 500. I'm 58.

Study HARD for mcat. Get your mcat score up. Medical training is 7+ years minimum and costs 250K-300K+. Chiro grades for you would be outdated so the 2.75 is moot. youll need to retake all pre-reqs is my best guess. Good for you for following your dream at 58. I never tell someone theyre ever too old to do something so I am rooting for you

 

[dstrand]

Study HARD for mcat. Get your mcat score up. Medical training is 7+ years minimum and costs 250K-300K+. Chiro grades for you would be outdated so the 2.75 is moot. youll need to retake all pre-reqs is my best guess. Good for you for following your dream at 58. I never tell someone theyre ever too old to do something so I am rooting for you

My BS is in biology. Would I still have to retake the pre-reqs?

 

[Deecee2DO]

My BS is in biology. Would I still have to retake the pre-reqs?

If its been more than like 10 years i believe so but youd have to check with the schools specifically. May want to hit up the non-traditional applicant forum on here and ask that question as they would probably know. My pre-reqs were like anywhere from 2-5 years old and I was ok but 10-15+ years im not sure

 

[dstrand]

If its been more than like 10 years i believe so but youd have to check with the schools specifically. May want to hit up the non-traditional applicant forum on here and ask that question as they would probably know. My pre-reqs were like anywhere from 2-5 years old and I was ok but 10-15+ years im not sure

Thanks so much. I will keep in touch.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

My gpa in chiropractic college was 2.75. My last MCAT score from 2017 was 500. I'm 58.

Boy, I HATE saying to someone to reconsider your dreams, but I feel I must in your case. As pointed out earlier, the costs associated with a medical degree are huge. You will be near full retirement age, 67 by the time of acceptance and 7 yrs of med school and residency, minimum. Costs at the cheapest schools will range around 300k. I'm not sure ROI makes sense, only you can answer that. Also, you, and I, (although a few years older than you), are at an age where medical issues happen. My dearest friend, age 58 just diagnosed with metastatic prostate CA. My former partner and dear friend, dead at 62 from pancreatic CA. My brother recently passed at 67 from liver failure induced from New biologic arthritis drug. Im not saying you shouldn't buy green bananas, but it is something to consider. Also, those overnight shifts get harder in your 50s and MUCH harder in your 60s, where you will be expected to keep up with those in their late 20s.You might be doing more good for people as a DC than eventually as a physician.
500 MCAT is a non starter for MD school and low for DO. Many med schools average MCAT scores so a 515 takes you to 508, still light for MD school. Ok for DO, but I think it's quite a reach. Look, no one put me in charge, and these merely are my thoughts and opinions. I just would like you to consider what I said when making your decision. Whatever you choose, I wish you nothing but the best.

 

[dstrand]

Boy, I HATE saying to someone to reconsider your dreams, but I feel I must in your case. As pointed out earlier, the costs associated with a medical degree are huge. You will be near full retirement age, 67 by the time of acceptance and 7 yrs of med school and residency, minimum. Costs at the cheapest schools will range around 300k. I'm not sure ROI makes sense, only you can answer that. Also, you, and I, (although a few years older than you), are at an age where medical issues happen. My dearest friend, age 58 just diagnosed with metastatic prostate CA. My former partner and dear friend, dead at 62 from pancreatic CA. My brother recently passed at 67 from liver failure induced from New biologic arthritis drug. Im not saying you shouldn't buy green bananas, but it is something to consider. Also, those overnight shifts get harder in your 50s and MUCH harder in your 60s, where you will be expected to keep up with those in their late 20s.You might be doing more good for people as a DC than eventually as a physician.
500 MCAT is a non starter for MD school and low for DO. Many med schools average MCAT scores so a 515 takes you to 508, still light for MD school. Ok for DO, but I think it's quite a reach. Look, no one put me in charge, and these merely are my thoughts and opinions. I just would like you to consider what I said when making your decision. Whatever you choose, I wish you nothing but the best.

Thanks for your integrious feedback; I appreciate your transparency. Please keep in touch.