confusion

[OneLove]

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Are the prerequisites for applying to D.O. Schools the same as for M.D. Schools? WHat are the differences between the two degrees? Is one easier to get into than the other? Thanks

 

[Green912]

Are the prerequisites for applying to D.O. Schools the same as for M.D. Schools? WHat are the differences between the two degrees? Is one easier to get into than the other? Thanks

I'm glad to see that you're curious about Osteopathic medicine. I knew very little about the field myself when I first considered applying to med-school, then as I dug a little deeper I decided that the D.O. degree was a good fit with my personality and goals. To answer two of your questions:
1. yes the prerequisites are pretty much the same. There is always variation from school to school
3. They're both equally difficult degrees to obtain.

question #2 just too big to answer in one post. I think you'll find the information you need by reading past posts. After that there are a couple of good books to read if you decide you want more.

Good luck.

 

[Kevbot]

3. They're both equally difficult degrees to obtain.

I think she means: Is the actual acceptance to the med school easier to obtain? The answer is.. Slightly. The gpa for most MD schools is around 3.6. Some of the more prestegious MD schools such as Einstein and Harvard are up around 3.7 to 3.8, I believe. DO schools are slightly lower than this averaging anywhere between 3.2 to 3.5 depending on which school your looking at. The same goes for MCAT. While you pretty much need a 30+ to get into an MD school, DO schools will take slightly lower scores (26-27+) depending on other factors. Also you should be aware that many DO Admissions boards claim to look at extra curricular/volunteer/experience more heavily. However having other credentials probably won't make up for a very low gpa/mcat.

I should also mention that there are many students with 3.9+ and MCATs in the 30's that opt to go the DO route. So they don't base thier decision soley on whats available to them via thier grades, but based on the osteopathic philosophy, tuition etc..

 

[Green912]

Yeah, looks like I read that last queston too fast.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Are the prerequisites for applying to D.O. Schools the same as for M.D. Schools? WHat are the differences between the two degrees? Is one easier to get into than the other? Thanks

1. Yes, they are the same.
2. Both practice medicine and are considered physicians. The courses are the same in medical school, with the exception that D.O.'s recieve additional training in osteopathic assessment and manipulation. They compete for the same positions upon completion of their training.
3. It depends on the school, but there are some D.O. schools that are easier to get into than M.D. schools. However, realize that there are also some D.O. schools that are more difficult to get in than some M.D. schools. PM me if you would like the specifics.

 

[smc927]

Be careful when comparing the average GPA and MCAT scores for M.D. and D.O. schools. The M.D. average comes from over 120 schools, including the big guns like Harvard and Johns Hopkins. There are only about 20 D.O. schools. And really there is no Harvard of the D.O. world.

If you really want to compare the numbers you need to do a one-on-one comparison of specific D.O. and M.D. schools. You might be surprised that many D.O. schools have higher GPA and MCAT numbers than many M.D. schools. And, conversely, many are lower.

Easier to get into? Just different. Like comparing apples and pears. Similar. Both great. But each unique.