Difference between MD and DO admissions

[technocrat626]

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It's my intention to apply mostly to osteopathic schools when I finish with undergrad. Are there any major differences between applying to DO schools vs MD schools? I know about the grade replacement policy, the holistic philosophy, and the focus on primary care. I'm asking about admissions standards. Are the prereq courses different? Do they place more emphasis on a particular part of the application than allopathic schools do, such as focusing more on volunteering than research? Any information on the nuanced preferences of osteopathic school adcoms would be appreciated.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

The only real difference is that they require a doctor's letter of recommendation, some require a DO's letter, others will be fine with a MD's letter. Other than that generally the requirements are the same. Oh, it also uses a different application service than MD schools.

Also during the interview you need to voice your "love' for osteopathic medicine and how you want to be a DO and how OMM and other "unique" DO paradigms appeal to you.

 

[BenZq]

DO schools place less emphasis on research than do MD schools. You can check out requirements and other info here: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2012cib/2012cib-whole.pdf

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

The only real difference is that they require a doctor's letter of recommendation, some require a DO's letter, others will be fine with a MD's letter. Other than that generally the requirements are the same. Oh, it also uses a different application service than MD schools.

Also during the interview you need to voice your "love' for osteopathic medicine and how you want to be a DO and how OMM and other "unique" DO paradigms appeal to you.

This. Its basically still a sales pitch like all the others lol.😀

 

[HotandCold]

It's my intention to apply mostly to osteopathic schools when I finish with undergrad. Are there any major differences between applying to DO schools vs MD schools? I know about the grade replacement policy, the holistic philosophy, and the focus on primary care. I'm asking about admissions standards. Are the prereq courses different? Do they place more emphasis on a particular part of the application than allopathic schools do, such as focusing more on volunteering than research? Any information on the nuanced preferences of osteopathic school adcoms would be appreciated.

It really varies with the school. For MSU, they didn't need a DO letter of recommendation and really appreciated a good research background. For most I think, it's quite the opposite.

The Prereqs are the same. The application format they use is virtually identical. You release your MCAT scores to AACOMAS , and you're good. I think in general, all DO schools like volunteer work. And if you're a non-trad, they'll give you preference.

 

[technocrat626]

It really varies with the school. For MSU, they didn't need a DO letter of recommendation and really appreciated a good research background. For most I think, it's quite the opposite.

The Prereqs are the same. The application format they use is virtually identical. You release your MCAT scores to AACOMAS , and you're good. I think in general, all DO schools like volunteer work. And if you're a non-trad, they'll give you preference.

This is the best news I've heard all day! 😀 I'm a 26 year old college sophomore who's struggled with chronic depression and homelessness. I think this qualifies me as a non-trad. This brings up another question, though. It's generally agreed upon (I think) that you shouldn't mention depression issues to allopathic adcoms, as there's a stigma against depression. Is the same true for osteopathic adcoms? If they prefer non-trad students, I'd think they'd be more receptive to students who have faced mental illness. Am I wrong?

 

[Joe the Plumber]

The only real difference is that they require a doctor's letter of recommendation, some require a DO's letter, others will be fine with a MD's letter. Other than that generally the requirements are the same. Oh, it also uses a different application service than MD schools.

Also during the interview you need to voice your "love' for osteopathic medicine and how you want to be a DO and how OMM and other "unique" DO paradigms appeal to you.

So is this the case? Allopathic schools generally do NOT want a letter from a doctor? I've seen on here that it's good to get a physician letter, and I've been kissing a lot of ass the past nine months or so to get one. However the four MD schools I've looked at make no mention of a physician letter. So, I won't need one?

 

[somekindof]

So is this the case? Allopathic schools generally do NOT want a letter from a doctor? I've seen on here that it's good to get a physician letter, and I've been kissing a lot of ass the past nine months or so to get one. However the four MD schools I've looked at make no mention of a physician letter. So, I won't need one?

Each individual school has their own requirements. Some may require a MD/DO letter, some may require a DO letter specifically, and some may not require a physician letter at all (which I would assume is the majority). I'm betting most would recommend, but not require, an MD/DO letter (like my school did).

 

[aSagacious]

It really varies with the school. For MSU, they didn't need a DO letter of recommendation and really appreciated a good research background. For most I think, it's quite the opposite.

MSU was the worst!

Me: Hey, I have these 5 LORs that I painstakingly collect over the course of a year. May I use these for my application?

MSU: No, you have to use our crappy 1 page survey for each letter writer. Go back and ask each letter writer for another letter. By the way, you can only keep 2 of your 5.

Me: You have made a powerful enemy today. 😡

 

[Wolverines83]

MSU was the worst!

Me: Hey, I have these 5 LORs that I painstakingly collect over the course of a year. May I use these for my application?

MSU: No, you have to use our crappy 1 page survey for each letter writer. Go back and ask each letter writer for another letter. By the way, you can only keep 2 of your 5.

Me: You have made a powerful enemy today. 😡

HAHA reminds me of PCOM's admissions in the 2010-2011 cycle.

Those people were so disorganized. Apparently some administrator changed over around that time. One day when I called to see if they got my last letter they said they didn't have any of them and were missing a transcript (which I confirmed were received with someone else in the office a couple weeks prior) I said "You know what? Forget about it. You'll probably lose my deposit at this point." This was like the 4th time I got different information from different people in that office. Thankfully I got in somewhere else!

 

[DrWily]

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you have a better chance of getting into osteopathic medical school just because you are non-trad. You have to bring your A-game and bring it hard. It's still a competition with too many applicants and not enough seats.

While Osteopathic Medical School may have a higher average age for matriculants, there are a lot of factors at play here. Best advice: apply early in the cycle, apply broadly to lots of schools, and apply when you are the most competitive you can be. If you want to be a physician, you will be a physician. The only uncertain element is time.

 

[biggiesmallsiz1]

pretty sure DOs have a screening policy as well. If you have greater than a 30, 3.7, they will throw out your application.

 

[DrWily]

pretty sure DOs have a screening policy as well. If you have greater than a 30, 3.7, they will throw out your application.

Lolwat.

No, they won't. But you better make sure your answer for "Why DO?" is solid.

 

[help2]

pretty sure DOs have a screening policy as well. If you have greater than a 30, 3.7, they will throw out your application.

NO nerds allowed!!!

 

[Soccer171983]

pretty sure DOs have a screening policy as well. If you have greater than a 30, 3.7, they will throw out your application.

Pretty much false. Had both those numbers beat. Decided to pursue a professional sport prior to med school.

 

[Soccer171983]

Just to clarify some myths and misinformation: (most of this has been said previously in this thread but it is good place to summarize it all)

1) DO schools do not have a policy to favoring nontraditional over typical recent college grads. Most do have a "culture" of going deeper than just the numbers as they look for a clear, concise, and compelling narrative showing a strong pattern of motivation, commitment and achievement.

2) The difference in application mechanics, with grade replacement and science GPA not including math may account for a large percentage of older and nontraditional who apply. More applications from a demographic would likely lead to more acceptances from that demographic hence the older average student age.

3) There is no high end cut off of GPA and MCAT score for DO (sorry, I found this comment just silly). I have had students with outstanding records go to DO, for such reasons as geographic location (near family), setting (rural), holistic culture/attitude of osteopathy, long family history of having DO relatives or having DO as doctor, strong feeling for school at interview, etc. I would like to add I have several student with ridiculously high GPA/MCAT who decided against MD or DO and opted for PA, NP, etc due to time of training, debt load and family concerns.

4) Requirements for schools do vary on having a letter from a DO, but certainly shadowing, exposure to DO, etc, should be considered nearly a requirement.

Excellent points. I agree.

 

[Goro]

Concur strongly here and would liek to point out that "non-traditional" does NOT mean you having a mental or a physical illness. Rather, it's the people who are NOT your typical pre-med biology majors, but who come from other backgrounds (like, say, drama or English), or who are older and have discovered a committment to Medicine.

OP, I suggest that you consult with your therapist as to whether you can handle medical school. It tends to chew up my students who have moderate-severe depression.

Just to clarify some myths and misinformation: (most of this has been said previously in this thread but it is good place to summarize it all)

1) DO schools do not have a policy to favoring nontraditional over typical recent college grads. Most do have a "culture" of going deeper than just the numbers as they look for a clear, concise, and compelling narrative showing a strong pattern of motivation, commitment and achievement.

2) The difference in application mechanics, with grade replacement and science GPA not including math may account for a large percentage of older and nontraditional who apply. More applications from a demographic would likely lead to more acceptances from that demographic hence the older average student age.

3) There is no high end cut off of GPA and MCAT score for DO (sorry, I found this comment just silly). I have had students with outstanding records go to DO, for such reasons as geographic location (near family), setting (rural), holistic culture/attitude of osteopathy, long family history of having DO relatives or having DO as doctor, strong feeling for school at interview, etc. I would like to add I have several student with ridiculously high GPA/MCAT who decided against MD or DO and opted for PA, NP, etc due to time of training, debt load and family concerns.

4) Requirements for schools do vary on having a letter from a DO, but certainly shadowing, exposure to DO, etc, should be considered nearly a requirement.