DPT to DO - Need Advice!!!

[DPTnotMD]

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After practicing PT for almost a year, I know I want to be a physician now . I believe DO will serve me better and I get the best of both worlds (practice both medicine and OMM) However, I wondering what's my best course of action with my stats. Undergrad GPA : 2.9 (only got into PT schools because of ECs, last 60 semester hours (3.6), and interviews)
DPT GPA: 3.5 (I actually learned how to study). Organic Chemistry was not required for PT school so I still have to take I and II - I know I can get an A in both.

I won't apply until 2013 so I can be debt free when I start ($109,000 student loan debt and paying it off in 3 years!). LOL, and no I'm not gettig back in debt...want to serve my country as a physician.

Please give me info on any advice! Will I be competitve because I have a Graduate (Doctorate) degree or will not matter because of my low undergraduate GPA. What will be a good enough MCAT score with my aformentioned stats? I have 3 years, but I like to prepare - taking Organic Chem I in the fall.

Thanks so much!

 

[randomusername]

It would seem that if your pre-req course grades are good, combined with the graduate GPA, I would think your undergrad as a whole wouldn't matter nearly as much. As for the MCAT, it never hurts to aim high regardless of everything else.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

After practicing PT for almost a year, I know I want to be a physician now . I believe DO will serve me better and I get the best of both worlds (practice both medicine and OMM) However, I wondering what's my best course of action with my stats. Undergrad GPA : 2.9 (only got into PT schools because of ECs, last 60 semester hours (3.6), and interviews)
DPT GPA: 3.5 (I actually learned how to study). Organic Chemistry was not required for PT school so I still have to take I and II - I know I can get an A in both.

I won't apply until 2013 so I can be debt free when I start ($109,000 student loan debt and paying it off in 3 years!). LOL, and no I'm not gettig back in debt...want to serve my country as a physician.

Please give me info on any advice! Will I be competitve because I have a Graduate (Doctorate) degree or will not matter because of my low undergraduate GPA. What will be a good enough MCAT score with my aformentioned stats? I have 3 years, but I like to prepare - taking Organic Chem I in the fall.

Thanks so much!

the graduate degree and the upward trend in grades is definitely an advantage. Most people do a masters in order to recover from their undergrad gpa, u got a doctorate, so that's definitely a plus.

However, u need to continue to prove ur upward trend with A's in Orgo and a high mcat, I would recommend 27 n above.

But u sure u wanna wait 3 years then 4 years of med school, then 3-7 years of residency n possibly a fellowship after. And THEN you can start ur life as a physician.

Just my opinion apply for the next cycle and pay the loans off all together at the end..

Good luck. Keep us updated...

 

[Jrsharp70]

You say you know you can get an A in ochem 1 and 2. They are tough. I don't doubt you, but i recommend the books Organic chemistry as a second language parts 1 and 2. Forget who wrote them but they are an incredible help.

 

[summerX]

I am in a similar situation as PTnotMD. I recently graduated from physical therapy school and have been practicing for close to a year. I am also considering changing professions. I am just shocked that after 7 years of school and pre med prerequisites that depending on the practice setting, the day of a PT can be primarily walking pts around the hospital in acute care or giving strengthening exercises and walking pts in the nursing home. There are other settings with other responsibilities, but I just pictured that we would have more responsibility, especially with the title doctor and with all the things I read before PT school that said we can "diagnose". I think entering an MD program at this point in my life (I also have about 3 years worth of loans to pay off) would majorly hinder other life goals. I am now considering a Phd, as I majored in science as an undergrad and really enjoyed it (had actually considered a phd then, too). I guess that overall I feel that I am not reaching my potential as a PT and feel bored on a daily basis. Any thoughts or suggestions???

 

[Skippygonenuts]

I am in a similar situation as PTnotMD. I recently graduated from physical therapy school and have been practicing for close to a year. I am also considering changing professions. I am just shocked that after 7 years of school and pre med prerequisites that depending on the practice setting, the day of a PT can be primarily walking pts around the hospital in acute care or giving strengthening exercises and walking pts in the nursing home. There are other settings with other responsibilities, but I just pictured that we would have more responsibility, especially with the title doctor and with all the things I read before PT school that said we can "diagnose". I think entering an MD program at this point in my life (I also have about 3 years worth of loans to pay off) would majorly hinder other life goals. I am now considering a Phd, as I majored in science as an undergrad and really enjoyed it (had actually considered a phd then, too). I guess that overall I feel that I am not reaching my potential as a PT and feel bored on a daily basis. Any thoughts or suggestions???

if u don't enjoy what you do then stop doing it before u get stuck in it and hate ur life 10 years later. I'm sure many ppl have changed their professions in the past from PT to MD/DO. Complete the prereqs, study for mcats and apply...if your interested in doing a PhD and going into research or teaching then do that. Find what makes u happy and do it...just don't do something that you don't enjoy getting out of bed for every morning.