MD or DPT

[thegirlinthewater]

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I'm currently entering as a college senior with a major in Kinesiology. I'm torn between med-school and physical therapy programs. I plan to take the GRE spring 2015 and MCAT summer 2015. I had a crazy 3rd year of college, due to a few traumatic life experiences this past year, my GPA had suffered from being a 3.78 to a 3.19. I just finished summer school with a 4.0 and I'm determined to graduate with a solid GPA. I have many hours of experience with observation and volunteering in hospitals, nursing homes and physical therapy clinics. No research experience which will hurt when applying for med school. I live in Hawaii so it was very difficult to find experience in such a small place. I'll cut to the chase now, I really cant decide if I want to be an MD or DPT. Both careers are so appealing to me, intellectually and emotionally. I'm also worried that being indecisive will hurt my applications in both PT and med-school admissions. Anyone with words of wisdom?

 

[claduva94]

Why does each appeal to you?

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

If you're interested in rehab and medicine you should shadow a physiatrist (if you already haven't).

 

[thegirlinthewater]

Why does each appeal to you?

both- love for science
PT- links in my personal life, I've witnessed amazing rehabilitation results in friends and family members
MD- interest in medicine, opportunity for growth

 

[claduva94]

both- love for science
PT- links in my personal life, I've witnessed amazing rehabilitation results in friends and family members
MD- interest in medicine, opportunity for growth

Ok. When you shadowed which one makes you more excited?

 

[thegirlinthewater]

If you're interested in rehab and medicine you should shadow a physiatrist (if you already haven't).

i've considered physiatry. It doesn't seem like they work much with patients, just diagnose and prescribe therapy. I Haven't shadowed one yet, but perhaps I shall!

 

[thegirlinthewater]

Ok. When you shadowed which one makes you more excited?

lol. well, I learned a lot in both. Equal amounts of excitement

 

[claduva94]

lol. well, I learned a lot in both. Equal amounts of excitement

You aren't making this easy 😉 Make a list of pros and cons. The length of time. Cost. Etc. See if anything starts to stand out.

 

[ColoradoHkyMom]

There is quite a bit of difference in medical school vs physical therapy school. Just to name a few, number of years required, doing an internship and residency after medical school, and the amount of debt you will incur. I think you need to shadow more physicians, as it seems you have some experience in the physical therapy world, and very little as to what a physician does.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

i've considered physiatry. It doesn't seem like they work much with patients, just diagnose and prescribe therapy. I Haven't shadowed one yet, but perhaps I shall!

They do EMG, acupuncture, spine intervention procedures, Botox for spasticity, and help manage chronic conditions (among other things). It is different from pt, but their work is more hands on than you think.

 

[PingPongPro]

Take the MCAT/GRE first and see what you get. Your scores might make your decision much easier.

 

[Boolean]

If your GPA dropped .59 points in a year, there may be a larger problem at hand. 3.1 GPA is very low for MD.

 

[Omppu27]

If your GPA dropped .59 points in a year, there may be a larger problem at hand. 3.1 GPA is very low for MD.

Right. What if we told you that the DO route was your best opinion for medical school. Would you still be as interested?...

 

[DermViser]

Right. What if we told you that the DO route was your best opinion for medical school. Would you still be as interested?...

Well DOs have a slight edge in physiatry, so it makes sense.

 

[sillyrabbit0207]

bump .
how is the job market for DPTs? are they in demand? northeast area?
also is it DPT school and then done?

 

[ndafife]

bump .
how is the job market for DPTs? are they in demand? northeast area?
also is it DPT school and then done?

You should probably ask this question in the physical therapy forums area (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/pre-physical-therapy.821/) rather than bumping an old pre-Allo thread

 

[doc05]

If there's any doubt in your mind....

do physical therapy. good job, good salary, and a lot fewer headaches.