My father the chiropractor

Started by slyfox
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slyfox

slyfox

Full Member
10+ Year Member
I am dead set on applying to osteopathic schools, and have been ever since I became somewhat knowledgeable on the MD/DO difference. Much of the reason is because my father is a chiropractor, and established a large practice where he hired both MD's and DO's, so growing up I was always exposed to the medical and manipulative side of medicine. I have a fairly competitive GPA, and a good MCAT and EC's, but I am wondering if I can gain any sort of edge into DO schools because my father was a chiropractor. I know it's not going to make a huge difference, but, as it is primarily my reason for applying to DO schools in the first place, would mentioning it in my application/personal statement be a good thing and help me at all? I appreciate any advice, just please don't flame me for "even thinking this could help at all" haha.
 
slyfox said:
I am dead set on applying to osteopathic schools, and have been ever since I became somewhat knowledgeable on the MD/DO difference. Much of the reason is because my father is a chiropractor, and established a large practice where he hired both MD's and DO's, so growing up I was always exposed to the medical and manipulative side of medicine. I have a fairly competitive GPA, and a good MCAT and EC's, but I am wondering if I can gain any sort of edge into DO schools because my father was a chiropractor. I know it's not going to make a huge difference, but, as it is primarily my reason for applying to DO schools in the first place, would mentioning it in my application/personal statement be a good thing and help me at all? I appreciate any advice, just please don't flame me for "even thinking this could help at all" haha.
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Your dad being a chiropractor won't make up for a bad GPA/MCAT/poor ECs (but from your post, you don't have to worry about this). It will, however, be cool to bring up in your personal statement and interviews as a reasons why your interested in the "osteopathic philosophy". 😉
 
If you would equate osteopathic medicine to chiropractic "medicine" you could guarantee (I might eat my words) you WOULD NOT be granted admission.

If you mentioned the practice and how you saw several DOs perform manipulative medicine, it would be like flies on... you know what.
 
Bacchus said:
If you would equate osteopathic medicine to chiropractic "medicine" you could guarantee (I might eat my words) you WOULD NOT be granted admission.

If you mentioned the practice and how you saw several DOs perform manipulative medicine, it would be like flies on... you know what.
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This is true. I didn't mean for the OP to equate the two... rather, describe how he gained an appreciation for body mechanics and biorhythms and whatnot, combined with his desire to pursue a medical degree.
 
Bacchus said:
If you would equate osteopathic medicine to chiropractic "medicine" you could guarantee (I might eat my words) you WOULD NOT be granted admission.

If you mentioned the practice and how you saw several DOs perform manipulative medicine, it would be like flies on... you know what.
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ha trust me I know not to equate osteopathic medicine with chiropractic, I wouldn't even equate osteopathic with chiropractic manipulation. I have seen osteopathic physicians perform manipulations however in my father's clinic, and I do believe that the different professions definitely have a link. If I thought they were identical, I'd opt to become a chiropractor. I just thought this might be interesting to include somewhere in my application. Thanks to you and iliketoytles for the insight, this is good information.
 
Bacchus said:
If you would equate osteopathic medicine to chiropractic "medicine" you could guarantee (I might eat my words) you WOULD NOT be granted admission.

If you mentioned the practice and how you saw several DOs perform manipulative medicine, it would be like flies on... you know what.
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Yes!! This!!
 
slyfox said:
I am dead set on applying to osteopathic schools, and have been ever since I became somewhat knowledgeable on the MD/DO difference. Much of the reason is because my father is a chiropractor, and established a large practice where he hired both MD's and DO's, so growing up I was always exposed to the medical and manipulative side of medicine. I have a fairly competitive GPA, and a good MCAT and EC's, but I am wondering if I can gain any sort of edge into DO schools because my father was a chiropractor. I know it's not going to make a huge difference, but, as it is primarily my reason for applying to DO schools in the first place, would mentioning it in my application/personal statement be a good thing and help me at all? I appreciate any advice, just please don't flame me for "even thinking this could help at all" haha.
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Instead of "why DO", you probably will need to show "why DO and not DC"?
 
I was interested in Chiro before DO, and during an interview I was specifically asked what I thought the difference was between the two. They were pleased I knew the answer, even though it was about as untechnical as you could get. They appreciated the fact I knew the difference and had done my shadowing and research, I could tell.

Make sure you have a great answer to this question, as it's coming right after "Why medicine?" and "Why DO?"
 
My father ran a major medical clinic throughout the 1990's early-mid 200's, as claims were billed under "medical claims" and not simply chiropractic. While he himself is a DC, and was therefore only licensed to perform manipulations, he had hired an IM as well as multiple FP physicians to work with him. Growing up around both DC's as well as MD's and DO's, I have a very clear answer as to why "Why DO not DC". DC's such as my father are capable of doing great things with helping people, but more is needed to fully treat an individual, with which Osteopathic physicians have more knowledge and tools for. This is my answer in its most simplest terms "ManBroDude". I just want to have the best knowledge and tools at my disposal when treating a patient, and simply becoming a DC will not fully allow me to do that. However, becoming a DO, even over a DC or MD, will.
 
TriagePreMed said:
The only profession they would care about is if he's rich and willing to donate.
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I don't see why you believe this to be the case. Will they care that my father is a DC? Probably not. Will they care about the entailing details, and how my father being a DC (and hiring MD's and DO's) has granted me exposure to the multifaceted nature of medicine and how that has led to my desire to become a DO? I hope so. Perhaps you mistook my question for "My dad's a chiropractor, that's gotta be a golden ticket into getting into osteopathic medical school, right?" My question was not that simple.
 
slyfox said:
My father ran a major medical clinic throughout the 1990's early-mid 200's, as claims were billed under "medical claims" and not simply chiropractic. While he himself is a DC, and was therefore only licensed to perform manipulations, he had hired an IM as well as multiple FP physicians to work with him. Growing up around both DC's as well as MD's and DO's, I have a very clear answer as to why "Why DO not DC". DC's such as my father are capable of doing great things with helping people, but more is needed to fully treat an individual, with which Osteopathic physicians have more knowledge and tools for. This is my answer in its most simplest terms "ManBroDude". I just want to have the best knowledge and tools at my disposal when treating a patient, and simply becoming a DC will not fully allow me to do that. However, becoming a DO, even over a DC or MD, will.
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slyfox said:
I don't see why you believe this to be the case. Will they care that my father is a DC? Probably not. Will they care about the entailing details, and how my father being a DC (and hiring MD's and DO's) has granted me exposure to the multifaceted nature of medicine and how that has led to my desire to become a DO? I hope so. Perhaps you mistook my question for "My dad's a chiropractor, that's gotta be a golden ticket into getting into osteopathic medical school, right?" My question was not that simple.
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Good reasons for wanting to be a DO, but I can't say they come off as the most awesome reasons I have ever heard 😴. You obviously have the material to write your personal statement, but I doubt any of this gives you a significant edge over anyone else who's applying.
 
slyfox said:
I don't see why you believe this to be the case. Will they care that my father is a DC? Probably not. Will they care about the entailing details, and how my father being a DC (and hiring MD's and DO's) has granted me exposure to the multifaceted nature of medicine and how that has led to my desire to become a DO? I hope so. Perhaps you mistook my question for "My dad's a chiropractor, that's gotta be a golden ticket into getting into osteopathic medical school, right?" My question was not that simple.
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It's still meaningless. The only thing they care about is YOUR experiences as to why you want to do this. It has nothing to do with your dad, so it's more likely that you phrased it wrong than I interpreting it wrong.
 
TriagePreMed said:
It's still meaningless. The only thing they care about is YOUR experiences as to why you want to do this. It has nothing to do with your dad, so it's more likely that you phrased it wrong than I interpreting it wrong.
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Trust me, my experiences have everything to do with my wanting to go to osteopathic school, and it is not by any means limited to my father's clinic, which, going off what you are saying, is not meaningless at all. MY experiences as to why I want to do this are inherently tied to growing up around my father's clinic. Therefore it can't be meaningless. Perhaps I put it in too simplistic of terms initially, but I feel like I have clarified myself enough show that it is at the very least not meaningless.
Thank you for your advice everyone. I will be sure to articulate the difference between DO/DC/MD in my application and interviews (if god willing I receive them). Being around these different types of doctors my whole life has made it fairly easy to distinguish the 3, as well as to decide which degree to pursue.
 
slyfox said:
Trust me, my experiences have everything to do with my wanting to go to osteopathic school, and it is not by any means limited to my father's clinic, which, going off what you are saying, is not meaningless at all. MY experiences as to why I want to do this are inherently tied to growing up around my father's clinic. Therefore it can't be meaningless. Perhaps I put it in too simplistic of terms initially, but I feel like I have clarified myself enough show that it is at the very least not meaningless.
Thank you for your advice everyone. I will be sure to articulate the difference between DO/DC/MD in my application and interviews (if god willing I receive them). Being around these different types of doctors my whole life has made it fairly easy to distinguish the 3, as well as to decide which degree to pursue.
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It's good to see that you're so informed! I was a DC student for a term. I did well, but I decided to switch to DO. On my application, I emphasized my chiropractic background and differentiate it from DOs. It served me well since I had three acceptances =). I've met a few other individuals on the application trail with similar background. PM me if you have any questions & I'd be happy to look over your PS.
 
Optoed said:
It's good to see that you're so informed! I was a DC student for a term. I did well, but I decided to switch to DO. On my application, I emphasized my chiropractic background and differentiate it from DOs. It served me well since I had three acceptances =). I've met a few other individuals on the application trail with similar background. PM me if you have any questions & I'd be happy to look over your PS.
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Thank you Optoed, I am currently in the process of writing my personal statement. I would definitely like you to look over it when I have written my rough draft, as I will also be emphasizing my chiropractic background..I appreciate the offer.
 
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