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Physical Therapist to DO School
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DO isn't holistic. With a 3.8 undergraduate gpa and a good masters gpa and add a good mcat and you'll be able to get into medical school.
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Sorry, but I disagree. Having an advanced degree in a health care related field is not a bonus point to adcom's. The worry is that the school is putting a lot of effort and resources into training someone, only to have them never use that skill, especially in a needed field. I work with a lot of PT's and OT's and several of them tried this approach. They all said the same things: some were flat out rejected and when inquired why it's because the school in question didn't want to take anyone out of a healthcare related field with an advanced degree. Others actually got interviews but were grilled with questions like: How do we know after you graduate that you'll go and do something else? Isn't that what you're doing now as a PT/OT?
The PT's and OT's that I know that HAVE gotten in to med school had 5+ years experience working as a therapist under their belt. My opinion is all based on personal experience, so take from it what you will.
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I disagree with this. The OP is still young and with a compelling personal statement about why he wishes to change from PT to DO he should be fine, especially with such a good GPA and a competitive MCAT. There was a guy in my Bradenton interview (who was accepted btw) that went to Chiro school, graduated and then immediately applied to DO school.
People change their minds on a career, if someone is a good applicant and has a good reason for change and not just "I wanted a chance of pace" he should be fine...
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Remember that I am basing my opinion on personal experience. My information comes from talking with some therapists that I work with and 4 members of an adcom that came to our school about a year ago. But that was one school that gave me their opinion. I would suggest to the OP to contact the school they are interested in and see what their opinion is on it. I would hate to see somebody go through two years of a master's program thinking that it will benefit them when it could backfire.
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I think you're completely ignoring the fact that he has a 3.8 Undergraduate gpa. Regardless DO schools love non-trads and especially career changers. Anyways even if it gives no bonus points, then by all means a 3.8/ good grad gpa/ good mcat will get an acceptance. I hope you're not attempting to say that having a pre-acceptance life and dreams is something that medical schools frown upon.
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I'm not ignoring the fact that he has a high GPA. Yes, that's going to be a benefit. But that's not the only thing, or even a major thing, to consider here. Let me try to put it another way. Let's say a med school is looking at two candidates. Similar in almost every regard. Similar GPA, similar MCAT scores, etc. One has an advanced degree in...Biology for example. The other has an advanced degree as a Physical Therapist. Who will they go with? Will they take the student that has clinical training that they will never use, or the student with academic training they will never use? What are the needs of health care in general? What are the needs of the scientific community? If there is a need for therapists (there is), I think it's reasonable to conclude that they will take the biologist over the therapist. One notion I took away from talking to this particular adcom is that they don't want to take away health care professionals from other needed fields if they don't need to. Granted, there are exceptions. Again I stress to the OP, contact the medical schools you are interested in and get their opinion on it.
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Go for it, if nothing else you have a job to fall back on with minimal debt and a decent paycheck. I honestly believe you'll have a good shot at DO after you graduate also but like I said, make sure you have a compelling response for the question of "why the change?"
I'm not sure what you are asking here but I'm sure there are a few people who have worked part time during med school. A PBL cirriculum like LECOM-Bradenton (provided you are VERY on top of things) lends itself well to something like this. Being from Florida it may be something you want to explore also. If you were able to do a once a week 8hr day doing per-diem PT (for $40 an hr apparently...) you could pull in an extra 1000 a month to minimize loans.
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You perception is all well and good but it is not often that a 3.8 w/ good MCAT heavily pursues DO school, regardless of past profession. I honestly don't think he's going to have a problem gaining admission. Like I said, alot has to do with the reasoning and how he presents himself in his primary/secondary essays
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I think you're forgetting that the majority of those people with advanced degree's in biology most likely have either a crap undergraduate gpa and had no chance at getting in to medical school or are part of the 2-5%? of nontrads who apply for medical school.
In all honestly it will not affect this person negatively at all.
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If there is a shortage of PT's (or OT's, or any other health care profession), then I think the admissions committee will scrutinize that individual a little more. We can have a million doctors but if nobody helps in the other needed fields, then what's the use? You can have an surgeon fix a hip but if there's no therapists to help that patient recover, then what? I know it may not be what you, serenade, or dbdan want to hear (or even agree with), but this isn't an uneducated opinion. All I'm trying to do here is pass on the information I received directly from the mouths of several members of an admissions committee. But, don't take my word for it. Call the school you are interested in and ask them.
I don't know, ask a therapist
. Seriously though, if you think you won't be satisfied being a therapist, then this is a big risk to take if you don't get in to D.O. school. Some are satisfied, others aren't. If money is your concern, PT's don't exactly rake in the dough.
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Just as ALL medical students for the most part are trained to look at the whole person, MD or DO. The "holistic" part is certainly a core value and important part of the history of Osteopathic Medicine but both MD's and DO's basically practice "Western Medicine" and are taught such during med school. DO of course has the additional OMT courses where manipulative therapy is taught so if that makes the holistic difference for you then there you go.
In my opinion being "holistic" has much more to do with the individual physician and his/her personality and how they practice medicine. Not rocket science to realize that you're treating a person and should probably be a somewhat cognizant of the fact that other areas of their life can impact their health and vice versa.
Definitely not trying to dissuade you from DO. Just trying to point out that there really isn't much of a difference anymore. Personally I lump all med schools in together and then pick schools they may want to attend based on whatever priorities they have.
That said, at least in my class, I think someone in your situation would most likely be looked favorably on. We have several who are second career non-trads who came from other health-related fields. I would definitely recommend you complete the PT program and do well in it. And you may get some questions if you turn right around and apply to med school after getting your PT degree but that could certainly depend on the school and the particular adcom member and how they feel about it. Something else to think about would be to just work as a PT for a little, give it a shot, save up some money, get some experience in the field and then if you're still set on med school then apply away. Still definitely young enough where you have some time if you choose.
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This sums up things up quite nicely and I can't say I disagree. I wish the OP good luck.
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i would go for it..
I personally have another health professional degree before I apply to DO schools..
I do agree that having another health professional degree does not necessary help you get into DO school per se... but it will definitely help you during ur DO study (ie u will know how to study at grad school level, have more healthcare knowledge ie medical terms than most BS)
But be prepared to answer "y u switch".. i was asked that question at all my interviews..
anyways. hope this helps!
if u have any other question.. feel free to PM me.
GOOD LUCK!
I personally have another health professional degree before I apply to DO schools..
I do agree that having another health professional degree does not necessary help you get into DO school per se... but it will definitely help you during ur DO study (ie u will know how to study at grad school level, have more healthcare knowledge ie medical terms than most BS)
But be prepared to answer "y u switch".. i was asked that question at all my interviews..
anyways. hope this helps!
if u have any other question.. feel free to PM me.
GOOD LUCK!
I'm a PT 3 years out with my DPT. In my talks with admissions folks you generally fall into 2 camps. 1 camp says you already have a degree in a great field and why would you want to change? If you give this group a solid reason, most of them want you if you can show a dedication to healthcare in general. The second camp says abso-friggin-lutely we would love to have you. Why? The training as a PT parallels much of physicians training, especially if you want to go DO and are good with your manual skills. DO schools in particular like non trads from healthcare fields.
To the OP, I say go for it. You really have nothing to lose except a few $$ if you don't get in. If you don't get in, then what? You have a good career ahead of you anyway?
BTW depending on where you are doing per diem and the setting, you could easily make way more than 40/hr.
To the OP, I say go for it. You really have nothing to lose except a few $$ if you don't get in. If you don't get in, then what? You have a good career ahead of you anyway?
BTW depending on where you are doing per diem and the setting, you could easily make way more than 40/hr.
