Starting a Pre-SOMA chapter as a non-student

[C5b6789]

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I'm interested in starting a Pre-SOMA chapter.

I'm currently living in an area where the two universities do not have Pre-SOMA chapters or anything close to it. The nearest DO schools are a 4+ hour drive.

Is it just going to be an uphill battle for me to start a Pre-SOMA chapter since I'm not (and never was/will be) a student at either university? I've just started looking at the rules, and I'll at least need the support of a professor and current students. The schools' pre-med advising home pages are...lacking.

I have a year until I apply for DO schools, so I'm wondering if this doesn't pan out whether there any other options in terms of "DO outreach/activism"? I have meaningful DO shadowing experiences so far from where I previously lived, and interact with a few in my current scribe job.

Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[FutureDrB]

I started the first one in Texas. Feel free to ask away as to what you need to do. Although I don't know how it would apply if you aren't a student since each Chapter is affiliated with a university.

 

[C5b6789]

I started the first one in Texas. Feel free to ask away as to what you need to do. Although I don't know how it would apply if you aren't a student since each Chapter is affiliated with a university.

Thanks for your reply! I think that's my major concern, I'm not a student and Pre-SOMA chapters are all based around universities. Just wondering if this is going to be too big of an issue to overcome?

 

[FutureDrB]

I'd say you're going to have to check with SOMA about it. Worse comes to worse, you could try and find an interested student and "co-found" it with them.

It's a pretty lengthy process...with all of the paperwork for both SOMA and the school, then finding a professor (I finally got one of the exercise sciences professors to be our sponsor. Some are hesitant, because they have to sign off on so much.)

Then of course you have to promote it and get members. I spent about $700 of my own money getting shirts, brochures, posters, etc. made. I did recoup some of the money when members started joining.

But, if it's something you're passionate about, then it's worth it. Plus, I'm hoping it will go a long way when I apply next year.

If you decide to do it, feel free to PM me. I still have all of the files from the entire process/organization.