Thinking About Transferring to Osteopathic Medical School

[JohnnyRockets]

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Hi, I am a first year student in Podiatry, right now I am thinking about transferring to Osteopathic medicine. I was wondering if this was possible being that the first year of Podiatry is similar to medical school coursework. Right now I am at a school that is affiliated with a major medical school. I think my stats are good for DO school but not for MD programs(3.1 GPA and 30S MCAT score). Is it possible to do this or do I need to apply as a freshman?

 

[wackyfizzle]

I cant answer your question, but can i ask why you're transferring? Im headed toward podiatry but sometimes still get a nagging voice in in my head that i should be doing Osteopathic. just wondering what made you change your mind.

 

[meats]

I don't think you can transfer...can you?

 

[dpmgrad]

Hi, I am a first year student in Podiatry, right now I am thinking about transferring to Osteopathic medicine. I was wondering if this was possible being that the first year of Podiatry is similar to medical school coursework. Right now I am at a school that is affiliated with a major medical school. I think my stats are good for DO school but not for MD programs(3.1 GPA and 30S MCAT score). Is it possible to do this or do I need to apply as a freshman?

You will not be able to transfer into any DO or MD program in the United States. You would need to apply as a freshman. For example, if a DPM student at DMU wanted to go over to the DO program, they will need to apply as a freshman, even though, they sit in the same classes and take the same exams as the DO students.

 

[OSUDDS]

that seems criminal

if i went to dmu and took "the same classes" as do students, why wouldnt i be able to transfer... i could understand other do schools not accepting credits, but the affiliated schools, ftw?

 

[densmore22]

At DMU, you would have to officially withdrawl from the DPM program and reapply for the next years DO class. There's always 1 or 2 people that start in the DPM program that switch over every year. I think it's because they think their chances are better at getting in to the DO program or whatever. The people that I know that transferred didn't have to take all the classes over, just a select few. Like Biochem and they were Anatomy TA's, it just depends. I think your academic standing has a lot to do with what classes they'll make you take over, but you will have to retake some or all of your 1st year courses. This is info comes from what I've personally witnessed/heard/been told.

Also, it depends when you decide to switch and the courses you'll have to retake.

 

[meats]

I e-mailed someone at DMU and asked about their transfer policy between programs...yeah, didn't seem like they liked the idea very much and told me that it wasn't possible.

 

[KHep]

There is an M1 at my school that is thinking about switching over to podiatry. He was told that he won't have to take the joint MD/DPM classes over unless he scores less than Bs in them. But, he still has to apply and interview, but they made it seem like it would be pretty painless. I know this is the opposite of what you are talking about, but it kind of applies😀

 

[cool_vkb]

Hi, I am a first year student in Podiatry, right now I am thinking about transferring to Osteopathic medicine. I was wondering if this was possible being that the first year of Podiatry is similar to medical school coursework. Right now I am at a school that is affiliated with a major medical school. I think my stats are good for DO school but not for MD programs(3.1 GPA and 30S MCAT score). Is it possible to do this or do I need to apply as a freshman?

Once you are accepted to a medical school or Osteo school based on your premedical courses and MCAT scores, many Medical Schools including Chicago medical school has a policy in which you can challenge the Departments (say anatomy or physio or biochem) that you have sufficient knowledge in a particular course and you will be given a departmental competency exam. if passed you will get credit for the course. If you were a good p1 then iam sure you will clear anatomy, physio, histo,micro,etc easily in those competency tests and get credit for first yrs.

But still that doesnt mean you will be saving 1 yr and directly starting as M2. You will still be a part of class of 2012. because every medical school has allotted seat quota. the class of 2011 will be already full and so are there clinical sites and rotations. So even though you clear all 1st yr courses you will still be a part of class of 2012 medical school/osteopathic school.

hope this helps. Good luck in your pursuit.

 

[whiskers]

Stop thinking and get moving.

Good luck.