What is the biggest thing that DO schools look for in applicants

[voisinator]

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besides GPA/Mcat? I have heard that DO schools love it if you have taken time to shadow a DO physician. Also, I know that they like it if you have at least some knowledge about osteopathy. What are other things that they specifically look for that you guys have seen?

 

[willen101383]

besides GPA/Mcat? I have heard that DO schools love it if you have taken time to shadow a DO physician. Also, I know that they like it if you have at least some knowledge about osteopathy. What are other things that they specifically look for that you guys have seen?

You DEF want to know who AT still was....his story etc why he developed osteopathic medicine

You DEF want to shadow a DO.

DO schools care more about an applicants life history than MD schools..MD schools arent necessarily going to care as much about your 5 years of post graduate clinical clinical experience if your MCAT/grades are below some cutoff.

 

[aspiringOSTEO]

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[Goro]

besides GPA/Mcat? I have heard that DO schools love it if you have taken time to shadow a DO physician. Also, I know that they like it if you have at least some knowledge about osteopathy. What are other things that they specifically look for that you guys have seen?

We look for:
that you've done your homework on what osteopathy is (and more than just the "holistic/more tools in the toolbox/whole body crap")

that you can handle a medical school curriculum

that you've displayed a good degree of altruism

that you can display grace under pressure

that you can think on your feet

that you're good at listening

that you LIKE touching other people

that you're more than the typical "I wanna go to med school" wannabe.

that you know how to communicate

Think you're up to it?

 

[MightyMoose]

We look for:
that you've done your homework on what osteopathy is (and more than just the "holistic/more tools in the toolbox/whole body crap")

that you can handle a medical school curriculum

that you've displayed a good degree of altruism

that you can display grace under pressure

that you can think on your feet

that you're good at listening

that you LIKE touching other people

that you're more than the typical "I wanna go to med school" wannabe.

that you know how to communicate

Think you're up to it?

I could take this somewhere... but I won't. I guess maturity should have been on that list.

 

[blinkboy1156]

besides GPA/Mcat? I have heard that DO schools love it if you have taken time to shadow a DO physician. Also, I know that they like it if you have at least some knowledge about osteopathy. What are other things that they specifically look for that you guys have seen?

IMHO, these two things are absolutely necessary. Reading "The DOs" by Norman Gevitz is an incredible read to understand osteopathic history and philosophy. It's also important to do something substantive such as community involvement and/or volunteering. Humility and people skills are essential.

 

[voisinator]

Do you represent a specific Osteopathic Medical School Goro?

 

[SFO-IST]

I don't think that DO schools are that different from MD schools in what they look for. If you're socially inept, you're not going to make it into a MD school either. Honestly, I think they look for the same things, but an MD school that is in to research will want some research background or some indication that you will succeed in research in addition to the social/academic stuff that a DO school will look for.

Someone mentioned Gavitz's "The DO's: Osteopathic Medicine in America", and well, one of the points of that book was how convergent MD's and DO's have become. There are clear advantages of having two voices when formulating medical policy, but it's not like there is that much of a difference in admissions.

Obviously, this is IMHO. I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I could take this somewhere... but I won't. I guess maturity should have been on that list.

I'd be in trouble if it was on the list...I went to the same place

 

[TILalot]

1) You like touching people
2) You like giving massages
3) Your life is centered around World of Warcraft, then Medicine
4) Know about Still. I still don't know about Still and it still bugs me
5) Make sure you tell them your'e in it for the money & that your grades were too low so you applied to osteopathic medicine instead of allopathic (THEY ESPECIALLY LOVE HEARING THIS)

 

[bigyihoroi]

From my interview, they seem to be most interested in who you are as a person and the amount of time dedicated to community services and patient care as a volunteer.