So, you are contemplating school choices or just trying to figure out exactly what course you want to dive into in college. Now, there are so many majors out there, and new ones springing up by the day. If you are considering going down the medical line but trying to see if there are other variables, then this article will be very helpful. So, let us start with understanding what osteopathic medicine is. Lets’ start with How long Is Osteopathic Medical School?
Osteopathic medicine is a unique, fast-growing branch of U.S medical practice that focuses on treating an individual as a whole, seeing past their symptoms, and trying to achieve a total, healthy, whole individual while achieving harmony with the body, mind, and spirit. This means that osteopathic medicine, rather than just focusing on treating symptoms and diagnosing illnesses of patients, adopts a holistic approach to patient care and it usually focuses on preventive medicine.
Now, to break it down. Osteopathic medical students learn how to diagnose and treat a variety of medical disorders by manipulating the musculoskeletal system manually to aid the body’s natural healing process. This makes it a little different from the MD program.
Becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medical school takes about 8 years to complete. But with the new technology and clinical methods being revised frequently, learning continues even after school. DOs must always be open to learning to improve their patient-centered care. So let us now discuss this 8 years journey and what is to be expected.
- First off to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine or a DO (accredited by the American Commission within the Osteopathic College Accreditation, COCA), students must have completed their undergraduate program before then enrolling in one of the osteopathic medical colleges in the United States for a 4year program of study. There are about 29 of these colleges in the U.S. To be clear, after a student’s graduation from high school, DO aspiring students much first pursue a 4-year science-based bachelor’s degree, like biology. So that is 4 years to pursue your undergraduate program.
- After receiving your bachelor’s degree, and being accepted into osteopathic medical school, DO students begin their education with a strong scientific basis and medical field appearance. So, anticipate 2 years of studying courses like anatomy, microbiology, pathology, etc. These courses are essential to the profession of osteopathic medicine in lecture and lab science programs. Think of it as a 2-year foundation program. Also, students attending osteopathic schools are expected to complete an additional 200 hours of training and teachings in musculoskeletal manipulation techniques. (Osteopathic manipulative treatment, OMT). This makes another 2 years of foundation courses.
- DO students also have to undergo 2 years of hands-on instructions and teachings in the field. Courses like gynecology, cardiology, emergency, and anesthesiology are part of the fields of study. Anticipate clinical rotations for at least four weeks in each necessary area of study. Although, curricula do vary by institution. This makes another two years of clinical study.
To summarize the osteopathic medical school journey, it is 4 years of pre-med undergraduate program + 2 years of foundation program + 2 years of clinical training and rotations. This makes osteopathic medical school a total of 8 years.
Note that this is the journey for just osteopathic medical school and once you graduate, you would still need to go in for your internship and residency program. So, always remember that learning is continuous for a medical student. Don’t just read to get good grades because your DO career will properly begin once you graduate from osteopathic medical school
Getting into Osteopathic Medical School
Yes, it is easier to get into Osteopathic medical school as it is less competitive because the annual number of candidates for the MD programs is much higher giving more spaces to be filled in the DO programs. However, this is made up for by the highly competitive residency programs. To be honest, Getting into Osteopathic medicine takes more than academic excellence or good grades. Your grades do matter but seeing as this is a whole new approach to medicine, other skills are required. Osteopathic medicine requires working hand in hand with the patients more like a partnership. Here are some of the things apart from academics that schools look out for:
- Good communication skills
- Having empathy
- Good listening skills
- Supportive character
- Record of volunteering in local clinics or hospitals
- Record of community service.
- Having motivation and dedication
- Participating in extracurricular activities
- Leadership experience
It is quite difficult to get admitted without any prior clinical experience or service, but some schools do not require this for an application. However, it is highly advised you put yourself out there to learn and gain experience. Do not get me wrong, having a great academic performance is very key to being accepted into the DO program. Let’s take a quick look at the MCAT scores you should aim for.
In 2018, the Average CMAT score for the admitting class of all osteopathic schools was 504. Working hard to get an MCAT score of 515 will put you on the top competitive student list but having an MCAT score of 517 or higher should make you rest easy about admission. Note that the MCAT is 528.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Osteopathic medicine is a very beautiful and rapidly-advancing category of medicine but this does not make you better or any lesser than an MD medical student. You are both doctors that have worked extremely hard to get to where you are today. And if you are aspiring to get admitted into osteopathic medical school, it is never too late to start studying. The MCATs are no joke. Also, try to indulge yourself in community service and extracurricular activities. Volunteer or offer to help at that local clinic around your block. Remember schools also look at more than academics. I wish you the best.
