Introduction
Are you yearning for a career in the medical field? Or you’ve always had that big dream of receiving the prestigious Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree? This article will put you a step further in the pursuit of your goals. Let us see some easiest Osteopathic schools to get into.
Easiest Osteopathic Schools to Get Into
Just like every other institution, getting into Osteopathic schools isn’t super easy. However, we have selected a few Osteopathic schools with the easiest entry or acceptance possible. So there is a lot to gain from the resources in this piece.
The Osteopathic schools with the easiest entry include
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine
- Des Moine University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of Mississippi School of Medicine, MS
- University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma
- Central Michigan University College of Medicine, MI
- Mercer University School of Medicine
- University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Puerto Rico
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Kentucky
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Georgia Augusta
- Campbell University of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Schools: What Do They Mean?
To understand what Osteopathic schools are, we should have a background look at the root word “Osteopathy”. It is an alternative medicine that involves physical manipulation of the human skeleton to cure medical conditions. This means professional massage on the body’s bones and tissue to improve human well-being.
Therefore Osteopathic schools are learning institutions that teach Osteopathy. Students with a first degree from a medical school enrol in an Osteopathic school to get specialised in the Osteopathy field. It’s usually four years, and you will be awarded the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Osteopathic Schools With the Easiest Entry
Although gaining admission into Osteopathic schools isn’t a walk in the park, there are some schools with lighter entry policies and requirements. Follow through to see these schools.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine
The University of Tennessee lightens its policy and requirements for aspiring Osteopaths. With a fee of 34,566USD and 60,489USD for in-state and out-of-state applicants, respectively, it boasts one of the cheapest Osteopathic schools in the united states.
Aside from the cost, the admission requirements aren’t so overwhelming.
- A minimum of ninety semester hours at an American University.
- A completed Medical College Admission Test
- An average GPA of 3.7
Resonating with this information, it’s clear that the University of Tennessee has made conscious efforts to lighten the requirements.
Des Moine University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Des Moine is known to offer quality education towards a DO degree. With a mix of online and onsite programs, Des Moine provides a good range of educational programs. The admission requirements include the following.
- An MCAT score of 507
- Average GPA of 3.56
- A bachelor’s degree
Des Moine University College is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and holds an acceptance rate of 16%. A fair chance for you.
University of Mississippi School of Medicine, MS
You will find several study programs in this school. These careers include speciality programs such as adult medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine etc. One side attraction is the nursing degree program offered to undergraduates.
With an acceptance rate of 37%, the school outlines the following requirements from applicants.
- A good MCAT score.
- Average GPA of 3.0
- Not necessarily a college degree, but 90 semester hours is the minimum.
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine will help you specialise via the series of programs it offers. They have a good hold on the traditional medicine programs and also a good reputation when talking about quality education.
- Average GPA of 3.0
- At least a “C” in prerequisite courses
- Letters of recommendation from three faculties in the previous college.
With an acceptance rate of 7.7 per cent, your chances are fair enough in this school.
Central Michigan University College of Medicine, MI
Are you looking for an Osteopathic school with a mix of fantastic education quality and a high acceptance rate? Then Central Michigan University College of Medicine should be on your list. With this school, you have access to many medical programs that can help you make a long-lasting imprint on the medical globe.
The acceptance rate is relatively high, at 21.91%. See what’s required of you to be admitted.
- Average GPA of 3.25
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada
- A minimum of five recommendation letters
- You must have done two semesters in organic chemistry and a minimum of one lab section.
- You must have done two semesters in biological science and a minimum of one lab section
- You must have done one semester in biochemistry and a minimum of one lab section
You should note that there is an application fee of about $100.
Mercer University School of Medicine
The region of Georgia has produced one of the best Osteopathic schools in Mercer University School of Medicine. The school specialises in a wide area of programs in the medical field. One of the advantages is their friendly requirements compared to other Osteopathic institutions. See the criteria below.
- A written essay of 750 words
- An average GPA of 3.0
- You must have undergone one-year coursework in the following subjects- Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and organic chemistry.
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Puerto Rico
You can find an Osteopathic school outside the US, and this school is proof. Puerto Rico houses one of the best Osteopathic schools with easy entry- the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. They offer a good number of medical programs. These programs include optometry, pharmacy, radiology, surgery, nursing etc.
See the admission requirements below.
- An average GPA of 3.79
- A good MCAT score
- A bachelor’s degree
- At least a 2.50-grade point in mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry
University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Kentucky
Offering a variety of specialty programs is one of the fortes of the University of Kentucky College. You will find programs such as pediatrics, primary care, family medicine etc. They will teach you the wholesome approach to medical treatment, where you focus on the whole person rather than symptoms.
With an acceptance rate of 8.47%, you have a fair chance of you meet the following requirements.
- An average GPA of 3.84
- Two semesters in Biological Sciences, Physics and English(Communications)
- A good MCAT score
- Four semesters in organic chemistry, chemistry and biochemistry
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Georgia Augusta
When rating medical schools in the United States, it’s challenging to take the Medical College of Georgia off the list. Their reputation continues to grow as they provide quality education across several medical fields and maintain a favourable admission policy.
See their requirements below.
- An average GPA of 3.81
- A good CASper score
- A minimum of three recommendation letters
- A good MCAT score. Note that the MCAT score must not be older than three years
- Proof of complete semester in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English, and Statistics.
Campbell University of Osteopathic Medicine
Campbell University’s requirements are not over the edge, but they buy into the system that the higher your score, the higher your chances of admission. You can acquire the degree of your dreams via Campbell University, provided you are ready to put in the work.
See their requirements below.
- MCAT score of 24
- An average GPA of 3.5
- Six completed hours in Immunology, Genetics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Physiology.
What are the Benefits of Enrolling in Osteopathic Schools?
Your dream of acquiring the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree can only be achieved via an accredited Osteopathic school. Enrolling in an Osteopathic school pushes you further to enjoy the many benefits in stock for a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
High Demand for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
This shows that the medical field and the world need more doctors of this kind. So as a graduate of Osteopathic school, there is a high chance that jobs are waiting for you. The increased demand also plays a role in the salary. Hence you stand to earn an impressive salary.
Popularity and Relevance
Osteopathic medicine is a well-acknowledged branch of the medical field. It covers more than just treatment, as it gives practitioners the platform to play more positive roles in people’s lives. Going into an Osteopathic school launches you into several programs that present you to the world.
As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, your popularity will grow, and your relevance will be significant.
Multiple Job Choices
The Osteopathic career path exposes you to several aspects of the medical field. As a result, you will fit into a wide variety of jobs. See some aspects where you will get relevance as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Instructor
- Medical director
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Staff physician
- Family practice physician etc.
What is the Mean Salary of an Osteopath?
The medical field is one of the sectors with high earning potential. However, within the medical sector, the salary varies, but Osteopaths are part of the high earners. Osteopaths are estimated to earn a mean salary of $144,400 to $235,500 per year. That’s an impressive salary and well deserving of Osteopaths.
What is the Difference Between a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine(DO) and a Doctor of Medicine(MD)?
Understandably, these two are confusing, but they have a clear distinction. Firstly, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine(DO) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) are highly valued degrees in the medical field.
When you attend and graduate from an Osteopathic school, you will receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and license. So when you hear DO doctors, they refer to medical practitioners that employ Osteopathy. They go beyond just diagnosing and treating medical conditions but use a holistic approach to treatment. They consider the entire body, emotions, mind and environment while treating a person.
A DO will also employ physical manipulation, such as massage on the human skeleton( bones and muscle tissues).
On the other hand, when an individual graduates from the usual medical school, he receives a Doctor of Medicine(MD) degree. These are the usual doctors that diagnose and focus on the conventional treatment of medical conditions.
Having known the differences, it’s best to know that both MD and DO can specialise in a variety of areas in the medical field, and they both write the same licensing examination.
Conclusion
Pursuing a career in Osteopathic medicine is an excellent idea with many perks and benefits. However, you will need to attend an Osteopathic school, but the admission competition is intense. That’s why we have outlined the easiest options for your advantage. Pick any of the schools outlined above and give it a shot, and we hope you get to the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will it Take me to Finish an Osteopathic School?
It’s a standard that every enrolled student in Osteopathic schools must study for four years. Once the four years are complete, an internship, usually a year or more, should follow. After everything, the individual is awarded the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
What are the Standard Admission Requirements for Entry into Osteopathic Schools?
See the following requirements.
- A bachelor’s degree
- An MCAT score of 500
- Average GPA of 3.5
- Recommendation letters
- Transcripts
Kindly note that the above listed are basic and are subject to change depending on the school.
What is the Lowest GPA an Osteopathic School Will Accept?
The lowest an Osteopathic school can go is a 3.0 GPA. Even conventional medical schools don’t accept anything below 3.0.
Will an “F” Stop me From Getting Into Osteopathic School?
You can still get into an Osteopathic school with an “F” on your transcript. An “F” on your transcript isn’t a sole determinant of an entry into Osteopathic schools. So if you meet other requirements, you still stand a chance.
Which is More Important Between GPA and MCAT for Osteopathic School Admission?
The answer is relative, as it isn’t a fixed fact. Both GPA and MCAT are important as GPA suggests your academic performance in school while the MCAT shows your ability and knowledge in the medical field. So the importance of one over the other depends on the requirements and priority of the school you wish to attend.