Pre-Medical: Allopathic or Osteopathic Medicine (M.D. or D.O.)

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Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses.

Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates. 

There are two types of physicians, with corresponding degrees: M.D. (Medical Doctor) and D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Both use the same methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, but D.O.s place additional emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic (whole-person) patient care. D.O.s are most likely to be primary care physicians, although they can be found in all specialties.

Physicians and surgeons typically do the following:

  • Take a patient’s medical history
  • Update charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments
  • Order tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform
  • Review test results to identify any abnormal findings
  • Recommend and design a plan of treatment
  • Address concerns or answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being
  • Help patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene
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Allopathic

Application process may vary by school. It is important for students to be aware of the specific process of the schools to which they may apply.

There are many factors that are evaluated throughout the application process.

  • Academic Record
  • The Standardized Test – The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Letters of Evaluation and Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • The Interview
  • Medically Based Experience
  • Community Involvement, Volunteer Experience and Extracurricular Activities
  • The Centralized Application Service – American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

Please visit the Center for Health Sciences and Student Success in the College of Sciences and Engineering at Wilkes University for more information on the application process.

Osteopathic

Application process may vary by school. It is important for students to be aware of the specific process of the schools to which they may apply.

There are many factors that are evaluated throughout the application process.

  • Academic Record
  • The Standardized Test – The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Letters of Evaluation
  • The Interview
  • Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience
  • The Centralized Application Service – American Association of Colleges of osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)

Please visit the Center for Health Sciences and Student Success in the College of Sciences and Engineering at Wilkes University for more information on the application process.

Allopathic and Osteopathic

This process should become an integral part of your thinking 24 months prior to the time you anticipate matriculating into osteopathic medical school as the application process itself is 14-15 months in length. 

The submission of your application through the centralized online application service can be as early as June of the year before year of entry. Regardless of the individual college application deadlines, it is to your advantage to begin the application as early as possible.

Pre-medical students are encouraged to apply early and to work with the Center for Health Sciences and Student Success in the College of Science and Engineering at Wilkes University in preparation of the application process.

Allopathic

Admission requirements to the Allopathic medical schools vary by school. It is important for students to be aware of the specific requirements of the schools to which they may apply. Most allopathic medical schools require English, general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics for admission. The sciences listed must include relevant laboratories. Some schools require mathematics courses such as college math, calculus, statistics and/or computer science. In addition, some allopathic medical schools require or recommend biochemistry, social sciences and humanities courses.

Osteopathic

Admission requirements to the osteopathic medical schools vary by school. It is important for students to be aware of the specific requirements of the schools to which they may apply. The pre-professional course requirements for every U.S. osteopathic medical college are listed on the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (CIB), which is updated annually and can be viewed online on the AACOM website.  Most osteopathic medical colleges require one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) of the following courses as prerequisites for admission: biology with laboratory, general chemistry with laboratory, organic chemistry with laboratory, general physics with laboratory and English composition. Several specify one academic year of behavioral sciences.