Thanks for looking, I'll make this quick.

As its stands right now, I'm not going to make it into med school (MD/DO/PA/NP) due to my lousy 2.8-3.0 GPA, taking MCAT in July '08.

I'm a senior in college working on my last semester for a B.S. in physiology. I'm trying to figure out if I should bite the bullet and retake about a year of undergrad classes to raise my GPA to a competitive MD school level or graduate with about a 2.8 and start chiropractic school and run with that.

Keeping in mind, If I was to change careers down the line, say 10-15 years of chiro practice, I would be looking at chiropractic as a stepping stone to pay for med school when I get to that road, IF I decide that just chiropractic is not right for me. It would also be interesting to be a MD/DO/PA/NP with a DC.

I don't know if anyone has been in the same situation as I am but my question would be to those that have done such a switch: Would you still go into chiropractic if you knew you were going to eventually enter med school?

If I knew that medicine was what I wanted to do, then I would not settle for anything else (less). If medicine is your passion (finding this is one of the big keys to real success) then there is no reason to do chiropractic first (actually there is no reason to do chiropractic at all). And why did you pick chiro? Why didnt you say optometry? I am just probing trying to find out what interested you in chiropractic to even place it as a consideration in your career decision. I can tell you a lot about the chiropractic industry, but I can't tell you the ins and outs of medical school as I (and my wife) did not decide to persue it for a number of reasons. I can assure you for the vast majority of people there is no reason to go through chiropractic school as the long term outlook is disappointing (mildly put). Don't make a mistake!

Why do you want to go Chiro when those chiros are heading out to become MDs?

Rethink the whole and go apply for a med school of your choice. I am sure those stats will not keep you from becoming a doctor.

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Something that bothers you, just flush it off and wipe the remaining patiently. RS-Stanislas

Have you taken all the Pre-Reqs? If not take those, take the MCAT, and apply. Chiro schools is not worth the time/money your only prolonging a already long process.

Seems like I definitely need to research some more before I jump into chiropractic. Yes, course wise, I've taken all the pre-reqs for entry into most med schools. Although I could use some more work on the volunteering, research, ect.

The biggest contributing factor for me was pressure from my peers/family to get a degree and get my career moving forward, instead of retaking undergrad classes.

Chiro happened to be one of the first programs that peeked my interests but I've been slowly beginning to rethink that way of thought; especially after reading some of the previous posts chiropractor's (with years of experience) are saying about returning to med school. I know there must be several dozen alternatives in health care besides chrio/nursing/MD but I don't really know where to turn for more information.

With that being said, I'll probably start a new thread (in a more appropriate forum) with this but to tie the loose ends, and who knows, maybe for future reference for people in a similar situation, I'll say this.

I am starting to rule out med school as I have some doubts about taking such large chunks out of my life in pursuit of a MD/DO title. I'm very passionate about helping people and a medical career is definitely what I want. I just don't know what alternatives there are besides nursing, or MD. There is so much information online, its hard to weave through to the facts. The first things that come to mind besides an MD/DO, is a PA or NP. The idea of a masters degree along with some clinical hours is much more appealing to me than four years of grad school/residencies to get a MD title.


Thanks again for your replies, this forum is great!

I am going to be real nice about this...be really careful and discerning when listening to family and others. You are doing that by being on this forum and getting some valuable insights from others who have been or are getting ready to go to med school. I know what family pressure is; and it can be good... or bad. You mentioned the amount of time it takes to be a licensed MD, and your realization of this is smart. It is a large part of your YOUTH and you can never get it back, but if medicine is what you are to do then don't let anyone or anything hold you from it. I would rather do the education at 23 instead of 38 because of "life factors" (wife, children, mortgages, etc) that complicate things. That said, there are even those kinds of people going to med school. Keep gathering information on the different professions; you'll get your direction. Just don't do anything because it seems like a short-cut.