Types of Medical Schools April 16th, 2012
Allopathic (M.D.) – Allopathic medicine is a scientific biologically based approach to healing. This kind of medicine looks to medication to treat ailments. It looks for physical causes for disease and seeks to name, define and treat specific illnesses.
Number of Schools in the United States: 137
Average GPA of admitted (2011): 3.67
Average MCAT of admitted (2011): 31
Cost to apply 2012: Primary application $160 for first school + $34 for each additional school
Osteopathic (D.O.) – Osteopathic medicine is founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. This kind of medicine promotes prevention and endorses the philosophy that physicians should focus on treating the whole patient, rather than just the disease. Osteopathic physicians use all of the tools available through modern medicine including prescription medicine and surgery. Additionally they use a set of manual medicine techniques that may be used to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and enhance the body’s capacity to heal.
Number of Schools in the United States: 26
Average GPA of admitted (2011): 3.48
Average MCAT of admitted (2011): 27
Cost to apply 2012: Primary application $175 for first school + $32 for each additional school
Naturopathic (N.D.)– Naturopathic medicine uses a holistic approach to healing that involves natural medicines, prescription or legend drugs, foods, herbs, or other natural remedies. It focuses on discovering and addressing the underlying root causes of imbalance or illness and then resolving those conditions by stimulating the body’s inherent ability to heal itself via a wide variety of natural modalities.
Number of Schools in the United States: 7
Average GPA of admitted (2011): 3.3
Average MCAT of admitted (2011): NA
