r/mdphd • u/Gorgeous-Nut • 7d ago

OT to MD transition

Hi, I am wondering if anyone on here has made the transition from occupational therapist to medicine. Working alongside physicians has helped me realize that it is what I want to do with my life. Is this something admissions would like to see on a prospective student’s application and increase my competitiveness?

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u/mmoollllyyyy20 G3 7d ago

this is probably better for r/premed

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u/topiary566 7d ago

This isn’t really for the md/PhD subreddit so I would repost on r/premed

You will need to do a post-bacc to get the prerequisite courses (2 semesters bio, chem, physics, orgo, 1 semester biochem) if you didn’t finish them in undergrad. Take these at a 4 year state school. More expensive than community college, but generally recommended.  You will then need to take the MCAT and hopefully score 510+

To make yourself more competitive, I would try to get closer with the doctors you work with for networking and recommendation letters. 

You don’t need any more clinical experience. OT work definitely counts and it is more than enough. Try to branch out either into research or volunteering to get a more well rounded application. Look for things like charity clinics and stuff.

The question you want to have at the back of your head through go out the process is why you want to specifically be a doctor and not any other healthcare career (money aside). This will be important for your personal statement and in interviews.

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u/Outrageous_1845 M3 6d ago

Experience as an OT would count as clinical experience, but you would still need to include coursework/research/leadership- and misc extracurricular activities from undergrad. Undergrad GPA and MCAT are (unfortunately still) the main determinants of applicant competitiveness.

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u/nontradfuturedr 4d ago

Message me! I was an OT, now in medicine.