If you are reading this article, it is likely that you have received an interview invite from an Osteopathic Medical School. Congratulations! To be invited for an interview after you have spent endless hours writing your personal statement, AACOMAS Experience and Achievements section, and secondaries is nothing short of an achievement. However, what many premed students fail to realize is that a formal interview invite requires just as much preparation as every other part of the application process. Through this blog post and our mock interview prep, our Cracking Med School Admissions team wants to help you prepare for the most common osteopathic interview questions, including the Why Osteopathic Medicine interview question.
Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Questions and Tips:
- How to answer the “Why Osteopathic Medicine” interview questions?
- Examples of responding to “Why Osteopathic Medicine?”
- Other Common Osteopathic Medical School interview questions and how to prepare
- Download our Cracking Med School Admissions Interview Guide
If you have any questions about medical school interviews, contact us. We’re happy to answer your questions!
How to Answer the Why Osteopathic Medicine Interview Question
Most of you are applying to both MD and DO medical schools, and for both types of interviews, “Why medicine” is a common interview questions. But, for DO school interviews, it is important to gear your “Why Medicine” answer towards osteopathic medicine specifically. When answering, you must convey your background, experiences, and interests as consistent with a student eager to receive an osteopathic medical education. Additionally, make sure you answer why you want to be a doctor and provide specific reasons that motivate you to embark on this path altogether. The structure of your response should provide a clear roadmap for your interviewer to follow. The framework and questions below will help you craft a strong response to this open-ended question. You do not need to answer every single question in the framework below.
A winning framework responding to the “Why Osteopathic Medicine” interview question consists of the following:
Step #1 Provide context and your initial interest in pursuing osteopathic medicine
- Questions to answer: Do you have any role models who are osteopathic medical doctors? Did you have any early experiences with osteopathic physicians that greatly affected you? Do you have a specific life event that led you to apply to DO programs? Did you consider other careers before deciding on a career in osteopathic medicine?
- Why this is important: Providing specific examples about an experience or event that provoked your interest in osteopathy can help your interviewer understand your genuine motivation behind applying to their program.
Step #2 Highlight reasons for wanting to pursue osteopathic medicine
- Questions to answer: Why are you passionate about osteopathy? Are you interested in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM)? How do you envision yourself using the distinct philosophy and approach of osteopathic medicine in the future? Do you look forward to the special training osteopathic medical students receive in the musculoskeletal system?
- Why this is important: Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the tenets of osteopathic medicine and drawing upon precise reasons that show your interest in osteopathy can set you apart from other candidates. By demonstrating your curiosity and aptitude for an osteopathic medical education, you are showing interviewers that you truly want to practice this type of medicine.
Step #3 Give examples of your experience and activities
- Questions to answer: Have you shadowed an osteopathic physician? Have you seen osteopathic manipulative treatment being performed or alleviating a patient’s discomfort? What is your inspiration for dedicating yourself to helping others? How can your unique skills and experiences help you succeed in a career as a DO doctor?
- Why this is important: These common medical school interview questions allow interviewers to gauge insight into your commitment to pursuing osteopathic medical school and your ability to reflect on your exposure to medicine. We strongly encourage students to bring in stories and personal experiences. For example, let’s say you are interested in primary care in remote areas. You can communicate your passion to interviewers through a specific example of how you volunteered at a mobile health clinic or shared research pertaining to combatting physician shortages with your local policymakers.
Step #4 Describe your desire to study osteopathic medicine over other professions in medicine
- Questions to answer: Are you excited to embark in a career which will involve a life-long commitment to learning? Does being in a career which is constantly evolving excite you? Do you want a deeper understanding of why certain decisions in patient care are made? Are you interested in a specialty or area of medicine that is only available to osteopathic physicians?
- Why this is important: This section provides several open-ended questions to help you brainstorm “why medicine.” Make sure you elaborate on specific reasons or experiences that motivate you to pursue a career as a physician. Stay away from common and vague responses, such as “I want to help people.”
Step #5 Describe any other reasons and what you hope to accomplish as a DO doctor
- Questions to answer: Are there any unique reasons that are not covered in the other steps for why you are interested in medical school? Are you interested in bringing awareness of osteopathic medicine to the public? Do you want to increase DO representation globally? Do you want to advance research in osteopathic manipulative treatment? Is there a specific field of medicine you are already interested in pursuing?
- Why this is important: By expanding on your aspirations as a future osteopathic physician, your interviewer will be reassured of your willingness to work hard at their medical school. It is important to portray what you hope to achieve as a future osteopath and the precise steps that you will take at their medical school to make your vision a reality.
Download our FREE Interview Guide!
If you are prepared, the Cracking Med School Admissions interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.
"Why Osteopathic Medicine" and "Why Do I Want to Be an Osteopathic Doctor" Example Answers
There is not one correct answer to “why do I want to be a DO doctor” in your upcoming interview. It is important that you highlight your unique experiences and interests that have led you to the decision to pursue osteopathic medicine. Although you could use the same reasons to explain why you want to be a doctor in MD school interviews, your objective should be to convince your interviewers that you are the right fit for their DO program.
Osteopathic Interview Example Answer:
Personal Experience + Background
I grew up in a deeply religious family. My community members often made medical decisions based on our religious values. One of the most informative experiences was shadowing Dr. X, and osteopathic medicine at Danvers Hospital. Dr. X incorporated patients’ religious and cultural beliefs on a daily basis. For example, while taking patient histories, Dr. X took into consideration the distinct entities of the patient’s mind, body and spirit and tailored his treatment plans around these. I will continue to listen my patients’ values and incorporate it into their medical care as a physician.
Osteopathic Interview Example Answer:
Helping Patients with OMM
As part of my shadowing experience at my local medical center, I witnessed Dr. X diagnosing and offering holistic treatment advice of adult diseases with alternatives to prescription medication. I admired Dr. X’s rewarding role as an osteopath, in the community of Kalamazoo, Michigan. When treating a particular patient, M, for their Melanoma, Dr. X utilized osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) to reduce the tightness and restrictions to his body caused by chemotherapy. I aspire to alleviate disease discomfort with the additional tool of OMM at my disposal like Dr. X.
Osteopathic Interview Example Answer:
Scientific Background
My main motivation for pursuing osteopathic medicine is my aspiration to focus on the obesity epidemic from a preventative, patient-centered, and holistic approach. As somebody who has struggled with my own weight, I understand the complexities of obesity and how it can impact a person’s physical and mental health. As a future physician, I want to work with my patients and help them with improving their health and weight by incorporating exercise, nutrition, and medication treatment. Additionally, I am interested in conducting research to understand the underlying effects of obesity as well as treatments for overweight individuals. At Indiana University, I double majored in nutrition and biochemistry. At ______ medical school, I want to pursue obesity research with Professor X. I also want to work with the Family Medicine department to create exercise and nutrition interventions for overweight individuals.
Osteopathic Interview Example Answer:
Rural Medicine & Personal Background
I am passionate about helping patients in rural areas access quality healthcare. As someone who grew up in a small rural town, I understand the challenges that patients face when it comes to accessing medical care. For example, my family and I had to travel 1.5 hours each way to visit our PCP. I am particularly drawn to osteopathic medicine because of its focus on preventative care, and I believe the holistic approach focused on preventative care can be especially beneficial for patients in rural areas who may not have access to specialized medical services or who may be more likely to develop chronic conditions. As a physician, I want to practice in rural settings and create innovative community-based programs to promote healthy behaviors and health education.
Mock Interviews: Refine your interview skills with us 1-on-1
Rachel Rizal, M.D.
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Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.
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4 Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Questions & How to Prepare
Osteopathic medical school interviews use several of the same interview questions as allopathic medical school interviews. For example, it is essential that you prepare for questions, such as “tell me about yourself” or “why should we choose you over other applicants.” However, we have outlined a few common questions oriented to DO programs specifically and how to prepare.
Note: These are all questions that our medical school application package students received during their medical school interviews at osteopathic schools.
Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Question #1
Osteopathic Interview Question: Have you applied to MD programs?
Preparation:
- Look back at both your AACOMAS and AMCAS applications. Pay particular attention to your secondary applications where you outlined your specific reasons for applying to certain programs.
- Think about why certain MD or DO schools attracted your attention. Did both programs offer similar opportunities, such as courses and rotations? Did both programs fit the themes of your application? Could you see yourself achieving your goals and taking advantage of certain opportunities at both programs?
Tips:
- Be prepared to talk about this question. Since most applicants apply to both, most admission committees will NOT be surprised nor offended that you also applied to MD programs.
- Do NOT criticize allopathic programs! More often than not, one of your interviewers may hold an MD degree. Instead, you should show your respect for other professionals in your future field while highlighting your passion for osteopathy.
- Be very specific about why you applied to the program you are interviewing for. For example, this program may have rotations and electives that take place in communities you want to practice in as a licensed physician.
Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Question #2
Osteopathic Interview Question: Why did you apply to _______ school?
Preparation:
- Make sure you are looking beyond the homepage of the medical school’s website.
- Most websites list opportunities that could pique your interest, such as dual degrees, electives and student organizations.
- We advise most students to pay special attention to the school’s curriculum, professors you want to meet and courses that are unique to the particular school.
Tips:
- Our Cracking Med School Admissions team created several medical school profiles where you can find information about what makes each school unique, including its curriculum. Check out the medical school profiles here: Cracking Med: Medical School Profiles
- Actively describe how you will take advantage of the opportunities and resources at the school. Is there anything unique about the medical school’s curriculum that you could benefit from? Are there extra-curricular activities, research projects or graduate degrees available that could supplement your medical education? Researching factors like these will show your genuine interest in attending that program to your interviewer.
Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Question #3
Osteopathic Interview Question: Tell us about your experience with shadowing an osteopathic doctor?
Preparation:
- Several DO programs require applicants to shadow a DO and request a letter of recommendation as part of the application process. Reach out to your college health professions advisor or your college’s Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (Pre-SOMA chapter).
- Alternative ways to find a DO to shadow is to contact Osteopathic Medical School admission and alumni offices or through a locality search on the American Osteopathic Association’s website.
- While shadowing, formulate critical observations and questions. DO programs care that you have taken the time to understand the DO philosophy and have observed osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).
Tips:
- Try to find an osteopathic physician that you can shadow regularly or over a long period of time. This will show your commitment to the osteopathic profession and enhance your awareness of the osteopathic medical philosophy. Ask the physician how he or she incorporates the osteopathic philosophy into patient care.
- Be observant! Many applicants use their shadowing experiences for anecdotes that show how their interest in medicine developed or was enhanced.
- Ask the physician you are shadowing if you can observe osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMM). If you were unable to observe OMM, take the time to watch a YouTube video or listen to a podcast to adequately familiarize yourself with how osteopaths use osteopathic manipulative techniques to diagnose and treat patients.
Common Osteopathic Medical School Interview Question #4
Osteopathic Interview Question: How would you deal with the criticism of osteopathic medicine or being a osteopathic doctor?
Preparation:
- Although osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the country, there is still some unfamiliarity with DO doctors. You must prepare for and familiarize yourself with uncomfortable questions about the perception osteopathic medicine.
- Research about the gradual increase of DO representation in the medical field and the critical role osteopathic physicians are playing in filling the shortage of primary care specialists throughout America.
Tips:
- It is important to acknowledge that you are aware that anti-DO bias does exist. Before your interview, brainstorm strategies that will allow you to combat bias and misinformation. Will you run social media campaigns to combat DO misinformation when you are in medical school? Will you educate the community members surrounding that school about osteopathic medicine?
- Speak to current osteopathic medical students or physicians and ask them about how they combat criticisms surrounding osteopathy.
- Be aware of the changing reputation of osteopathic physicians and medical students. Address the selective admissions process for incoming osteopathic medical students and growing presence of DO doctors in the workforce.
Download our FREE Interview Guide!
If you are prepared, the Cracking Med School Admissions interview gives you the perfect opportunity to standout and shine by sharing with people what you are passionate about.