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UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

 

Quick Comparison of Some Health Careers

Professional Career

Application service
(Standard test)

Training
Average Standard test score accepted students
Average GPA of accepted students
National Organizations
Career Outlook through 2010 - Median Income after expenses in 2000

Allopathic Medicine(MD)

AMCAS
MCAT (15)

4 yr med school
3-8 yr intern/ residency

9.5 VR
10.0 PS
10.2 BS

3.60 Total

3.54 BCPM

Average growth, as healthcare expands $160,000 large range depending on specialty
Osteopathic
Medicine (DO)
AACOMAS
MCAT
4 yr med school
3-8 yr intern/ residency
8.11 VR
8.18 PS
8.69 BS

3.43 Total

3.36 BCPM

Similar to MD
Dentistry (DDS)
AADSAS
4 yr dental school
Acad 18.5
PAT 17.7

3.35 Total

3.25 BCPM

Below average growth, replace retirees

$129,030

Nurse Practitioner (MSN or ND)
No central application
Variable
   

Very fast growth, expansion of health care, needs of under-served, cost containment

$44, 480 all nurses, higher for advanced practice

Optometry (OD)
No central application
4 yr optometry school
324
3.34 total
Average growth, aging population, cost containment $82,860
Pharmacy (Pharm D)

PharmCAS PCAT

4 yr pharmacy school
   
Fast growth, aging and increased use of meds
$70,950
Physician Assistant (PA)
CASPA AHPAT MCAT or
GRE
2 yr physician assistant school
   

Very fast growth, disabilities, injuries, again, better reimbursement

$69,910

Physical Therapy (PT)

No central application

GRE

3 yr physical therapy school
   
Very fast growth, disabilities, injuries, again, better reimbursement $54,810
Podiatry (DPM)
AACPMAS MCAT

4 yr pod school

1-4 yr residency

6.7 VR 6.5 PS 6.9 BS

3.1
Total

3.0 BCPM

Average growth, again population, injuries

$107,560

Public Health (MPH)

No central application

GRE, GMAT or MCAT

3yr public health school
   
Many areas and pathways
Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)
VMCAS VCAT, GRE or MCAT
4yr vet school
 
Similar to MD
fast growth, more pets, increased willingness to pay, food safety concerns $60,910