Thinking about changing careers to medicine or the health sciences? Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) welcomes non-traditional students—adults returning to school, veterans, working professionals, and those seeking a purposeful new path in healthcare.
Whether you’re transitioning from business, education, the arts, or the military, PCOM helps you turn your life experience into professional strength.
Yes, you can get into medical school as a career changer. PCOM offers dedicated programs and mentorship for non-traditional students, including those with previous careers in business, education, military service, or the arts.
PCOM looks at more than your GPA. We value determination, real-world experience, and your commitment to caring for others. Our programs provide:
At PCOM, career changers and non-traditional students transform their skills into meaningful medical, clinical, and research careers. Complete this form to access our admissions viewbook and opt-in to receive communications and updates about PCOM!
Can adults start medical school later in life?
Absolutely. PCOM welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those starting medical school in their 30s, 40s, or beyond.
A former property manager and mother of four, Elisha Crean (DO '27), found her calling in PCOM South Georgia’s DO program. After meeting PCOM students during a pediatrician visit, she chose the campus for its supportive environment and Florida rotation opportunities. “When I visited the campus, I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I knew that this is where I wanted to be.”
Although he had worked in positions adjacent to healthcare, including in a diagnostic lab and as a research assistant at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Eric Boxer felt his undergraduate GPA might have prevented him from entering graduate school. He spoke with students who spoke highly about PCOM and encouraged him to apply to the biomedical sciences program as a stepping stone toward medical school.
“I finally decided that I owed it to myself to pursue my dreams, even if the odds were not in my favor initially,” Boxer explained. “As a nontraditional student, I will be forever grateful that PCOM took a chance on me.”
After more than a decade in retail, Derek George, DO, pursued medicine at PCOM South Georgia. “My biggest advice is to let it all out and try to be the best, authentic version of you there is,” he said. “There are times you will fail, but these provide the best learning opportunity. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and challenge yourself. Be open-minded in all that you do and be willing to take every opportunity that comes your way.”
Initially drawn to art school, Alissa Galgano's interest in medicine came from studying anatomy to help her learn to draw the human figure. Studying the intricacies of the human body sparked a curiosity to learn the details of medicine and patient care. Galgano chose the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program on the Philadelphia campus and matched in OB/GYN at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Guided by a mentor, Chi Chi Do-Nguyen moved from biomedical engineering research to medicine. Ms. Do-Nguyen was drawn to PCOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program for its holistic approach to patient care. She became the first PCOM student to match into the University of Michigan’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Integrated Residency. "“Right now is the most beautiful and perfect time to pursue medicine," she said. "There may be hardships throughout medical school, but it is all worth it."
After spending 14 years in the U.S. Air Force, Donald Kingsley chose PCOM for its holistic, patient-centered approach.
"One of the parts about osteopathic medicine that I really enjoy is not trying to give a short-term fix but to try help improve someone's quality of life forever,” he said.
Tyler Bowerman, DO, earned her degree in communications and worked for three years before her desire to “make people’s lives better and longer” led her to pursue her dream of becoming a physician as a student in PCOM Georgia's osteopathic medicine program.
Bowerman seeks inspiration from those who think outside the box. She believes it is never too late to accomplish your dreams and that you can do anything you set your mind to do.
Eric Larsen's international business career took him to China, where exposure to new health perspectives inspired his switch. Upon returning to the U.S., Larsen decided he needed something more in his life and decided to apply to medical school. He chose PCOM, he said, because they were interested in who he was as a person. “They looked at my grades but also embraced my unorthodox path to medical school and my life experiences,” he said.
Floreta Shapiro found her decades-long career as a professional cello player rewarding, but felt she could do more after volunteering at a health clinic. PCOM’s whole person approach to healthcare was a good fit for Shapiro. She said she sees an overlap between her technique as a musician and the osteopathic technique.
“The types of injuries that musicians sustain—myself included—doctors can’t necessarily go in and cut with a scalpel or see with an x-ray or CT scan,” she says. “We as osteopathic physicians are trained to feel for and to heal delicate relationships within the body, and those are exactly the type of dysfunctions that can affect a musician’s ability to play well.”
Ben Hubbard has always had an interest in medicine and interacting with people. Upon completing his enlistment with the U.S. Army, he decided to pursue becoming a physician assistant. He was drawn by the profession's role in health care as well as its balance of work and lifestyle.
“As I reflect on my life to date, nothing makes me feel more pride than to say that I am a graduate of the PCOM physician assistant program,“ he said.
Prior to pursuing a career as a physician assistant at PCOM Georgia, J. Michael Rutledge was an active duty infantryman in the U.S. Army. His military service spanned ten years and five deployments.
His experience in the Army fueled “his passion for the physical and psychological care of others.” Working with medics in Afghanistan inspired him to pursue a career in patient care as a physician assistant.
Initially an undergraduate music major, Kristen Hawk-Purcell felt compelled to pursue a second major in psychology after witnessing fellow student musicians suffer from severe performance anxiety. Clinical psychology soon became Hawk-Purcell's focus because she wanted to help create a future in which mental illness was no longer stigmatized.
As a former teacher and school counselor, Karla Chester-Kerr felt that pursuing school psychology was a natural progression for her career in education. PCOM's Educational Specialist (EdS) program allowed Ms. Chester-Kerr to gain certification in the field of school psychology and learn intervention techniques such as applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavior therapy.
Jason Coleman enjoyed his work as a case manager, but decided to pursue a career change so that he could take on a larger role in helping underserved youth.
As a mental health professional, Coleman believes he can make a difference in the lives of the young people and help them become productive members of society.
Reggie Candio was working as a therapist supporting individuals on the autism spectrum when he came to a realization.
“After a few years of working with a very interesting group of young teenagers, it became rather clear to me that there isn’t really a great deal of support geared toward their very specific needs,” Candio said.
As a student in PCOM’s school psychology program, Candio has connected with faculty who have supported his professional development and advocacy goals.
Kristine Kim’s public health work with vulnerable populations led her to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences so she could augment her service- and research-based skills with a scientific background.
Merging her public health background with science allows Kim to continue helping those need. Kim said PCOM provided the one-on-one mentorship she was seeking in a very supportive environment.
Jasmine Beasley, MS/Biomed, entered the workforce after graduating from college. Her plan was to decrease her student debt prior to pursuing her goal of becoming a physician. Beasley became a certified nursing assistant, worked in child and youth services and spent six years in administrative roles at an insurance company before entering PCOM Georgia’s biomedical sciences program.
“[PCOM Georgia] has given me the confidence and reassurance that I am truly pursuing a profession that was meant for me,” Beasley explained.
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