Most medical schools have merit and need scholarships, and the Armed Services and Public Health Service have tuition scholarships contingent upon payback time as a physician. Additional information is available in 213 Whitmore Laboratory as well as through Financial Aid Offices at individual medical schools. There are currently 19 colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Osteopathy emphasizes treatment of the entire person and recognizes the importance of the musculo-skeletal systems in the proper functioning of all body systems. Manipulative therapy is an important part of osteopathy, but only one part of the D.O.'s total service.
Most osteopathic physicians are in general practice with special emphasis on preventative medicine.
There are many U.S. students who are successfully entering the medical profession after completing some or all of their education at a foreign medical school. Attending a foreign school is usually a last resort after a couple unsuccessful attempts at gaining admission to a U.S. school. Some students are successful in transferring back into a U.S. school after completion of the first two years at a foreign school. It appears that the biggest problem with the foreign medical school route is going to be attaining residency positions back in the U.S. after graduation at the foreign school. There are clearly a number of risks involved with foreign medical school education, and a student should be well aware of these before making that commitment.