Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (pdf - 2.3 MB)
Also see a sample 4-year plan.
Osteopathic medicine is a distinct pathway to medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic medicine offers all the benefits of modern medicine, including prescription medications, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose diseases and evaluate injuries. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of treatment known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. Emphasizing a whole-person approach to treatment and care, DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them achieve and maintain good health.
There are 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States that operate 66 campuses in 35 states. In South Carolina, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine operates a campus in Spartanburg. There are several other institutions operating campuses throughout the southeastern United States. Preparation for applying to an osteopathic medical school is no different than preparation for applying to an allopathic (M.D.) medical school.
Pre-Medical students at Winthrop select a major in one of the academic departments. Because of the large number of undergraduate biology and chemistry courses required or recommended by medical schools, biology is a popular major for Pre-Med students. For the best chance of graduating from Winthrop in four years and moving directly on to medical school, students should maintain an overall grade-point-average at or above 3.4 and a science GPA at or above 3.5 (out of 4.0), and take a sequence of courses designed to prepare them to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during the summer following their junior year. Students should be aware that such a path is extremely challenging, and it is becoming more common for students to take a growth year between graduating and beginning medical school. This allows an additional year to complete the recommended coursework before taking the MCAT and initiating the application process. To strengthen their application and be better prepared for medical school, students should also seek out opportunities to gain clinical experience, participate in undergraduate research, perform community service, and develop their leadership abilities.
Physicians developed the philosophy and methodology of osteopathic medicine in reaction to the frequently harmful medicine being practiced in the United States in the late 1800s. Since then, this distinct form of medical practice has evolved into a well-respected medical profession with licensed physicians capable of practicing in areas across the globe. U.S. osteopathic physicians (who hold the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and are known as DOs) have full medical practice rights throughout the United States and in over 65 countries abroad. Today, approximately 74,000 fully-licensed osteopathic physicians are practicing medicine in the United States, applying a patient-centered, holistic, hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating illness and injury, in addition to utilizing the entire scope of modern medicine. For further information, see: https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/about-osteopathic-medicine/overview-of-osteopathic-medical-education-and-accreditation
What are 3-5 key questions students should be asking themselves as they prepare for your profession?
Generally, osteopathic medical schools are looking for a variety of personal qualities in the applicants they admit to their schools and, ultimately, to the osteopathic profession. Osteopathic medical schools admit many nontraditional students. Typically, these students come to osteopathic medicine as a second career from an amazing number of backgrounds. Osteopathic medical schools have admitted students who have been administrators, managers or executives in business, attorneys, professional musicians, newspaper reporters, allied health care providers, and the list goes on. Many of these students have families, and some are single parents. Approximately 25 percent of students starting osteopathic medical colleges are age 26 or older. Admission to osteopathic medical school is competitive and selective. A person who is well-rounded, has a broad background, demonstrates the qualities listed above, and has demonstrated academic excellence has the best chance for admission to osteopathic medical school. Curriculum Each osteopathic medical school has its own curriculum. Some are discipline-based, focusing on each science separately. Others allow students to learn through patient-based, or problem-based, learning. Many use a mix of methods. Osteopathic medical school starts with a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine. In addition, students learn a core set of clinical examination skills and gain an understanding of the various systems of the body. Lectures, laboratories, and other learning experiences are designed to prepare students for the clinical portion of medical school—the clinical clerkship years. Integration of the basic and clinical sciences through early clinical exposure is an important part of the curriculum. While specific learning methods and curricular offerings vary from college to college, the chart provides a general guide to the material covered in the osteopathic medical school curriculum. Please check the college to which you are applying for specifics.
Most students who apply to medical school have a bachelor’s degree. There are a few exceptions for students in special programs that have prior arrangements with medical schools, or where a student meets the school’s admissions requirements by completing the prerequisite coursework without obtaining an undergraduate degree. Some applicants have earned a master’s degree or doctorate before applying to osteopathic medical school.
Premedical coursework varies at each college but generally requires at least:
One year of biology
One year of physics
One year of English composition
Two years of chemistry
In consultation with a Pre-Med advisor, students should plan their schedules to complete as many of the courses listed below as possible prior to taking the MCAT and applying to medical school. This list is based on the concepts and content currently covered on the MCAT and the courses most commonly listed as prerequisites at medical schools. Students should carefully examine the preferences and requirements of all medical schools they plan to apply to and register for classes accordingly.
Biology:
Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology + Lab (BIOL 220/222)
Principles of Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity + Lab (BIOL 221/222)
Genetics (BIOL 317) or Principles of Human Genetics (BIOL 316)
Human Physiology (BIOL 308)
Cell Biology with lab (BIOL 315) or Cell Biology lecture only (BIOL 222X or BIOL 220)
Chemistry*:
General Chemistry (CHEM 201 and 202 OR CHEM 211)
General Chemistry Lab (CHEM 204)
Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 301)
Organic Chemistry II + Lab (CHEM 302/304)
Biochemistry I and II (CHEM 523/525 and 524) or Essentials of Biochemistry (CHEM 520)**
*Note that this sequence (with either Biochemistry option) may satisfy the requirements for a minor in Chemistry
**While the Biochemistry I and II sequence will provide more breadth and depth of coverage, the CHEM 520 option leaves more room for upper level BIOL electives, research, and/or an internship in the schedule (8 credit sequence vs. 3 credit course).
Physics:
General Physics I (PHYS 201/201L) or Physics with Calculus I (PHYS 211/211L)
General Physics II (PHYS 202/202L) or Physics with Calculus I (PHYS 212/212L)
Math (two of the following):
Algebra and Trigonometry for Calculus (MATH 101)
Applied Calculus (MATH 105)
Finite Probability and Statistics (MATH 141/241)-Highly recommended as one of the two Math courses (or MATH 341)
Applied College Algebra (MATH 151)
Calculus I (MATH 201/104)
Calculus II (MATH 202)
Statistical Methods (MATH 341)
Social Science:
General Psychology (PSYC 101)
Principles of Sociology (SOCL 201)
The courses above represent only the subset that we strongly recommend taking prior to the MCAT. The biology department offers many additional courses that will help prepare you for medical school. We encourage you to examine our course offerings and consult with a Pre-Med advisor to select the best combination of courses for you. You might also want to structure your coursework to allow you take advantage of the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree with one year of additional coursework if you choose to take a growth year or in the event that you are not admitted in your first application cycle.
2024 Mean Grade Point Averages (GPA) Scores
for Entering Students
Science: 3.52
Non-Science: 3.71
Overall GPA: 3.60
2024 Mean Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT) Scores
for Entering Students
Bio: 126.80
Bio. & Biochemical: 125.78
Chemical & Physical: 125.41
Critical Analysis & Reasoning: 124.99
TOTAL MCAT: 502.97
The MCAT is the standardized entrance exam required by medical schools. For most students, it represents the most challenging component of the medical school application process. The “New MCAT” (adopted in 2015) is broken into four separately scored sections that are added to give a total score ranging from 472 to 528. A total score of 501.5 currently represents the 50th percentile. Students should familiarize themselves with the structure of the exam and the scores needed to be competitive at the schools they are applying to. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website has excellent information and statistics about the MCAT as well as resources to assist you in preparing for and applying to medical school: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/. A Pre-Med advisor can also provide information/statistics on competitive MCAT scores and GPAs at different medical schools.
While the courses listed above cover much of the content on the MCAT, none of them are specifically designed to prepare you for the MCAT. Thus, students should plan to spend an extensive amount of additional time preparing for the MCAT. There are several online resources available for free as well as books and other study materials available for purchase as well as online and classroom courses you can take. We highly recommend that you invest as much time and effort into your MCAT preparation as possible. Speak to one of the Pre-Med advisors about developing the best plan for you.
Personal qualities are just as important. Osteopathic medical schools are looking for students who:
Are well-rounded
Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills
Have a record of community service
Have a record of leadership
Have some clinical experience
Have participated in a variety of extracurricular activities
Come from diverse backgrounds
Are motivated to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine
Possess knowledge of osteopathic medicine
Have shadowed an osteopathic physician
Some states require criminal background checks for all medical students. Additionally, affiliated hospitals and clinical institutions of many medical schools have policies requiring criminal background checks for medical students completing clinical rotations at their facilities. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs mandates that all medical students involved in patient care at its hospitals undergo criminal background checks.
The movement toward criminal background checks across the health professions is based in large part on strengthening the public’s trust in the medical profession. Criminal background checks also enhance the safety and well-being of patients, aid in the applicants’ and enrolled medical students’ ability to eventually become licensed as physicians and minimize the liability of medical schools and their affiliated clinical facilities.
All osteopathic medical schools require criminal background checks for all matriculating students and prior to the start of clinical rotations, or at some other specified time. It is your responsibility to become aware and informed of what will be required of you during the application process. Many colleges and clinical rotation sites require drug testing, either as a condition of matriculation or at some other specified time.
When an individual applies through AACOMAS, the applicant will be asked to disclose information regarding prior criminal offenses. Failure to accurately and truthfully disclose such offenses on the AACOMAS application may result in an offer of admission being rescinded or, if the omission is discovered after enrollment in medical school, in dismissal.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL
The admissions process for medical school is highly competitive. Winthrop offers several opportunities for you to gain experience and skills that will help prepare you for medical school and distinguish yourself as an applicant. You should speak to an advisor about identifying opportunities at Winthrop and in the community. Opportunities available within the Biology Department include:
All medical schools require letters of evaluation/recommendation. Letters may be submitted electronically through the AACOMAS application or directly to the schools using alternative services indicated by each school in the college information section of this book. Alternative services may include, but are not limited to:
Interfolio
VirtualEvals
U.S. Mail
Many programs have strict guidelines for submitting letters and requirements vary from school to school. Be sure to check with each osteopathic medical college before submitting letters of recommendation. For more information about submitting letters directly through AACOMAS, please refer to the AACOMAS Help Center.
AACOMAS is the centralized online application service for the U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine. AACOMAS simplifies the process of applying to osteopathic medical school. Complete one application and send it with required information to our centralized service. They verify your application for accuracy, process it and send it with your materials to those osteopathic medical schools you designate.
• General Admission Requirements
• Application Instructions and FAQs
• Application Deadlines by College
• Application Fee Waiver
• Updates for Re-applicants
• Submit Your Application Contact AACOMAS Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm ET Phone: (617) 612-2889 Email: aacomasinfo@liaisoncas.com
The AACOMAS publishes a College information book that is an essential resource for anyone considering osteopathic medical school. It is updated each year.
Many public osteopathic medical schools are mandated by state regulation to admit a certain percentage of in-state residents to each entering class. Contact the colleges you are considering for more information.