Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (pdf - 2.3 MB)
Also see a sample 4-year plan.
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
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
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.
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.