Osteopathic Medical School Applications

Here is a list of the osteopathic medical schools (DO) in the US which use AACOMAS:

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University

California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroNY)

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, CA (TUCOM)

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, NV (TUN-COM)

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

DO Schools Application System

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) utilizes a centralized application service (AACOMAS) for DO schools much like the AAMC’s AMCAS service for MD programs. Fortunately, if you’re at all familiar with the latter service, AACOMAS will be easy to understand. 

But don’t worry! Even if this is all brand new to you, the basics of medical school application processes like these are quick to understand and consistent from year to year. There are a few elements in the AACOMAS application, but they make for a coherent whole. And on the note of holism, let’s take a moment to define exactly what osteopathic colleges and DOs are all about. 

First off, what does DO stand for and what do they do? Doctors of Osteopathic medicine, otherwise known simply as DOs, are fully licensed physicians who complete medical schooling with the same rigors as MDs. DOs are not “alternative” medical practitioners. Rather, they are trained in diagnosing and treating illness, and their practice of medicine is often quite similar to that of MDs, though the emphasis on the role of treatment and the approach to wellness differs in some significant respects.

DOs can prescribe medication, perform surgery, pursue specializations, with the majority going into primary care specialties; however, they tend to focus on preventative care, aim not to overuse medicinal treatments, and consider the body as a systemic unit with the capacity to heal itself naturally in many ways. Osteopaths also learn a technique called "Osteopathic Medical Manipulation" (OMM), which is learned in addition to standard coursework and clinical rotations. OMM is a series of movements and physical manipulations that are claimed to alleviate pain. The “Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine”, according to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), are as follows:

Osteopathy is therefore simply another way to achieve the same goal: the diagnosis and treatment of human beings. The AACOMAS application, likewise, is simply another way to apply to medical education programs that train students in this specific medical approach. It includes numerous elements and requires applicants to navigate a medical school application timeline with multiple due dates, but with just a bit of forethought and planning, it won’t feel overwhelming. 

AACOMAS Application Requirements

The application requirements for DO schools are quite similar to the requirements for allopathic medical schools. The AACOMAS application includes the following:

1. GPA and transcripts
2. Minimum MCAT score
3. Personal statement
4. Extracurriculars
5. Letters of reference
6. Clinical experience and shadowing (not required by all schools)

Medical school requirements for osteopathic schools include minimum GPA thresholds, standardized test scores, and similar “soft skills” to those required of allopathic applicants. Although some osteopathic medical schools are among the easiest medical schools to get into, the process is nonetheless competitive. While the mean scores fluctuate from year-to-year, the overall GPA tends to be around 3.5 and total MCAT score around 503. It is crucial that you look into DO school acceptance rates yourself and check the minimum requirements of the schools of your choice. The minimum thresholds change every year, and there are additional divisions and cut-offs within each of these categories (e.g., science and non-science GPA, the breakdown of MCAT scores). 

That said, while medical school GPA requirements and standardized test scores are important, most medical programs utilize a "holistic review" of candidates. This means that applicants are evaluated based on a wealth of qualities and competencies including, but not limited to, quantitative data, volunteering and extracurriculars for medical school, leadership positions, research, etc. DO programs often put a good deal of weight on the non-numerical aspects of each applicant's file, including community involvement, motivations for studying medicine, and medical school recommendation letters. Because osteopathic medicine is not just a mode of practice, but a philosophical principle, it is critical that you are able to demonstrate that you are a "good fit" for such programs, on both an academic and personal level.  

Just as the AAMC has certain core qualities expected of future medical professionals, so does the AACOM. Osteopathic medical schools want students who are well-rounded with strong communication and interpersonal skills, and applicants are encouraged to volunteer in and serve their communities, as DO principles encourage community-based approaches to medicine and consider the impact of social and environmental factors on an individual's health and well-being. Applicants are encouraged to participate in a variety of extracurriculars, to take on leadership positions, and to acquire some clinical experience, similar to applicants to allopathic programs. As well, some knowledge of osteopathic medicine, a specific motivation to pursue osteopathic medicine, and experience shadowing a DO are all looked on favorably. As well, many DO programs actively recruit traditionally under-represented minority students and non-traditional applicants, and many schools have a proven record of acknowledging the potential of such candidates and fostering their development.

In general, applicants to osteopathic medical programs will have completed a bachelor’s degree, and AACOM notes that many applicants pursue a master’s or doctoral degree prior to applying (though these are certainly not required). It’s also worth mentioning that many osteopathic medical schools offer dual degree programs, wherein students can receive a DO degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and an additional degree, such as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Juris Doctor (JD), Doctorate (PhD), and many more. Not all DO programs have joint degree options, and not all DO programs with joint degree options offer the same joint degrees, so if you are interested in pursuing these programs, be sure to review the information on AACOM website to confirm which schools offer the program you’re seeking.

Finally, note that some – but not all – schools and colleges of osteopathic medicine will accept international students. Each school or college has its own set of policies, restrictions, and requirements for international applicants, so there is no standard, overriding norm with regard to admission of non-U.S. citizens and temporary residents. If you intend to apply as an international student, you must carefully review each school’s policies before applying.

Want help with your DO school applications? Here's how we helped our students succeed:

How to Apply to Osteopathic Medical Schools:

The AACOMAS application process consists of a basic initial step—account creation—followed by uploading a series of application elements that fall into four sections:

• Personal Information
• Academic History
• Supporting Information
• Program Materials

Personal information is exactly that; your basic details like name, date of birth, citizenship, and so on. However, it also includes a section on “influences,” which asks students to briefly explain their reasons for choosing osteopathy. This question is more fully covered in the AACOMAS personal statement, but it’s important to note that you’ll need to have a concise version of this answer as well.

Before digging into the other details, let’s take a look at the overall timeline for applying to DO schools using the AACOMAS application process. 

Just like MD programs, DO schools utilize so-called “rolling admissions” meaning that there is no set date when most interviews and acceptances are mailed out. Instead, they “roll” out gradually, as each application is reviewed and weighed. As a result, students should strive to submit their applications as early as possible in the application season, as the number of available spots will decrease steadily as time goes on.

#1 Transcripts and Standardized Test Scores

After creating your account and inputting your personal information, you must arrange to have your official transcripts and official MCAT scores sent to the AACOMAS. Your MCAT result is a key component of your DO application. When you begin to study, don't forget to take the MCAT diagnostic test and create a thorough MCAT study schedule that covers all the necessary content areas and disciplines. Use active study strategies and practice with MCAT sample questions. Many students find the CARS section the most challenging because it is very difficult to prepare for – you cannot memorize terminology and equations to ace CARS. Employ a solid MCAT CARS strategy and run through MCAT CARS practice passages and expert analysis. Be sure to check the average accepted MCAT scores at the DO schools you’re applying to, as well, to ensure you meet or exceed the requirements. Typically, DO schools have lower thresholds for MCAT scores than MD schools, but your score should still be competitive.

You may also have to complete the Altus Suite, though this requirement varies by school. If your school requires this application component, you will need to learn how to prepare for the CASPer test, practice for your Snapshot interview, and fill out your Duet profile. All three components of the Altus Suite may not be required by each school you apply to, so research your schools before you complete this multi-level assessment. Don't forget to go over sample CASPer questions and expert answers if your school is one of the medical schools that require CASPer. 

#2 Reference Letters

These are sometimes referred to simply as “Evaluations.” You’ll need to secure medical school recommendation letters, which must be submitted directly by your evaluators. Each applicant can enter contact information for up to 6 evaluators. The letters are submitted electronically, using a specific portal on the AACOMAS website: “Letters by Liaison”. Note that some programs are very specific about the kinds of evaluator who can submit letters of recommendation, including their role and/or their relationship with the student for whom they are writing the letter. You are required to look into this and verify the appropriateness of your referees prior to requesting they submit an evaluation. Requests for evaluation are sent through the AACOMAS application system; you simply fill in the necessary information (including an email address for each evaluator), and they will receive a prompt requesting that they submit their evaluation.

Remember, DO programs tend to put significant weight on the non-numerical aspects of your DO school application (though, of course, high marks and scores are necessary), including letters of recommendation. You must start building strong relationships early in your academic career, so that you are able to secure referees who are not only able to speak highly of you, but who can do so with specificity. Some schools also ask for a letter of recommendation from a DO physician, so a DO you have conducted research with, shadowed or otherwise worked for or volunteered with is an excellent candidate for evaluator. Despite what some may think, a strong letter of recommendation is not one that simply says, "I know this student and they are awesome!". So, the professor whose 200-student course you enjoyed 2.5 years ago is likely not the best person to write you a letter of recommendation, unless you have remained in contact and worked together in some significant way following the class.

Approach your letter writers at least 6 weeks before the letter is due. Even if you know your evaluator well, they will usually still want to go back through the work you've submitted in the past, have a meeting with you to understand what aspects of your work and personality you think they can speak to most effectively, spend some time mulling all this over, write at least two drafts of the letter before submitting it, and so on. To help them get a deeper understanding of why you want to pursue osteopathic medicine, provide them with your list of extracurriculars, a draft of your personal statement, and any other document that highlights the qualities and experiences especially valued by osteopathic schools. Help them write you a stellar recommendation letter by providing all this additional information!

#3 Personal Statement

Most US medical school applications have a personal statement requirement, and the AACOMAS is no different. As part of your DO school application, you will compose an essay that gives admissions committees an idea of who you are, what you’ve done, and why you’re interested in pursuing osteopathic medicine. The personal statement submitted to AACOMAS will be shared with all the osteopathic schools to which you’re applying.

The AACOMAS personal statement is a maximum of 5,300 characters (including spaces), and the aim of this short essay is to effectively communicate why you are an exceptional candidate for osteopathic medicine. This means that you must have a general working knowledge of the principles of osteopathic medicine, as outlined earlier in our blog, and you should be able to demonstrate how these principles, and the values behind them, have shaped your life and your pursuit of practicing medicine. This does NOT mean simply feeding these principles back to the admissions committee – they know what the principles are, so they don’t need you to repeat them back. Rather, it is imperative that you thoroughly review these principles, carefully consider them in light of your own experiences and aspirations, and that you definitively reflect all of this in your application materials, particularly your personal statement. Osteopathic medicine puts particular emphasis not just on diseases, but on the social and environmental factors of each individual patient and the ways in which these can impact health. This means that, as an applicant, you must demonstrate your interest in such factors, as well as experiences in your education, research, work, or other aspects of your life that draw you toward such an approach. Thinking through the common question, "Why do you want to be a doctor?" through the lens of osteopathic medicine, is a great way to brainstorm toward this essay.

If you are particularly interested in social determinants of health and think of the human body as a set of interconnected systems that must be looked at holistically, then the DO is likely a good path for you. However, you must ensure that your personal statement does more "showing" than "telling" in this regard. That is, it's not enough to simply state that these are principles that interest you and that you tend to abide by; you must be able to back up such claims with evidence. Will your transcript demonstrate that you've taken some medical sociology courses? If so, awesome! Discuss the ways in which such a course impacted your understanding of health and wellness. You need to draw on your own experiences and life narrative to show how you have lived, and how you will continue to abide by, these values and principles.

Because of all this, it is not advisable to try to simply rehash an AMCAS personal statement, if you’re applying to both allopathic and osteopathic programs. While many of the values and characteristics desired in successful applicants are similar, the perspectives of these two types of medical care are different enough that what works for one will likely not work for the other. You still want to highlight your strengths, discuss the “why” behind your decision to pursue a career as a physician, and draw your reader in with compelling prose, of course. For any medical school application your personal statement must demonstrate your passion, dedication, and suitability for the profession, offer the reasons why you want to become a doctor, have a compelling introduction and conclusion, and be grammatically impeccable. But, for your AACOMAS personal statement you’ll need to draw on those life experiences and decisions you’ve made that specifically developed your interest in osteopathic medicine. For instance, if your family doctor was a DO, if you participated in osteopathic research or shadowed a DO physician to learn more about the practice, use these examples to explain what about osteopathic medicine interests you and why it is the path you have chosen.

Check out our blog for some medical school personal statement examples to get an idea of the quality of writing expected of you.

#4 Experiences

In your AACOMAS application, you will have the AACOMAS activities section, where you can include experiences that demonstrate that you are the right candidate for medical school, and osteopathy in particular. There is no limit to the number of entries you can include, but there is a 600-character limit per entry. Types of experiences that you can enter include extracurriculars, non-healthcare employment, non-healthcare volunteer hours or community enrichment, and healthcare experience, like clinical work or shadowing. Under “Achievements” you can also include awards, honors, presentations, research publications and scholarships. For Achievements there is also a 600-character limit per entry but no limit on the number of entries you can include.

DO schools want to see that you are an engaged member of your community! Go beyond your academic achievements and scores to prove that you will be an exceptional addition to the incoming class. Most importantly, you are free to do what you want! Medical schools want to see your versatility and interests outside of academia – they have no set expectations when it comes to your extracurriculars. No preference is given to any of the categories.

Remember, the activities you participate in outside of school reveal your personality and character. And while you can choose to only highlight serious extracurricular endeavors like volunteering in a clinic or working with the elderly, you can also share your personal passions and quirky interests. So, whether you tap dance, volunteer with the humane society, play tennis, or organize book clubs in your neighborhood, show the admissions committee that you are a dedicated, passionate, and well-rounded candidate for medical school! The activities you choose should reflect the ideals of osteopathic medicine whenever possible.

Each experience will be input in the following way:

1. Select the experience type from a dropdown menu (non-healthcare employment, non-healthcare volunteer, extracurricular activities, or healthcare experience)
2. Enter information about the organization or environment in which the experience happened
3. Identify a supervisor or superior for the experience. This person may be contacted to verify your participation in the experience or event, so make sure it’s someone who can be easily contacted and will respond promptly if so asked. It might be a good idea to reach out and ask them to be your verifier before you put down their name in the application.     
4. The date or range of dates in which the experience took place
5. Additional details like title of experience and time commitments/hours undertaken each week.
6. A description of the activity, no more than 600 characters with spaces.

Your experiences are an important aspect of providing qualitative context for your more quantitative AACOMAS application elements like your transcript and resume, so take your time and make sure you select high-quality experiences that reflect positively on your character and sense of commitment.

Watch this video to hear from one of our students!

DO Early Decision Programs

Some osteopathic medical schools offer Early Decision Programs (EDP). Candidates who choose to apply to EDP will need to submit their applications earlier, but also learn about the outcome of their application early enough to apply to other schools through the regular procedure. If you choose to apply through EDP, you are choosing only one school – if offered acceptance, you are obligated to attend.

Remember, EDPs are designed for students who are certain about their top choice school. If you decide to go the EDP route, you must also ensure that your GPA, MCAT score, and other application components meet all the necessary requirements. Check to see if your educational and extracurricular experiences are comparable with the mission of your chosen school and the profile of their matriculants. In your personal statement, make sure to reiterate that the school to which you are applying is your top choice and the only school you want to attend.

The following DO schools offer EDPs:

What Comes After Submitting Your AACOMAS Application

After you’ve completed all the sections and pressed “Submit”, most of the sections will be locked and you will no longer be able to edit your submission. However, if there are sections that need updating because the information was not available at the time of submission, some changes are possible. These include:

• Adding programs with deadlines that haven’t passed (note that various schools and programs have different deadlines, so you must check and double-check to ensure everything will be submitted on time to all of your chosen schools and programs)
• Adding new test scores, experiences, achievements (though you are not allowed to edit or delete existing entries)
• Updating courses you’d previously listed as “in progress” or planned, or courses added for the next term of your current enrollment.

You cannot go back and add anything to previous years, even if you just made a mistake or forgot to add a course or experience, so be very careful and thorough in your initial application submission. As well, note that this is just a general overview, and is in no way a substitute for carefully reviewing the application guidelines through AACOMAS.

Secondary Applications

Once you've completed all of this, you just sit back and wait (and hope) for the medical school secondary essays invites! Secondaries are typically much shorter than primary application essays, but they are more difficult to execute since you will usually have less time to plan them. If your school of choice does not set a deadline to submit secondaries, you should try to submit them within two weeks of receiving them. Each school will have specific prompts for its secondary essays, such as “why osteopathic medicine” or “why did you choose to apply to X school?” It’s a good idea to research these prompts ahead of time and start preparing your answers. You’ll need to introduce new experiences and stories in your secondary essays, that aren’t repeated from your personal statement or elsewhere in your application. You should also read the mission statements of the school’s you’ve applied to and any information on the school’s core values or vision statement. Your secondary essays should tell the admissions committee something they have not yet learned about you AND demonstrate how you are a fit with their values and mission.

Most students find that answering secondary essay prompts is difficult because of the character limit -- remember, you must still provide quality answers even if you are limited to 250 words. If you are struggling with writing, check out medical school secondary essay examples that will inspire you.

DO School Interviews

If you get invitations to osteopathic medical school interviews, be sure to review common medical school interview questions like "tell me about yourself” and "what is your greatest weakness?" Don't forget that DO programs want to see that you are truly committed to osteopathic medicine. During your DO school interview, you must demonstrate that you are familiar with osteopathic philosophical and practical tenets, including OMM. Remember, if you are applying to both MD and DO programs, your medical school interview questions and answers might differ slightly. In your DO answers, make sure to put emphasis on your interest in osteopathic medicine.

Conclusion

Like any advanced degree program, the AACOMAS process for DO schools is thorough and demanding of your time and attention in a number of different ways. However, this complexity also affords you numerous opportunities to make yourself and your experience stand out, contextualizing your years of hard work as a student. Start early, be patient, and by all means double and even triple check your work. Attention to detail is a vital characteristic of both medical students and seasoned physicians alike, and admissions committees will be looking for it in each section of your application. However, once you’re through the AACOMAS application, you can take a breath and contemplate how far you’ve come, and how exciting and transformative DO school will be. 

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To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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