D.O School Information
D.O School Information
D.O School Information
Philadelphia COM
Georgia Campus-Philadelphia COM
Rowan University SOM
Touro University COMCA
University of New England COM
University of North Texas Health
Science Center/Texas COM
Edward Via COM VCOM -
Carolinas Campus
Edward Via COM VCOM -
Virginia Campus
Western University of Health
SciencesCOMPPomona/Lebanon
Dual Degree Programs
Many osteopathic medical schools offer dual degree programs. Students in these dual programs can
receive both the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and an additional degree as indicated below:
Degree Denitions: BA- Bachelor of Arts, BS - Bachelor of Science, DHEd - Doctor of Health Education, DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine,
DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, JD - Juris Doctor, MA - Master of Arts, MBA - Master of Business Administration, MHA - Master of Health Administration,
MMEL - Master of Science in Medical Education Leadership, MPH - Master of Public Health, MS - Master of Science, MSBS - Master of Science in Biomedical
Sciences, MSHS - Master of Science in Health Sciences, MSMS - Master of Science in Medical Sciences, PhD - Doctorate
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION BOOK, 2015 13
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education
The OPTI is a way of linking health care provid-
ers across the community with the intention of
training physicians to be patient-centered.
Most osteopathic and allopathic programs
work through hospitals because of Center
for Medicaid Services (CMS) rules regarding
government support and payment for graduate
medical training. However, unlike many allo-
pathic programs, osteopathic programs typically
provide more out-of-hospital training opportuni-
ties. There are a number of outpatient-based
residencies in Teaching Health Centers where
both OGME and ACGME occur. An agreement to
move to a single GME accreditation system will
result in changes over the next six to eight years.
Residency Match
G
raduating osteopathic medical students
apply to hospitals and programs that
offer their preferred internship/residency
programs. Following interviews that provide
students and programs with information about
each other, students submit their choices, ranked
from their rst to last choice through all the
programs they would feel comfortable attending.
Programs also rank the applicants they would like
to have working in their programs.
Applications for the osteopathic match are
administered through the Electronic Residency
Application Service (ERAS). Applicants and
programs match based on the desire of the
student to go to a specic residency, and the
desire of the residency to have that student in
its program.
2. OGME-1, Preliminary: The doctor of
osteopathic medicine chooses to go into a
specialty and will be in a rst-year program
separate but linked to the specialty training
they will pursue.
3. OGME-1, Traditional: A one-year
traditional rotating osteopathic internship.
This training is designed to provide the student
with decision-making experience in each of
the core areas of medicine: family medicine,
pediatrics, Internal medicine, surgery and
obstetrics/gynecology.
4. ACGME-accredited residency.
5. Military GME (accredited by ACGME).
The osteopathic profession has residency
programs in most of the medical and surgical
specialties. Additionally, graduate training
programs in manual medicine, joint family
medicine/emergency medicine, proctology and
others are available only in the osteopathic
profession.
Successful completion of a residency
program is required for specialty board
certication.
How OGME Differs from MD/GME
A
ll osteopathic graduate medical educa-
tion programs are part of an Osteopathic
Postdoctoral Training Institution, also
called an OPTI. OPTIs are partnerships among
a teaching hospital, a medical school and other
medical training facilities, including outpatient
surgery centers, physician ofces, county
health departments, rehabilitation centers and
other community-based health care providers.
Osteopathic Graduate Medical
Education (OGME)
T
he education students receive in an
osteopathic medical school is undergradu-
ate medical education, and the subsequent
training provided in an internship or residency
program is graduate medical education (GME).
After graduating from an osteopathic
medical school, students seeking licensure
must continue training in a graduate training
program called a residency, the rst year of
which may be called an internship.
OGME typically focuses on one eld of
practice. Examples include family medicine, pedi-
atrics, emergency medicine, surgery, preventive
medicine, dermatology, radiology and others.
Osteopathic medical school graduates may
participate in a traditional rotating internship,
also called an osteopathic internship, provid-
ing broad training in family medicine, surgery,
obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine,
pediatrics and other elds of medicine as deter-
mined by the program or the trainees interests.
At the completion of the internship, physicians
may begin practice or move on for additional
specialty training. Required years of graduate
training vary by state.
In applying for a residency, osteopathic
medical school graduates can pursue one of
the following ve options:
1. OGME-1, Resident: A graduate of a
college of osteopathic medicine can match
directly into a residency program and start
specialty training. The rst postgraduate year
will be considered the internship.
4 years
Undergraduate study
(Bachelors degree)
4 years
Osteopathic
Medical Degree
37 years
Internship/
Residency
13 years
Specialty
Fellowship
1118 Years
Board Certication/Licensure
Osteopathic Physician (DO)
Medical Education Timeline
14 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Level 2-PE is an examination developed to test
physical examination skills and is also taken
prior to graduation. Level 3 is taken during
graduate medical education.
COMLEX-USA Level 1 and 2 (CE and PE)
are required for graduation from an osteo-
pathic medical college. Each of the osteopathic
colleges has its own requirements for progres-
sion through the stages of the COMLEX-USA
before graduation.
All 50 states in the United States accept
COMLEX-USA as a licensure exam for the
practice of medicine by osteopathic physicians.
To learn more about the COMLEX-USA
exam, please visit www.nbome.org.
United States Medical Licensure
Examination (USMLE)
T
he United States Medical Licensure
Examination (USMLE) is the standard
examination for graduates of U.S.
MD-granting medical schools and gradu-
ates of international medical schools seeking
to practice in the U.S. Osteopathic medical
students and residents also are eligible to take
the USMLE.
The USMLE examination consists of Step
1, Step 2 CK and CS (Clinical Knowledge and
Clinical Skills) and Step 3.
To learn more about the USMLE exam,
please visit www.usmle.org.
Medical Licensure Exams
Comprehensive Osteopathic
Medical Licensure Exam
(COMLEX-USA)
T
he COMLEX-USA, or Comprehensive
Osteopathic Medical Licensure Exam, is a
standardized test of medical knowledge.
The goal of the exam is to assess competency
in the areas of knowledge related to practicing
medicine. It tests the medical knowledge and
clinical skills that are considered essential for
an osteopathic physician to practice medicine
without supervision. The COMLEX-USA includes
standardized test questions and a pass/fail
observed clinical examination performed by
the student.
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Licensure
Examination (COMLEX-USA) comprises Level
1, Level 2 CE and PE (Cognitive Evaluation
and Performance Evaluation) and Level 3.
It is administered by the National Board of
Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). The
NBOME is independent from the colleges of
osteopathic medicine and has as its role the
protection of the public.
Level I of the exam is taken by the end of
the second year of medical school prior to the
clerkship training. Level 2-CE is taken during
the clinical clerkship years prior to graduating
from osteopathic medical school. COMLEX-USA
O
steopathic physicians are eligible for
Osteopathic physicians are licensed in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, other
territories and areas of the U.S. and many foreign
countries. Licensure is determined by each state
through the appropriate licensing board.
In order to be licensed as an osteopathic
physician, one must:
Graduate from an accredited U.S. college of
osteopathic medicine.
Successfully complete a licensure exam
sequence accepted by a states licensing
board (COMLEX-USA or USMLE).
Successfully complete one to three years
of graduate medical education (varies by
individual state requirement).
Osteopathic physicians stay abreast of
the latest medical developments related to their
specialty training through continuing medical
education programs (CME). CME requirements
are determined by each states licensure board.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
also requires its members to complete a certain
number of CME credits to maintain board
certication.
For state-specic licensure information,
please visit www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html.
To learn more about CME through the AOA,
please visit www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/
development/continuing-medical-education/
Pages/default.aspx.
Information on various osteopathic special-
ties and subspecialties is available at www.
osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-dos/
do-certication/.
Many foreign countries recognize the U.S.
DO degree and grant full licensure to American-
trained DOs who wish to practice internation-
ally. The scope of licensure is determined by
each country. For more information, visit DOs
Around the World on the AOA website at www.
osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-dos/
dos-around-the-world/.
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
Board Examinations and Licensure
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION BOOK, 2015 15
professions is based on strengthening the
publics trust in the medical profession. In
addition, criminal background checks enhance
the safety and well-being of patients, aid in
the applicants and enrolled medical students
ability to eventually become licensed as physi-
cians and minimize the liability of medical
schools and their afliated clinical facilities.
Although a criminal background check is
not part of the AACOMAS application for the 2014
cycle, all osteopathic medical schools require
criminal background checks of all matriculating
students and prior to the start of clinical rota-
tions, or at some other specied time. It is your
responsibility to become aware and informed of
what will be required of you during the applica-
tion process. Many colleges and clinical rotation
sites require drug testing, either as a condition of
matriculation or at some other time.
When an individual applies through the
AACOMAS application process, 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.
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
General Admission Requirements
Y
ouve made the decision to apply to osteo-
pathic medical school. Just what are the
admissions committees and interviewers
looking for in a prospective student?
Admission to osteopathic medical school is
competitive. Of those applying for 2013 admis-
sion, the average (mean) MCAT scores were
8.41 verbal, 8.44 physical sciences and 9.05
biological sciences. The average (mean) overall
undergraduate grade point average was 3.42
and the average science grade point average
was 3.27. Generally, MCAT scores and grade
point averages are slightly higher for matriculat-
ing students than those reported for the overall
applicant pool (see tables).
In terms of academics, osteopathic medical
schools are looking for an academic record
that indicates the aptitude and knowledge base
needed to successfully complete the medical
school curriculum.
Just as important are personal qualities.
Osteopathic medical schools are looking for
students who:
Are well-rounded
Have good 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 extracur-
ricular activities
Come from diverse backgrounds
Are motivated to pursue a career in osteo-
pathic medicine
Have knowledge of osteopathic medicine
Have shadowed an osteopathic physician
Osteopathic medical schools also have a
long tradition of accepting older students who
may be looking at osteopathic medicine as a
new career later in life.
Nearly all students who apply to osteo-
pathic medical school have a bachelors degree.
There are a few exceptions for students in
special programs that have prior arrange-
ments with osteopathic medical schools. Many
applicants have earned a masters degree
or doctorate before applying to osteopathic
medical school.
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 in which
you are interested for more information.
Grade Point Averages
for Entering Students
Group GPA
2011 2012 2013
Science 3.36 3.37 3.38
Non-
Science
3.58 3.59 3.60
Mean GPA 3.48 3.49 3.50
Average (Mean) Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT) Scores
for Entering Students
Source: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic
Medicine
Mean
MCAT
2011 2012 2013
Biological
Science
9.33 9.48 9.41
Physical
Science
8.52 8.74 8.74
Verbal
Reasoning
8.66 8.63 8.72
Criminal Background Checks
S
ome states require criminal background
checks for all medical students. Addition-
ally, afliated hospitals and clinical institu-
tions 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.
In large part, the movement toward
criminal background checks across the health
16 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs
College
Post-baccalaureate
preparation program
Transitional/conditional
admission agreements with COM
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of
Midwestern University (AZCOM-MWU)
MA and MBS in Biomedical Sciences If the enrolled student meets certain eligibility requirements, entrance
interview is granted.
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of
Midwestern University (CCOM-MWU)
MA in Biomedical Sciences If the enrolled student meets certain eligibility requirements, entrance
interview is granted.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Certicate program and MS in
Biomedical Sciences
All post-bac students who meet the medical school entrance require-
ments are offered interviews.
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
(LUCOM)
MS in Biomedical Sciences Students with a 3.5 GPA or better with no grade less than a B in any
class will be admitted to LUCOM.
Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of
Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM)
MS in Biomedical Sciences and MS
in Anatomical Science
Candidates who are admitted into the Masters program are guar-
anteed an interview provided they apply through AACOMAS and
maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
(MU-COM)
The program has two tracks: Post-
Baccalaureate Certicate and MS in
Biomedical Sciences
Students in the Post-Baccalaureate Certicate program who attain a
GPA of 3.5 or greater in the fall semester will have a guaranteed inter-
view for the DO program in the spring semester, as long as a complete
application has been submitted to AACOMAS and MU-COM in the fall.
Pending accreditation approval, the intended start date for both tracks
is August 2014. Interested candidates should contact the Ofce of
Enrollment Management at (317) 955-6297 for more information.
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic
Medicine (NSU-COM)
Master of Biomedical Science This program allows students to demonstrate that they can be success-
ful in the DO program at NSU-COM. Students take courses in human
biology and medicine to improve their academic credentials in order
to be considered for admission.Enrollees in this program take basic
science courses alongside the osteopathic medicine students. Courses
offered include gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, biochemistry,
microbiology, physiology, pathology and pharmacology.After the rst
year, students who achieve an 80% or above in each course and have a
successful interview will be admitted into the DO program.
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic
Medicine (OU-HCOM)
None Students are guaranteed admission to the next entering class if they
achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the post-bac program. Participants
are also required to participate in the Pre-Matriculation Program prior
to the start of medical school at OU-HCOM.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
(PCOM)
MS in Biomedical Sciences There is no linkage between the MS and DO programs, but candidates
who apply and meet certain criteria can be assured an interview.
Georgia Campus-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine (GA-PCOM)
MS in Biomedical Sciences There is no linkage between the MS and DO programs, but candidates
who apply and meet certain criteria can be assured an interview.
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-New York
(TouroCOM-NY)
MS in Interdisciplinary Sciences MS students who achieve a 3.5 GPA and successfully pass a cumula-
tive nal examination administered at the end of the program are
eligible to begin the DO program in the fall of the following year.
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-
California (TUCOM-CA)
MS in Medical Health Sciences Candidates who are admitted into the Masters program are guaran-
teed an interview with the COM, provided they apply through AACO-
MAS and maintain a Masters GPA of 3.0 or better. Including the most
recent cohort, 95% of Masters students who applied were accepted.
For more information, visit admissions.tu.edu/msmhs-com.
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic
Medicine (TUNCOM)
MS in Medical Health Sciences Students are encouraged to visit the website at www.tun.touro.edu
for the specic requirements that MHS students must fulll in order to
gain admissions into the DO program.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) Certicate Program A nine month pre-med program offered to individuals interested in
applying to a medical or other healthcare program. This is a strong
preparation program for career enhancers, including those from rural
areas, and underrepresented minority backgrounds. There is a direct
acceptance option into VCOMs DO program for students who meet
GPA and other benchmarks.
Western University of Health Sciences College of
Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacic (Western U/COMP)
MS in Medical Sciences Students who link with the medical school and meet certain criteria
are granted admission.
William Carey University College of Osteopathic
Medicine (WCUCOM)
Masters of Biomedical Science The Masters program is not a bridge program into WCUCOM.
Several of the nations osteopathic medical schools offer postbaccalaureate premedical programs, with variations in degree offerings, duration and
levels of afliation with the schools medical programs. Students can receive either a graduate degree or a certicate of completion, and may be
eligible for entrance interviews or direct transition to the medical program.
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION BOOK, 2015 17
College Additional Information for International Student Applicants
A.T. Still University Kirksville COM (ATSU-KCOM) Requirements are found at www.atsu.edu/kcom/admissions/international.htm
Arizona COM of Midwestern University
(AZCOM/MWU)
International student requirements are posted on our website at www.midwestern.edu/Programs_and_
Admission/AZ_Osteopathic_Medicine/AdmissionApply.html#international
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM (CUSOM) CUSOM policies can be found at www.campbell.edu/cusom.
Chicago COM of Midwestern University (CCOM/MWU) Requirements can be found on our website: www.midwestern.edu/course-catalog-home/downers-grove-
il-campus/chicago-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/admissions/international-applicants.html
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
COM (KCUMB-COM)
Requirements can be found on our website: www.kcumb.edu/admissions/international-students/.
International applicants who are in a pending status for permanent residency are not eligible for
admissions to KCUMB.
Lake Erie COM (LECOM) International students (non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents) will be considered on an individual
basis. Non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident applicants must provide documentation verifying that sufcient
funds are available in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses to complete the program at LECOM. Additional re-
quirements and information are available by contacting the Admissions Ofce at admissions@LECOM.edu.
Lincoln Memorial UniversityDeBusk COM
(LMU-DCOM)
LMU-DCOMs policy for international students can be found at
www.lmunet.edu/dcom/admissions/international.shtml
Marian University COM (MU-COM) International applicants who will require either an F-1 or J-1 Visa must contact the MU-COM Ofce of
Enrollment Management for requirements at the time of application. Applicants with DACA status are not
considered.
Michigan State University COM (MSUCOM) MSU policies can be found at oiss.isp.msu.edu
Philadelphia COM (PCOM) Requirements are found at pcom.edu
Georgia Campus-Philadelphia COM (GA-PCOM) Requirements are found at pcom.edu
Nova Southeastern University COM (NSU-COM) Contact intl@nova.edu or call 1-800-541-6682, ext 27240. Requirements can be found on our website at
www.medicine.nova.edu
Rowan University SOM (RowanSOM) Call Admissions Ofce for information, (856) 566-7050.
Touro COM (TouroCOM-NY) Asylum applicants will provide documentation from their attorney to the Registrars department, which
handles international students affairs. Other international students are required to provide proof of their
I-20 student status and successfully obtain F-1 and I-20 prior to matriculation..
University of New England COM (UNECOM) Non-U.S. residents offered acceptance must submit the International Student Supplemental
Application Form and an ofcially certied bank statement indicating that the applicant has
sufcient funds in U.S. dollars to cover the annual cost of attendance.
University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas
COM (UNTHSC/TCOM)
Applicants are classied as either residents or non-residents in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Applicants are classied regardless of
immigration status.
University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM (UP-KYCOM) Call Admissions Ofce for information, (606) 218-5409.
Edward Via COM Carolinas Campus (VCOM-CC) In select cases - see www.vcom.edu/catalog
Edward Via COM Virginia Campus (VCOM-VC) In select cases - see www.vcom.edu/catalog
Western Univ. of Health SciencesCOM of the Pacic
(WesternU/COMP)
Pomona, CA campus: Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S. should be pre-
pared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency at the time of interview. If eligible, Form I-20 will be issued
only after an offer of acceptance. Lebanon, OR campus: We cannot accept applications from international
students at this time.
William Carey University COM (WCUCOM) Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S. should be prepared to provide proof of
legal residency at the time of interview. If eligible, Form I-20 will be issued only after an offer of acceptance.
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
International Students
International students (i.e., non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) are considered for application to the following colleges of osteopathic medicine.
Please note restrictions and requirements next to some of the colleges.
18 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
Financial Aid
AACOMAS Fee Waivers
A
ACOM encourages nancially disadvan-
taged applicants to become DOs. Fee
waiver requests must be received and
processed prior to submitting an AACOMAS
application. Processing for fee waivers takes
approximately three weeks from the date of
receipt, so applicants should take this into
consideration when planning submission of an
AACOMAS application.
To speed processing of your application
for a fee waiver, please begin your AACOMAS
application before you submit your request for
a fee waiver. Do not complete and submit your
AACOMAS application until you have heard
from AACOMAS about whether your fee waiver
has been approved. Your fee waiver will be
applied to your application electronically.
As a rough guide, you may wish to apply
for a fee waiver if your annual income level is
within the U.S. Bureau of Census low-income
threshold for your familys size. The number of
fee waivers is limited, however, and nancial
need does not guarantee a fee waiver. Equally,
not everyone who submits a fee waiver applica-
tion will qualify nancially for one.
If you receive a fee waiver, it will cover
AACOMAS fees for the rst three osteopathic
medical college applications. If you receive a
waiver but wish to apply to more than three
colleges, you must pay the standard application
fee beginning with the fourth designation. For
example, to apply to one additional college (four
total), you must pay the standard AACOMAS
with an HP recruiter for more information. They
may also want to speak with current military
physicians who can provide a fuller perspec-
tive on the practice of military medicine.
Army HSPS: www.goarmy.com/amedd/educa-
tion/hpsp.html
Air Force HSPS: www.airforce.com/
opportunities/healthcare/education/
Navy HSPS: www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmpdc/
Pages/index.aspx
Navy HSCP: www.navy.com/navy/careers/
healthcare/physician.html
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program
www.ihs.gov/scholarship/index.cfm
AACOM Scholarships
T
he American Association of Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) offers
scholarships for underrepresented
minority students each year. The Sherry R.
Arnstein Minority Student Scholarships are
awarded to both new and continuing minority
students of osteopathic medicine. The amount
of the scholarship varies.
For more information and application
materials, visit www.aacom.org/InfoFor/
students/naid/Pages/ArnsteinScholarship.
aspx
M
any forms of nancial aid are avail-
able to osteopathic medical students,
including scholarships and loans.
Some nancial aid is available directly from the
colleges, and many state, local and national
osteopathic organizations offer scholarships or
loans to students. Osteopathic medical students
also are eligible for a number of federal loan
programs. Financial aid ofcers at colleges of
osteopathic medicine will have more information.
AACOM Financial Aid Information
www.aacom.org/InfoFor/students/naid/
FIRST for Medical Education
www.aamc.org/services/rst provides a wide
range of nancial resources for aspiring
medical school applicants and students.
Explore Health Careers
explorehealthcareers.org/en/careers/funding
provides a searchable database of nancial aid
opportunities. Select Osteopathic Physician in
the left career column.
Federal Programs
Many private scholarships have a nancial
need requirement. In most instances, students
will need to le a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) with the government so
that their need can be determined.
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
is part of the federal Health Resources and
Services Administrations (HRSA) Bureau of
Health Professions. Students interested in
pursuing careers in primary care and in under-
served areas may nd the NHSC Scholarship
Program and Loan Repayment Program to
meet their nancial needs for medical school.
Specics may be found at: nhsc.hrsa.gov.
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship
Program (HPSP) and Financial Assistance
Programs (FAP) are offered through the
U.S Department of Defense. They provide
funding for a wide range of medical educa-
tional expenses in exchange for an active duty
military service commitment. The FAP offers
nancial benets to health care professionals
in postgraduate specialty training in exchange
for an active duty service commitment.
Applications are handled by local area military
recruiters. Prospective applicants should meet
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION BOOK, 2015 19
Mentoring and Other
Support Programs
Mentoring and other support programs for
underrepresented minority students are avail-
able at individual schools. Examples of these
types of programs include summer workshops,
open houses and residence programs. For more
information, visit the websites of the schools in
which you are interested. Links to the websites
may be found on the AACOM website.
Osteopathic Training for U.S.
Trained Health Professionals
Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational
Therapists, Physician Assistants, Chiro-
practors and Others Who Want to Earn a DO
Degree
Many allied health professionals seek admis-
sion to osteopathic medical schools. These
students must complete the entire curricu-
lum at an accredited osteopathic medical
school, and they must complete a full course
of graduate medical education. Schools may
award credit for certain courses or experi-
ences on an individual basis. Contact the
admissions department at a college for specic
information. A proven dedication to patient
health and experience in a clinical setting will
certainly help you in the admissions process.
MDs Who Want Training in Osteopathic
Principles and Practices
With an understanding of the benets of the
osteopathic approach to patient care, many
MDs are expressing an interest in learning
how to integrate osteopathic philosophy and
osteopathic manipulative medicine into their
practices. Several osteopathic medical schools
offer continuing medical education (CME)
courses that are open to MDs. To learn more
about available CME courses, visit the osteo-
pathic college websites. The colleges can be
accessed at www.aacom.org/about/; click
on Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. The
American Academy of Osteopathy also offers
continuing medical education courses that are
open to MDs. For more information, visit www.
academyofosteopathy.org.
T
he osteopathic profession has a
longstanding tradition of commitment to
diversity and second-career students.
Osteopathic medical schools and AACOM
encourage diversity, and many have recruitment
programs aimed at attracting and training under-
represented minority physicians to serve our
nations diverse population.
Diversity
Colleges of osteopathic medicine welcome
students from all ethnic backgrounds, races
and genders. The colleges adhere to all legal
requirements, including the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
AACOMAS and its parent organization,
AACOM, participate in events that are dedi-
cated to promoting diversity and serving diverse
populations.
Financial Aid
Supporting Diversity
AACOM offers two scholarships each year to
students from historically underrepresented
minority groups. For more information, visit the
AACOM website at www.aacom.org/InfoFor/
students/naid/Pages/ArnsteinScholarship.
aspx. Financial aid ofcers at each of the
colleges of osteopathic medicine will be able
to provide current information regarding other
scholarships for minority students.
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
Nontraditional Students
fee for one college; to apply to two additional
colleges (ve total), you must pay the standard
fee for two colleges.
The AACOMAS application fee waiver is
for the AACOMAS fee only. If you receive an
AACOMAS fee waiver, your name is forwarded
to the osteopathic medical colleges in the
event they grant a waiver of their supplemental
application fee. Applicants who apply for a fee
waiver and qualify nancially but are too late
to receive an AACOMAS waiver will also have
their names forwarded to osteopathic medical
colleges requesting such information. Meeting
AACOMAS eligibility criterion for a fee waiver,
however, does not guarantee a waiver will be
granted for the supplemental fee.
To be considered for an AACOMAS fee
waiver, applicants should do the following:
Submit a copy of the Student Aid Report
(SAR) for the current year received from the
Department of Education if you have completed
and submitted the FAFSA for aid to a previous
institution. Sign and date the copy of the form in
blue or black ink and submit the copy to:
AACOMAS
1025 Connecticut Ave NW #1103
Washington, DC 20036
The copy must include your estimated
family contribution (EFC), usually located in
the upper right-hand corner of the rst page
of the SAR. If you were selected for verica-
tion (usually noted by an asterisk next to the
EFC), also submit either your recalculated
EFC obtained from your nancial aid ofcer or
attach supporting documents plus an explana-
tion. Additional verication may be required.
Be sure to follow the instructions above
carefully in order to avoid any delays in
processing. If you did not complete the FAFSA
or do not have a copy of your SAR, please
contact the U.S. Department of Education.
These instructions may also be found at
www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/Pages/
FeeWaiver.aspx
20 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Application Deadlines
Deposit Deadlines
Campus AACOMAS Supplemental Conform to AACOMAS
and Location Deadline Deadline Trafc Guidelines (p.22)
Alabama COM March 1, 2015 April 15, 2015 Yes
A.T. Still University Kirksville COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
A.T. Still University SOMArizona March 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 Yes
Arizona COM of Midwestern University Jan. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace SOM March. 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 See COM listing.
Chicago COM of Midwestern University Jan. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Des Moines University COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences COM Jan. 15, 2015 Feb. 1, 2015 Yes
Lake Erie COMErie/Seton Hill April 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 See COM listing.
Lake Erie COMBradenton April 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 See COM listing.
Liberty University COM March 15, 2015 April 15, 2015 Yes
Lincoln Memorial UniversityDeBusk COM March 15, 2015 April 1, 2015 Yes
Marian University COM March 1, 2015 April 1, 2015 Yes
Michigan State University COM Dec. 2, 2014 Feb. 6, 2015 See COM listing.
New York Institute of Technology COM (Formerly NYCOM) Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Nova Southeastern University COM Jan. 15, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Ohio University Heritage COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Pacic Northwest University of Health SciencesCOM Feb. 15, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Philadelphia COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Georgia CampusPhiladelphia COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Rocky Vista University COM March 15, 2015 April 15, 2015 Yes
Rowan University SOM Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
Touro COM (TouroCOM-NY) April 1, 2015 April 21, 2015 See COM listing.
Touro University COMCA March 15, 2015 April 15, 2015 See COM listing.
Touro University Nevada COM March 15, 2015 April 15, 2015 See COM listing.
University of New England COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 15, 2015 Yes
University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas COM* Oct. 1, 2014 Oct. 15, 2014 See COM listing.
University of Pikeville-Kentucky COM Feb. 1, 2015 March 1, 2015 Yes
Edward Via COM VCOM - Carolinas Campus Feb. 15, 2015 Rolling Yes
Edward Via COM VCOM - Virginia Campus Feb. 15, 2015 Rolling Yes
West Virginia SOM Feb. 15, 2015 Rolling Yes
WesternU/COMP (Pomona/Lebanon) Feb. 1, 2015 Rolling Yes
William Carey University COM March 15, 2015 April 15, 2015 Yes
The application cycle will be open by June 1 and ends April 1.
Deadlines vary by college, so conrm deadlines for the schools to which you are applying.
* UNTHSC / TCOM applicants must use the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service: www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/.
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION BOOK, 2015 21
that is congured to allow pop-up windows and
other features of the secure online application.
(Pop-up blocking software must be properly
congured or turned off.) For complete techni-
cal requirements, please refer to the FAQs on
page 24.
In addition, the email address that you
provide should not lter out communications
regarding your application. (Spam ltering must
be properly congured or disabled.) Please use
a permanent email address, not one that will
expire when you graduate.
Application Fees
The fee for using AACOMAS is based on a
graduated scale that varies according to the
number of colleges you designate when you
submit your application. You may request that we
send a completed application to more schools
for an additional fee. Payment may be made by
credit card or money order only.
Application materials will not be processed
until payment is received.
The application fee is $195 and includes
submission to one designated college.
Add $35 for each additional designation at
the time of submission.
Additional designations after the initial
submission of the application are $50 for the rst
and $35 for each additional designation.
Money orders should be made payable to
AACOMAS and sent to:
AACOMAS
5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Application Fee Waiver
A limited number of fee waivers are available to
those who apply early and qualify. Fee waiver
requests must be received and processed
prior to submitting an AACOMAS application.
Processing for fee waivers takes approximately
two to four weeks from the date of receipt, so
applicants should take this into consideration
when planning submission of an AACOMAS
application.
Review and follow the instructions at
www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/Pages/
FeeWaiver.aspx.
As a rough guide, you may wish to apply for
a fee waiver if your annual income level is within
the U.S. Bureau of Census low-income threshold
3. Your MCAT is transmitted electronically to
AACOMAS and is linked to your AACOMAS
record using your full name and the eight-
digit MCAT/AAMC number assigned when
you register for the MCAT. Be sure that you
accurately enter the eight-digit MCAT/AAMC
number. Providing the wrong number will
delay the transmission of your application
to the colleges. The number begins with a 1.
Applicants should allow at least 3 business
days from the date AAMC completes their
request before contacting AACOMAS to
verify its receipt.
Admission to an osteopathic medical
school is competitive. The schools are able to
select their entering class from a large number
of highly qualied applicants. For 2013, there
were over 141,000 applications designated by
more than 16,700 applicants for approximately
6,100 seats.
U.S. Transcripts
You must request the registrar of each U.S.
institution you have attended to submit one
complete set of ofcial transcripts directly to
AACOMAS. Include all institutions in foreign
countries and U.S. territories and posses-
sions that are operated by U.S. institutions. If
an ofcial transcript is unavailable, a letter of
explanation from that school is required. Student
copies of transcripts or copies sent by the
applicant are not acceptable. Requests should
be made to the registrar of each U.S. institution
you have attended. Transfer credit(s) appearing
on a transcript cannot be accepted in lieu of an
original transcript from the institution where the
coursework was completed. See the AACOMAS
instructions on aacomas.aacom.org for more
details on Study Abroad Programs, Canadian
Transcripts and Other Foreign Transcripts.
Transcripts should be sent (U.S. Mail or
expedited delivery service) to:
AACOMAS
1025 Connecticut Ave NW #1103
Washington, DC 20036
Spam Blocking & Technical
Compatibility
It is the applicants responsibility to meet
compatibility requirements for computer systems
involved in the application process.
Requirements for AACOMAS online
include Internet access and a web browser
T
he American Association of Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) operates
AACOMAS, a centralized application
service for the osteopathic medical schools. The
service reduces the number of initial applica-
tion forms, transcripts and fees required, and
streamlines the verication of your personal and
academic information.
After you have consulted with your health
professions advisor and determined that you
wish to apply to osteopathic medical school,
you should use the college information section
of this book as a reference. It contains a prole
of each college of osteopathic medicine,
including a brief description of the campus and
the curriculum, admissions criteria, minimum
entrance requirements, class size and enroll-
ment, supplemental application material
requirements and application deadlines. For
further information and updated tuition and fees,
you should visit the website or contact colleges
to view their most recent catalog. Information in
this booklet is subject to change. The colleges
reserve the right to alter requirements for
admission at their discretion.
Osteopathic medical schools require
scores from the Medical College Admission Test
(MCAT) to consider applicants for admission.
You should arrange to have your MCAT scores
forwarded to AACOMAS.
To forward your MCAT scores to
AACOMAS:
1. Visit the AAMCs web site at www.aamc.org/
students/applying/mcat/
2. Log into the MCAT Testing History system
and select AACOMAS as a recipient of your
scores to ensure that your scores will be
transmitted to AACOMAS.
Overview of Osteopathic Medicine
AACOMAS