Osteopathic Medical School
*Pre-Osteopathic Medical students DO need to register with the Health Professions Advisory Board*
General Advice
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states, and can specialize in all of the areas that an allopathic physician (M.D.) can. D.O.s differentiate themselves by taking a "whole person" approach to the practice of medicine, focusing on health education, injury prevention, and disease prevention.
Students interested in pursuing a career as an osteopathic physician need to register with the Undergraduate Career Services Health Professions Advisory Board. Information detailing this process, as well as general information about preparing for a career in medicine, can be found in the UCS Applying to Medical School Guide.
Number of Schools
20 in the United States
Curricular Prerequisites
Recommended courses are generally consistent across the 20 osteopathic medical colleges. However, some schools will ask for specific additional courses. It is best to look at individual websites to make sure you complete all of the required and recommended courses. In general, you should plan for:
- English Composition-- 1 year
- Biology-- 1 year (with lab)
- General Chemistry-- 1 year (with lab)
- Organic Chemistry-- 1 year (with lab)
- Physics-- 1 year (with lab)
Additional requirements might also include: mathematics, genetics, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, and microbiology, among others. Please remember that a particular undergraduate major is not required or recommended by any college of osteopathic medicine.
Outside of Class Experience
Colleges of osteopathic medicine strongly recommend that applicants to their program have knowledge of osteopathic medicine and how the philosophy differs from that of allopathic medicine. Students can acquire this information through shadowing an osteopathic physician, or simply getting to know an osteopath and having conversations about his/her work.
Additionally, colleges also recommend that students have clinical experiences allowing for direct contact with ill patients. Applicants should also have demonstrated an interest in community service, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles.
Application Process
Application: The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is an on-line centralized application that is used to apply to 19 of the 20 colleges of osteopathic medicine. The University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine utilizes the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS), found at: http://www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas/.
Transcripts: You will be asked to submit official transcripts from each U.S. college or university you attended directly to AACOMAS and/or TMDSAS. Include all institutions in foreign countries and U.S. Territories/Possessions that are operated by U.S. institutions.
Letters of Recommendation: Colleges of osteopathic medicine typically require two to four letters of recommendation. The recommended sources of these letters vary from college to college. Some colleges require a letter from a practicing osteopathic physician, others require a science faculty member to write on your behalf, and still others ask for letters from work experiences you have had. Please consult individual websites to determine the appropriate number and source of these letters. Letters should be submitted directly to the colleges using the UCS Health Professions Advisory Board process. Students applying through TMDSAS will submit their HPE directly to TMDSAS, and it will then be forwarded to the University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Entrance Exam: The MCAT is required by all colleges of osteopathic medicine. Following the exam, you will need to visit the MCAT ThX website to release your scores to the colleges of osteopathic medicine. Instructions on how to do this will be provided to you when you sit for the exam.
Interviews and Secondary Applications: An interview and secondary applications are generally required at all colleges of osteopathic medicine. Please consult individual websites for specific information.
Deadlines: Students may begin submitting their AACOMAS application as early as June 1 of the year prior to matriculation. Individual college deadlines for receipt of your application and transcripts vary from December through February. However, because the application process is conducted on a rolling basis it is advisable that you submit your application as soon as possible. The TMDSAS application becomes available on May 1 and must be submitted by November 1.
Websites of Interest
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
AACOM Application Service
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