2019-2020 Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges 2019-2020 STUDENT GUIDE TO OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES COLLEGES MEDICAL OSTEOPATHIC TO GUIDE 2019-2020 STUDENT CHOOSEFacebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo DO.ORGCMYK / .eps 231116_cover.indd 1 4/18/19 6:24 PM Visit ChooseDO.org to access the online version, download a free PDF copy, and order additional hard copies. MIN 100PX MIN 100PX MIN 60PX Special Note MIN 20PX The 2019-2020 Student Guide to About the manufacture of this publication: Osteopathic Medical Colleges is published annually by AACOM. The • Environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks were used throughout Student Guide is a collaboration the print process. between AACOM and the colleges • All printing papers used were certified to follow the of osteopathic medicine. AACOM “Going Green” world environmental initiative. would like to thank everyone who provided and/or reviewed content. Although AACOM has attempted 10% Post-Consumer Waste to verify the accuracy of the data submitted by the colleges, AACOM cannot, as such, guarantee the Copyright ©2019 American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic accuracy of the data and as such the information in this book is provided Medicine. All Rights Reserved. to you “as is.” AACOM assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for damages of any kind whatsoever based upon your use or reliance on the information provided in this No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any book. The AACOM Application form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, Service (AACOMAS) and the recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without individual colleges are subject to written permission from the American Association of Colleges of applicable federal, state, and local Osteopathic Medicine. laws prohibiting discrimination. Cover photos courtesy of A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM), Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM), New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP). 231116_cover.indd 2 4/25/19 4:26 PM MIN 100PX MIN 100PX MIN 60PX MIN 20PX 2019-2020 Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges Choose DO is an effort by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, a national organization representing osteopathic medical education in the United States. The information contained in this publication is subject to change throughout the application cycle. To view the most up-to-date version of this publication, visit ChooseDO.org. CHOOSEFacebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” LogoDO.ORGCMYK / .eps 231116_01_Student Guide.indd 1 4/18/19 5:37 PM Photo courtesy of University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) ii CHOOSE DO A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS Photo courtesy of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter from AACOM’s President ............................................................ 3 General Admission Requirements .....................................................................16-17 Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine – Admissions Offices and Locations . 4-5 • Mean Grade Point Averages for Entering Students Timeline for Premedical Students Applying to Osteopathic Medical • Mean Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Scores for Entering Students Colleges .......................................................................................................................6-9 • Letters of Recommendation Overview of Osteopathic Medicine ..................................................................10-11 • Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing • Osteopathic Medicine is a Distinctive Form of Medicine Financial Aid ...................................................................................................................18 • DOs Work in Partnership with Their Patients and Are Trained to Look Application Deadlines .................................................................................................19 at the Whole Person Diversity in Osteopathic Medical Education .......................................................20 • Fifty-Six Percent of All DOs Choose to Practice in the Primary Care About the AACOM Application Service (AACOMAS) ................................21-23 Disciplines of Family Practice, General Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics • Accessing the Application • Osteopathic Medical Students Learn that Structure Influences Function • Official MCAT Scores • DOs Conduct Clinical and Basic Science Research to Help Advance • Academic History and Transcripts the Frontiers of Medicine • SPAM Blocking and Technical Compatibility • Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine • Application Fees • What Does a DO Do? • Early Decision Program • Consider a Career in Osteopathic Medicine • Application Traffic Guidelines • Osteopathic Medicine in an International Context • Applicant Protocol • Learning About the Practice of Osteopathic Medicine and Shadowing a DO • AACOMAS Certification and Release Statements Overview of Osteopathic Medical Education and Accreditation ........... 12-13 • Note to Applicants • Accreditation The Admissions Interview ...................................................................................24-25 • Osteopathic Medicine Four-Year Curriculum • Interview Suggestions Graduate Medical Education ....................................................................................14 • Interview Resources • GME Suggested Sources for More Information...................................................... 26-27 • Osteopathic Recognition Individual College Descriptions (see list of colleges on page 29)........... 30-69 • Residency Match Board Examinations and Licensure ........................................................................15 • Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Exam (COMLEX-USA) • United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) 2019-2020 STUDENT GUIDE TO OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES 1 Photo courtesy of A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) 2 CHOOSE DO A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS 231116_01_Student Guide.indd 2 4/25/19 2:50 PM AACOM Leading Osteopathic Medical Education Congratulations on your decision to pursue a career in medicine! I wish you the very best in your pursuit of a fulfilling career. PRESIDENT’S LETTER Mission The American Association of Colleges Dear Future Physician: of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) leads and advocates for the osteopathic CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to pursue a career in medicine! This resource is designed medical education community to improve to provide aspiring physicians with information about osteopathic medicine, the nation’s the health of the public. osteopathic medical colleges, applying to osteopathic medical school, and other resources AACOM represents and advances the you may find helpful as you go through this process. continuum of medical education by supporting our member institutions as they Recently, osteopathic medicine’s traditional principles and practices (particularly those focused educate the future physician workforce; on patient-centered, preventive care) have been recognized as central to the kind of health care increasing awareness of osteopathic system this country needs. Osteopathic medical schools are educating the very physicians medical education and osteopathic needed to deliver this kind of care, and enjoy recognition for their excellence and contributions medicine; promoting excellence in medical to the medical profession. In fact, over the past 10 years the number of students applying to education, policy, research, and service; osteopathic medical schools has nearly doubled. For the incoming class of 2019, more than and fostering innovation and quality 21,000 aspiring physicians applied to become osteopathic medical students (compared to throughout medical education. more than 11,000 in 2007-08). The education received by osteopathic medical (DO) students is rigorous and thorough. About AACOM Incoming DO students are required to have strong undergraduate science backgrounds, Founded in 1898 to support and assist excellent Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and must meet stringent admissions the nation’s osteopathic medical schools, criteria. DO students participate in years of classroom, clinical, internship, and residency training AACOM represents all 35 accredited before they become board-certified physicians, who are able to choose among the full range colleges of osteopathic medicine— of medical specialties and are licensed to practice medicine in every state in the country and in educating nearly 31,000 future more than 65 countries abroad. physicians, 25 percent of all U.S. medical students—at 55 teaching locations in I hope you will take time to carefully review the resources available for you in this book and on 32 U.S. states, as well as osteopathic our website as you consider your options for medical education. I wish you the very best in your graduate medical education professionals pursuit of a fulfilling career in medicine. and trainees at U.S. medical centers, hospitals, clinics, and health systems. www.aacom.org Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH