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Lincoln Memorial University–DeBuskCollege of Osteopathic Medicine(LMU-DCOM)Locations: Harrogate and Knoxville, TN6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy., Harrogate, TN 37752Toll Free: (800) 325-0900(423) ic-medicine/Marian University College of OsteopathicMedicine (MU-COM)3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46222(317) Michigan State University College ofOsteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM)Locations: East Lansing, Detroit, andClinton Township, MI965 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824(517) 353-7740www.com.msu.eduNew York Institute of Technology College ofOsteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)Locations: Old Westbury, NY and Jonesboro, ARNorthern Blvd., P.O. Box 8000Old Westbury, NY 11568(516) 686-3997www.nyit.edu/medicineNoorda College of Osteopathic Medicine(proposed) (Noorda-COM)122 East 1700 South, Building 3Provo, UT 84606(385) 248-5510https://noordacom.org/Nova Southeastern University Dr. KiranC. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine(NSU-KPCOM)Locations: Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater, FL3200 S. University Dr., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328Toll Free: (866) 817-4068(954) 262-1101https://osteopathic.nova.eduOhio University Heritage College ofOsteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM)Locations: Athens, Cleveland, and Dublin, OH102 Grosvenor Hall, 1 Ohio UniversityAthens, OH 45701Toll Free: (800) 345-1560(740) 593-4313www.ohio.edu/medicineOklahoma State University Center for HealthSciences College of Osteopathic Medicine(OSU-COM)Locations: Tulsa and Tahlequah, OK1111 West 17th St., Tulsa, OK 74107(918) 561-8324https://health.okstate.edu/comPacific Northwest University of HealthSciences College of Osteopathic Medicine(PNWU-COM)200 University Pkwy., Butler-Haney Hall,Yakima, WA 98901(509) 249-7888www.pnwu.eduPhiladelphia College of OsteopathicMedicine (PCOM)4170 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131(215) 871-6700www.pcom.eduPCOM Georgia625 Old Peachtree Rd., NW, Suwanee, GA 30024(678) 225-7500www.pcom.edu/campuses/georgia-campusPCOM South Georgia2050 Tallokas Rd., Moultrie, GA 31768(229) 668-3162www.pcom.edu/south-georgia/Rocky Vista University College ofOsteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM)Locations: Parker, CO and Ivins, UT8401 S. Chambers Rd., Parker, CO 80134(720) 874-2477www.rvu.eduRowan University School of OsteopathicMedicine (RowanSOM)One Medical Center Dr., Stratford, NJ 08084(856) 566-7050https://som.rowan.eduSam Houston State University College ofOsteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM)925 City Central Ave., Conroe, TX 77304(936) 294-2356www.shsu.edu/comTouro College of Osteopathic Medicine(TouroCOM)Locations: New York City and Middletown, NY2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Suite 519,New York, NY 10027(212) 851-1199, x. 42588 or 42589https://tourocom.touro.edu/Touro University College of OsteopathicMedicine–California (TUCOM-CA)1310 Club Dr., Vallejo, CA 94592(707) 638-5200http://com.tu.eduTouro University Nevada College ofOsteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM)University of New England College ofOsteopathic Medicine (UNE COM)11 Hills Beach Rd., Stella Maris Hall,Biddeford, ME 04005(207) 602-2212www.une.edu/comUniversity of North Texas Health ScienceCenter at Fort Worth/Texas College ofOsteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM)3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107Toll Free: (800) 535-TCOM (8266)(817) 735-2204www.unthsc.edu/University of Pikeville–Kentucky College ofOsteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM)147 Sycamore St., Pikeville, KY 41501(606) 218-5257www.upike.edu/osteopathic-medicineEdward Via College of OsteopathicMedicine–Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn)910 South Donahue Dr., Auburn, AL 36832(334) 442-4050www.vcom.edu/auburnEdward Via College of OsteopathicMedicine–Carolinas Campus(VCOM-Carolinas)350 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC 29303(864) 327-9906www.vcom.edu/carolinasEdward Via College of OsteopathicMedicine–Louisiana Campus(VCOM-Louisiana)4408 Bon Aire Drive, Monroe, LA 71203(318) 342-7131www.vcom.edu/louisianaEdward Via College of OsteopathicMedicine–Virginia Campus (VCOM-Virginia)2265 Kraft Dr., Blacksburg, VA 24060(540) 231-6138www.vcom.edu/virginiaWest Virginia School of OsteopathicMedicine (WVSOM)400 Lee St. North, Lewisburg, WV 24901Toll Free: (800) 356-7836 or (888) 276-7836www.wvsom.eduWestern University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of thePacific (Western U/COMP)874 American Pacific Dr., Henderson, NV 89014(702) icineLocations: Pomona, CA and Lebanon, OR309 East Second St., Pomona, CA 91766(909) 469-5335Lebanon: (541) 259-0200www.westernu.edu/osteopathicUniversity of the Incarnate Word School ofOsteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM)William Carey University College ofOsteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM)7615 Kennedy Hill, San Antonio, TX 78235(210) 283-6998https://osteopathic-medicine.uiw.edu710 William Carey Pkwy., Hattiesburg, MS 39401(601) 318-6316www.wmcarey.edu/com2020-2021 STUDENT GUIDE TO OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES5

TIMELINEPrepare to Apply to Osteopathic Medical CollegesThis timeline assumes you plan to start medical school in the summer/fall following your college graduation, and that you will complete yourundergraduate education in four years. Recommendations for post-college are included at the bottom of this timeline if you wish to take a gap yearor different undergraduate path. Please consult with your health professions advisor to establish your own personalized schedule.Premedical Student ChecklistPreCollegeYear OneYear TwoPre-College Meet with your high school counselor to discuss pursuing a healthprofessions career and create an academic plan. If your high school offers a pre-health track, work with yourcounselor to enroll in the courses. Take Advanced Placement (AP) math and science classes toprepare for more difficult college level coursework. Take elective classes that help develop a background in the healthprofessions and strong communication skills. Maintain a competitive GPA.Year ThreeYear FourPostCollege Learn more about the osteopathic medical profession andphilosophy by reading books, researching online, etc. Sign up toreceive The DO (https://thedo.osteopathic.org ) and other healthrelated resources. Review the Choose DO website (https://choosedo.org) and ChooseDO Explorer (https://choosedo.org/explorer) to assist with yourmedical school research. Begin researching medical schools online. Focus on admissionsrequirements and average entering student statistics (average GPA,MCAT, etc.). Develop strong time-management and study skills. Attend recruitment events (https://choosedo.org/events/) and visitmedical school campuses. Volunteer with health-related organizations (hospitals, the AmericanRed Cross, nursing homes, hospices, etc.). Join online mailing lists of programs of interest and start followingthem on social media. Request assistance from your high school counselor, familymembers, or family physicians to schedule job shadowingopportunities. Get involved in pre-health organizations and extracurricularactivities on campus. Keep records of your experiences. Research health professions career opportunities throughexplorehealthcareers.org (https://explorehealthcareers.org). Research and attend summer health programs offered by colleges. Join or develop a student organization that is geared toward a healthprofessions career. Join or start a local chapter of HOSA (www.hosa.org).Year One Meet with your university’s health professions advisor to discuss anoverall premedical curriculum. If your college does not have a healthprofessions advisor, view resources at the National Association ofAdvisors for the Health n-advisor). Start taking prerequisite coursework, which typically begins with theBiology and/or the Inorganic Chemistry sequence. Maintain a competitive GPA and reach out to on-campus academicresources, such as the tutoring center, for assistance.(See General Admissions -requirements/ for theaverage GPA for entering students.) Develop strong study skills by forming study groups and usingon-campus academic resources.6CHOOSE DO A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS Join or start a Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association(Pre-SOMA) (https://studentdo.org/pre-soma/) chapter at your college. Work to develop a relationship with your science faculty members byvisiting during office hours, participating in extracurricular activities, etc. Begin to gain clinical experience in health care fields throughshadowing, volunteering, employment (CNA, EMT, etc.), andinternship opportunities. Keep records of your experiences. Look for opportunities to shadow physicians in clinical settings andkeep records of your experiences. Request assistance through ahealth professions advisor. Find DOs specifically at doctorsthatdo.org. Talk with upperclassmen about how they gained experiences inthe health professions or about their medical school applicationprocess.Year Two Meet with your health professions advisor to discuss currentcoursework and activities, and begin thinking about preparation forthe Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Maintain a competitive GPA and reach out to on-campus academicresources, such as the tutoring center, for assistance.(See General Admissions n-requirements/) for theaverage GPA for entering students).

Photo courtesy of Western Universityof Health Sciences/ College of OsteopathicMedicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP) Continue to keep records of extracurricular and clinicalexperiences. Begin researching the cost of applying to osteopathic medicalschool. Keep in mind that the average applicant applies to ninecolleges of osteopathic medicine. Attend recruitment events (https://choosedo.org/events/) and visitmedical school campuses. Attend health professions fairs in your area to learn more aboutschools of interest.Year Three – Fall Meet with your health professions advisor about evaluations/lettersof recommendation. Inquire about the availability of a pre-healthcommittee. Begin serious preparation for the MCAT exam, which is offeredbetween January and September each year. Utilize the Associationof American Medical College (AAMC)’s MCAT prep exam/) for official guidance. Stay involved in pre-health organizations and get involved incommunity service—seek leadership opportunities. Join or start a Pre-SOMA (https://studentdo.org/pre-soma/)chapter at your college. Determine requirements of evaluations/letters of recommendationfor each program of interest and build relationships with professors,advisors, and medical professionals. They are future resources forevaluations/letters of recommendation. Work on your communications skills through public speakingcourses and leadership opportunities. Look for opportunities to shadow physicians in clinical settings. Investigate participating in undergraduate research. This can takeseveral months to coordinate. Research summer health care opportunities (work, educationabroad, internship, etc.). Continue prerequisite coursework. Continue researching medical schools online by reviewing admissionsrequirements and average entering student statistics (GPA, MCAT, etc.). Continue to gain clinical experiences through shadowing, volunteering, employment (CNA, EMT, etc.), and internship opportunities. Attend recruitment events (https://choosedo.org/events/) and visitmedical school campuses to meet with admissions counselors orattend an open house. Stay involved in pre-health organizations, volunteer experiences,and extracurricular activities, especially those that focus on helpingunderserved populations. Keep in touch with individuals who might write an evaluation/letterof recommendation. Pursue and complete research opportunities. Set aside time to work on your personal statement. Revisit andrework the statement over an extended period. It is highlyrecommended that you work with your university’s writing centerfor assistance. Research and plan how you will pay the application fees to apply tomedical school. Keep in mind that the average AACOMAS applicantapplies to nine colleges of osteopathic medicine.2020-2021 STUDENT GUIDE TO OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES7

TIMELINEPhoto courtesy of Marian University Collegeof Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM)8CHOOSE DO A NEW GENERATION OF DOCTORS

Continue prerequisite coursework. Submit secondary application materials upon receipt. Continue maintaining a competitive GPA and reach out toon-campus academic resources, like the tutoring center, forassistance. (See General Admissions n-requirements/) forthe average GPA for entering students.) Use the Check Status tab in AACOMAS to monitor your application. Continue researching medical schools online by reviewingadmissions requirements, average entering student statistics (i.e.,GPA, MCAT, ideal applicant), and mission and vision statements. If invited, participate in interviews at medical schools. Meet with your health professions advisor or career center to workon interview skills. If possible, complete a mock interview. Continue to gain clinical experiences through shadowing,volunteering, employment (CNA, EMT, scribe, etc.), and internshipopportunities.Year Three – SpringYear Four Complete prerequisite coursework. Continue to include upper-levelscience courses. Maintain a competitive GPA. (See General AdmissionsRequirements s/) for the average GPA for entering students.) Continue to gain additional clinical and/or research experience. Meet with your health professions advisor to review the details ofyour application. Take the MCAT exam. Stay involved in pre-health extracurricular activities. Contact the individuals who will be writing evaluations/letters ofrecommendation for you. Give them plenty of time (at least four tosix weeks) to write a quality evaluation/letter of recommendation. Stay involved in pre-health organizations and volunteer activities. Use the Check Status tab in AACOMAS to monitor your application. Share news of upcoming interviews and acceptances and thankthose who helped along the way—health professions advisors,professors, physicians, family, and friends. Complete the AACOMAS Academic Update in early December tosubmit fall coursework. Research medical schools that interest you. Contact each school toinquire about their specific admissions criteria and schedule a timeto visit their campus. (See a schedule of College Recruiting Eventshttps://choosedo.org/events/). Consider post-application plans, whether you are accepted or not.Think about what you will do between the time you are acceptedand begin school or the steps you will take should you need toreapply. Review the Choose DO website (https://choosedo.org) and ChooseDO Explorer (https://choosedo.org/explorer) to assist with yourmedical school research. Complete the FAFSA application for financial aid when it becomesavailable in the fall. Make a list of the medical schools to which you plan to apply and usethe Choose DO Explorer (https://choosedo.org/explorer) to do so. Start the AACOMAS (https://aacomas.liaisoncas.com) applicationprocess in May. Submit your application when you are ready; earlier is better butcomplete/accurate is best. Continue prerequisite coursework. If possible, enroll in upper-levelsciences courses, such as Biochemistry and/or Gross Anatomy. Continue to gain clinical experiences by shadowing or volunteering,employment (EMT, scribe, etc.).Year Three – Summer Apply to AACOMAS (https://aacomas.liaisoncas.com). Applyearly and read all application directions carefully to avoid delays.Application processing begins in June. Colleges of osteopathicmedicine make admissions decisions on a rolling basis, so theyreview applications, conduct interviews, and make admissionsdecisions throughout the admissions cycle. Keep in mind thatinterview slots may be awarded and/or classes may be filled ifyou apply close to the deadlines. Submitting materials early andaccurately will support timely processing and help avoid delays. Work with evaluators to submit evaluations/letters ofrecommendation. If you are not accepted or invited to an interview, contact theschools where you applied to request formal feedback on how to bemore competitive should you reapply. Explore next steps to increase your competitiveness. These stepsmay include gaining additional clinical experience, retaking theMCAT exam, enrolling in a master’s program or postbaccalaureatecertificate program programs/), taking additional upper-level sciencecourses, and reapplying for admission.Post-College (Gap Year orNon-Traditional Career Changer) Speak with programs of interest for guidance on the best path tostrengthen your application. Meet with a health professions advisor to gain insight into yourcompetitiveness for medical school or your career goals. Take additional courses if prerequisite courses are more than fiveyears old or to strengthen your background in science. Gain additional clinical experience to strengthen your background in thehealth professions and to confirm your desire to go to medical school. Retake the MCAT exam if your scores are older than three years orolder than allowed by programs of interest. Order all official transcripts and have them submitted to AACOMAS. Release MCAT scores to AACOMAS electronically using theAAMC’s MCAT Score Reporting System.2020-2021 STUDENT GUIDE TO OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES9

OVERVIEWOVERVIEWOverview of Osteopathic Medicinen Osteopathic Medicine is aDistinctive Form of MedicineOsteopathic medicine is a distinct pathwayto medical practice in the United States.Osteopathic medicine provides all of thebenefits of modern medicine, includingprescription drugs, surgery, and the use oftechnology to diagnose disease and evaluateinjury. It also offers the added benefit ofhands-on diagnosis and treatment through asystem known as osteopathic manipulativemedicine (OMM). Osteopathic medicineemphasizes helping each person achieve ahigh level of wellness by focusing on healthpromotion and disease prevention.n DOs Work in Partnership WithTheir Patients and Are Trained toLook at the Whole PersonThey consider the impact

https://health.okstate.edu/com Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) 200 University Pkwy., Butler-Haney Hall, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 249-7888 www.pnwu.edu Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) 4170 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131 (215) 871-6700 www.pcom.edu PCOM Georgia