1. Osteopathic Medicine
Physicians for the Future
Gina M. Moses, M.Ed. Associate Director, Recruitment & Application Services
Photo courtesy of ATSU
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

2. About AACOM
 Founded in 1898
 Supports the nation’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
(COMs)
 Located in Chevy Chase, Maryland

3. Osteopathic Medicine
Philosophy unites the practice of medicine with treating the
whole patient, not just the disease.
Founded in late 1880’s in Kirksville, MO by
Andrew Taylor Still, MD
“The object of the physician is to find health, anyone can find disease.”
-A.T. Still, MD, DO, founder of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Still focused on developing a system of medical care
that would promote the body’s innate ability to heal
itself…now known as Osteopathic Medicine

4. Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine
Source: Website accessed 02-29-12
http://www.osteopathic.org
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
~ is incorporated in the training and practice of
osteopathic physicians.
(Over the first two years in medical school)
OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose
injury and illness and to encourage your body's
natural tendency toward good health.

5. Training of Future DOctors
Osteopathic Medical Colleges provide:
• Innovative and cutting-edge academic programs and technology
• Curriculum - emphasizes learning through doing
• Unique approach to patient care through OMT, hands-on approach
• Training in both inpatient and outpatient settings
DO students gain:
• Strong primary care training, which enhances their practice in whatever
specialty they select
• Consider the whole patient ("whole person”) in their approach to medicine
• Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your
body as an integrated whole
• Are addressing the future of health care by emphasis on prevention and
promoting good health

6. Medical Education Timeline
DO's and MD's are alike in many ways:
• Applicants to both DO and MD colleges have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on
science courses.
• DOs and MDs complete four years of basic medical education.
• After medical school, both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine
such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics.
• They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional
training.
• DOs and MDs must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
• DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.

7. DOs Bring Something Extra to Medicine
Specialized Training – Hands-On
• DOs receive training in the musculoskeletal system - your body's
interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-
thirds of its body mass
• This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of
the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another.
It gives DOs a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not
receive additional specialized training.
OMT Specialization
• OMT allows DOs to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to
encourage the body's natural tendency toward good health
• By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, DOs offer their
patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today

8. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
Osteopathic Manipulative
Treatment (OMT)
~ is incorporated in the training and
practice of osteopathic physicians.
(Over the first two years in medical school)
OMT allows physicians to use their
hands to diagnose injury and
illness and to encourage your
body's natural tendency toward
good health.

9. DOs Around the Globe
International Practice Rights
Source: Website accessed 8-24-15
http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_intl
Currently, DOs have full
practice rights in 65
countries and partial
practice rights in many
more.
American Osteopathic
Association (AOA)
http://www.osteopathic.org
Canadian Osteopathic
Association
http://www.osteopathic.ca
DOCare International
http://www.docareintl.org/
Osteopathic International
Alliance
http://www.oialliance.org

10. About Our Colleges
31Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Offering instruction at 44locations
In 29States
25Private COMs 6Public COMs
Additional Colleges in Process!

11. 2014 Entering Class
Academic Profile
9.51
8.80
8.90
27.21
BS PS VR Overall
Mean MCAT Scores
3.62
3.46
3.53
Non-Science Science Mean GPA
Mean GPAs

12. AACOMAS – 2016 Cycle
Apply, Complete, and Submit early in 2016 cycle!
 Transcripts must have most recent grades posted, in order for verification to begin.
 Verification takes up to 4 weeks
 Many colleges make admissions decisions on a rolling basis. They review
applications, conduct interviews, and make admissions decisions throughout the
admissions cycle.
 Interview slots may be awarded and/or classes may be filled if you apply close to the
deadlines.
In Progress
Received/Awaiting
Materials
Materials
Received/Verifying
Verified

13. Fee Waiver Program
 AACOMAS awards fee waivers during the application cycle to
applicants who meet established criteria. Allows applicant to apply
to three schools free of charge.
 Valid for 14 days – if not used, forfeited!
 Apply early for the fee waiver!
 Applicants must receive a response to their request prior to
submitting an application.
 Waivers become void if an application is sent prior to receiving a
response.

14. College Information Booklet
 The College Information Booklet (CIB) describes all of the Osteopathic
Medical Colleges, admissions criteria, minimum entrance
requirements, supplementary application materials required, class
size, application deadlines, and tuition.
 CIB includes information about choosing a career in osteopathic
medicine.
 Content enhanced in the 2016 version
 Medical Student Profiles featured!
 Joint DO Degrees profiled
 Revised yearly
 Check out our PDF version at:
http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

15. 2016 Application Instructions
First Step to a successful application is to…
 Please make sure to read the instructions before beginning your AACOMAS applications!

16. Application Web Address
AACOM
http://www.aacom.org
AACOMAS Application
https://aacomas.liaisoncas.com

17. AACOMAS 2016 – Main Menu

18. AACOMAS Application Support Center

19. Personal Statement

20. MCAT Section
 All MCAT results should be
electronically submitted to
AACOMAS from MCAT:
https://services.aamc.org/mcatthx/
 Identifying MCAT
scores:
Please use the 8-digit number
assigned (AAMC ID) when you
registered for the MCAT to
ensure we accurately match
your score results to your
application!

21. Letters of Recommendation
 Check the CIB for each school’s letter requirements
 Applicants may apply & submit their AACOMAS without a DO letter
of recommendation
 Not all Osteopathic Medical Colleges require a DO letter –
However, strongly preferred!
 Work with your Pre-Health Advisor to send your letters
 Contact nearest DO school for alumni, Osteopathic Physicians
practicing locally, AOA for shadowing opportunities, etc.

22. GPA Calculations
 AACOMAS will calculate an applicant’s GPA
 Science GPA will include:
Biology, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry,
Physics, and Other Science
 Non-science GPA will be based on:
Math, English, Behavioral Science, and Other Non-Science courses
 Repeated coursework – grades not averaged

23. Advisor Release

24. Deadlines
 Deadlines for the Osteopathic Colleges are different for each one -
range from October 2015 to April 2016
 Primary deadlines for the colleges will be for applicants to have
their application and transcripts sent to AACOMAS by
November 1st for earliest consideration and processing
 Helpful Tip:
The majority of our medical colleges deadlines fall on
February 1st

25. Applicant Data & Trends
 Over 25% of First Year Medical Students in the United States
attend an Osteopathic Medical College
 1 in 4 of ALL Medical Students in the US anticipated by 2019

26. Record Breaking! AACOMAS Applications 2015
2015 Cycle: 185,162
19.2% Increase since 2014
Number of applicants: 20,447
13.9% Increase since 2014
Average number of designations: 9.1
Increase from 8.7 since 2014
Source: AACOMAS data 2015

27. Applicants & Matriculants: 2011-2014
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application
14,087 14,945 16,454 17,9445,409 5,574 6,184 6,562
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
2011 2012 2013 2014
*Only verified applications are included in this table.
AACOMAS Applicants and Matriculants
Entering Classes 2011-2014
Applicants Matriculants

28. Baccalaureate Majors: Studied by 2014 Matriculants
Age Distribution: 2014 Matriculants
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application

29. Matriculant Map – 2014
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application

30. Top 20 Undergraduate Feeder Colleges
2014 Entering Class
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application

31. Graduate Medical Education
Graduate training paths in osteopathic graduate medical
education include (but are not limited to):
Anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family practice and
osteopathic manipulative medicine, internal medicine, obstetric and
gynecology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology and…
Facial plastic surgery, pediatrics and subspecialties, general
surgery, neurological surgery, urological surgery, proctologic
surgery, radiology and oncology, neurology, neuromusculoskeletal
medicine, ophthalmology, pathology, psychiatry, dermatology,
physical medicine and rehabilitation, preventive medicine and public
health.

32. AACOM Website
www.aacom.org

33. Resources: Osteopathic Medical Students
New! Must Read!
A Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine
Pre-SOMA Website:
http://studentdo.org/presoma

34. State Osteopathic Medical Associations
Source: Website accessed 8-25-15
http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/about/affiliates/Pages/state-osteopathic-medical-associations.aspx

35. The DO – Online Magazine
Source: Website accessed 8-21-15
http://thedo.osteopathic.org/

36. AACOMAS on & Follow us on !
Social: Connect with other future DOctors!

37. In the News – Primary Care Shortage

38. In the News – Best US Medical Schools

39. Questions & Answers
Thank you for your interest and participation today!
We look forward to working with you throughout
the 2016 application cycle and beyond.
Gina M. Moses, M.Ed.
Associate Director, Recruitment & Application Services
Tel: 301-968-4184
Email: gmoses@aacom.org