This section of the AACOM web site is designed to help advisors answer students' questions about applying to osteopathic medical school. You may also access information from this page that is particularly useful to health professions advisors, including data about the most recent application cycle. (See Fast Facts About Osteopathic Medical Education.)
Upcoming Free Recruitment Event!
AACOM is hosting a Health Professions Recruitment Fair and Workshop in North Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, April 10, 2010, 1 pm - 4 pm in conjunction with the AACOM Annual Meeting. This event is open to high school and college students, parents, pre-health advisors, school administrators and others. Attend free workshops, meet with admissions officers and learn about various medical and other health profession schools. Download event flyer.
We look forward to meeting you in April!
Registration is complimentary but space is limited. Register Now to guarantee entry!
In Their Own Words: A Snapshot of the Osteopathic Medical Student
Read what osteopathic medical students are saying about their educational experience. See Student Profiles.
Welcome to Osteopathic Medicine!
Congratulations, encouragement and advice for those considering medical school from Brad Landry, DO, MSPT, immediate past Chair of AACOM's Council for Osteopathic Student Government Presidents. Read letter.
2010 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (CIB)
AACOM’s College Information Book (CIB) is the official publication for prospective applicants, students, pre-health advisors and others interested in gaining information about or applying to the nation’s osteopathic medical colleges.
Review the CIB.
AACOMAS Information and Resources for Advisors
The secure AACOMAS application is located at https://aacomas.aacom.org/
Detailed Application Information and Instructions
AACOM and AACOMAS Activity Synopsis
Advisors will find this document a helpful synopsis of the past years’ AACOM and AACOMAS activities.
Download the synopsis.
Information on the MCAT
The best resource on this test is the official MCAT site.
Advisor Information Center
The Advisor Information Center gives pre-health advisors across the nation a way to accurately track and monitor their students. It also enables them to advise prospective students and alumni.
The Advisor Information Center is available to college and university faculty and staff members who are identified as the pre-health advisors for their institutions. Institutional members of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions are granted access by verification of their position in the NAAHP membership directory.
Advisors who are not NAAHP members should send a letter requesting access on their college or university letterhead, accompanied by a letter from their dean (or similar supervisor) authorizing access. Requests should be sent to: Tom Levitan, MEd, Vice President for Research and Application Services, AACOM, 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7231
DO/PhD Programs and Other Dual Degrees
Download this comprehensive listing of all the DO/PhD programs and DO dual-degree programs offered at the nation’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
International Practice Rights for Osteopathic Physicians
Currently, DOs have full practice rights in roughly 50 countries and partial practice rights in many more. Read more information on the specifics.
Qualities of a Successful Osteopathic Medical Student
Colleges of osteopathic medicine look for well-rounded students who have the potential to be excellent, compassionate, humanistic physicians. The medical schools look at the whole applicant, not simply GPAs or MCAT scores.
Students who want to be physicians who look beyond symptoms to find and treat the cause of disease, illness and injury, and who want to work in partnership with their patients to help each person achieve her or his highest possible level of health, are a good match for osteopathic medical education. Students who are interested in using their hands to diagnose and treat patients, and who believe that to heal, a physician needs to look at the whole person and all aspects of her or his life also will be a good fit for a career in osteopathic medicine.
Many nontraditional students find a second or third career as an osteopathic physician to be very rewarding. All of America's colleges of osteopathic medicine offer supportive, high-quality programs for students of all ages from all backgrounds at campuses across the country.