Become an Osteopathic Doctor - Resources, Deadlines & More |AACOM

The 2021-2022 AACOMAS application cycle is open and accepting submissions.

Apply to Medical School through AACOMAS

You're Invited!

Considering Medical School?

Do you want to be a physician who sees patients as more than symptoms or disease?
Do you want to be a physician who gets involved in the community and spends time learning about your patients as people?
Do you have solid communication skills and enjoy getting to know a diverse range of people from many different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups?
Are you compassionate and have a healing touch?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, osteopathic medicine may be a good first, or even second, career option for you! America's colleges of osteopathic medicine offer supportive, high-quality programs for students of all ages and backgrounds, at campuses across the country.

Browse this section to learn more about osteopathic medicine and the unique philosophy that makes it perfectly positioned to address the nation's health care needs today.

See an Overview of the Four-Year Curriculum.

Now available on Choose DO - The Choose DO Explorer!

Find the osteopathic medical school that is right for you. Filter the colleges by state, whether they are private or public, for profit or not for profit, school setting, dual degree opportunities, application deadlines and more.

Learn more about the Choose DO Explorer

Visit Choose DO - Our Website for Prospective Students

Want to know more about why you should consider a career in osteopathic medicine? Than look no further than ChooseDO.org. Choose DO is AACOM's website for aspiring physicians and a complete resource for information on osteopathic medicine, the colleges of osteopathic medicine, the application process and don't forget to check out the Choose DO blog for articles from current medical students.

Go to ChooseDO.org

Apply to Osteopathic Medical College

The decision to become an osteopathic medical student is life-changing and comes with great responsibility and privilege. By joining the osteopathic community you will learn and work alongside some of the most compassionate and competent physicians in the country.

Visit this section to learn about the whole application process, from preparing for medical school during undergraduate education, to shadowing a DO, to finally submitting your application through AACOM's centralized application service, AACOMAS.

Learn More

About Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a distinct pathway to medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury.

It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.

Learn more

To learn more about the osteopathic medical school experience:

View the Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges, which includes detailed information on the nation’s osteopathic medical colleges.
Sign up for emails to receive information on application resources, events, and more
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Visit the Recruitment Events Calendar for recruitment and admissions events around the country

Opportunities for DO Students

Join AACOM’s national advocacy campaign, ED to MED, and raise the profile of issues vital to osteopathic medical education in the halls of Congress!

Student Organizations

AACOM's Council of Osteopathic Medical Student Presidents (COSGP)
Canadian Osteopathic Medical Student Association (COMSA)
National Pre-SOMA
The undergraduate division of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. Membership is free. Don't have a Pre-SOMA Chapter at your college or university? Start one!
Student Osteopathic Medical Association

Career Planning For DO Students

Maximize the success of your specialty and residency choice.

Prior to entering medical school, many of you worked to 'keep your options open' regarding choosing a specialty that would be a good match for you. Now you are faced with choosing both a specialty and a residency that will further your career goals. Doing this successfully requires the following skills: career-related research, reflection, and decision making

AACOM's Career Planning Guide will help you navigate the complex and varied routes to a fulfilling osteopathic medical career.

GMEinfographic_100px Also see the following infographics:

Federal and Advocacy Resources

Grassroots Advocacy

Career Planning

Become an Osteopathic Physician