Osteopathic Medical College Diversity in Applicants

As of 2016, the number and proportion of underrepresented minority* (URM) applicants and first year enrollees to colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) is increasing. Even though more URMs are applying to COMs**, total URM enrollment remains relatively stagnant. In addition, the proportion of URM applicants to matriculants continues to remain lower than their non-URM counterparts.

In the same regard, while the percentage of females applying to COMs is on the rise, first-year and total enrollment have decreased slightly. Additionally, the proportion of female applicants to matriculants continues to remain lower than their male counterparts.

Applicants and Matriculants - Race and Ethnicity

• The percentage of underrepresented minorities applying to an osteopathic medical school has increased by 3.9 percent—from 11.1 percent in 2009-10 to 15 percent in 2016-17.
• The percentage of underrepresented minorities matriculating to an osteopathic medical school has increased by 1.5 percent—from seven percent in 2009-10 to 8.5 percent in 2016-17.
• The proportion of underrepresented minorities who applied and matriculated to an osteopathic medical school remains lower than non-underrepresented minorities in 2016-17:
  
  • 18.6 percent of underrepresented minority applicants matriculated to medical school (577 of 3,104).
  • 35.2 percent of non-underrepresented minority applicants matriculated to medical school (6,201 of 17,616).

Percent AACOMAS Applicants - Underrepresented Minority by Gender

• The percentage of female underrepresented minorities applying to an osteopathic medical school has increased by two percent—from 6.7 percent in 2009-10 to 8.7 percent in 2016-17.
• The percentage of male underrepresented minorities applying to an osteopathic medical school has increased by 1.9 percent—from 4.4 percent in 2009-10 to 6.3 percent in 2016-17. 

AACOMAS Applicants and Matriculants - Race/Ethnicity by Gender

AACOMAS Applicants and Matriculants - Gender

• The percentage of females applying to an osteopathic medical school has increased by 0.1 percent—from 48.4 percent in 2009-10 to 48.5 percent in 2016-17.
• The percentage of females matriculating to an osteopathic medical school has decreased by 1.1 percent—from 47 percent in 2009-10 to 45.9 percent in 2016-17.
• The proportion of females who applied and matriculated to an osteopathic medical school remains lower than males in 2016-17.
  
  • 30.9 percent of female applicants matriculated to medical school (3,102 of 10,031).
  • 34.4 percent of male applicants matriculated to medical school (3,661 of 10,640).

AACOMAS Applicants - Female and Underrepresented Minorities

• The percentage of females applying to an osteopathic medical school has increased by 0.1 percent—from 48.4 percent in 2009-10 to 48.5 percent in 2016-17.
• The percentage of underrepresented minorities applying to osteopathic medical school increased by 3.9 percent—from 11.1 percent in 2009-10 to 15 percent in 2016-17.