Osteopathic Medicine Physicians for the Future
Gina M. Moses, M.Ed. Associate Director, Recruitment & Application Services
Photo courtesy of ATSU
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OFCOLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
About AACOM Founded in 1898
Supports the nation’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs)
Located in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Osteopathic MedicinePhilosophy 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
Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine
Source: Website accessed 02-29-12http://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.
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
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.
DOs Bring Something Extra to MedicineSpecialized 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
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.
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 Associationhttp://www.osteopathic.ca
DOCare International http://www.docareintl.org/
Osteopathic International Alliancehttp://www.oialliance.org
About Our Colleges
31Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
Offering instruction at 44 locations
In 29 States
25 Private COMs 6 Public COMs
Additional Colleges in Process!
2014 Entering ClassAcademic Profile
Mean GPAs
BS PS VR Overall
9.51
8.808.90
27.21
Mean MCAT Scores
Non-Science Science Mean GPA
3.62
3.46
3.53
Mean GPAs
AACOMAS – 2016 CycleApply, 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 ProgressReceived/Awaiting Materials
Materials Received/Veri
fyingVerified
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.
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
2016 Application InstructionsFirst Step to a successful application is to… Please make sure to read the instructions before beginning your AACOMAS applications!
Application Web Address
AACOM http://www.aacom.org
AACOMAS Applicationhttps://aacomas.liaisoncas.com
AACOMAS 2016 – Main Menu
AACOMAS Application Support Center
Personal Statement
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!
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.
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
Advisor Release
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
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
Record Breaking! AACOMAS Applications 2015
2015 Cycle: 185,162
19.2% Increase since 2014
Number of applicants: 20,44713.9% Increase since 2014
Average number of designations: 9.1Increase from 8.7 since 2014
Source: AACOMAS data 2015
Applicants & Matriculants: 2011-2014
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application
2011 2012 2013 20140
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
14,087 14,945 16,454 17,9445,409 5,574 6,184 6,562
AACOMAS Applicants and MatriculantsEntering Classes 2011-2014
Applicants Matriculants
*Only verified applications are included in this table.
Baccalaureate Majors: Studied by 2014 MatriculantsAge Distribution: 2014 Matriculants
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application
Matriculant Map – 2014
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application
Top 20 Undergraduate Feeder Colleges 2014 Entering Class
Source: Applicant data on AACOMAS application
Graduate Medical EducationGraduate 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.
AACOM Website
www.aacom.org
Resources: Osteopathic Medical Students
New! Must Read! A Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine
Pre-SOMA Website:http://studentdo.org/presoma
State Osteopathic Medical Associations
Source: Website accessed 8-25-15http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/about/affiliates/Pages/state-osteopathic-medical-associations.aspx
The DO – Online Magazine
Source: Website accessed 8-21-15http://thedo.osteopathic.org/
In the News – Primary Care Shortage
In the News – Best US Medical Schools
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: [email protected]