Introduction To Osteopathic Medical School

Osteopathic medical schools look for a variety of personal qualities in the candidates. Candidates need to have some basic qualities that are evaluated at the time of admission. These characteristic traits include good communication and interpersonal skills, a record of community service, some clinical experience, participation in a number of curricular activities, knowledge of osteopathic medicine and experience or training under an osteopathic physician.

In addition to this, there are certain academic qualifications that are mandatory to get into an Osteopathic medical school. The admission is competitive and selective. The MCAT and GPA scores are evaluated. Osteopathic medical schools select the candidates who have a good academic record, assuring the authorized committees of the school that the candidate has an aptitude and knowledge base to successfully complete the medical school curriculum.

Almost all students who apply to osteopathic medical school have a bachelors degree however, there are a few exceptions. Many applicants have earned a masters degree or doctorate in another subject area before applying to osteopathic medical school. These students have an option to fill up the form online. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) provides this centralized application service for the convenience of the prospective students.

Some of the well known, reputed Osteopathic medical schools are A.T Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University and Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

It has been observed in the last few years that, Osteopathic medical schools admit many non-traditional students and this includes almost 25 percent of the total admitted students. So, Osteopathic medical schools are open to those who are willing to take osteopathy as second career in their life. There are currently 23 colleges of osteopathic medicine, and three branch campuses that offer the doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree.

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes focus on health education, injury prevention and disease prevention and it trains the physicians, in general, before they get any specialization.