How to Apply to DO Medical School: AACOMAS Guide for 2027

Osteopathic medicine offers another route to becoming a fully licensed physician in the United States.

Students attending osteopathic medical schools earn the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Like MD physicians, DOs can enter medical and surgical specialties, prescribe medication, perform procedures, and complete residency training.

The main distinction is that osteopathic medical education incorporates additional training in osteopathic principles and practice, including osteopathic manipulative medicine.

For students applying to enter medical school in 2027, most DO applications are submitted through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).

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 What Is Osteopathic Medicine?

Osteopathic medicine approaches patient care with an emphasis on the relationship between different systems of the body and the broader factors that influence health.

DO students complete the same major areas of medical training expected of future physicians while also learning osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and osteopathic principles.

DO physicians practise across the full spectrum of medicine, from family medicine and pediatrics to emergency medicine, psychiatry, anesthesiology and surgery.

Choosing the DO pathway should therefore be based on whether osteopathic medicine aligns with your approach to patient care, not simply because you believe DO schools are easier to enter.

How Competitive Are DO Medical Schools?

Osteopathic medical education continues to grow rapidly.

During the 2025–26 academic year, AACOM reported:

• 23,114 applicants
• 10,297 matriculants
• 11,590 first-year students
• 40,905 total DO students enrolled

Competition is also increasing. AACOM reported 26,506 applicants in the 2026 application cycle, a 12.83% increase from the previous cycle.

That means applicants should not treat DO schools as automatic backups to MD programs.

Average GPA and MCAT for DO Matriculants

For students entering osteopathic medical schools in 2025, AACOM reports the following mean academic metrics:

These are national averages, not admissions cutoffs.

Some DO programs have considerably higher averages, while others place greater weight on mission fit, academic improvement, service, clinical exposure, and other parts of the application.

AACOMAS Timeline for 2027 Applicants

For the 2026–27 AACOMAS cycle:

• May 4, 2026: AACOMAS opened for submissions
• April 30, 2027: Final AACOMAS submission deadline

Individual medical schools may have much earlier deadlines.

AACOMAS also offers Academic Update periods that allow applicants to report new coursework and grades during the cycle.

Because many osteopathic medical schools review applications on a rolling basis, submitting a well-prepared application earlier in the cycle can give you more time to complete secondaries and interviews.

Do not, however, sacrifice application quality simply to submit on opening day.

What Is Included in AACOMAS?

AACOMAS is the central application used by participating U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine.

You submit information including:

• Personal information
• Colleges attended
• Coursework
• Transcripts
• MCAT information
• Experiences
• Personal statement
• Letters of evaluation
• Medical school selections

AACOMAS then verifies your academic information before distributing your application to the osteopathic medical schools you select.

Report All College Coursework

AACOMAS requires applicants to report all institutions attended and all relevant college-level coursework. This includes areas such as:

• Community college
• College courses completed during high school
• Summer courses
• Undergraduate institutions
• Post-baccalaureate coursework
• Graduate programs
• Study abroad
• Military institutions

Official transcripts must also generally be sent directly to AACOMAS from each institution.

Leaving out coursework can delay application verification.

How Does AACOMAS Treat Repeated Courses?

AACOMAS does not simply erase an earlier grade because you repeated a course. Repeated coursework remains part of your academic record and contributes to the GPA calculation. This makes academic trends particularly important.

If you struggled earlier in college but later demonstrated consistent improvement in challenging science courses, the application gives schools a broader picture of your academic development rather than replacing your original grades.

Do DO Schools Require the MCAT?

Most DO programs require the MCAT, but applicants should check each school's current policy rather than relying on a universal statement. AACOM's Choose DO Explorer provides school-specific information such as:

• MCAT requirements
• GPA expectations
• Prerequisites
• Application deadlines
• International student policies
• Recommendation requirements

For example, current AACOM profiles for schools such as Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine state that they do not waive the MCAT requirement.

Always verify your individual programs.

What Prerequisites Do DO Schools Require?

Prerequisite requirements vary.

Common requirements may include:

• Biology
• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physics
• English
• Laboratory coursework

Some programs also recommend or require courses such as:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Statistics
• Psychology
• Sociology

AACOM specifically recommends checking the Choose DO Explorer for the current requirements of individual colleges.

Do not assume every DO school uses the same prerequisite list.

What Counts as a Science GPA in AACOMAS?

This is an important distinction from AMCAS. AACOMAS calculates its science GPA using coursework classified under its own subject categories. Applicants should therefore follow AACOMAS course classification rules rather than assuming that the AMCAS BCPM definition applies identically.

This matters when comparing your MD and DO application GPAs because the two application services can classify certain courses differently.

What Clinical Experience Do You Need?

There is no national AACOM requirement stating that applicants must complete a particular number of clinical hours.

Instead, schools want evidence that you have explored medicine meaningfully and understand patient care.

Clinical experience can include:

• Medical assisting
• Emergency medical services
• Scribing
• Hospital or clinic volunteering
• Hospice
• Patient-facing employment
• Clinical internships

Students seeking additional exposure may also consider structured pre-health and pre-med clinical internships.

What matters most is your ability to explain what you learned about patients, healthcare delivery, teamwork and your own interest in medicine.

Should You Shadow a DO Physician?

If you are seriously considering osteopathic medicine, shadowing a DO can be particularly useful.

It can help you understand:

• How DO physicians practise
• Whether OMT is part of their clinical work
• How osteopathic principles influence patient care
• How the DO and MD pathways compare in practice

Some schools also specifically consider exposure to osteopathic physicians when reviewing applicants.

For example, Lincoln Memorial University's current AACOM profile lists exposure to osteopathic medicine and its practitioners among the factors considered in admissions.

Do You Need a Recommendation From a DO?

Not universally. Recommendation requirements vary significantly between osteopathic medical schools.

Some programs require a physician letter. Some accept either an MD or DO. Others do not require a physician recommendation at all.

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, for example, currently requires a physician letter but accepts one from either an MD or DO.

Choose recommenders who know you well and can provide specific examples of your abilities rather than pursuing a DO letter solely for the title attached to the writer's name.

Your Personal Statement Still Matters

A strong AACOMAS personal statement should explain why you want to become a physician.

Your interest in osteopathic medicine should also be clear somewhere within your broader application, whether through your experiences, secondary essays, interviews, or other school-specific prompts.

Avoid superficial statements such as: “I like DO because it is holistic.”

Instead, show what experiences shaped your understanding of patient care and why the osteopathic approach fits your goals.

Understand Each School's Mission

Mission fit is especially important when choosing DO schools.

Many colleges of osteopathic medicine focus on areas such as:

• Primary care
• Rural medicine
• Underserved communities
• Regional physician shortages
• Community health
• Whole-person care

William Carey, for example, currently evaluates applicants partly on how well they fit the school's mission alongside GPA, MCAT, recommendations and personal attributes.

Lincoln Memorial also considers service to underserved populations and exposure to osteopathic medicine among its selection factors.

Your school list should therefore reflect more than your GPA and MCAT.

Build Your DO School List Strategically

Use AACOM's Choose DO Explorer to compare schools.

Look at:

• Matriculant GPA and MCAT
• Location
• State or regional preferences
• Mission
• Prerequisites
• International eligibility
• Recommendation requirements
• Interview format
• Application deadline
• Tuition
• Clinical rotation structure

Do not apply broadly without understanding what each program is looking for.

A smaller, well-researched list can be more effective than sending applications to schools where your profile or goals do not align.

What About International Applicants?

Policies vary significantly. Some osteopathic medical schools accept international applicants, while many do not.

For example, William Carey currently accepts international applicants, while Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine currently do not.

International applicants should therefore confirm eligibility before paying an application fee.

Visa sponsorship, financial documentation and residency opportunities should also be considered.

What Happens After You Submit AACOMAS?

After submission, AACOMAS verifies your coursework against your official transcripts.

Schools then receive the verified application and may:

• Review it immediately
• Send a secondary application
• Request additional documents
• Place the application under review
• Invite you to interview

Continue checking both AACOMAS and individual school portals for missing requirements.

AACOM also notes that official MCAT scores can take approximately 10–12 days to process after they are released to AACOMAS by the AAMC.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. When did AACOMAS open for the 2027 application cycle?

AACOMAS opened for submissions on May 4, 2026 for the 2026–27 cycle. The central application closes April 30, 2027, although individual schools may have earlier deadlines.

#2. What is the average GPA for DO medical school?

For students entering DO schools in 2025, the mean overall GPA was 3.62, with a mean science GPA of 3.53.

#3. What is the average MCAT for DO matriculants?

The 2025 mean MCAT for entering osteopathic medical students was 502.95.

#4. Are DO schools becoming more competitive?

Yes. AACOM reported 26,506 applicants in the 2026 application cycle, up 12.83% from the previous cycle.

#5. Do you need to shadow a DO physician?

Not universally, but DO shadowing can help you understand osteopathic medicine and strengthen your ability to explain why you are choosing the DO pathway. Some schools specifically value exposure to osteopathic physicians.

#6. Do all DO schools require a DO recommendation letter?

No. Requirements vary by school. Some accept MD or DO physician letters, while others do not require a physician letter at all. Check the current Choose DO Explorer before requesting recommendations.

#7. Can you apply to DO schools without an MCAT score yet?

You may begin and submit parts of the AACOMAS process while awaiting an MCAT result, but individual schools may require an official MCAT score before your application is considered complete. Check each school's policy.

#8. Are DO schools easier to get into than MD schools?

National DO matriculant GPA and MCAT averages are lower than MD averages, but that does not make osteopathic medical school easy to enter. DO applications are increasing, and schools evaluate academics, experiences, service, mission fit and other characteristics.

#9. Can DO physicians become surgeons?

Yes. DO graduates can enter surgical and non-surgical residency specialties, provided they meet the requirements and successfully match into the program.

#10. Should I apply to both MD and DO schools?

For many applicants, applying to both can make sense. The decision should depend on your academic profile, career goals and genuine interest in osteopathic medicine rather than treating DO schools purely as backups.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , MCAT/MSAR/USMLE, Med Schools, Pre-health,

Author: Tatina Himes

Date Published: Sep 15, 2026