Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Spynaija
In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the best Osteopathic Medical schools for surgery to aid all prospective DOs in making the best decisions in their journey to becoming Doctors of Osteopathic medicine but before then, let’s feed you with some of the things you need to know about Osteopathic medicine.
What is Osteopathic medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession that promotes the practice of allopathic medicine. It was founded by Andrew Taylor Still, who was a physician and surgeon who lived from August 6, 1828 – December 12, 1917.
Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the United States. Osteopathic medicine accounts for approximately 11% of all physicians in the US.
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a medical degree that is only conferred by the 38 osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as DOs, use a unique patient-centered approach to the healthcare profession.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine can be found in almost all medical specialties, including primary healthcare, pediatrics, OBGYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery.
Furthermore, DO-granting US medical schools have curricula similar to those of MD-granting schools. Generally, the first two years are classroom-based, while the third and fourth years consist of clinical rotations through the major specialties of medicine.
What are the Osteopathic Medical Schools Requirements?
Admission requirements into any of the 38 colleges of Osteopathic medical schools vary from school to school, but then, we have listed some of the few common requirements you are likely to find amongst these schools. Most DO schools accept applicants with;
- An average MCAT score of 502
- Average GPA of at least 3.45
- A record of community service.
- A record of leadership.
- Some clinical experience.
Best Osteopathic Medical Schools for Surgery
So without further ado, let’s walk you through some of the best Osteopathic Medical Schools for surgery, their acceptance rates and the average GPA, and the MCAT scores.
1. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private, non-profit medical school located in Dothan, Alabama, U.S. The school was established in 2010, and it opened its doors for academic activities in 2013. It is the first osteopathic medical school in the state of Alabama
The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine offers two dual degrees which are: a Master of Science in Management (MSM) Program and a Master in Business Administration. The school is considered one of the best Osteopathic Medical schools for surgery in the states. On April 24, 2017, the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), awarded ACOM full accreditation status.
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine has an average acceptance rate of 10.58%
GPA Average: 3.47
Average MCAT Score: 505
2. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private medical school with its main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine was first established as the Philadelphia College and Infirmary of Osteopathy on January 24, 1899. The school has since grown to become one of the best Osteopathic medical schools in the states.
The school offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine (D.O.), pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (DPT), and psychology (PsyD).
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.
The school has an estimated student population of about 2,900 students spread across the institution’s three campuses; with one campus located in Philadelphia, another located near Atlanta in Suwanee, Georgia, and the third located in Moultrie, Georgia.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine acceptance rate: 4.44%
Average MCAT: 505
Average GPA: 3.6
3. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is the Osteopathic medical school of Touro University. The school’s primary focus is on health professions. It is located on Mare Island in Vallejo, California.
The Touro University confers degrees in graduate studies of various disciplines including education, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, nursing, and public health.
Faculty members of Touro University California’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and Pharmacy specialize in a wide range of basic and applied research in fields including aging, anatomy and clinical imaging, cognitive aging, diabetes, immunology, infectious diseases, ion channels, longevity, neuroscience, metabolism/nutrition, and vaccine research.
The school’s College of Osteopathic Medicine currently boasts of a student body of about 1,000 students and 105 full-time and 41 part-time academic staff.
The Mission of Touro University Osteopathic Medicine Program is to prepare students to become outstanding osteopathic physicians who uphold the values, philosophy, and practice of osteopathic medicine and who are committed to primary care and the holistic approach to the patient. The program advances the profession and serves its students and society through innovative pre-doctoral and post-doctoral education, research, community service, and multidisciplinary and osteopathic clinical services.
So, if you are looking for the best Osteopathic Medical schools for surgery, Touro University California should be on your list of institutions to consider.
- The school admits students with an average GPA of 3.51.
- Touro University California Acceptance Rate is 8.9%
4. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
On May 3rd, 2014, the William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine received full accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University equips students with adequate knowledge, skills, and best practices to provide or administer the best treatment possible.
The William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a Doctoral program in Osteopathic Medicine and a Master’s program in Biomedical Science.
- William Carey University, College of Osteopathic Medicine has an acceptance rate of 4.10%
- The College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University has a minimum MCAT of 500 with an average GPA of 3.5
5. A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine is the college of Osteopathic medical school of A. T. Still University. It is a private medical school located in Mesa, Arizona. It was established in 2007.
A.T. Still University is the first osteopathic medical school, established in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still in Kirksville, Missouri.
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine’s acceptance rate is 5.30% with a minimum MCAT of 505 and an average GPA of 3.45
6. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine was first established as a private school in 1974 with the former name “the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine”.
In 1976, two years after its establishment, after a unanimous agreement by the board of governors of the institution, the school was donated to the state of West Virginia, the board accepted establishing the school as a state-funded public institution which prompted the change of name to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is one of three medical schools in West Virginia and also the sole institution that grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. It is one of the best osteopathic medical schools for surgery in the States.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is fully accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
WVSOM has an acceptance rate of 3.70% with an average MCAT of 502 and a minimum GPA of 3.54
7. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private medical school located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Bradenton, Florida, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and Elmira, New York.
The school was founded in 1992, LECOM, as it is fondly called confers Doctor of Osteopathic (DO), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), pharmacy (PharmD), as well as master’s degrees in the health sciences.
With over 4,487 estimated student population, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO program) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
LECOM offers a total of three primary learning pathways: a traditional lecture-discussion Program, a problem-based learning program, and a directed study program, as well as two, three-year programs, all leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The Erie campus offers all three primary pathways, while the Bradenton and Greensburg campuses offer curricula based solely on problem-based learning. Post-graduate residence and fellowship training is managed by the Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
LECOM has an acceptance rate of 3.70%, with a minimum MCAT score of 504 and an average GPA of 3.4.
8. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to providing world-class, osteopathic, student-centered graduate and medical education and research to foster community access to patient-centered medical care.
The school is one of the two public medical schools of Michigan State University located in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1969. The college offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, as well as dual degrees (DO-PhD and DO-MBA).
The college is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The applicant selection process for the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is made from a competitive applicant pool and depends on many aspects of the applicant such as GPA, MCAT, maturity, community service, and life experiences. Among admitted students, the average GPA is between 3.5–3.7, and the average MCAT score is 506–508.
The school has the vision to prepare physicians in the science of medicine, the art of caring, and the power of a touch, with a world view open to all people. It is one of the best osteopathic medical schools for surgery.
9. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private Faith-based (Christian) graduate medical school of Liberty University, it is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was founded in August 2014.
In 2013, the college received accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association through the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
Prospective student education at the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine combines state-of-the-art educational facilities with diverse research opportunities. Students learn alongside experienced faculty members who are grounded in their Christian faith. At LUCOM, students are engineered to fulfill their passion for serving others while preparing to specialize in their chosen area of medicine.
If starting a promising career in Osteopathic surgery is your lifelong dream, then Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the best Osteopathic medical schools for surgery, which you might need to consider.
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine has an acceptance rate of 4.20% with an average MCAT score of 506 and a minimum GPA of 3.5
The deadline for LUCOM applicants is March 1st but is subject to change annually if the class is filled prior to that date. The last day for applicants to submit their Secondary Application and supporting materials is March 15.
10. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a private, non-profit medical school. The school currently operates five campuses located in Blacksburg, Carolinas, Auburn, Monroe, and Bluefield. The school was founded in 2001 and graduated its first class of 139 students in June 2007.
The school is fully accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
With a sole mission to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health, VCOM confers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) upon graduation.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine has an acceptance rate of 3.70% with a minimum MCAT of 502 and an average GPA of 3.6
Conclusion
Getting admitted to study in any Osteopathic Medical school is very competitive, and deciding on the one to go for can be very confusing. And yes, these colleges handpick their students based on merits and intellectual capability this is often so due to the academic demands of the profession.
Regardless, there are currently a total of 38 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Yet, we have listed the top 10 best osteopathic medical schools for surgery to help you in your decision-making.
Furthermore, we have put in all our best in making sure that we provided the most accurate information, but do note that admission statistics and data are dynamic. Therefore, we always encourage you to verify these details from the official school admissions office.
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