Question 1: How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?
The competitive candidate profile page lsits last year's statistics and describes the student qualities that are important to the admissions committee.

Question 2: Is there a seperate application process for the North West Track program?
No. All prospective COMP students will complete the same application process which includes completion of the AACOMAS primary application, COMP secondary application and the COMP interview process. Should a student, who is eligible for participation in the NWT, be offered a seat in the COMP class, they will sign the NWT contract and return it with their first deposit indicating their interest in participating.

Question 3: Does it matter that I'm older than your average applicant?
Definitely not. We find that students of all ages make unique contributions to the class. We encourage all qualified applicants regardless of age.

Question 4: Do you give preference to California residents?
No. Although a significant portion of our student body is from California, we consider candidates from throughout the United States.

Question 5: Can I transfer into COMP from another medical school?
Yes.  Visit the transfer page for details.

Question 6: Can international students apply?
Absolutely! International applicants follow the same application procedures as domestic applicants, but must also submit transcripts to an approved coursework evaluation service and submit their evaluations to AACOMAS as a part of the primary application process. Review the international student website for details regarding visas and other required documents.

Question 7: How is my GPA calculated in the application process?
AACOMAS calculates an average science, non-science, and overall GPA for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate coursework, and an average of all coursework taken. AACOMAS does not include professional coursework in their calculations.

Question 8: Do the recommendation letters have to be submitted with the secondary application packet?
We prefer that the letters be sent to our office by the recommender or by the health professions advising office on your campus. If you submit letters with your application, they must each be in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal.

Question 9: Can I submit more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the additional letters to your two or three strongest.

Question 10: Can I submit my secondary application after the 30-day deadline?
Yes. However, it is highly recommended that you submit your application as early as possible. The committee will not review your file until all required documents have been received. Since we interview and offer acceptances on a rolling basis beginning in September, it is definitely to your advantage to mail your application and all supporting documents to us within the 30-day time frame.

Question 11: How does the admissions committee decide which applicants are offered seats?
The admissions committee reviews all completed applications and selects 500 of the most qualified candidates for interview taking into consideration such criteria as GPA, MCAT scores, clinical experience, leadership roles, knowledge of osteopathic medicine, and community service. Visit the competitive candidate profile page for details.

Question 12: How and when will I know if I've been invited for an interview?
You will receive a telephone call from the admissions office if you have been selected for an interview. Applicants who are invited to interview will be scheduled for an interview two to three weeks in advance. Out-of-state applicants are given four to six weeks advance notice. Interviews are conducted from September through March.

Question 13: When are acceptance letters and final notification letters mailed?
Acceptance letters are mailed no more than two weeks following your interview. Alternates are selected from the list of alternate candidates after the class is filled in April. All applicants will be notified of their final status in August.

Question 14: I am a re-applicant, how can I better my application, or my chances of gaining admission?
Take a critical review of the information that you mailed to our admissions office and see if there are any obvious voids. For example, maybe you did not shadow a DO, or you have little clinical experience. Perhaps you had low grades that lowered your overall and/or science GPA, or maybe you weren't involved in community service, or merely forgot to include it on your application. You would be surprised at how much you can learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your application simply by looking at it from an admissions perspective. Above all else, it is important to realize that we receive applications from thousands of highly qualified applicants each year and are only able to accept about 10 percent of that pool.

Question 15: How can I request a secondary application packet?
When the admissions office receives your primary application from AACOMAS and determines that you have met the minimum requirements, you will immediately be directed to print a secondary application from the Web. We will only accept your secondary application if you have first complete the primiary (AACOMAS) application. You will have 30 days to complete and return your secondary application to us.

Question 1: Is a bachelor's degree required to apply?
No. But it is strongly recommended. Our accepted students have either earned a bachelor's degree, completed the equivalent in hours in a professional program, and/or earned another graduate or professional degree. Our competitive candidate profile page will provide you with last year’s class statistics as well as a profile of what the admissions committee considers to be a competitive candidate.

Question 2: Do you require any standardized tests?
Yes. You are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). You can take the MCAT up to and including the January prior to anticipated entry year. For example: If you are applying to start classes in fall 2009, then the last MCAT that you could take, for that application period, would be the January 2009 exam. If you submit your application before January, you may indicate on your application the day you plan to take the exam. You will need to submit your scores as soon as they are made available.

Question 3: How old can my MCAT scores be?
The MCAT can be taken no more than three years prior to application.

Question 4: Do you require a minimum MCAT score to apply?
No, but we recommend that you plan to exceed the average scores, gpa's etc. Visit the competitive candidate profile page for details.

Question 5: I already have a medical degree from another country. Am I still required to take the MCAT?
Yes. The MCAT is required even if you have earned a foreign medical degree.

Question 6: What is the average GPA and average MCAT score?
The competitive candidate profile page will provide you with last year’s class statistics as well as a profile of what the admissions committee considers to be a competitive candidate.

Question 7: What are the prerequisite courses for the DO program?
The view requirements page will provide you with all the information you need to know about prerequisite coursework and admission requirements. 

Question 8: Can I have prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application? How many?
Yes. While we do not have a set number of courses you must have completed at the time of application, we recommend that you have at least ¾ of the prerequisites completed by the time of application. Doing so will provide the admissions committee with a clearer picture of your academic preparation for the program. Should you be accepted, all prerequisites MUST be completed prior to matriculation. The view requirements page will provide you with additional detail regarding requirements.

Question 9: Do you accept College Level Equivalency Program or Advanced Placement credits?
Yes. We accept College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) credit as long as the course credits are specified on the transcript and are class specific. CLEP or AP credits will only meet the requirement for hours completed and cannot be used to satisfy any of the prerequisite courses. The view requirements page will provide you with additional detail regarding requirements.

Question 10: How does AACOMAS convert semester hours to credit hours for GPA calculations?
They use the following conversion table:

If your grades are posted as letters rather than numerals, AACOMAS uses the follow conversion table:

Question 1: What is the difference between a DO and an MD degree?
There are two pathways to becoming a physician; the osteopathic (DO) route, and the allopathic (MD) route. Both DOs and MDs are able to prescribe medication, make referrals, open their own practice, and specialize in any field, etc. However, there are two primary differences between the training that a DO receives and the training an MD receives.

The first difference is in philosophy. Osteopathic medicine practices a holistic approach to medicine in which the physician treats the whole person, not just the disease and considers the idea that the ailment his/her patient is suffering from could have an external influence that should be addressed with more than just medication. It is a century-old tradition of caring for people, not just treating symptoms.

The second difference is that osteopathic physicians receive additional training in what is called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). DO's may also use their hands to diagnose and treat injury and illness and encourage the body's natural tendency toward good health. Combined with other medical procedures, OMM enables physicians to not ONLY treat their patients with medication, surgery, etc., but also with manipulation when appropriate. This form of treatment can often result in immediate relief and/or increased speed of healing. For additional clarification, read the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine definition of osteopathic medicine.

Question 2: Can osteopathic physicians practice in other countries? Where?
Yes, some countries recognize physicians with a DO degree. For example, Germany announced its recognition of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree in 1999. Contact the AOA for further information.

Question 3: How can I learn more about WesternU’s Osteopathic Medicine program? 
Join us for an information session where you can tour the facilities, chat with faculty and students, and learn more about WesternU's DO curriculum and admission requirements.  You’ll also have the opportunity to observe an osteopathic manipulation demonstration.

We also encourage you to request an information packet, so we may keep you informed regarding admissions deadlines and important program information.

Question 4: How can I contact an osteopathic physician to interview or shadow?
This is a very good decision! The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Web site provides access to state-specific Web sites, most of which have listings of osteopathic physicians you can contact in your area.

Question 5: When are campus tours available?
We welcome you to meet our students and enjoy a student-led campus tour. Please visit the campus tour page for upcoming dates and to schedule a tour.

Question 6: How can I learn more about the financial aid available to me?
For more information regarding tuition, scholarships, and loans please visit the financing my education page.

Question 7: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. We are a private institution, therefore the tuition assessed is the same for in-state, out-of-state and international students. Visit the financing my education page for more information on tuition, scholarships and loans.

Question 8: Where are the North West Track rotation sites located?
At the start of the 2008-09 academic year, WU/COMP has over 30 formal teaching affiliations with northwest facilities. The CORE clerkship sites have been primarily established along the I-5 corridor in the states of Washington and Oregon. CORE sites include Seattle/Tacoma, Centralia, greater Portland, Corvallis/Albany/Lebanon, Roseburg and Grants Pass/Medford/Ashland. These teaching affiliations have been developed with facilities that meet the COMP educational criteria and who have demonstrated an interest in teaching students. CORE site development includes and emphasis on clusters of clerkships facilitating the ability of the student to remain in one geographic area for the majority of their training. A number of these facilities have integrated graduate medical training programs. 

Question 9: How will I select my third year clerkships?
Third year clerkships are selected by second year students just prior to the holiday break. Students rank "tracks" that contain all the third year required clerkships. Tracks for the NWT have been prepared to be both geographically clustered as well as maximally diverse. This means that students will be able to remain in one geographically centered area (based on physician availability and subject to change) whilst experiencing a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, community and county based learning opportunities. Student clerkship ranking is a lottery process. Students submit their track ranking based on their geographic and clerkship sequence preferences and then have the ability to exchange entire tracks or similar rotations with their fellow students. In the past two years the rankings and assignments have given 75% of students their first, second or third choice.

Question 10: Who is responsible for housing and travel costs?
A number of NWT students return to areas where they have pre-established housing options. When needed, WU/COMP does provide assistance with housing options and has contacts with local rental agents. Housing costs are the financial responsibility of the student. Additionally, expenses for travel between campus and track site as well as in between individual clerkship sites, is the responsibility of each student.

Question 11: What does the North West Contract include?
The NWT contract has two primary obligations. 1, you will complete your first two years of study on the Western University campus in Pomona, CA. 2, you will return to WU/COMP affiliated teaching sites in the northwest to complete your clinical requirements. Participation in the NWT is not mandatory but is an opportunity for students who are motivated to return to the northwest.