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 lists last year's statistics and describes the student qualities that are important to the admissions committee.

Question 2: 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 3: 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 4: Can I transfer into COMP from another medical school?
Yes.  Visit the transfer page for details.

Question 5: 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 6: How is my GPA calculated in the application process?
AACOMAS calculates an average science, non-science, and overall GPA by undergraduate year, undergraduate total, post-baccalaureate and graduate coursework, and an average of all coursework taken. Repeated courses are included; the original course grade is not included in the calculation. AACOMAS does not include professional coursework in their calculations.

Question 7: Do the recommendation letters have to be submitted with the secondary application packet?
We prefer that the letters be sent electronically via VirtualEvals or Interfolio. Letters sent by USPS should be sent to our office by the recommender or by the health professions advising office staff on you campus.

Question 8: 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 9: Can I submit my secondary application after the 10-day deadline?
Yes. However, it is highly recommended that you submit your application as early as possible. The committee will not review your application 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 file your application and all supporting documents to us within the 10-day time frame.

Question 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 deficits. 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 14: How can I request a secondary application?
When the admissions office received your primary application from AACOMAS and determines that you have met the minimum requirements, you will immediately be directed to a secure webpage to file your secondary application. You will have 10 days to electronically file your secondary application. Secondary applications filed after 10 days may result in a delay in processing your application.

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 2012, then the last MCAT that you could take, for that application period, would be the January 2012 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 three quarters 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:

Quarter Hours 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Semester Hours 0.7 1.3 2.0 2.7 3.3 4.0 4.7 5.3 6.0 6.7

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

 

A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	D-	F
4.0	3.7	3.3	3.0	2.7	2.3	2.0	1.7	1.3	1.0	0.7	0.0

 

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 evaluate and treat patients, 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 whole-person approach to medicine. Osteopathic physicians consider more factors than just the disease, and often are able to treat patients by helping them make changes in lifestyle rather than just prescribing 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.

 

	DOs	MDs
Years of Medical School	4	4
Required Board Exam	COMLEX	USMLE
Prescribe Medication?	YES	YES
Make Referrals?	YES	YES
Open Own Practice?	YES	YES
Specialize in Any Field?	YES	YES
OMM Training?	YES	NO

 

Question 2: Can osteopathic physicians practice in other countries? Where?
Yes, many 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 American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for further information.

Question 3: How can I learn more about WesternU’s Osteopathic Medicine program? 
We would love for you to visit campus! Attend Preview Day where we will provide you with detailed information on the curriculum and profession as well as the admissions process. You will also have the opportunity to hear from the dean/upper administration and chat with current WesternU students as they tour you through the facilities.

Aside from Preview Day, you are welcome to meet our students and enjoy a student-led campus tour. 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?
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: 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 6: 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.