AACOMAS Timeline

Through the AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) application process, you can increase your chances of being accepted into medical school by following these important tips:​

​

1. Apply Early:

• Submit as early as possible: Since osteopathic medical schools frequently accept applications on a rolling basis, applying early will improve your chances of being invited for an interview and, eventually, accepted.

• Prepare the necessary materials beforehand: Well in advance of the application opening, prepare your personal statement, recommendation letters, transcripts, and other necessary paperwork.

​

2. Write a Compelling Personal Statement:

• Emphasize your love of osteopathic medicine: Stress the reasons that osteopathic medicine (DO) appeals to you in particular above allopathic medicine (MD).

• Be genuine and thoughtful: Talk about your goals, past encounters, and special talents you offer to the field.

• Address any shortcomings in your academic performance: Use your personal statement to address any gaps or flaws in your academic record and discuss how you've changed and improved as a result.

​​

​3. Strong Letters of Recommendation:

• Select recommenders carefully: Choose people who are familiar with you and who can vouch for your character, academic prowess, and future medical potential. If at all feasible, enclose a note from an osteopathic physician (DO).

• Allow ample time for recommenders: Give your referees enough time to draft and turn in their letters. Provide them with all the information they need to know about application procedures and deadlines.

​​

4. Emphasize Your Osteopathic Experiences:

• Clinical and Shadowing Experience: Participate in clinical encounters that introduce you to osteopathic practices and showcase your dedication to osteopathic medicine by shadowing DOs.

• Research and Extracurricular Activities: Participating in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and research can demonstrate your commitment to medicine and your well-roundedness.​​

​

5. Consider Secondary Applications: 

• Apply for secondary applications as soon as possible: Shortly after getting your AACOMAS application, a lot of DO schools send out supplemental applications. Attend to these as soon as possible and with the same consideration as the main application.

• Tailor your responses: In secondary essays, steer clear of canned answers. Make your responses unique to each institution, considering why you might be a good match there.

​

6. Prepare for the interview:

• Develop your interviewing techniques: Practice frequently asked interview questions, particularly those that touch on osteopathic principles, as soon as you receive interview invites.

• Understand Osteopathic Medicine: Know your osteopathic principles thoroughly, and be ready to explain why you went down the DO route instead of the MD one.

​

7. Monitor Your MCAT and GPA Results:

• Strive for scores that are competitive: Look up the average MCAT and GPA requirements for the colleges you are applying to, then try to reach or beyond those requirements.

• Consider taking the MCAT again: Consider retaking the MCAT if your score is not competitive, but only if you have had enough time to study.

​​

​8. Holistic Approach:

• Demonstrate your dedication to serving others: Osteopathic medicine places a strong emphasis on providing care holistically, so be sure to mention your volunteer activities and dedication to helping others, particularly in underprivileged areas.

• Demonstrate teamwork and leadership: Highlight your leadership experience and interpersonal skills; these are valuable traits for a future doctor.

​

9. Focus on the Details:

• Double-check your application: Before submitting, make sure that every section of your application is accurate, complete, and error-free.

• Meet all deadlines: Keep a note of all deadlines and send in your materials on time to avoid negatively impacting your chances.​​

​

10. Stay Informed: 

• Stay informed about updates: Keep a regular eye on your email for notifications from AACOMAS and the schools you've applied to.

• As necessary, follow up: Don't hesitate to get in touch with AACOMAS or the schools again if there seems to be a delay in completing your application.​

​

You may increase your chances of getting into an osteopathic medical school by using these pointers to present yourself as a competitive applicant.

 

It's a good idea to review a number of reliable sources while getting ready for your AACOMAS application in order to have the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of what to anticipate. Although our timeline provides you with a good starting point, consulting other reliable sources can provide additional information and keep you updated on any modifications or special specifics in the process. When it's time to apply, you'll feel more prepared and secure if you use many trustworthy timelines. Look at resources like American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service, MedSchoolCoach, and Motivate MD for more in-depth information.​​​​​​