What Is AACOMAS? (DO Med Admissions)
AACOMAS is the centralized application service used by participating U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine to review applications for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or DO, degree. You submit one primary application, then complete any school-specific steps. Each college sets its own requirements, deadlines, and admissions decisions, so AACOMAS does not replace careful school-by-school planning.
Most DO programs use a four-year medical school curriculum, followed by residency training. That is a major commitment, and the application has several parts. Knowing what AACOMAS handles—and what each college handles—can help you avoid missed steps and costly mistakes.
AACOMAS and Osteopathic Medical School Admissions: Application, Eligibility & Selection
AACOMAS is the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service. Run by AACOM, it collects a primary application for participating DO schools. Each school reviews applicants and makes its own decisions. AACOMAS is an application route, not an admissions committee or a guarantee of acceptance.
What AACOMAS does
You use AACOMAS to apply to participating colleges of osteopathic medicine. The application generally includes your personal details, schools attended, coursework, experiences, letters or evaluations, and personal statement. You can choose multiple schools in the service, but you should check each school’s current instructions before applying.
Submitting the primary application may not finish your application. A college may require a supplemental application, extra fee, additional materials, or interview. Treat each school’s checklist as a separate set of required steps, and check your email and application portal often.
AACOMAS supports applications to the graduate-level DO degree. It is not the application service for every medical school, and not every college uses it. Confirm participation and requirements on the official AACOMAS site and the school’s own admissions page.
How a DO application differs from a general college application
A DO application is for professional medical training after undergraduate study. Applicants usually complete required college courses and take the MCAT, but specific rules vary. Osteopathic medicine includes training in osteopathic principles and practice, alongside medical education in areas such as diagnosis and treatment.
| Application part | What it means | What you should check |
|---|---|---|
| AACOMAS primary application | Shared application sent to selected participating schools | School participation and cycle instructions |
| Transcript and coursework record | College history used for academic review | Every institution, course, and repeated attempt |
| MCAT | Standardized medical school admissions test | Each school’s current policy and testing dates |
| Supplemental application | A school’s additional questions or forms | Deadline, fee, and required materials |
| Interview | A school’s way to assess applicants beyond the written file | Format, dates, and preparation instructions |
What schools consider
Schools set their own admissions standards. There is no single AACOMAS-wide minimum GPA, MCAT score, or prerequisite list. A class profile may show the range or average for a recent entering class. It is useful context, but it is not the same as a minimum or a promise of admission.
Admissions teams may review academic history, test scores, clinical exposure, service, recommendations, written responses, and interviews. The weight given to each part differs by school. I recommend comparing your profile with each school’s stated rules, rather than relying on a single national number.
DO Curriculum: Prerequisites, Clinical Training & Degree Requirements
A DO degree is a professional medical degree. Before admission, applicants usually complete undergraduate coursework and other school-specific requirements. In medical school, students study medicine and osteopathic practice, then take part in clinical training. Course details, timelines, and graduation rules depend on the school.
Prerequisites vary by school
There is no universal AACOMAS prerequisite list. Biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, English, and lab courses are common examples, but schools differ on course counts, substitutions, lab formats, and how old a course may be.
Build a requirement map for every school on your list. Check whether it accepts online courses or labs, community college credits, AP or IB credit, and courses taken outside the United States. If a rule is unclear, ask the admissions office and keep its written response.
Academic records and GPA
List all postsecondary institutions and coursework as AACOMAS directs. This includes courses from different colleges and repeated courses. Do not assume a college’s grade-forgiveness policy removes an earlier grade from the AACOMAS GPA calculation. AACOMAS generally includes repeated attempts under its own GPA rules.
That difference can affect how you assess your academic record. Before submitting, compare your application entries with every transcript and review AACOMAS’s current GPA instructions. Schools may also review or calculate academic information under their own policies, so your AACOMAS GPA may not be the only figure considered.
| Situation | Practical step | Risk to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| You repeated a course | Enter both attempts as instructed and review current GPA rules | Assuming only the higher grade counts |
| You attended more than one college | Request records from each institution | Leaving out summer or short-term study |
| A course title is unclear | Use the transcript and AACOMAS guidance to classify it | Guessing at a course category |
| A prerequisite may not qualify | Ask the school before applying | Assuming all schools accept the same course |
Training after admission
DO programs commonly follow a four-year medical school structure, though curriculum design and timing can vary. Students complete classroom and practical study, then clinical experiences in care settings. Osteopathic training includes osteopathic principles and practice; the specific courses and clinical requirements are set by each school.
After medical school, graduates enter residency training. Residency length and specialty requirements vary. Medical licensure is handled under state rules, so applicants should review the licensing information that applies to their intended path.
Applying Through AACOMAS: A Step-by-Step Plan
A strong application plan starts with school requirements, then moves through coursework, testing, records, and submission. Deadlines and cycle dates change. Use the current AACOMAS cycle information and each school’s admissions page as your source of truth.
1. Build a balanced school list
Check that each college participates in AACOMAS. For each one, record prerequisites, minimum eligibility rules, MCAT policies, deadlines, supplemental requirements, and whether it accepts your course formats. Look at current class profiles for context, not as guaranteed cutoffs.
Consider whether you meet the stated requirements before paying application fees. If a school’s policy is unclear, contact its admissions office early rather than relying on an old forum post or a prior year’s page.
2. Prepare your academic and experience records
Request transcripts early from every postsecondary institution. Plan for letters or evaluations according to each school’s rules. Write experience entries using clear, accurate descriptions of what you did, when you did it, and what you learned.
Applicants often benefit from sustained clinical exposure, service, and a clear understanding of osteopathic medicine. Schools may assess these areas in different ways. Do not present an experience as clinical work if it was not; accurate descriptions help schools understand your role.
3. Plan for the MCAT and application timing
Schools set their own MCAT requirements and policies. Plan testing around the schools’ deadlines and the time needed for score release. Check whether a school accepts scores from earlier dates or has limits on how old a score may be.
AACOMAS dates and school deadlines vary by cycle. Submit with enough time for application processing and verification, then allow time for supplemental forms and other school steps. “Submitted” does not necessarily mean “verified” or “complete at every school.”
4. Review before you submit
Read every section against your transcripts and records. Check dates, course entries, repeated attempts, and school selections. Make sure your personal statement and experience descriptions are accurate and consistent.
I recommend keeping a simple tracker with each school’s requirements, deadline, submission date, and completion status. Save copies of submitted materials and check portals for updates. Respond promptly when a school asks for information.
Application scenarios: common points of confusion
These examples are hypothetical, but reflect common process questions.
- A student retakes chemistry: They enter both course attempts as instructed. They do not assume the newer grade replaces the older one in AACOMAS’s calculation.
- An applicant applies to six schools: They submit one AACOMAS primary application, then check whether each of the six schools requires a separate supplemental application or additional materials.
- A parent sees an old deadline online: The applicant checks the current cycle page and contacts the school if its deadline is unclear, rather than relying on a past year’s date.
Comparing DO Schools, Accreditation & Career Paths
A school choice affects your training, finances, and next steps. Compare current, school-specific information before accepting an offer. Accreditation, total cost, aid terms, curriculum, clinical sites, and residency outcomes all matter, but no single measure tells the whole story.
Confirm accreditation and compare costs
The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or COCA, is the U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor for colleges of osteopathic medicine. Check a school’s current accreditation status through official sources. Accreditation status can change, so do not rely only on a school’s older materials.
Compare the full cost of attendance, not just tuition. Review fees, living expenses, aid terms, and whether loans or scholarships have conditions. Ask each school how its clinical training sites are assigned and what information it provides about student support.
Read outcomes with care
Schools publish information on areas such as residency placement and student outcomes. Check the year, student group, and definition used for each figure. For example, a reported match rate may depend on who is counted and which match process is included.
A school’s reported outcomes are useful, but they do not predict one student’s result. Compare data across schools using the same period and definitions where possible. Ask admissions staff where to find the latest official reports.
Frequently Asked Questions About AACOMAS
These answers explain the application’s core role and common next steps. Always confirm current rules with AACOMAS and the individual college, since requirements, dates, and policies can change by application cycle.
What does AACOMAS stand for?
AACOMAS stands for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service. It is the centralized primary application service used by participating U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine. Applicants use it to send application information to selected DO schools.
Is AACOMAS only for DO medical schools?
AACOMAS is used to apply to participating colleges of osteopathic medicine for the DO degree. It is not a general application for all medical schools. Check each school’s admissions page to confirm which application service it uses.
Does one AACOMAS application apply to every DO school?
No. You select participating schools in AACOMAS, and each school reviews applications under its own rules. Some also require a supplemental application, added materials, or an interview before considering an application complete.
Does AACOMAS have one GPA or MCAT cutoff?
No. Schools set their own eligibility rules and admissions standards. AACOMAS does not establish one universal GPA or MCAT cutoff for all participating colleges. Review each school’s current policy and treat class averages as context, not minimums.
Do repeated courses replace the first grade in AACOMAS?
Do not assume they do. AACOMAS generally includes repeated attempts in its GPA calculations under its current rules. Enter coursework as directed and review the service’s current GPA guidance before submitting.
Are DO prerequisites the same at every school?
No. Common prerequisites include science and English courses, but course counts, lab rules, substitutions, and expiration policies vary. Make a separate checklist for each school and ask its admissions office about unclear courses.
When should I submit my AACOMAS application?
There is no single date that fits every applicant or school. Check the current AACOMAS cycle dates and each college’s deadline. Allow time for processing, verification, supplemental applications, and any other required steps.
Does submitting AACOMAS mean my application is complete?
Not always. A school may still need a supplemental application, letters, test scores, or other documents. Check both your AACOMAS account and each school’s portal for missing items and status updates.
Who accredits DO medical schools?
The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or COCA, is the U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor for colleges of osteopathic medicine. Confirm a school’s current status through official accreditation information.
What should I compare before accepting a DO school offer?
Compare current accreditation status, total cost of attendance, financial aid terms, curriculum, clinical training sites, student support, and residency outcome reports. Check how each school defines its reported data, and ask questions before making a final decision.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
