YOUR PATH TO OCOM
Prepare for Your Future in Medicine.
Understand OCOM’s admissions requirements, prerequisite coursework, application process, and important deadlines. Discover what it takes to join a community committed to training caring and competent osteopathic physicians.
A holistic admissions process. A future in osteopathic medicine.
Admissions Requirements
OCOM considers the whole person when reviewing applicants. While academic preparation is important, we also consider an applicant's experiences, commitment to osteopathic medicine, potential for success, and commitment to serving the communities within OCOM's mission.
Applicants must earn a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation from an accredited college or university in the United States.
Undergraduate Prerequisite Coursework
- Biological Sciences: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours / 12 quarter hours)
- Physics: One year (6–8 semester hours / 9–12 quarter hours)
- Inorganic Chemistry: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours / 12 quarter hours)
- Organic Chemistry: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours / 12 quarter hours)
- English: One year (6 semester hours / 8 quarter hours)
Recommended: Six additional science hours are highly recommended. OCOM recommends 300/400-level courses or beyond in subjects that can enhance performance in medical school, such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology.
Students must obtain a grade of C or better in each required course above to fulfill the prerequisite course requirement. Courses with equivalent content will be reviewed. OCOM is not flexible regarding required prerequisite courses.
- Recommended Cumulative GPA: 3.2
- Recommended Science GPA: 3.2
- Recommended MCAT Score: 500 total
The MCAT must have been administered within three years prior to the date of matriculation.
Letters of recommendation may not be written by a relative, including blood relatives and relatives through marriage.
All letters of recommendation must be original, on professional letterhead, signed by the evaluator, and sent directly to AACOMAS.
Required Letters
- First letter: From an osteopathic physician (DO) or allopathic physician (MD). Although a letter from an osteopathic physician is not required, it is strongly recommended.
- Second letter: From a pre-medical advisory committee or science Ph.D. faculty member familiar with the academic work of the applicant.
While shadowing a DO is not required, applicants who have shadowing experience with a DO demonstrate commitment to the profession and understanding of the practice of osteopathic medicine.
Questions or extenuating circumstances should be directed to the Admissions Department.
Transfer Students: OCOM is not accepting transfer students at this time.
OCOM may accept students who are U.S.-born citizens, naturalized citizens, and permanent residents.
Applicants who have completed coursework at foreign institutions must have their coursework evaluated for United States equivalency by one of the evaluation services listed on the AACOMAS website.
Students are required to meet OCOM's health and vaccination requirements.
Please review the Health and Vaccinations Requirements Policy for detailed information.
Required Documentation & Certifications
- Medical history form
- Physical examination
- Drug screen
- Proof of health insurance
- Background check
- BLS Certification under the American Heart Association
- Proof of valid driver's license
Applicants must submit all required paperwork by the applicable deadlines. If paperwork is not submitted as required, an offer of admission may be rescinded.
Applicants must submit all required paperwork per deadlines. If paperwork is not submitted as required, an offer of admission may be rescinded.
Detailed information regarding the OCOM Admissions Policy can be found at ocom.org/policies.
Associated Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary Application Fee | $100 | Non-refundable processing fee |
| Seat Deposit | $2,000 | Applied toward total tuition bill |
ADMISSIONS AT A GLANCE
Know What It Takes.
OCOM considers academic preparation, experiences, commitment to osteopathic medicine, and potential for success. Start with these key requirements as you plan your application.
REQUIRED
Bachelor’s Degree
Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university before matriculating at OCOM.
C OR BETTER
Prerequisite Coursework
Complete all required undergraduate prerequisite courses and earn a grade of C or better in each.
RECOMMENDED
3.2 GPA
OCOM recommends a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.2 science GPA. These are recommended benchmarks, not admission guarantees.
RECOMMENDED
500 MCAT
OCOM recommends a total MCAT score of 500. Your MCAT must be taken within three years before your matriculation date.
ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES
Build Your Academic Foundation.
Your undergraduate coursework helps prepare you for the academic demands of medical school. Review the required subjects, credit hours, and laboratory expectations as you plan your path to OCOM.
Bachelor’s Degree
Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States before enrolling at OCOM.
Required Undergraduate Coursework
Complete each required course with a grade of C or better.
| Subject | Semester Hours | Quarter Hours | Laboratory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | 8 | 12 | Required |
| Physics | 6–8 | 9–12 | Not Required |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 8 | 12 | Required |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 | 12 | Required |
| English | 6 | 8 | --- |
Credit-hour requirements are shown in semester and quarter equivalents. OCOM may review courses with equivalent content. Applicants should confirm course equivalencies with Admissions before assuming a course fulfills a requirement.
Go Beyond the Minimum.
OCOM highly recommends six additional science credit hours in upper-level coursework that can strengthen your preparation for medical school.
Have questions about your coursework?
Contact OCOM Admissions if you need clarification about prerequisite courses or credit-hour equivalencies.
YOUR APPLICATION JOURNEY
How to Apply to OCOM.
Take the next step toward becoming an osteopathic physician. Follow the application process below and watch your email for updates from the OCOM Admissions team.
START HERE
Submit Your Primary Application
Complete and submit your primary application through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). Designate OCOM as one of your selected schools.
Apply NowAPPLICATION REVIEW
AACOMAS Verification & OCOM Screening
After AACOMAS verifies your completed primary application, OCOM reviews your application. Applicants selected to continue will receive an invitation to complete the secondary application.
COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
Submit the OCOM Secondary Application
If invited, follow the instructions in your email to complete the OCOM secondary application and submit any required supporting materials.
CONNECT WITH OCOM
Interview With OCOM
Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by email. Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis, and interviews may be offered virtually or in person.
For the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, interviews are scheduled from September 2026 through April 2027.
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEPS
Important Deadlines.
Keep your application on track by planning ahead for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle. Submit your materials by the published deadlines and check your email regularly for updates from OCOM Admissions.
AACOMAS Primary Application Opens
Begin your primary application and designate OCOM as one of your selected medical schools.
Interviews Begin
Interview invitations are extended on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will receive instructions by email.
AACOMAS Primary Application Due
Submit your completed primary application by the published deadline.
Secondary Application & Supporting Materials Due
Complete your invited OCOM secondary application and submit all required supporting materials.
Published Interview Period Ends
Check the current admissions instructions for the confirmed end of the interview period.
Complete All Admission Requirements
Complete the applicable outstanding admission requirements by the published deadline.
Matriculation
Prepare to begin your medical education at OCOM. Accepted students should follow their individual enrollment and orientation instructions.
Dates are specific to the 2026–2027 admissions cycle and may change. Follow official OCOM communications for updates. The seat-deposit deadline is provided to accepted students in their acceptance and enrollment instructions.
PLAN FOR APPLICATION COSTS
Know the Fees.
Understand the required application fee and the deposit due after acceptance as you plan your path to OCOM.
Secondary Application Fee
A non-refundable processing fee required when submitting the OCOM secondary application after invitation.
Seat Deposit
A non-refundable deposit required upon acceptance. The deposit is applied toward the student's total tuition bill.
Payment processing fees may apply depending on the payment method. Review the official seat-deposit payment page for current payment options and charges.
Ready to take the next step?
Review the application information and begin your journey to OCOM.
Take the next step toward your future in medicine.
Learn more about OCOM, our admissions process, and what it means to become part of a growing community of future osteopathic physicians.
EXPLORE OCOM