Hardest DO Schools By MCAT

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

nysegop

Membership Revoked
Removed
10+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2012
Messages
1,724
Reaction score
7
Couldn't find out the acceptance rates, but here it is by MCAT:

1. Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Western U/COMP) - 28 MCAT

2. Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (AZCOM) - 26.4 MCAT

3. University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ft Worth (UNTHSC-TCOM) - 26.4 MCAT

4. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSUCOM) - 26 MCAT

5. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM) - 26 MCAT

6. Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California (TUCOM-CA) - 26 MCAT

7. Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University (CCOM) - 25.8 MCAT

8. University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) - 25.3 MCAT

9. Des Moines University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM) - 25 MCAT

10. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) - 25 MCAT



Not trying to cause some heated debate or something.

Members don't see this ad.
 
Last edited:
When are these stats from? I know that CCOM's and AZCOM's 2011 class had a 28 average MCAT...and MSUCOM's was 27.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
This data is so old indeed.
The trend is that the entrance requirements are getting more and more competitive for both MD & DO schools.
I remember 12 years ago, the average accepted GPA and MCAT of one MD school in Chicago was 3.3 and 26 respectively. And many DO schools had even lower average at that time !!
 
I'm really interested in seeing the scores that all of these new DO schools are accepting. I bet the overall average of osteopathic medical students will drop by at least 2 points due to the new schools having to let in the lower MCAT scores.
 
I'm really interested in seeing the scores that all of these new DO schools are accepting. I bet the overall average of osteopathic medical students will drop by at least 2 points due to the new schools having to let in the lower MCAT scores.

I think it's really a school by school basis. TouroCOM is a newer school, and the class of 2013 (that's the most recent one I saw on their website) had an MCAT avg of 27
 
I think it's really a school by school basis. TouroCOM is a newer school, and the class of 2013 (that's the most recent one I saw on their website) had an MCAT avg of 27

I have a feeling that the avg MCAT for TouroCOM will increase this year
 
It is likely that the DO school with the highest mcat score will be UMDNJ
 
I'm really interested in seeing the scores that all of these new DO schools are accepting. I bet the overall average of osteopathic medical students will drop by at least 2 points due to the new schools having to let in the lower MCAT scores.
Two points?! Thats a big drop... I do recall having a similar discusion and the average has stayed the same for the past few years, not gone down, and it had increased before that. Anyways... for your reading pleasure:

Data from 2008: http://www.atsu.edu/faculty/chamberlain/ranmcat.htm

Data from around 2010: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-783182.html

Also, you can check the LizzyM score data, might be slightly out of date but will give you a good idea.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I will see if I can get some newer data.
 
For classes of 2015 unless otherwise mentioned. I found them mostly on the web.

Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
UMDNJ-SOM: 3.59/3.51/28
CCOM: 3.56/?/28
Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
AZCOM: 3.51/3.46/28
DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
Western-COMP NW: 3.46/3.39/27
RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
Touro-NV: 3.40/3.31/26.6
MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.5
PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
Touro-NY: 3.3/3.3/25
LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24
UP-KYCOM: 3.5/3.4/24
PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27
NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
OSU-COM: 3.60/3.60/27 (2013)
UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)


Edit: Thanks Sinfest!
 
Last edited:
For classes of 2015 unless otherwise mentioned. I found them mostly on the web.

Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
UMDNJ-SOM: 3.6/3.51/28
NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
AZCOM: ?/?/28
DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.49
PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24
UP-KYCOM: 3.5?/3.4?/24
CCOM: 3.56/?/(28?)
NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
Touro-NY: 3.3/3.2/27 (2013)
Touro-NV: ?/?/26.3 (2012)
LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
OSU-COM: 3.64/3.58/26.1 (2014)
UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)
PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27?
Western-Lebanon: ?

Wow very nice. Thanks for this.

Go DMU for having the highest avg GPA and fourth highest MCAT. Heheh :cool:
 
Not that it matters (at all) but I imagine that a lot of the schools just round to the nearest whole number for MCAT scores. Also there are schools with ?? for gpa on that list, so who knows if DMU is the highest.
 
For classes of 2015 unless otherwise mentioned. I found them mostly on the web.

Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
UMDNJ-SOM: 3.6/3.51/28
NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
AZCOM: ?/?/28
DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.49
PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24
UP-KYCOM: 3.5?/3.4?/24
CCOM: 3.56/?/(28?)
NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
Touro-NY: 3.3/3.2/27 (2013)
Touro-NV: ?/?/26.3 (2012)
LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
OSU-COM: 3.64/3.58/26.1 (2014)
UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)
PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27?
Western-Lebanon: ?

The stats for the two campuses are the same because they are considered the same class.
 
Is DMU like the Johns Hopkins for Osteopathic or something? I've heard a lot about it.
 
For classes of 2015 unless otherwise mentioned. I found them mostly on the web.

Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
UMDNJ-SOM: 3.6/3.51/28
NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
AZCOM: ?/?/28
DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.49
PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24
UP-KYCOM: 3.5?/3.4?/24
CCOM: 3.56/?/(28?)
NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
Touro-NY: 3.3/3.2/27 (2013)
Touro-NV: ?/?/26.3 (2012)
LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
OSU-COM: 3.64/3.58/26.1 (2014)
UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)
PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27?
Western-Lebanon: ?

2015 data for Touro-NV:
-sGPA: 3.31
-cGPA: 3.40
-MCAT: 26.6
 
Is DMU like the Johns Hopkins for Osteopathic or something? I've heard a lot about it.

Yes, it's the best.

Flame_War.jpg
 
Toytles, we both know KCUMB is the Hopkins of DO. Don't lie to people.
 
This is good info guys, thanks. This list will help me for the upcoming application year.
 
You must be all burned up. Get it? Cuz you've been flamed so much already... (and rightfully so).



Haha, KCUMB is a great school no doubt. It can be Harvard Med.
LOL at this. Good one liketoytles. Thanks sinfest for the most recent data all in one place, this will be really handy here in about four weeks. :cool:
 
Yes, it's the best.

Flame_War.jpg
BTW, Iliketoytles this was excellent as well. Almost as good as my Vader from the other day. Still thinking to myself that I need to save the Vader on my phone for those moments when....
 
  1. UMDNJ-SOM: 3.6/3.51/28
    -Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
    -NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
    -CCOM: 3.56/?/(28?)
  2. Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
  3. AZCOM: ?/?/28
  4. DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
    -OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
  5. UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
  6. UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
    -ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
    -ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
    -RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
    -LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
    -PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)
  7. NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
  8. MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.49
  9. PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
    -Touro-NV: 3.40/3.31/26.6
  10. Touro-NY: 3.3/3.2/27 (2013)
  11. OSU-COM: 3.64/3.58/26.1 (2014)
  12. KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
  13. LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
    -WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
  14. VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
  15. VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
  16. WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
  17. UP-KYCOM: 3.5?/3.4?/24
  18. LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24


PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27?
Western-Lebanon: ?

Just for ease of reading I listed these in order by MCAT score since that's how the thread started, in the case of a tie or near tie, GPA was the tie breaker if significantly different. (note: I considered within .5 a tie, eg. 26.68 vs 27 is possibly the same score, one school might have rounded up, so GPA was factored in. For scores that were essentially the same, I just left them tied for the same number)

THIS IS NOT A RANKING LIST, just sorted to help people target schools in their score range more easily. Some schools high on the list have students who routinely complain about the school on SDN, and some low on the list have students constantly praise their school on SDN. Schools can be more competitive for reasons other than quality of eduction (i.e. cheap tuition, location, etc) so take the numbers with a grain of salt.

One example I can think of is TOURO CA, I have no clue about this school or it's quality but I know regardless of this it's location is one of the most competitive in the country and undoubtedly contributes to its ranking.
 
Last edited:
  1. UMDNJ-SOM: 3.6/3.51/28
    -Touro-Ca: 3.45/3.36/28.90
    -NYCOM: 3.6/?/28
    -CCOM: 3.56/?/(28?)
  2. Western-COMP: 3.53/3.47/28
  3. AZCOM: ?/?/28
  4. DMU: 3.68/3.63/27.3
    -OUCOM: 3.66/?/27
  5. UNTHSC-TCOM: 3.59/3.49/27
  6. UNECOM: 3.5/3.45/27 (class of ?)
    -ATSU-SOMA: 3.50/3.41/27
    -ATSU-KCOM: 3.5/3.4/27
    -RVUCOM: 3.49/3.44/26.68
    -LECOM-B: 3.48/3.39/27 (2014)
    -PCOM: 3.45/3.38/27 (2014)
  7. NSU-COM: 3.41/3.31/27 (2014)
  8. MSUCOM: 3.6/?/26.49
  9. PNWU: 3.44/3.36/26.39
    -Touro-NV: 3.40/3.31/26.6
  10. Touro-NY: 3.3/3.2/27 (2013)
  11. OSU-COM: 3.64/3.58/26.1 (2014)
  12. KCUMB: 3.55/3.51/26
  13. LECOM-E: 3.44/3.31/26 (2014)
    -WCUCOM: 3.4/?/26
  14. VCOM-CC: 3.61/3.55/25
  15. VCOM-VC: 3.59/3.52/25
  16. WVSOM: ?/3.37/25 (class of ?)
  17. UP-KYCOM: 3.5?/3.4?/24
  18. LMU-DCOM: 3.4/?/24


PCOM-Ga: ?/?/27?
Western-Lebanon: ?
...

I don't know what is about reading comprehension that eludes so many of my brethern but...

racerwad said:
The stats for the two campuses are the same because they are considered the same class.

This isn't to imply that the two campuses have identical academic makeup or anything like that.

Otherwise, nice chart. :thumbup:
 
the feedback I have heard is class of 2016 is significantly higher than 2015, it has gotten a lot more competitive lately
 
the feedback I have heard is class of 2016 is significantly higher than 2015, it has gotten a lot more competitive lately

Not sure about this. In an email from KCUMB, the averages for this upcoming class were stated to be at 3.53 and 26, which is lower than 2015's. And KCUMB is one of the more popular DO schools.
 
Not sure about this. In an email from KCUMB, the averages for this upcoming class were stated to be at 3.53 and 26, which is lower than 2015's. And KCUMB is one of the more popular DO schools.

Wow, that really makes me sad...I fell in love with the place and they rejected me, I figured I must have been below their avgs....but was not.:(

I heard feedback form professor at lecom, secretary at pcom, and a prof at ky, that this year has been significantly more competitive in both number of apps, and averages.
 
Wow, that really makes me sad...I fell in love with the place and they rejected me, I figured I must have been below their avgs....but was not.:(

I heard feedback form professor at lecom, secretary at pcom, and a prof at ky, that this year has been significantly more competitive in both number of apps, and averages.

Sorry about that. I've gone through post-interview rejections myself, I know the feeling. As for the averages I still say you need to look at hard data, as most of anything else is simply hearsay and/or sensationalism.
 
This is only looking at 3 data points, albeit important ones. There are a lot more factors than GPA and MCAT when applying. Scores change from year to year. It's the overall trend that's important, which isn't looked at here. And when looking at the average, you don't have any idea about distribution, median, etc, which can shed more light on reality. Bottom line, scores are getting higher; schools are more competitive to get in to. With that cheery reply, good luck everyone.
 
This is only looking at 3 data points, albeit important ones. There are a lot more factors than GPA and MCAT when applying. Scores change from year to year. It's the overall trend that's important, which isn't looked at here. And when looking at the average, you don't have any idea about distribution, median, etc, which can shed more light on reality. Bottom line, scores are getting higher; schools are more competitive to get in to. With that cheery reply, good luck everyone.

I will believe that once we start seeing this supposed heightened competitiveness become more MD-like. Not in the form of having the same averages of MD, but in the form of reapplicants and unsuccessful applicants. Nearly everyone that applies MD applies quite broadly and early; tons of people still don't even get interviews. Tons more get only 1-2 interviews and don't get in either.

So let me ask you this: why do we not see this with DO schools? Why do your chances drop dramatically for MD for each MCAT point or 0.1 GPA points you fall below the average, but not for DO?

Even if averages are rising, the "floor" (or the minimum needed to be competitive) for DO is still too low IMO and will only dip lower with new schools opening.
 
I will believe that once we start seeing this supposed heightened competitiveness become more MD-like. Not in the form of having the same averages of MD, but in the form of reapplicants and unsuccessful applicants. Nearly everyone that applies MD applies quite broadly and early; tons of people still don't even get interviews. Tons more get only 1-2 interviews and don't get in either.

So let me ask you this: why do we not see this with DO schools? Why do your chances drop dramatically for MD for each MCAT point or 0.1 GPA points you fall below the average, but not for DO?

Even if averages are rising, the "floor" (or the minimum needed to be competitive) for DO is still too low IMO and will only dip lower with new schools opening.
How do you know that below average MCAT or GPA doesn't matter for DO? A DMU interviewer brought up averages when I interview there. Also there are also failure stories for DO applicants, there is just not the same volume of overall applicants than there is for allopathic.
 
User3, around 60% of DO applicants get rejected. This is around the same for MD. You're just looking at a biased audience here on SDN, where the majority of DO applicants are perfect applicants.
 
User3, around 60% of DO applicants get rejected. This is around the same for MD. You're just looking at a biased audience here on SDN, where the majority of DO applicants are perfect applicants.

But you can't compare MD and DO application pools vis a vis. A much higher proportion of DO applicants are not actually serious about going, and use it as a backup and only apply to a small number of schools and don't get in or just withdraw after MD acceptance. There are also lots of non-trads that only apply to a small # of schools due to geographical limitations, and lots of other people who for whatever reason do not apply more broadly.

See this mdapp profile, for example of a DO reject: http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=19720. This guy was foolish to not complete his secondaries for ATSU-SOMA and UNECOM, and to not even apply to Touro-NV, PCOM-Ga, WCU, VCOM, COMP-NW, LMU, KCUMB and maybe PNWU or Pikeville where he would have stood a chance.
 
Last edited:
But you can't compare MD and DO application pools vis a vis. A much higher proportion of DO applicants are not actually serious about going, and use it as a backup and only apply to a small number of schools and don't get in or just withdraw after MD acceptance. There are also lots of non-trads that only apply to a small # of schools due to geographical limitations, and lots of other people who for whatever reason do not apply more broadly.

See this mdapp profile, for example of a DO reject: http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=19720. This guy was foolish to not complete his secondaries for ATSU-SOMA and UNECOM, and to not even apply to Touro-NV, PCOM-Ga, WCU, VCOM, COMP-NW, LMU, KCUMB and maybe PNWU or Pikeville where he would have stood a chance.

Well again, this is the bimodality of DO schools and the false average. You have two types of schools the ones preceeding to low tier MD states (CCOM, KCOM, DMU, UMDNJ, etc), and the ones who are not. But again I'm not sure what your point is... DO schools aren't as competitive as MD schools and this generally is due to a less competitive population off applicants, I cannot discern whether or not this is due also due to an application bias, but plenty of DO schools reject people.

I just genuinely think that you think the SDN is a good representation of applicants.
 
Last edited:
See this mdapp profile, for example of a DO reject: http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=19720. This guy was foolish to not complete his secondaries for ATSU-SOMA and UNECOM, and to not even apply to Touro-NV, PCOM-Ga, WCU, VCOM, COMP-NW, LMU, KCUMB and maybe PNWU or Pikeville where he would have stood a chance.

Why was he foolish? He is from Illinois, the later two of the schools that are bolded have a strong in-state/regional bias and the former has higher admission standards than any of the schools you listed.

I did look at the profile just for fun and I saw that he ended up matriculating at Ross

:smack:
 
One thing that differs is the way in which acceptances are delivered. There is a uniform date for all MD schools so they have pretty much looked at their whole pool of applicants and then made their decision. Many DO schools have rolling admissions, much earlier than the MD cycle. So if you apply early and get an early interview, AND have a marginally acceptable GPA and MCAT, but have a good interview, seem really passionate about medicine, etc, one might get an acceptance. With rolling admissions, I've heard at my school that applicants come in with 3.7 gpa's and 34 MCAT's and don't get a spot because all of them have already been filled 2 months ago. They may get an offer for delayed admission for next year, but that's it. I think making decisions without screening the whole pool contributes to lower average MCAT scores.

Kate
 
Why was he foolish? He is from Illinois, the later two of the schools that are bolded have a strong in-state/regional bias and the former has higher admission standards than any of the schools you listed.

I did look at the profile just for fun and I saw that he ended up matriculating at Ross

:smack:

Because he applied way above his stats. He applied to the most competitive DO schools only no lower tiers at all. It's hubris.
 
One thing that differs is the way in which acceptances are delivered. There is a uniform date for all MD schools so they have pretty much looked at their whole pool of applicants and then made their decision. Many DO schools have rolling admissions, much earlier than the MD cycle. So if you apply early and get an early interview, AND have a marginally acceptable GPA and MCAT, but have a good interview, seem really passionate about medicine, etc, one might get an acceptance. With rolling admissions, I've heard at my school that applicants come in with 3.7 gpa's and 34 MCAT's and don't get a spot because all of them have already been filled 2 months ago. They may get an offer for delayed admission for next year, but that's it. I think making decisions without screening the whole pool contributes to lower average MCAT scores.

Kate
Unfortunately this doesn't completely hold true for even the traditional programs. There are several students that are rejected by my local MD program every year. No one really understands why they're rejected because many come with a stellar GPA, good MCAT (+30) and decent ECs. The whole acceptance/rejection decision seems a mystery even for the students that attend the school. So, I don't know that screening the entire pool of applicants is really necessary. I do believe that if you're truly passionate about applying you need to do everything in your power to get your application in early and show that you're serious about applying (for me personally, applying late just shows laziness and no real dedication in many not all cases).
 
Because he applied way above his stats. He applied to the most competitive DO schools only no lower tiers at all. It's hubris.

which schools are considered low tier schools?
 
most DO schools also dont accept the usual star applicant (3.9, 36) b/c they know that they are applying DO for a backup... unless the applicant shows dedication to osteopathic principles
 
Because he applied way above his stats. He applied to the most competitive DO schools only no lower tiers at all. It's hubris.
Yes I see that, nothing like wishfull thinking I guess. I guess his hubris wore off and he decided to go to the caribbean.
 
Oh god, you nerds are already setting up "tiers" there is a little pre allo in all of us I guess.
 
Oh god, you nerds are already setting up "tiers" there is a little pre allo in all of us I guess.

Tiers are different than ranks. More established schools are of course going to be upper tier, only because they've been around longer and have had more success because of it. They have experienced programs.

And the only reason why "tiers" are even brought up is because people always ask about it... and no matter how much we say "there is no ranking among DO schools", they keep asking. We give the people what they want. :cool:
 
Oh god, you nerds are already setting up "tiers" there is a little pre allo in all of us I guess.


Sorry, but DMU or CCOM is in a different class than WCU or Marian University.
 
Top