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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
DO School names look odd and confusing
Started by emno
Seriously? Those are abbreviations for each of them... Midwestern University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of O.Med., Western University, University of New England, etc....
why do most DO schools go as "college of medicine" while MD schools use "school of medicine"
well, i guess some DO schools live pikeville and wvsom go by school of medicine? and vice versa for MD schools
I think school of medicine sounds way cooler.
well, i guess some DO schools live pikeville and wvsom go by school of medicine? and vice versa for MD schools
I think school of medicine sounds way cooler.
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I know it but I just felt the abbreviations looks confusing to me. and it may be just me.
They're initials. Make the MD schools initials and its the same thing, i.e. AECOM.
Truth.
Many MD undergraduate schools already have initials for their "common" names as well. UCLA, UCI, UIC, RFU, SLU, etc.
btw, I'm pretty sure the "O"s stand for Osteopathic, not of. I.e. "College of Osteopathic Medicine."
LOL, I thought the same thing when I first joined the site. I swear I spent more time trying to nail down DO abbreviations. Technically though ... they aren't any more confusing than MD schools. For example ... someone brought up UCLA:
Technically, you can call it UCLA. In reality their med school is called "The David Geffen School of Medicine." So it should be DGSOM ... not UCLA. Conversely, CCOM could simply be called MWU for Midwestern University ... but it's usually shortened as CCOM, not MMU much like DGSOM goes by UCLA.
Now, what I think gets confusing are branch campuses. For example, telling people you attend the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton Florida or the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia
Technically, you can call it UCLA. In reality their med school is called "The David Geffen School of Medicine." So it should be DGSOM ... not UCLA. Conversely, CCOM could simply be called MWU for Midwestern University ... but it's usually shortened as CCOM, not MMU much like DGSOM goes by UCLA.
Now, what I think gets confusing are branch campuses. For example, telling people you attend the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton Florida or the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia
You know I'd be in strong disagreement with you. But now with schools like RVU ( rocky vista) and Vcom ( Edward via ). I think some DO schools need better names >.>.
No kidding, man. RVU is a weak name. It sounds like someplace you would park your double wide...
lol, to me, it sounds like a skiing lodge, I can see it now...
Family: Where you going?
Me: Rocky Vista
Family: Don't you think you should be focusing on school right now?
Although, I didn't apply to RVU so...
Hahaha, I like the name "Rocky Vista University." It reminds me of some campy 80s movie involving a college rivalry being resolved by a sweet ski race at Rocky Vista Lodge. The underdog beats the stereotypical frat-boy, get's the girl, the soundtrack is composed and performed by White Snake, etc.
