Requirements/Recommendations for Admission to Osteopathic Medical School

Acceptance into osteopathic medical schools is competitive. Although specifics vary from school to school, the following are usually required of applicants:

• Biology (with labs)
  2 semesters (8 credit hours)
• General Chemistry (with labs)
  2 semesters (8 credit hours)
• Organic Chemistry (with labs)
  2 semesters (8 credit hours)
• Physics (with labs)
  2 semesters (8 credit hours)
• English
  2 semesters (6 credit hours)
• Behavioral sciences
  2 semesters (6 credit hours)
  (psychology, sociology, anthropology)
• Additional courses in the biological sciences (especially anatomy) are often recommended as well.
• Completion of a baccalaureate degree is strongly recommended in most cases.
• In addition to these courses, applicants are expected to take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test) which is now given on-line. The OAT consists of four tests: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning. See web link for further information.
• Evidence of exposure to the optometry setting is also important. It is recommended that students wishing to become an optometrist, volunteer/work in an optometry environment and shadow optometrists.