Every year, thousands of students apply to medical school through AMCAS (MD programs), but a growing number of applicants are realizing the advantages of applying through AACOMAS (DO programs) as well. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) schools provide an alternative yet equally rigorous path to becoming a physician—one that emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare.

At AcceptMed, we’ve helped countless applicants broaden their opportunities by applying to DO schools in addition to MD schools. For students who may have lower GPAs or MCAT scores, a strong interest in primary care, or an appreciation for a more hands-on approach to medicine, AACOMAS can significantly increase their chances of acceptance into medical school.

Why Applying to DO Schools Can Increase Your Chances of Acceptance

Medical school admissions are highly competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for limited seats each cycle. By applying to DO schools through AACOMAS, you increase your options and improve your chances of becoming a physician. Here’s why:

More Available Seats

• The number of DO schools in the U.S. has been rapidly growing, leading to an increase in available seats for medical students.
• More than 35 accredited osteopathic medical schools offer over 50 campuses nationwide, providing additional opportunities beyond MD programs.

Slightly Lower GPA and MCAT Averages

• DO schools still have rigorous standards, but they tend to have slightly lower GPA and MCAT cutoffs than MD programs.
• This means students with a strong application but lower numbers have a better chance of getting accepted.

Holistic Admissions Approach

• DO schools place more emphasis on an applicant’s full story rather than just their statistics.
• Clinical experience, community service, leadership, and a passion for patient-centered medicine can weigh as heavily as grades and test scores.

Greater Emphasis on Primary Care

• Many DO schools focus on producing primary care physicians, which aligns with the growing demand for primary care doctors in the U.S.
• If your passion lies in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or rural healthcare, DO programs are highly receptive to applicants with these interests.

Key Takeaway: Applying to DO schools gives you more opportunities, especially if your GPA or MCAT scores are not as competitive for MD programs.

How the AACOMAS Application Differs from AMCAS

While both AACOMAS (DO schools) and AMCAS (MD schools) applications share similarities, there are key differences that can impact your application strategy.

Personal Statement

• Both AMCAS and AACOMAS require a 5,300-character personal statement, but DO schools expect applicants to discuss their understanding of osteopathic medicine and holistic patient care.

Work & Activities Section

• AMCAS limits applicants to 15 experiences, while AACOMAS allows unlimited entries, giving you more space to showcase your clinical and extracurricular involvement.

GPA Calculation

• AACOMAS allows grade replacement, meaning if you retake a class, only your most recent grade is factored into the GPA.
• AMCAS averages all attempts, making it harder to recover from early academic struggles.

Key Takeaway: AACOMAS is slightly more flexible with GPA calculations and allows applicants to list more experiences, helping applicants with strong extracurriculars but lower numbers.

How to Strengthen Your AACOMAS Application

If you’re applying to DO schools, simply submitting your application isn’t enough—you need to tailor it to align with osteopathic medicine’s core values. Here’s how to maximize your AACOMAS application:

Demonstrate Your Interest in Osteopathic Medicine

• DO schools want to see that you understand osteopathic principles and the difference between MD and DO training.
• Mention experiences that highlight patient-centered care, holistic treatment, and hands-on healing.

Shadow a DO Physician

• Many DO schools prefer or even require applicants to shadow a DO to gain firsthand experience of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
• If you can’t find a local DO to shadow, consider virtual shadowing programs or reading DO philosophy literature to reinforce your knowledge.

Highlight Clinical Experience and Community Service

• Since DO programs emphasize primary care and patient relationships, admissions committees highly value direct patient interaction and community involvement.
• If you have worked in hospice care, rural clinics, or underserved communities, be sure to highlight these experiences.

Key Takeaway: DO schools want applicants who genuinely believe in holistic medicine. Make sure your application reflects an understanding of osteopathic principles and strong patient care experience.

Should You Apply to Both MD and DO Schools?

Many students wonder whether they should apply to both MD and DO programs. Here are the pros and cons of applying through both AMCAS and AACOMAS:

Advantages of Applying to Both

• Increases your chances of acceptance by applying to more schools.
• More flexibility in choosing a medical career path—you aren’t limiting yourself to only one system.
• If you’re unsure whether you prefer osteopathic or allopathic medicine, you’ll have the chance to explore both.

When It’s Better to Apply Only to DO Schools

• If you strongly align with osteopathic medicine’s holistic approach and want to focus on primary care or OMT, you may only want to apply to DO programs.
• If you have significant grade replacement benefits through AACOMAS that won’t apply in AMCAS, DO schools may be your best chance at medical school acceptance.

Key Takeaway: Applying to both MD and DO schools maximizes your opportunities, but students with a strong commitment to osteopathic medicine may focus entirely on AACOMAS.

The AACOMAS Advantage for Pre-Med Students

Applying to DO schools through AACOMAS can significantly increase your chances of acceptance, especially if you have a lower GPA or MCAT score, strong extracurricular experiences, or an interest in holistic medicine. With more medical school seats, a holistic admissions approach, and grade replacement benefits, AACOMAS offers a valuable pathway to becoming a physician.

• DO schools have more available seats and a slightly lower GPA/MCAT threshold, increasing your chances of acceptance.
• AACOMAS allows unlimited activities and grade replacement, offering flexibility for applicants with retaken courses.
• DO schools value clinical experience and community service more heavily than research, making them ideal for patient-focused applicants.
• Shadowing a DO and understanding osteopathic principles are crucial for a strong AACOMAS application.
• Applying to both MD and DO programs can give you more options, but if you strongly align with osteopathic medicine, AACOMAS may be your best path.

Applying to medical school is one of the biggest steps in your career, and understanding the advantages of AACOMAS can help you make an informed decision.