Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Admission Information

The 2024-2025 application cycle is now open.

Matching a student-centered medical school with the right mix of students is a two-way exchange. We evaluate for character, aptitude and commitment to UIW's Mission. You’ll want to know how our mission fits with your career and life goals.

As part of a holistic review process, the UIWSOM admissions committee considers the following:

Motivation, dedication and passion for the osteopathic medical profession
Commitment to social accountability and alignment with UIW's Mission
Academic achievement and scholarship
Life experience

Review Before Applying

The Office of Admissions reviews all applications. Candidates meeting specific qualifications are then invited to complete a supplemental application. Completed files are further screened and qualified candidates are invited to interview.

Current Application Cycle and Important Deadlines

The 2024-2025 application cycle is now open. Closing date is March 1, 2025.

AACOMAS Application Traffic Guidelines

UIWSOM follows the AACOMAS traffic guidelines:

Those accepted prior to Nov. 15 will have until Dec. 14.
Those accepted between Nov. 15 and Jan. 14 will have 30 days.
Those accepted between Jan. 15 and April 30 will have 14 days.
Those accepted after May 1 may be asked for an immediate deposit.
After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each medical college may implement college-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges.

Profile for Entering Class of 2023

The following are averages for the entering class of 2023:

Overall GPA - 3.6
Science GPA - 3.5
MCAT Score - 503

Minimum Technical Standards

The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) is committed to training future doctors of osteopathic medicine who are prepared to participate in the continuum of medical training. All candidates therefore must meet the technical standards required for providing the diverse activities necessary for patient care, with consideration of the patient and interprofessional healthcare team member safety, welfare and well-being. Click here to review the minimum technical standards.

International Applicants

At this time, UIWSOM cannot admit international students. All matriculants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Texas HB 1508 and the Texas Occupations Code

Applying for admission to a program that may prepare an individual for an initial occupational license.

As a point of information required by Texas HB 1508 and the Texas Occupations Code 58.001, if you are applying for admission to a program that may prepare an individual for an initial occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an initial occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program;
Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines which state the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other criterion that affects the decisions of the licensing authority.
Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact their respective local or county licensing authority for more details.
A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding the personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.

How To Apply

UIWSOM participates in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). AACOMAS offers prospective students a convenient and centralized online application service for accredited osteopathic medical schools. Through AACOMAS, candidates file one electronic application, which is then verified and distributed by AACOMAS to all the osteopathic colleges designated by the candidate. As a private osteopathic medical school, UIWSOM does not participate in the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS).

Important information on the 2024-2025 application cycle includes the following:

UIWSOM will begin processing applications once official MCAT scores are received. Application review will not be held for future test dates.
UIWSOM will accept MCAT score from test dates five years prior to matriculation (no earlier than July 2020).
UIWSOM will accept all pass/fail/satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades from regionally accredited institutions.
UIWSOM will accept all online coursework, including laboratory credits from regionally accredited institutions.
UIWSOM will review an application without all required coursework. Proof of completion will be required prior to matriculation.
Official MCAT scores must be sent to AACOMAS directly.
UIWSOM operates on rolling admissions and admits candidates throughout the cycle until the class is filled with qualified individuals. Depending on volume, processing times may vary. Below are general timelines.

**Application Process**
Steps	Details	Processing Times
AACOMAS application	Create an account and start the AACOMAS application. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended directly to AACOMAS. Submit/release official MCAT scores electronically to AACOMAS. Submit letters of recommendation to AACOMAS. (Letters are also accepted via Interfolio or VirtualEvals.) Pay AACOMAS application fee. (Click here for more information regarding fee waivers.) Submit your AACOMAS application.	Refer to AACOMAS processing times.
Supplemental application	Once applications are verified in AACOMAS and official MCAT scores have been received, qualified applicants are invited to complete and submit the supplemental application, which includes essay questions specific to UIWSOM.	To receive supplemental application invite: up to four weeks
Interview	Once all application materials (including supplemental applications) are submitted and reviewed, competitive applicants are invited to campus to participate in Interviews.	Qualified candidates are invited to interview throughout the application cycle.
Admissions decision post interview	Admissions decisions are sent via e-mail to interviewed candidates.	Notification time varies.

Criteria for Review

Undergraduate Course Work

Undergraduate course preparation will be vital to the success of the student applicant. Minimum coursework requirements include the courses below. All prerequisites must be taken from a regionally accredited college/university and earn a “C” or higher for each course (2.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale). A grade of "C-" does not meet the minimum grade requirement. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test credits are accepted with an official transcript/translation/score report showing awarded subject and credits.

Required:

Completion of no less than 75% of the credits required for a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university at time of application
Biology: minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work
General/Inorganic Chemistry: minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work
Organic Chemistry: minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work
Physics: minimum of eight semester hours, including two semester hours of laboratory work
English: minimum of six semester hours of composition and/or literature

MCAT Scores

All applicants must submit their most recent MCAT scores as part of the AACOMAS application. Scores older than five years prior to matriculation will not be considered.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation: One from a physician (preferably DO), one from a pre-med advisor or health professions admissions committee (HPAC), and one from a science faculty member. Non-traditional students can substitute one faculty or HPAC letter with a more recent reference (employer, volunteer/community service supervisor, etc.).

Other Factors

Careful consideration will be given to the following during the application review process:

Significant employment opportunities
Exposure to the DO profession, either through healthcare employment or a shadow program
Substantial volunteer and community service
It is recommended that bilingual applicants should identify themselves on the AACOMAS application.

Supplemental Application

After initial review, qualified applicants are invited to complete and submit the supplemental application, which includes essay questions specific to UIWSOM.

Interview

Competitive applicants are invited to campus to interview.

This article covers tips for online interviews. Virtual Interviews: Tips for Medical School Applicants (pdf)

Student Admissions Policy

Access the Student Admissions Policy

Student Transfer Policy

Access the Student Transfer Policy (pdf)

Non-Discrimination Policy

Access the Non-Discrimination Policy