MD vs. DO schools
- Update: AACOM has stopped grace replacement at DO schools.
- Get to know the schools.
A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Fast FactsApplication Service
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs with a commitment to continue its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations. ATSUs Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) is the founding school of osteopathic medicine, established in 1892 on the Kirksville, Mo., campus. The medical curriculum includes two years didactic course work and two years clinical rotation. The Complete DOctor, a course specific to KCOM, incorporates early clinical experiences with didactic study in physical exam skills, cultural diversity, communication skills, spirituality in medicine, medical law, and ethics.
Patient-Centered Systems Based. The curriculum at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine is discipline-based, and multiple innovative learning models have been adopted throughout its evolution. Each course, while discipline-based, has numerous presentation styles including problem-based sessions, case-based presentations, web-based instruction, and smallgroup labs, workshops and other activities in the first and second years. Clinical integration occurs in most basic science courses. Osteopathic theory and methods are taught throughout the first two years, integrated through an interdependent alignment with basic science and clinical courses. Courses in the first two years prepare the student for the curriculum expected during the clinical rotation experience. Clinical curriculum, including didactics, labs, workshops and osteopathic manipulative medicine, is delivered to students in regional sites during the third and fourth years. Entering students will be enrolled in Gross Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Osteopathic Theory and Methods, Biochemistry and The Complete DOctor. Credited hours, measured as contact hours, include all test hours.
Students study in state-of-the-art facilities using the latest technology including human patient simulators, portable ultrasound technology, and an electronic medical record system.
FAQsIs osteopathic medical school interview different from MD interview?
They are not very different in format or your prep tactics, but you should prepare for some specific DO interview questions that we list in our blog. 2. What kind of interview formats do osteopathic medical schools use?
Osteopathic medical school interviews can be in the traditional one-on-one format, panel format, or MMI format. Please use the list in this blog to determine which interview format your schools of choice use. 3. What kind of questions should I expect in a DO interview?
You can expect common med school interview questions like “tell me about yourself” or “what extracurriculars influenced your choice to become a physician?”, but you should also prepare for some DO-specific questions like “why do you want to be an osteopathic doctor?” 4. How should I answer questions about why I want to become a DO doctor?
We outline a solid answer strategy for this question in this blog, so please scroll up to see how to answer it and review our sample response. 5. Do many students apply to both MD and DO schools?
It is very common for medical school applicants to apply to both MD and DO programs, as most look for the right fit in terms of academic and career goals rather than medical philosophy. You can openly discuss your school choices in the interview if such a question comes up. However, do not show outward preference to either philosophy in the interview, rather focusing on why the schools you applied to are the perfect fit for your career goals. 6. What is the best way to prepare for a DO medical school interview?
The best way to prepare for any medical school interview is by participating in mock med school interviews that mimic your interview format and by practicing answering sample questions. 7. What kind of experiences should I use in my interview answers?
If possible, emphasize any experiences that align with the DO tenets. Your experiences do not have to be directly associated with osteopathic medicine, but rather than focusing on the experience itself, focus on the qualities and skills you developed via the experience. Make sure to learn what kind of qualities are valued by DO schools, so you know exactly which aptitudes to emphasize.