Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Bachelor's degree  
• Minimum total and science GPA of 2.75  
• MCAT scores  
• Two letters of recommendation

Full list of requirements in catalog

CCOM considers those students for admission who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary to become exemplary osteopathic physicians. To select these students, the College uses a rolling admissions process within a competitive admissions framework.

Students seeking admission to CCOM must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of the admissions course requirements
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable)
   • To be competitive, students should have minimum cumulative and science GPAs over 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
   • To receive a supplemental application, students must have minimum cumulative and science GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale   
      
2. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation   
    
3. Competitive test scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
   • Average MCAT score for students entering CCOM in 2022 was 510   
     Only MCAT exam scores earned from tests taken no more than 3 years prior to the planned enrollment year are acceptable
   • Candidates can register for MCAT tests through the MCAT Program Office at 202-828-0600 or visit AAMC for information   
      
4. Two letters of recommendation
   • One letter from either a premedical advisory committee, prehealth advisor or basic science professor who taught the applicant
   • It is preferred the second letter be written by a U.S. licensed D.O. or M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. Letters written by family members are not acceptable.

Students seeking admission to CCOM must:

• Demonstrate understanding of and interest in osteopathic medicine
• Demonstrate service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
• Show motivation for, and commitment to, healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
• Possess verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
• Pass the Midwestern University fingerprint-based background check
• Commit to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
• Meet the Technical Standards of the College

View full list of requirements in catalog

To produce excellent osteopathic physicians, CCOM's program emphasizes primary care but includes traditional specialties and subspecialties. Because the DO degree signifies the holder is a physician prepared for entry into the practice of medicine within postgraduate training programs, CCOM graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care, including direct hands-on analysis and treatment.

The following programmatic level objectives describe how CCOM’s four-year curriculum prepares graduates to practice osteopathic medicine that is of high quality and focused on patient safety.

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of established and current biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and epidemiological concepts which are used in providing high-value osteopathic medical care to patients.
• Students will provide osteopathic medical care to patients that promotes wellness, and when patients become ill, students will treat them with compassion using treatment plans that have been developed using sound clinical judgment that acknowledge patient beliefs and culture.
• During the pre-clinical and clinical years, students will conduct themselves in a professional manner which includes honesty, courtesy, and accountability. This professional behavior will include written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills with patients, faculty, staff, and colleagues.
• Students will strive for academic excellence, in their didactic, on-line, and hands-on physical diagnosis and manipulative treatment skill sessions.
• Students will develop the skills to become self-directed, life-long learners who incorporate evidence-based principles to provide safe, effective, osteopathic medical care.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system and its resources in order to provide patient-centered osteopathic medical care. This knowledge will be used to help improve patient safety and access to care.

Founded in 1900, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) is one of the most respected medical schools in the country. CCOM embraces the osteopathic philosophy of a patient-oriented versus disease-oriented approach to healthcare and prepares students to regard the body as an integrated whole.

Mission
The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) educates osteopathic physicians to provide compassionate, quality care, promote the practice of osteopathic medicine and lifelong learning, research and service.

The mission will be achieved by meeting the following objectives:

• Demonstrating compassionate care
• Provide instruction in ethics and communication skills
• Demonstrating quality educational outcomes
• Provide instruction in core clinical competencies
• Providing osteopathic medical care
• Provide osteopathic medical care in the MWU Multispecialty Clinic
• Educating students in principles of lifelong learning
• Provide instruction in principles of lifelong learning
• Promoting research and scholarly activity
• Provide instruction in research and scholarly activity
• Provide elective opportunities for students to participate in research and scholarly activities
• Sponsoring service-learning experiences through required CCOM class and club service activities
• Provide service learning experiences
• Providing introduction to MWU GME through class presentations
• Integrate MWU GME exposure into the osteopathic student experience
• Providing instructional material and presentations in preparation for residency placement
• Prepare students for residency placement
• Providing faculty development programs

Vision
CCOM achieves educational excellence through:

Leadership
Teamwork
Commitment
Integrity
Professionalism
Diversity
Practice and Application of the Osteopathic Philosophy

Dean's Office:

• Dean: Thomas A. Boyle, D.O., M.B.A., FACOEP, FACEP
• Associate Dean, Academic Affairs: Kathleen O'Hagan, Ph.D.
• Associate Dean, Interprofessional Education: Perry Marshall, D.O.
• Associate Dean, Clinical Education: William Moran, D.O., CS
• Assessment Manager: Sandy McFarland, M.Ed.
• Assistant to the Dean: Emily Whitis, M.A., CS
• Administrative Coordinator: Renee Sutera
• Sr. Administrative Assistant: Heba Affaneh, BBA
• Sr. Administrative Assistant: Michele Boutin

The class matched in 28 states and the District of Columbia (52% in IL). The top states were: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

• Anesthesiology – 7
• Child Neurology – 2
• Emergency Medicine – 19
• Family Medicine – 31
• Internal Medicine – 75
• Neurology – 2
• OB/GYN – 3
• Orthopedic Surgery – 3
• Pathology - 2
• Pediatrics – 18
• PM & R – 1
• Psychiatry – 13
• Diagnostic Radiology – 2
• Surgery – 11
• Urology – 1

Important: Completion of a program of study does not guarantee placement in a residency program, future employment, licensure, or credentialing.

Class Profile

• Average Age: 24 (age range: 20-43)                
• Women: 54%
• Men: 46%                                        
• Average Overall GPA: 3.69                      
• Average Science GPA: 3.64
• Average Composite MCAT: 509

State of Residency

• Illinois –  42%
• California – 9%
• Wisconsin – 7%
• Florida – 4%
• Michigan – 3%
• Massachusetts - 3%
• Minnesota – 3%
• 28 states represented and several countries

Most Common Undergraduate Institutions

• University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) - 18
• Loyola – 14
• University of Illinois (Chicago) - 12
• University of Wisconsin (Madison) - 8
• Nova Southeastern University – 6
• University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) – 6

 Most Common Majors in Undergraduate Studies 

• Biology 30%
• Biochemistry 9%
• Neuroscience 8%
• Biomedical Science 7%
• Molecular Biology 7%

Class of 2020
Graduation Rate: 98%

Class of 2021
Graduation Rate: 97%

Class of 2022
Graduation Rate: 96%

Class of 2023
Graduation Rate: 92%

The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). COCA is recognized as the accrediting agency for colleges of osteopathic medicine by the United States Office of Education and the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). CCOM is currently accredited through 2030.

For further information, please contact the American Osteopathic Association, 142 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611, or 1-800-621-1773.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.