Pre-Health Career Services
Osteopathic

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The UCLA Career Center offers personal assistance and programs on the graduate and professional school application process, including program selection, the personal statement, faculty recommendations, admissions tests, and financial assistance. Please review this section of our web site for important information you should consider and think about as you plan your coursework.

PRE-OSTEOPATHIC PREPARATION
In preparation for Osteopathic medicine, most schools require a combination of specific coursework, MCAT scores and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider character, personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular and/or community activities. Schools of Osteopathy also recommend exposure, understanding and interest in Osteopathic Medicine and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Most schools require an interview with members of the admissions committee.

TIMELINE
Beyond required coursework and MCAT preparation, the timeline for the application process begins at minimum 14-15 months prior to expected matriculation. For example, the process would begin April 2008 for 2009-2010 admission. The application cycle begins June 1. Some schools offer "Early Decision" programs. The majority of schools operate on a rolling admissions basis, so classes may be filled before the listed deadline dates. By applying early there is greater probability that your materials will be processed in a timely manner.

STANDARDIZED TEST
The majority of schools require competitive Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores. MCAT is offered in April and August of each year. It is recommended that students take the MCAT in April of their Junior year. Therefore allowing August for possibility of retaking the test if your scores are not what you desire. MCAT scores must be released to AACOMAS (code 600) as part of the application process.

APPLICATION PROCESS
AACOMAS, American Association of Colleges of Osteopath Medicine Application Service, is a centralized process, which verifies your information and submits it to institutions of your choice. This service is utilized by 27 of the osteopath institutions. (University of North Texas Health Science Center uses the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service - see dpweb1.dp.utexas.edu/mdac/homepage.htm for details).

Students initiate the application process by submitting official transcripts and MCAT scores directly to AACOMAS. If a fee waiver is desired, this also must be submitted prior to the application. Thereafter, students submit the AACOMAS application (available both online and in paper format), College Designation Form, Professional School Academic Record (if applicable), and application processing fee starting June 1. AACOMAS normally processes applications in four to six weeks. Upon verification, AACOMAS will forward an Applicant Profile to you and submit your application materials to your designated institutions.

Most institutions forward supplementary or secondary applications to students meeting the minimum GPA and MCAT requirements after receiving the application materials from AACOMAS. The application may include essays, non-academic information and evaluation forms. Some institutions request a statement of purpose in seeking a medical career as part of this application. Applicants are instructed to complete the secondary application (many schools have it available online) and provide letters of recommendation with an application fee which typically range from $25-$75.

All institutions request letters of recommendation or evaluation; usually three-five letters at the time of the supplementary or secondary application. Guidelines for authors of letters of recommendation, however, vary among the institutions. Some require/recommend a combination of letters from professors, a practicing D.O., advisors, employers, a clergy person, etc. It is highly recommended you identify at least a minimum of two science professors. Also, we recommend you review the guidelines of your institutions of choice to ensure you are meeting their requirements.

Various institutions ask for a pre-health advisor or committee letter. Since we do not have committees at UCLA for a collective letter, you should follow the guidelines for alternative letters of evaluation, which typically would be professors or others familiar with your academic performance or scholarship. All letters should be directly sent to UCLA Career Center by the author. Upon request, they will be forwarded to institutions of your choice.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Colleges consider both cognitive and non-cognitive factors in the admissions process. In addition to academic excellence, job history, extracurricular and/or community activities, letters of evaluation, and interviews are used to attest to the rest. Most admission committees seek students that demonstrate a genuine concern and interest for people, a sincere understanding of and interest in the process and philosophy of Osteopathic Medicine, and a general awareness of the medical profession as demonstrated by various medically related or human service experiences. Other factors include leadership skills, motivation, maturity, effective listening and communication skills, and character and personality. Clinical experience, research, student group or community activities are excellent ways to demonstrate these qualities.

MAJOR

Any major is appropriate for medical school preparation since the pre-med. requirements can be taken in conjunction with any major UCLA offers. However, it is best to choose your major based on your personal preferences because grade point average (GPA) is an important factor considered by medical schools. According to colleges of osteopathy, most prospective D.O. students major in sciences with an emphasis in biology or chemistry.

REQUIRED COURSES

To be considered for admission to any of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, applicants typically have completed undergraduate studies that include English, biological sciences, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Other requirements may include genetics, biochemistry, mathematics, and courses in behavioral sciences. Check with the individual schools of interest for specific course requirements. Some schools accept students who have completed 75% of their undergraduate studies, however, the majority prefer completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to enrollment.

The following is a guideline of core requirements and UCLA equivalents.

Pre-Professional Osteopathic Physician and Required Courses

Biology
Life Sciences 1, 2, 3, 4. One year of coursework with lab.
Notes: LS 1-4 will prepare you for the Biological Science section of the MCAT. If you took LS 2 and 3 before Fall 98, then take two additional life science lab courses (in departments such as EEB (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), MCD Bio, neuroscience, psychobiology, or physiological science). Many schools recommend extra upper division life science courses in addition to this basic requirement.

Chemistry

Life science or non-science majors: Chemistry 14A, 14B/BL, 14C/CL, 14D; plus 153A/L (biochemistry).

Physical, life or non-science majors: Chemistry 20A, 20B/L, 30A/AL, 30B/BL, 30C*; plus 153A/L (biochemistry). *Chem 30CL may not be required for applicants from the life science majors.

General and organic chemistry courses are required. Many schools include a separate requirement for or a strong recommendation to take biochemistry. The general chemistry coursework will prepare you for the Physical Science section, and the organic chemistry coursework prepares you for the Biological Science section of the MCAT.

Physics
Physics 6A, 6B, 6C or 6AH, 6BH, 6CH or 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL

One year with labs is generally required. Trigonometry-based physics can also satisfy this requirement, but UCLA only offers calculus-based courses and these are required for the various science majors. Physics prepares you for the Physical Science section of the MCAT.

English

One year of college level literature and composition. Writing I and Writing II courses, select general education literature courses, and any upper division English literature or English Composition courses will satisfy this requirement. Please see the “English requirement for health professions schools” sheet for a complete list of suggested courses. These courses will prepare you for the Verbal Reasoning and Writing Sample sections of the MCAT.

Behavioral Science
One year of behavioral science. Coursework generally includes Psychology, Sociology, Gerontology, and Cultural Anthropology. Check with each individual department counselor for availability of upper division courses.

Other strongly recommended courses:

Other Biology
Physiology, anatomy, embryology, histology, or cellular biology are all recommended. Check with each individual department counselor for availability of upper division courses.

Physiology	*Phy Sci 166, Phy Sci 3, 5, 111A-C**
Anatomy	Phy Sci 13, 107, NeuroSci M102
Embryology	MCD Bio 138
Histology	EEB (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) 157
Cellular Biology	Any upper division Microbiology or MCD Bio class, EEB (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) M158

*PS 3 has a lab component effective Summer 04. Any offerings before Summer 04 did NOT have a lab.

Math
Math 3A, 3B, 3C or 31A, 31B, 32A

One year of math can include statistics (see below) and computer programming classes (PIC 10A, 10B, 10C). This is your preparation for calculus-based physics.

Statistics

Statistics 10, M11, M12, 13, Biostatistics or Biomath, Psychology 100A*
*Check with individual schools for acceptability of classes offered outside of the Statistics department.

Foreign Language

Knowledge and cultural competency in any language other than English is a valuable asset to working in a health care field. If your future plans include working in California or the southwestern states, Spanish is highly valued and somewhat expected. Ask yourself: Can I walk into a hospital room and get a patient history in another language? If the answer is no, then consider taking college level foreign language classes to brush up on your skills.

Other Humanities and Social Science courses are strongly recommended. The non-science GPA is an important component to your overall academic record and liberal arts education. Courses in the following can enhance your communication skills and overall understanding of the world: Anthropology, Communication Studies, Economics, any ethnic studies area (e.g. Women’s Studies, LGBT Studies, Afro-American Studies, Chicana/Chicano Studies, Near Eastern Studies), Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Speech to name a few.

Computer skills are strongly recommended. Many programs have incorporated computers and electronic media into their curriculum. Several programs are strongly recommending that a student owns a computer. Check with individual schools about a computer purchase requirement.

UCLA is not responsible for coursework being accepted by recipient schools. Students should contact the individual schools directly.

HOW CAN THE CAREER CENTER HELP YOU?

CAREER EXPLORATION

A combination of written information, experiential opportunities, testimonials or exposure to others and academic experience are helpful in exploring possible career opportunities. The career center affords various resources and services to assist students in this process including the Career Center Library, Workshops, Counseling, assessments, and special programming. A career in medicine requires dedication, time commitment and a lengthy educational process. Make sure this is the career you desire and take the steps necessary to attain your goals.

HEALTH CARE RELATED INTERNSHIPS

Experiential educational and volunteer programs are an excellent way to expand your knowledge of the health professions beyond the classroom. Participation in health related internships will strengthen your application to professional schools and provide exposure experiences that can be highlighted in the personal statement. A select number of health care internships focusing on research, legislation and public policy are available through the Career Center's internship office on a local, national and international basis. A sampling of internship opportunities include (but are not limited to) the National Institute of Health, the Surgeon General's Office, Cedar Sinai, AIDS Action, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association. Visit the Career Center's Internship and Study Abroad Services Office for a resource sheet handout providing an overview of health related internships. Please visit career.ucla.edu for more information.

MOCK INTERVIEW

After reviewing your materials, most schools grant interviews prior to making final decisions regarding admissions. The Career Center offers Interviewing workshops as well as an opportunity to receive a mock interview and feedback prior to your actual interviews.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

On the AACOMAS application, a section is provided for students to write personal comments in relation to specific outlined questions (ex. academic actions, misdemeanor/felony; D.O. relatives) and/or a personal statement. This is an opportunity to briefly explain your goals and motivation for applying to the field of Osteopathic Medicine. The length of the statement must fit within the space allotted - approximately a half page. For assistance with developing this statement, the career center has several books and will be coordinating workshops and content critiques with Academics in the Commons. Many institutions request an expanded version as part of their supplementary package which may be available for your perusal on their website.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

The Career Center offers UCLA students and alumni a service which stores and sends letters of recommendation to graduate schools. To open a PPS letter file, visit career.ucla.edu. All letters should be forwarded directly to the Career Center by the author, as these are confidential documents. Do not send letters to AACOMAS for processing, as they will not be forwarded to the institutions.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

LIBRARY

The library contains a myriad of information to explore and learn more about Osteopathic Medicine, the application process, and related careers. A sample of resources include:

Careers In Medicine: Traditional And Alternative Opportunities, T. Donald Rucker, Ph.D. & Martin D. Keller Garrett Park Press

Horizons Unlimited: A Handbook Describing Rewarding Career Opportunities In Medicine And Allied Fields, 9th ed. American Medical Association American Medical Association

Vocational Biographies

Occupational Outlook Handbook

WEB
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine www.aacom.org

American Osteopathic Association www.aoa-net.org

Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California www.opsc.org

Osteopaths Online www.osteopathonline.com

Student Doctor www.studentdoctor.com

Pre-Health Career Services Osteopathic

Pre-Health Career Services
Osteopathic