The AACOMAS application for medical school typically includes one or more letters of recommendation (LOR). Each DO letter of recommendation, also known as a letter of evaluation, should highlight a student’s academic or professional achievements.
Since AACOMAS does not need a student’s letters of evaluation to verify their application, students may submit their application even if their letters have not yet arrived at AACOMAS. Application and letters will be made available to medical schools after the application is verified.
Each osteopathic medical school for students seeking a DO degree has different letter of recommendation requirements that are summarized below. Sort the schools in ascending or descending order, or narrow the listing by searching for your school of interest.
View: MD Schools
| Medical School | Letter of Recommendation Details |
|---|---|
A.T. Still University | Candidates for admission to ATSU-SOMA are strongly encouraged to spend time shadowing an osteopathic physician and obtain a letter of support from that physician. Candidates are also strongly encouraged to provide a letter of support from a supervisor of activities involving outreach to medically underserved populations. |
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine | Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation (LOR) from a physician (DO is preferred). Letters should provide details of the applicant’s exposure to patients and their ability to perform in a medical setting. It can reflect shadowing, volunteering, or work experience. Applicants must submit one pre-med advisor or committee letter that includes the names and departments of the committee members. If an advisory or committee letter is not available, then two academic letters from science faculty must be submitted. Non-traditional students who have been out of college for more than 2 years and have not taken recent prerequisite or other classes must provide a letter from their immediate supervisor/employer and the required physician letter. |
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine | Letter of Recommendation from a DO. A letter from an MD CANNOT be accepted in lieu of a DO letter. Letter of Recommendation(s) from either a Pre-Medical/Professional Advisory Committee or two letters from natural science professors who are familiar with the academic work of the applicant. |
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine | One letter from a physician (DO or MD accepted). AND One pre-medical committee letter. OR Two academic letters written by science professors, scientific research advisors, or an equivalent. Non-traditional students, those who have not been enrolled in any science coursework for 3 years or more, may submit letters from employment supervisors. |
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine | One letter from a physician (DO or MD) that details the applicant’s exposure to patients and the applicant’s ability to be successful in a medical setting. It can reflect shadowing, volunteer, or work experience. A letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician is preferred. AND Two academic letters written by college science professors who have instructed the applicant. |
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine | One letter must be from an osteopathic physician (DO) or an allopathic physician (MD). Although a letter from an osteopathic physician is not required, it is strongly recommended. The second letter must be from either a pre-health committee, pre-health advisor, or PhD hard science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) faculty member. Letters of recommendation included as part of a pre-health committee packet are accepted. |
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine | All applicants should have exposure to medicine documented in a letter of recommendation from a health care provider. |
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | VCOM requires two letters of recommendation: one from a practicing physician and one from a pre-medical/pre-health committee or science faculty member. Candidates are welcome to submit additional letters of recommendation if they feel the letters benefit their credentials. |
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine | From either an osteopathic physician or an allopathic physician. A letter from an osteopathic physician is not required but is strongly recommended. AND From a premedical advisory committee or science faculty member who is familiar with your academic work. Non-traditional students can substitute the premedical advisor or science faculty advisor with a more recent reference (employer, volunteer/community service supervisor). |
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences | Submit two letters of recommendation written by faculty members (science faculty members preferred) who can speak to your potential for academic success in a graduate-level program. Letters must be dated no more than two years prior to KCU entry. |
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine | LECOM requires a letter of recommendation from a premedical or pre-health committee or two letters from science professors from the applicant’s undergraduate or graduate institution. |
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine | A Letter of Recommendation is required from each of the following: A board-certified physician, either a DO or an MD. A science faculty member or pre-health advisor, or committee. Someone familiar with your personal, educational, and/or professional background such as a pastor, volunteer coordinator, or employer. |
Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine | One Pre-Medical Committee letter. OR Two letters from science professors. |
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine | MU-COM requires three forms/letters of recommendation: A form/letter of recommendation from a physician (DO or MD). A recommendation form/letter from a pre-medical or pre-health committee or advisor. If an advisor or committee is not available, a letter from another science professor will be accepted as a substitute. A recommendation form/letter from a science professor. |
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Three letters of evaluation are required. The college recommends that at least one letter be written by an academic or medical professional. MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine does not require academic/committee/advisor evaluations, nor do we require that an osteopathic physician complete an evaluation. |
Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) | Two letters of recommendation are required: One letter from either a pre-medical advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant. Second letter from either a D.O. or a M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. |
Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) | Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter from either a pre-medical advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant. Second letter from either a D.O. or a M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. |
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine | A Pre-health Committee Letter/Composite Letter (Preferred). OR Three individual letters to include: Two individual faculty letters (at least one from science) from faculty who have taught you. One letter from a supervisor in long-term work, service, research, or clinical experience. If you are unable to provide a letter from a supervisor, you may provide an additional faculty letter. In addition, we strongly recommend D.O./M.D. letters from non-family members. |
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine | A physician (preferably an osteopathic physician). A science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work. A premedical source. This could be an advisor’s letter, a composite evaluation, or evaluations from a committee. If a premed source is not available, another science faculty, in addition to the above, or an employer’s letter may be substituted. |
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine | A physician (M.D. or D.O.). Pre-professional committee, or if such a committee does not exist, then three letters of recommendation are needed (two from science professors and one non-science professor). Examples of a non-science letter include but are not limited to English, Psychology, Mathematics, and Humanities. |
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | A letter from a premedical/health professions advising committee. OR Two letters from natural science faculty who taught you in class. |
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences | One letter from a college or university pre-professional/pre-med committee. One letter from a physician (D.O. preferred). OR Two letters from faculty. One letter from a physician (D.O. preferred). |
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences | A letter of recommendation is required from each of the following sources: A physician (preferably a DO who is a member of the AOA) – this is now a recommendation instead of a requirement due to the impact of COVID-19 on the health care system. A science faculty member who has graded the applicant’s science coursework. A pre-medical source (a pre-medical adviser or committee) Individuals serving in the military may use a supervisor, such as a commanding officer to meet the pre-medical source requirement. If your college or university does not provide pre-medical adviser or committee letters, an additional science faculty or physician letter may be substituted. |
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required: A pre-health or academic advisor/committee (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate or graduate programs). Undergraduate, graduate or post-baccalaureate faculty (preferably those who delivered a candidate’s completed science coursework), who can attest to academic performance and aptitude. We highly recommend at least one letter from an academic source. Physicians, preferably DOs, and/or other health care providers with whom a candidate has had a professional relationship, who can attest to the applicant's clinical experiences and overall fit for the profession. Candidates who may not have the ability to submit letters from any/all of the above sources should select letter writers who know them in a professional capacity and can comment on the applicant's character, work ethic, academic history, scientific acumen, empathy, compassion, resilience, emotional intelligence, commitment and/or knowledge of the healthcare environment. |
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Three Letters of Recommendations (submitted to AACOMAS). Required letters include: A letter an academic reference (order of preference to include Pre-Med Advisor or Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to successfully complete a rigorous medical school curriculum). A letter from a healthcare provider who has worked with the candidate (DO or MD preferred). A final letter of the candidate’s choice. Because of the challenges of receiving letters due to the pandemic, RVU will also accept a letter from any health professional the candidate has worked with, regardless of whether or not they were directly supervised. |
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine | Obtain letter(s) of recommendation from a pre-medical committee. OR At least two science faculty members who taught you in a science course. |
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | The Admissions Committee prefers a Health Professions Committee Packet (HPCP). If you do not have an advising office, we will accept a minimum of three letters of evaluation from faculty. Letters of evaluation from work supervisors, medically related preceptors, and research mentors are acceptable and can be used in lieu of faculty letters if you have been out of school more than one year. |
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New York City | Three letters of recommendation: Two of which must be from biological or physical science professors from whom you earned a grade in class. One committee letter from your college’s pre-medical or pre-health committee may be substituted for all three letters. |
Touro University California | The College of Osteopathic Medicine requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a physician (M.D. or D.O.). The other two letters must be from either a pre-professional committee or from two biological or physical science professors from whom you earned a grade in class. |
Touro University Nevada | Submit three letters of recommendation: Two letters must be from your college science instructors or one premedical/academic committee letter. Committee letter must include all letter contributors' names and titles and must include at least two science faculty. One letter must be from a physician (D.O. or M.D.). |
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine | Three (3) letters of evaluation are required: Preferred sources of evaluations include: Pre-Health Committee Advisor, Pre-Health Advisor, a faculty member with substantial knowledge of the applicant, a direct supervisor with substantial knowledge of the applicant, or a health care professional with substantial knowledge of the applicant (preferably physicians). Letters from an Osteopathic Physician (D.O.) are recommended but not required. |
University of North Texas Health Science Center | TMDSAS requires that an applicant’s premedical/health professions advisory committee submit a written evaluation directly to the service. Letters from three (3) people who are familiar with an applicant may satisfy this requirement if no advisory committee is available. The letters should be from faculty members and/or an advisor who can assess the applicant’s suitability for medical school. Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician familiar with the applicant; the physician may submit this recommendation directly to TCOM. |
University of Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine | A letter from a physician (preferably a D.O. who is a member of the AOA). Plus, at least one of the following options: Letters from two different science faculty who are familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Letter from a pre-med advisor and a letter from a science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Letter from the pre-med committee. |
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine | We require three letters of reference for your UIWSOM application: One from a physician (preferably DO). One from a pre-med advisor or health professions admissions committee (HPAC). One from a science faculty member. |
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine | Physician (DO – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Basic Science Faculty Member who has taught you, Pre-Med Advisor, or Pre-Med Advisory Committee . |
Western University of Health Sciences | A letter from a physician is required. A Committee Evaluation for the Pre-health Professions Committee on your campus is preferred. The evaluation must include at least 2 science professor evaluations. If your university does not have a pre-health Professions Committee a letter of recommendation from a science professor who instructed you in a prerequisite science course is acceptable. |
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine | A physician (preferably a DO who is a member of the American Osteopathic Association). AND Two letters from science (biology, chemistry, or physics) faculty members who have taught the applicant in a science course or a single letter from a pre-professional advisory committee. |
