To become an osteopathic medical doctor in California, you’ll need to attend one of the 3 Osteopathic Medical Schools In California; the California Health Sciences University, Touro University, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Each of these medical schools has its own unique personality and will prepare you differently to be the best osteopathic medical doctor possible.
This article will help you find what you need to get admitted, the acceptance rate, the required GPA, etc.
Before we get started, take a while to go through our previous articles where we talked about the best physician assistant schools in California and Alabama.
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine, or DO medicine, is a form of health care that uses manual manipulation to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Rather than focusing on medication, doctors of osteopathic medicine look for ways to relieve pain and inflammation at their source.
As such, their approach is holistic; it looks at patients as a whole rather than treating specific symptoms.
While some argue that DO physicians are better trained for primary care because they practice in teams with other types of doctors, others argue that MDs are more qualified to conduct surgery and treat acute conditions like broken bones.
Learn more: 5 Best Medical Schools In Washington State
How many Osteopathic Medical schools are in the US?
According to data compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, there are currently 38 accredited osteopathic medical schools in the US.
These colleges deliver training at 60 locations across 34 states, and of these 38 DO schools in the US, a total of 3 are located in California.
These colleges are educating more than 34,000 future physicians—25 percent of all US medical students.
What are the best Osteopathic Medical schools in California?
California Health Sciences University
For a traditional Osteopathic medical school, California Health Sciences University is one of the best Osteopathic Medical schools in California,
Located in the Central Valley in Clovis, California, students at CHSU have close access to world-class medical facilities and technology.
This osteopathic medical school offers a full MD curriculum with an optional Osteopathic Internship Program (OIP) that gives students more hands-on clinical experience.
Some of the reasons most students choose this school are because the school has;
- A Simulation Center
- A Training Kitchen
- Local Rotations
- Financial Aid
- Innovative Technology
It’s open to both high school and undergraduate students seeking admission into Osteopathic Medicine Programs around the country.
The basic requirements for studying Osteopathic medicine at California Health Science University are;
- Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- MCAT score of 498 or higher, with no subsection below the 15th percentile.
- Provide 2 Letters of Recommendation.
- U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Resident, or DACA Recipient
Learn more: 3 Best Dental Hygienist Schools In North Dakota
Related: 5 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in New Hampshire
Touro University
Touro University is a private medical school located on Mare Island in Vallejo. Touro has one of the best Osteopathic colleges in California.
This institution offers various opportunities for students from diverse nationalities in public health, including a Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences.
Students interested in Osteopathic Medicine will get the best hands-on training with good facilities to enhance their competence.
The school has also been ranked No. 94-124 in U.S. News & World Reports as one of the best medical schools in the US.
Western University of Health Sciences
If you are around Pomona, CA, and searching for some of the “best DO schools near me”, then check out the Western University of Health Science.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at the Western University of Health Science has been ranked as one of the best Osteopathic colleges in California.
This is a private medical school for osteopathic medicine founded in 1977 and is located in downtown Pomona, in the U.S. state of California.
Interested students will complete the four-year curriculum that leads to the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
Also Read: 12 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in SC & Dental Assisting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between allopathic and osteopathic medical schools?
An allopathic physician—sometimes referred to as an MD—attends medical school and receives a Doctor of Medicine degree.
They are trained in Western medicine, which means they provide traditional medical care, such as prescribing drugs and performing surgery.
Physicians with an MD can choose to focus on one of many different specialties after they graduate from medical school.
An osteopathic physician on the other hand—also known as a DO—attends osteopathic medical school and is awarded a Doctor of Osteopathy degree.
Doctors in training at osteopathic schools receive extensive training in hands-on diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues, like back pain or neck pain.
They also receive education in Western medicine, but it’s less intense than what allopathically trained physicians receive.
What are the easiest osteopathic medical schools to get into?
As with all universities, admission to osteopathic medical schools is competitive.
It’s recommended that you complete high school with a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and good SAT or ACT scores.
The easiest osteopathic medical schools to get into are:
- The University of Western States
- Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and
- Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California.
What are the osteopathic medical school’s acceptance rates?
Acceptance rates are much lower for osteopathic medical schools than for other medical schools.
Although there is no one official figure for every single osteopathic school in California, what students do know is that a 3.0 GPA usually lands you into an osteopathic school on a full scholarship.
The low acceptance rate makes it hard to compare how different schools stack up against each other because there just isn’t enough information to go on.
Other Articles
- 15 Best NAIA Schools in California To Get Into
- The 12 Best Safety Schools In California To Get Into
- 20 Best Party Schools In California According To Students
- 5 Best Veterinary Schools in Alabama To Get Into
- 12 Best Massage Therapy Schools in Omaha: Spas & Therapists
