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.
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.
One pre-medical committee letter.
Two academic letters written by science professors, scientific research advisors, or an equivalent.
A board-certified physician, either a DO or an MD.
A science faculty member or pre-health advisor, or committee.
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.
One letter from either a pre-medical advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant.
One letter from either a pre-medical advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant.
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.
A science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
One letter from a physician (D.O. preferred).
Two letters from faculty.
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.
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.
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).
Two of which must be from biological or physical science professors from whom you earned a grade in class.
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.
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).
The letters should be from faculty members and/or an advisor who can assess the applicant’s suitability for medical school.
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.
One from a physician (preferably DO).
One from a pre-med advisor or health professions admissions committee (HPAC).
A Committee Evaluation for the Pre-health Professions Committee on your campus is preferred. The evaluation must include at least 2 science professor evaluations.