How to Get Into Kansas City University (KCU) COM: The Definitive Guide (2024)

What do a one-hundred-year-old school, the largest provider of physicians in Missouri, and the highest-scoring NBOME class in the nation have in common? They’re all part of Kansas City University (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

With a variety of DO degree programs, important research initiatives, and dedication to the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, KCU COM attracts students from around the country. In fact, it has some of the largest enrollment rates in the country.

Still, it’s not surprising that getting into osteopathic medical school can be quite competitive. 

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to get into KCU COM — the admissions requirements, the application process, selection factors, and more. If you’re applying to Kansas City University, consider bookmarking this page for easy reference.

Be an Informed Applicant

Shared methods and philosophy aside, each osteopathic medical school is unique. Different programs have different emphases, requirements, and cultures that make them distinct learning environments. 

Part of being an informed applicant is taking the time to research your potential schools and find out which one best suits your needs and aspirations.

Most importantly, once you do decide to apply, doing your research can make an incredible difference in your application. By familiarizing yourself with the school’s legacy, programs, and teaching styles, you can focus your application to best demonstrate fit and interest.

There are also important details, such as admissions timelines and application requirements to consider.

While researching schools is a crucial stage of the overall application process, nothing beats one-on-one, personalized admissions guidance. At International Medical Aid, we provide some of the world’s most unique, diverse, and impactful healthcare internship experiences for future physicians. But we also specialize in helping students just like you get into the medical school where they belong. If you need help with anything at all — whether you’re getting overwhelmed by the details or need to develop an overall application strategy — consider our Medical School Admissions Consulting.

This guide covers:

• Why KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine?
• Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine Ranking
• When to Apply to KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine
• DO Degrees at Kansas City University
• Selection Factors: What KCU COM Looks for in a Candidate
• Admissions Requirements
• Class Profile and Admissions Statistics
• Tuition and Cost of Attendance
• Choose DO: How to Get Into Osteopathic Medicine Programs
• AACOMAS Primary Application and KCU Secondary Application
• Kansas City University Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice
• How to Find the Best Healthcare and Pre-med Internships

Why Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine?

Kansas City University (KCU), established in 1916, is one of the nation’s founding colleges of osteopathic medicine. As a private university, KCU comprises the College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Biosciences, and College of Dental Medicine. With campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri, KCU has been a cornerstone of medical education for over a century.

The university is dedicated to improving the well-being of the communities it serves through excellence in education, research, patient care, and community service. KCU’s esteemed faculty, renowned for their expertise as healers and educators, foster a supportive learning environment, contributing to students’ consistent placement in prestigious residencies and top performance on national board examinations.

The Joplin campus, opened in 2017, emphasizes active, hands-on clinical experiences, while the Kansas City campus offers modern facilities to promote student success. KCU actively recruits non-traditional and underrepresented students, attracting a diverse student body committed to becoming outstanding osteopathic physicians. As the largest provider of physicians in Missouri and the second-largest in Kansas, KCU is a top choice for aspiring DOs.

Additional Locations

KCU’s Joplin campus, located at 2901 St. John’s Boulevard, Joplin, Missouri 64804, offers the same programs as the Kansas City campus in a rural setting. Opened in 2017, KCU-COM Joplin emphasizes hands-on clinical experiences, supported by state-of-the-art facilities (see “Facilities” below). Applicants apply to both campuses using the main campus’ application through AACOMAS. For more information, visit https://www.kansascity.edu/ or contact (417) 208-0630.

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine Ranking

Here are the available KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine 2022-2023 U.S. News and World Report rankings.

• #23 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
  
• #17 in Most Graudates Practicing in Primary Care Fields
  
• #25 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas

Med-Colleges.com gives Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences the following ratings:

• Overall: 5/5
  
• Curriculum: 5/5
  
• Teaching: 4.5/5
  
• Safety: 5/5

Med-Colleges also ranks KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine:

• #7 Medical School in Missouri
• #70 Medical School in The Midwest
• #274 Medical School in USA
• #18 Alternative Medicine School

In 2022, Med-Colleges ranked medical schools in the state of Missouri and awarded KCU:

• The Best Alternative Medicine School
• The Second Best Clinical Psychology School
• Ranked #6 Biomedical Sciences School
• Ranked #6 General Medicine School

Accreditation & Affiliation

KCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is affiliated with both the Kansas City and Joplin campuses, ensuring consistent academic standards across locations.

When to Apply to KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine

Primary Application

KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine uses rolling admissions through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). The earliest application submission date is May 5, 2025, with a primary application deadline of February 1, 2026. For best consideration, submit your AACOMAS application by November 1, 2025.

Secondary Application

After submitting your primary AACOMAS application, you may receive an invitation to complete KCU’s secondary application. The earliest supplemental application submission date is June 1, 2025, with a deadline of February 15, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit the secondary application well before the deadline, as interview spots may fill early.

Interview

Admissions at KCU invites select applicants to participate in virtual and in-person interviews. In-person interviews are conducted at either the Joplin or Kansas City campuses.

Interviews begin in September 2025 and continue until March 2026

Decision

Candidates receive written notice of KCU COM’s decision within six to eight weeks of their interview. Accepted applicants must adhere to the AACOMAS traffic guidelines for deposits:

• Those accepted prior to November 15, 2025, have until December 14, 2025.
• Those accepted between November 15, 2025, and January 14, 2026, have 30 days.
• Those accepted between January 15, 2026, and April 30, 2026, have 14 days.
• Those accepted on or after May 1, 2026, may be asked for an immediate deposit.

DO Degrees at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine offers the following DO programs:

• Four-year DO degree
• DO/MA in Bioethics
• DO/MBA in Health Care Leadership
• DO/MPH in Public Health

Four-year DO Program

The four-year DO curriculum at KCU COM contains the following teaching objectives:

• Knowledge of the osteopathic practice and philosophy
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMM)
• Research, presentation, participation in academic programs and publications, and knowledge to pass the post-core clerkship tests, course tests, and NBOME.
• Exceptional communication skills and interpersonal relationships with patients and fellow healthcare workers
• Legal, ethical, and professional knowledge of practice and public health
• Acquire all the basic support skills assessed by standardized evaluations
• Excel in practice-based learning; able to reflect upon and learn from real-world practice and use evidence-based patient care
• Practice cost-effective medicine and understand how to effectively deliver care through healthcare systems

In years one and two students grow critical thinking skills and engage in active learning experiences. Human patient simulations, standardized patient encounters, and early clinical exposure begin preparing students for clerkship and residency.

During years two and three students undergo advanced clinical training through clerkships. Clinical training sites include in- and outpatient facilities and diverse medical settings.

Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs

KCU offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the Kansas City campus, available as a one-year accelerated track or a two-year research track. While there is no direct bridge to the College of Osteopathic Medicine, enrolled students who meet specific criteria may be granted an interview for the DO program.

Selection Factors: What KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine Looks for in a Candidate

KCU-COM seeks the best and brightest students who reflect a diversity of accomplishments, talents, interests, and backgrounds. The admissions committee evaluates applicants holistically, considering academic excellence, commitment to osteopathic medicine, service, and leadership. A bachelor’s degree and MCAT are required, with scores no older than May 1, 2023. KCU actively enrolls non-traditional and underrepresented students, valuing their unique perspectives and potential to become outstanding osteopathic physicians. International students are welcome to apply (see https://www.kansascity.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-students for requirements; note that students with pending permanent residency status are not eligible).

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students are considered for admission; contact admissions@kansascity.edu for details. Competitive applicants demonstrate academic records, clinical exposure, research experience, leadership skills, and community involvement. While MCAT and GPA are important, the entire application is reviewed holistically to assess fit with KCU’s mission of improving community well-being.

Under-Represented and Non-Traditional Students

The Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine intentionally and actively enrolls promising non-traditional and under-represented students in its DO program. If you come from an under-represented background in medicine or are pursuing medical school as a non-traditional applicant, this is a school that takes a genuine interest in providing you opportunities to succeed.

If you fall into these applicant categories, look for opportunities to tell your story and share your promise during the secondary application and interview. This could mean discussing how you turned adversity into opportunity, what you’ve learned about medicine and healthcare through your unique experiences, or how your motivation to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine has developed.

MCAT and GPA vs. Entire Application

MCAT scores and GPA are great overall predictors of an applicant’s success in medical school, but they aren’t the only factors that influence admissions decisions. In fact, at Kansas City University, your entire application is considered holistically when making an admissions decision.

This means that while a strong academic record is still very important, it is possible to overcome lower numbers in these areas if the rest of your application demonstrates evidence of your potential to succeed in medical school and as an osteopathic doctor.

(We discuss Kansas City University COM’s required MCAT and GPA and class MCAT/GPA averages in the sections below.)

Admissions’ Recommendations

Here are KCU COM’s recommended qualifiers:

• Commitment of more than two years to an organization/club/job
• Domestic/international mission trip
• Involvement with a minimum of four community service organizations
• Research experience
• Minimum two leadership roles in clubs/community organizations/work experience
• Work experience in a health care field (EMT, nurse, etc)
• Volunteer in a healthcare-related setting
• Minimum 80 hours of shadowing a physician

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to KCU-COM must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meet the following minimum requirements:

Minimum GPA and MCAT Requirements

KCU does not specify minimum GPA or MCAT requirements but evaluates academic excellence holistically. MCAT scores must be from tests taken no earlier than May 1, 2023, and no later than February 1, 2026. The average MCAT score for the 2024-2025 class is 504.0, with an average cumulative GPA of 3.68 (see “Class Profile and Admissions Statistics” below).

Required Coursework

The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher:

• Physics: 8 semester hours (12 quarter hours)
• Chemistry: 13 semester hours (19.5 quarter hours)
• Biochemistry: 3 semester hours (4.5 quarter hours)
• Biological Sciences: 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours)
• College English: 3 semester hours (4.5 quarter hours)

Recommended Coursework

• Anatomy: 4 semester hours
• Cell/Molecular Biology: 4 semester hours
• Chemistry (Inorganic): 8 semester hours
• Chemistry (Organic): 8 semester hours
• Genetics: 3 semester hours
• Immunology: 3 semester hours
• Physiology: 4 semester hours

KCU accepts online coursework and online lab coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Pass/fail grades are accepted only for coursework taken during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, or Fall 2020 due to the pandemic.

Pre-med Clinical Experience

Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a physician (MD or DO) with whom they have shadowed, volunteered, or worked. KCU accepts both virtual and in-person shadowing experiences. The admissions committee recommends at least 80 hours of physician shadowing, healthcare work experience, and healthcare-related volunteering to craft a competitive application (see “Selection Factors” above).

In the “Selection Factors” section above, we go into the recommendations of the admissions committee at KCU COM. Admissions lists 80 or more hours of physician shadowing, work experience in healthcare, and healthcare-related volunteering as elements of a competitive application. (IMA’s Healthcare and Pre-med Internships Abroad offers internships that work perfectly with KCU COM’s recommended experiences — plus, the program includes medical school admissions consulting!)

We recommend 100-150 hours of clinical experience to craft a competitive medical school application. For more on this topic, see How Many Clinical Hours Do I Need For Medical School?

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation through AACOMAS or directly to the admissions office (admissions@kansascity.edu). One letter must be from an undergraduate pre-med committee or a science faculty member if no committee exists. One letter must be from a physician (MD or DO). Additional letters are permitted but should add unique perspectives and be dated within two years of the expected matriculation date (July 14, 2026).

A good letter of recommendation comes from someone who knows you well and can speak to your unique strengths, motivation, and ability to succeed in medical school.

You should request letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your academic abilities as well as personal qualities such as teamwork, perseverance, and compassion.

If you choose to submit additional letters of recommendation, make sure they add value to your application and don’t repeat information that is already included elsewhere. Submitting additional letters is a great way to highlight diversity of experiences and strengths through the perspectives of different recommenders.

Facilities Kansas City Campus

The Kansas City campus, located in an urban setting, offers modern facilities to support student success, including:

• Administration Building: Features the Walker Family Welcome Center, a full-service coffee shop, and outdoor, rooftop study space, blending historical charm with modern amenities.
• Academic Center: Includes two lecture halls (seating 300+ and 400+), plus breakout rooms for smaller study groups.
• Student Activities Center: Provides a centralized gathering space with an expansive fitness center, full-service coffee shop, campus store, and more.
• D’Angelo Library: Offers a spacious area with designated study rooms, conference rooms, study carrels, tables, tablet chairs, couches, pods, and a Special Collections Room.
• Strickland Education Pavilion: Recently renovated, it features modern study rooms with state-of-the-art technology, ergonomic furniture, large whiteboards, improved lighting, thermal controls, a pantry area with a print station, refrigerators, a sink, and a coffee maker. It also houses tutoring programs, learning specialists, counseling services, and the cafeteria.
• Dybedal Center for Research: Currently under construction to become the Center for Population Health and Equity, supporting research in population health, public health, health equity, and health policy.

Joplin Campus Opened in 2017 in a rural setting, the Joplin campus is designed for active, hands-on clinical experiences, featuring:

• McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation Lecture Hall: A 200-seat, state-of-the-art facility with tiered seating, high-resolution cameras for multi-view lecture recording, and Zoom connectivity to other campuses.
• Humphrey’s Family Learning Studio: A 175-seat collaborative space with large monitors for flexible in-person or virtual instruction.
• Freeman Health System Simulation Lab: Includes four patient simulation suites with high-fidelity medical manikins for immersive scenarios.
• Empire District Electric Company Standardized Patient Lab: Features 22 rooms with cameras and microphones to record student-doctor interactions.
• Dr. Richard Sr. and Yamana Sue Joseph Anatomy Lab: Equipped with 21 examination tables, surgical lights, and high clerestory lighting for privacy and natural daylight.
• Dawson Heritage Foundation Library: Offers small and large group study rooms, hard copy and electronic textbooks, and journals.
• College of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Center: Houses dental education and patient care facilities.

Student Residence Options

KCU does not offer on-campus housing at its Kansas City or Joplin campuses. However, students have access to numerous off-campus housing options in both cities. The Office of Admissions can assist incoming students with housing information. Contact admissions@kansascity.edu for support.

Student Activities & Support Services

KCU offers a range of resources to ensure student success, including free tutoring, counseling, career counseling, and learning coaches. The THRIVE Program equips students with coping skills to navigate challenges and prepare for careers as healthcare providers. Student organizations provide opportunities to network, attend national conventions, promote the medical profession, and participate in special clinical experiences. For a full list of services, visit https://www.kansascity.edu/student-experience/student-services.

Class Profile and Admissions Statistics

Here are the most recent statistics and class profile information available, including Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine average MCAT and GPA.

2024-2025 Class Profile

• Total Medical School Enrollment: Kansas City: 1,104; Joplin: 163
• First-Year Matriculants: Kansas City: 271; Joplin: 163
• Countries Represented: 10
• States Represented: 40 (73 in-state, 358 out-of-state)
• Colleges Represented: 155
• Average Age: 24
• Cumulative GPA Average: 3.68
• Science GPA Average: Not reported (previously 3.57)
• MCAT Average: 504.0
• Gender Distribution:
  • Kansas City: 539 male (48.8%), 564 female (51.1%), 1 other (0.1%)
  • Joplin: 82 male (50.3%), 81 female (49.7%), 0 other
• Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity:
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 0%
  • Asian: 29.7%
  • Black/African American: 3.5%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 5.8%
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.2%
  • White: 51.7%
  • Multiple Races: 3.0%
  • Undisclosed: 3.2%
• Majors of First-Year Matriculants:
  • Science Majors: 86.1%
  • Non-Science Majors: 13.9%
• Graduate Degrees: 9.0%

Acceptance Rate The acceptance rate at KCU-COM is estimated to range from 9% to 21%, reflecting the competitive nature of admissions.

KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine Tuition and Cost of Attendance

TFor the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition at KCU-COM remains competitive, at least 10% lower than the average for private medical schools in the Midwest.Tuition and Fees

• Tuition (In-State and Out-of-State): $57,970 per year
• Annual Fees: $4,126 (includes computer, lab, student activities, student services, and technology fees)
• Health Insurance Fee: $3,500
• COMLEX Level I Testing Fee: $675
• COMLEX Level II-CE Testing Fee: $675
• Books and Supplies (first-year only): Estimated as part of living costs (see below)

Additional Costs

• Estimated Annual Room, Board, Books, and Living Costs: $30,800
• Acceptance Deposit: $1,500 (applied to tuition, non-refundable)
• Additional Deposit: $1,500 (applied to tuition, non-refundable)

Financial Aid Approximately 80% of enrolled students receive financial aid. Scholarships are available, with an average annual scholarship/grant of $21,340 per student. The average graduate indebtedness is $265,739. For more information, visit https://www.kansascity.edu/admissions/financial-aid/tuition.

For a full discussion on what to expect financially, take a look at our article The Cost Of Medical School in 2022.

Choose DO: How to Get Into Osteopathic Medicine Programs

Knowing the general requirements for DO programs across the country can help you prepare a competitive application for KCU-COM and other osteopathic medical schools. The following data, sourced from Choose DO and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, reflects the most recent available statistics (up to 2021) for students entering DO programs.

For this section, we’ll be looking at the organization Choose DO. Choose DO is a national organization for aspiring osteopathic doctors and is associated with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

First, let’s talk about what the average successful DO applicant achieves in their academics.

The average GPAs for students entering DO programs in recent years are:

• 2018: Overall GPA: 3.53, Non-Science: 3.65, Science: 3.43
• 2019: Overall GPA: 3.57, Non-Science: 3.67, Science: 3.51
• 2020: Overall GPA: 3.54, Non-Science: 3.64, Science: 3.45
• 2021: Overall GPA: 3.59, Non-Science: 3.69, Science: 3.51

Average MCAT Scores for DO Students:

• 2018: Total MCAT: 503.1 (PSBB: 126.5, BBLS: 126.2, CPBS: 125.8, CARS: 125.4)
• 2019: Total MCAT: 504.25 (PSBB: 126.78, BBLS: 126.26, CPBS: 125.9, CARS: 125.32)
• 2020: Total MCAT: 504.31 (PSBB: 126.92, BBLS: 126.29, CPBS: 125.89, CARS: 125.20)
• 2021: Total MCAT: 504.89 (PSBB: 127.14, BBLS: 126.47, CPBS: 125.97, CARS: 125.31)

The metrics above help show what makes for a competitive application in general. But these numbers vary for each school. School-specific information can usually be found on the school’s website or in IMA’s Medical School Guides. (In case you skipped it, check out the “Admissions Statistics” section above for statistics on KCU COM’s entering classes.)

Choose DO lists personal qualities that successful applicants share. According to their website, these qualities include:

• Shadowing experience
• Knowledge of osteopathic medicine
• Motivated to practice osteopathic medicine
• Having a diverse background
• A history of many and diverse extracurricular activities
• Clinical Experience
• Leadership experience
• A history of community service
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Well-rounded

Additionally, applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an accreditated university and have completed one year of Biology, English, and Physics and two years of Chemistry.

Choose DO also provides a pre-med roadmap for aspiring DO physicians, from pre-college on.

Some key points from the roadmap are:

• Before college, meet with your school counselor to craft an academic plan (and enroll in a pre-health track if offered). Maintain a good GPA and take AP classes to prepare for more difficult coursework down the line. Begin volunteering with healthcare-related organizations and explore summer health programs offered by colleges nearby.
  
• In year one of college, meet with a pre-health advisor, start taking pre-requisite coursework, and join pre-health organizations. Maintain a competitive GPA and develop effective study habits. This is also a time to begin studying the osteopathic profession and philosophy through articles, journals, and books. Throughout all years of college, you should be exploring healthcare and pre-med internships, researching medical schools, and developing a strong relationship with your school’s science faculty.
  
• In year two, continue the pre-med track described above. You can begin developing a financial plan to attend medical school and gain experience in public speaking and leadership. This is also a good time to start looking into research opportunities at your undergraduate institution.
  
• In year three, you should continue all of the above. But it’s time to start preparing for the MCAT. Participating in undergraduate research opportunities, working on your medical school application, and gaining quality pre-med experience is also essential at this time. In the spring semester of your third year, you should take the MCAT exam and submit your applications to medical schools.
  
• In your final year of college, you should continue the above (maintain a competitive GPA, continue clinical experiences and volunteering, and complete pre-requisite coursework). You will also attend medical school interviews if invited. This is a good time to consider post-application plans.
  
• After college, if you are a non-traditional student or reapplying, continue to gain clinical experience and consider taking upper-level science courses in a post-bac program. If your undergraduate coursework or MCAT scores are more than three years old, retake the MCAT and enroll in a post-bac program.

AACOMAS Primary Application and KCU Secondary Application

KCU-COM uses the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) for primary applications. The primary application is submitted to all chosen medical schools, followed by a school-specific secondary (supplemental) application for screened applicants.

Primary Application

Submit your AACOMAS application between May 5, 2025, and February 1, 2026, with November 1, 2025, recommended for best consideration.

Secondary Application

KCU reviews primary applications holistically, considering academic success, clinical exposure, research experience, leadership skills, and community involvement. Screened applicants receive an invitation to complete the secondary application, which is due by February 15, 2026 (earliest submission: June 1, 2025). The supplemental application fee is $60, non-refundable, but may be waived for applicants who received an AACOMAS fee waiver.

The secondary application includes multiple-choice, yes/no questions, and essay prompts to assess fit with KCU’s mission.

Interview Format

KCU conducts Multi-Mini Interviews (MMI) and group interviews, offered virtually or in-person at the Kansas City or Joplin campuses. Interviews begin in September 2025 and continue until March 2026.

Kansas City University Medical School Secondary Application: Essay Prompts, Sample Answers, and Advice

The secondary medical school application is your opportunity to elaborate on your accomplishments, describe your motivation for a career in medicine, explain why you want to attend that specific school, and more. This is your chance to make a case for your candidacy beyond the numbers.

When writing your essays, remember that the admissions committee will be looking for evidence of your:

• Academic excellence
  
• Commitment to osteopathic medicine
  
• Understanding of the osteopathic profession
  
• Interpersonal skills
  
• Service to others

However, the school is also looking to gain a deeper insight into your character, principles, ambitions, and the unique experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today.

When writing your essay responses, be sure to:

• Answer the prompt
  
• Be concise
  
• Write in a way that is true to your voice
  
• Use proper grammar and punctuation

The medical school application process is highly competitive. To get an edge, it is important to put your best foot forward in your essays. Here are some tips for writing compelling essay responses that will make you stand out from the rest.

Focus on telling a story that demonstrates who you are and what you can bring to the table as a medical student. This can be done by sharing a personal experience or talking about a time when you made a difference in someone’s life. It is important to be specific and paint a picture that the admissions committee can visualize.

Next, be sure to proofread your essays carefully. Typos or grammatical errors can give the impression that you are careless or not detail-oriented, which is not the message you want to send as someone who wants to study medicine. Take the time to edit your work and make sure it’s error-free before hitting submit.

Remember to use concrete examples. Whenever possible, use specifics to illustrate your points. This will help your essays feel more real and relatable, and it will also give the admissions committee a better sense of who you are as a person.

Finally, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your essays. Being yourself is one of the best ways to stand out from the rest of the applicants. The admissions committee wants to get to know you, so don’t be afraid to let your unique voice shine through in your essays. Share your hobbies, interests, and anything else that makes you unique. By doing so, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression. (Be tactful and organized with how you share these things — prioritize clear responses that directly answer the prompt.)

How to Prepare for Secondary Essays

Given that every application is different, and medical schools generally change up their secondary application each year, how can you prepare?

To start, you can familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are usually asked. Some recurring themes in secondary medical school applications include:

• Why do you want to be an osteopathic doctor?
  
• Why do you want to attend our school?
  
• Describe a time when you faced a challenge. How did you overcome it?
  
• How will you contribute to an inclusive learning environment/why is diversity important in medicine?

We’ll showcase some strategies for answering specific questions in the section below, where we’ll look at the essay prompts from the previous KCU COM application cycle. You can also refer to our other Medical School Guides for more sample answer to real-world secondary application questions.

It can help to create a list of experiences and accomplishments you can draw from when prompted to write about topics such as these. Outline all the things you want the admissions committee to know about you. Prioritize impactful pre-med experiences, insightful examples personal motivations, and anything else that speaks to your qualifications for medical school. Not only will this help you save time when completing secondary applications, but it will also give you a foundation to start from so you can be sure to touch on all the key points you want the admissions committee to know about you.

Once you’ve created your outline, take a look at all the essay prompts and decide where to include the information. This will help you be strategic with how you use your space and ensure that you’re sharing the most important information about yourself with the admissions committee at the right time.

Finally, for each school, make a list of programs, values, and other things that excite you about the school. This will help you write more genuine and tailored responses to secondary essay prompts, which is always a good impression to make. While you don’t want to simply restate information from the school’s website, knowing the school’s institutional identity and what they look for in a candidate should guide how you focus your responses.

Now, let’s take a look at the essay prompts from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 2021-2022 application cycle.

Essay #1

What are you currently doing to maintain your academic knowledge? (2500 characters or less)

There are a few things to consider with this prompt. First, they want to know how you’re keeping up with your academic knowledge. This refers to things like keeping up with current medical literature or taking continuing education courses. But it could also refer to anything else that you’re doing to stay sharp and up-to-date in your field.

Second, they want to know why you’re doing it. What’s your motivation for maintaining your academic knowledge? Is it simply to keep your skills sharp, or is there something more? Be sure to share your motivation with the admissions committee so they can see that you’re not just going through the motions—you’re actively engaged in your field and committed to lifelong learning.

Finally, they want to know how this will help you as a future physician. What skills or knowledge are you hoping to gain by maintaining your academic knowledge? How will this help you in your future career? Be specific and share concrete examples with the admissions committee so they can see how your current activities are preparing you for a successful career in medicine.

Here’s a sample response:

I’m currently working on my Master’s degree in Public Health. My program is focused on epidemiology and biostatistics, so I’m taking coursework in those areas to maintain my academic knowledge. I’m also keeping up with current medical literature by reading journals and articles relevant to my field of study.

I’m doing this because I want to be able to provide the best possible care to my future patients. I want to be able to understand and use the latest research so I can make evidence-based decisions about treatment.

However, my primary motivation for pursuing post-bac education before medical school is to gain an exceptional amount of experience with medical concepts so I can be better positioned to explain medical practices to my patients. I am drawn to the osteopathic principle of involving the patient’s values and life in the decision-making process when providing treatment. I believe without the ability to clearly and effectively explain medical concepts, this process would be hindered.

By pursuing my Master’s degree, I’m gaining the knowledge and skills I need to fully engage in KCU COM’s DO program while staying focused on what I hope to achieve — to engage in meaningful dialogue with patients and provide care with truly informed consent.

Essay #2

Describe a time when you had a personal failure. How did you move on from that experience? (2500 characters or less)

This prompt is asking for a time when you failed and how you handled it. How you behave in the face of adversity, what you learn from challenges, and how you overcome setbacks are all important questions for future physicians.

When you’re brainstorming your response to this prompt, think about a time when you failed and what you learned from it. What did you do to pick yourself up and move on? How did that experience shape how you approach challenges now? Ideally, your situation is related to medicine or your journey to becoming a physician, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you can draw connections between your experience and your future career, any failure will suffice.

The key to questions about adversity is to focus on what you learned from the situation. Admissions committees want to see that you’re resilient and can learn from your mistakes through self-reflection. They also want to see that you understand how your actions impact others. When you’re writing your response, be sure to focus on these positive aspects of your experience so the admissions committee can see that you’re ready for the challenges of a career in medicine.

Essay #3

We are often too busy to plan future activities. Describe a time when you were so busy you had to react to situations rather than plan for them. (2500 characters or less)

Sticking to a pre-med roadmap, acing the MCAT, crafting a competitive application — all of these make for a great applicant, but they don’t communicate your ability to handle the daily, real-time demands of a future in medicine.

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle stress, work under pressure, and make decisions quickly. As a future physician, you will be expected to handle a lot of responsibility and make decisions quickly, sometimes with limited information.

With this in mind — while it shouldn’t be the focus of your response — acknowledging the daily challenges of being a physician will help communicate to admissions a key strength: you know what you’re getting into. Draw from your time shadowing physicians. You can cite experiences from programs like IMA’s healthcare and pre-med internships, where pre-med students work with healthcare professionals who deliver care with limited resources.

For the bulk of your response, think about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed, or when you had to address a situation suddenly. Try to describe the situation clearly without getting bogged down by the details. The important part of this answer is how you handled the situation.

Healthcare and Pre-Med Internships

Pre-med clinical experience is a crucial component of building a competitive medical school application and preparing for the realities of medical school and medical practice. But with so many options for how to gain clinical experience, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Our healthcare internships combine physician shadowing, service-learning, 24/7 mentorship, admissions consulting, and more — all while helping some of the most medically underserved populations in the world. Our not-for-profit model allows us to prioritize providing an affordable, high-quality, and impactful experience, and our students have gone on to be accepted at top medical schools across the country.

If you’re looking for a pre-med internship that will help you stand out on your med school applications and prepare you for a career in medicine, look no further than IMA’s healthcare internships.

Good Luck to You!

There you have it: the definitive guide to Kansas City University (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine. We hope this has proven to be a valuable resource as you begin working on your application. Remember: we’re here to help every step of the way. Please reach out to us at any stage of your journey.

Don’t forget to explore our growing catalog of definitive medical school guides:

• UMKC School of Medicine
• New York Medical College
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• University of Wisconsin Medical School
• VCU School of Medicine
• University of Maryland School of Medicine
• Case Western Medical School
• University of North Carolina Medical School
• University of Florida Medical School
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Boston University College of Medicine
• California University of Science and Medicine
• UC San Diego Medical School
• California Northstate University College of Medicine
• Touro University of California
• CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
• UC Davis School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• UC Riverside School of Medicine
• USC Keck School of Medicine
• UT Southwestern Medical School
• Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
• University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
• UT Austin’s Dell Medical School
• UTMB School of Medicine
• McGovern Medical School at UT Health
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• McGovern Medical School at UT Health
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
• UNT Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Houston College of Medicine
• Texas A&M College of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins Medical School
• Baylor College of Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• St. George’s University School of Medicine
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (in Pennsylvania)
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
• Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• Western University of Health Sciences (in California)
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine
• UCLA Medical School
• NYU Medical School
• Washington University School of Medicine
• Brown Medical School

We wish you the best of luck in your journey to becoming an osteopathic doctor!