August 6, 2025
Written By
Michael Minh Le
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You’ve probably scoured Reddit threads, premed forums, and YouTube videos trying to figure out if your stats are good enough, if your story is strong enough, or if NYITCOM is even within reach. And with the NYITCOM acceptance rate being so low, it can feel like a shot in the dark.
This guide is here to cut through the noise. We’ll cover exactly what it takes to get into the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. You’ll learn NYITCOM’s acceptance rate, average GPA and MCAT scores, what makes their program unique, and how to craft an application that stands out for this school specifically.
If you want to go even deeper, we’re giving you free access to 8 full AMCAS applications that earned real acceptances to schools like UCLA and UCSF, including my own. See the essays, activities, and more so you can model your app after what already works.
Get your free resource here.
For the 2025 entering class, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) received over 8,000 applications. Out of those, just 402 students ultimately matriculated across its two campuses—Old Westbury, NY and Jonesboro, AR.
That puts NYITCOM’s acceptance rate at roughly 5%.
Now, 5% might sound a little more forgiving than the cutthroat rates at some allopathic schools, but don’t let that fool you. NYITCOM is one of the most competitive DO programs in the country. With a class size split between two campuses and a strong national reputation, spots go fast.
Another thing: unlike some public medical schools that prioritize residents, NYITCOM is private and does not show strong preferential admission for New York residents. Everyone has the same shot here.
Let’s talk numbers. NYITCOM’s accepted students come in strong for DO programs: the average GPA is 3.60, and the average MCAT score sits right around 507.
Compare that to national DO med school averages: about 3.56 for GPA and 504.7 for MCAT. Translation? NYITCOM students come in above the national average, which means if you want to get in, you’ll need to do the same.
To apply to NYITCOM, you’ll need to complete the following prerequisites:
Additional coursework in Biochemistry, Genetics, and Behavioral Sciences is recommended but not required.
Beyond academics, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
Let’s not sugarcoat it: NYITCOM isn’t cheap. Tuition alone is $68,000 a year, and by the time you tack on mandatory fees (tech, sim patients, health insurance, activity fees, etc.), you're looking at a $69,700–$69,800 annual price tag. And that’s before rent, groceries, gas, or your daily coffee. Multiply that by four, and yeah, it adds up fast.
But here's the part most premeds don’t realize: almost every single first-year student at NYITCOM gets some kind of financial aid. We’re talking federal loans, institutional need-based grants, private scholarships, and even work-study for those who qualify. If you fill out your FAFSA, stay in good academic standing, and show some hustle, you’re in the running.
And NYITCOM doesn’t leave you flailing. From your interview day, they start laying the foundation for financial literacy. One-on-one counseling, loan management sessions, real talk about budgeting—it’s all baked into the experience so you don’t graduate with a degree and a disaster in your bank account.
Every med school brochure claims to be different—state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, mission-driven. But most of that fades when you’re the one buried under clinicals, exams, and figuring out how to actually take care of real patients. So let’s talk about what actually makes a NYITCOM stand out.
NYITCOM was the first osteopathic medical school in New York, launching its inaugural class in 1977. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest DO programs in the U.S.
That legacy matters, not just for prestige, but because the school has honed its mission over decades: training physicians who tackle healthcare gaps in urban and rural communities.
You can train on Long Island or at the Jonesboro, Arkansas campus, which offers similar high-tech facilities and clinical rotations, and still earn your DO degree. Exposure to vastly different patient populations means broader clinical experience and adaptability.
NYITCOM isn’t just about MD/DO. It’s about innovation. You can pursue DO/PhD, DO/MS, DO/MBA, or joint programs like the Academic Medicine Scholars Program. Many students join faculty-led research on neuroscience, cancer, bioengineering, or cardiac science.
One standout example: the DeMatteis collaboration, where selected students participate in a year-long cardiovascular research program at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, learning the research process from hypothesis to publication.
NYITCOM’s first two years offer two distinct paths:
This school isn’t fighting for prestige. It’s fighting for impact. NYITCOM commits deeply to underserved populations across urban and rural settings. Students regularly engage in community outreach, global health trips, and population health projects to tackle systemic disparities head-on. That emphasis builds affiliation with the underserved, rather than reinforcing isolation from them.
NYITCOM’s Class of 2023 achieved 100% match into residencies. Matching doesn’t just reflect grades or test scores; it reflects real-world readiness and network access.
One of the most underrated advantages of NYITCOM? You get to choose your setting. Long Island or Arkansas. Urban or rural. Same degree, same curriculum, same faculty oversight, but two totally different environments designed to train you in different ways.
This is NYITCOM’s flagship campus and is right outside of New York City.
Here, you’re surrounded by one of the most diverse, fast-paced patient populations in the country. Clinical sites include major NYC hospitals, and you’ll get exposure to everything from high-acuity trauma to immigrant health to cutting-edge specialty care. If you want to practice in a big city, this is your school.
Key perks:
Opened in 2016, the Jonesboro campus is built around rural and underserved care. You’ll train in a tight-knit, community-focused environment, with a mission that’s all about addressing physician shortages in the South. If you're serious about making a difference in places where access to care is limited, this is where you’ll learn how.
Key Perks:
Getting into NYITCOM takes more than hitting the average stats. Yes, your GPA and MCAT matter, but they're just the start. What sets you apart is your story. How you've taken action, owned your path, and proven that you're more than just a checklist.
In the sections that follow, we’ll break down the application timeline, personal statement, secondary essays, and more, so you can craft an application that isn’t just competitive. It’s unforgettable.
NYITCOM participates in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS), so you must submit your primary application through AACOMAS, not AMCAS.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, meaning earlier applicants are reviewed first as seats remain available.
Below is an overview of the application timeline you need to follow to stay competitive at NYITCOM:
Your personal statement for NYITCOM is your narrative. it’s who you are, what you care about, and the kind of doctor you’re becoming. This is not the place to list your achievements; it's where you connect the dots.
If you say you care about underserved communities, then you should show experiences in free clinics and advocacy work. If you say you’re driven by curiosity, then let us see it through your research and shadowing.
Your experiences are your proof.
Secondary essays let the AdCom see who you really are beyond your GPA and MCAT. They want to know your fit with osteopathic principles, your understanding of NYITCOM, and how you will contribute to their diverse community.
Below are the prompts from the most recent 2025–2026 cycle for NYITCOM‑NY (Old Westbury) and focused advice on how to address each one:
1. Which NYITCOM campus/site are you interested in attending?
Be direct: pick the campus you feel aligns best with your goals and community preferences. If you're open to flexibility, make sure you still prioritize one clearly while acknowledging context.
2. Would you consider attending either campus?
Answer honestly—yes or no—and if yes, explain briefly why both locations appeal (e.g./access to clinical networks or lifestyle fit).
3. Briefly describe the reasons for your campus/site choice and comment on one or two factors that are most important to you in choosing where you wish to pursue your medical education (max 1000 characters)
Focus on meaningful reasons like clinical partners, population served, proximity to family, campus culture, cost of living. Choose one or two concrete factors and illustrate them with personal connections or examples.
4. Do you have any immediate family members (ONLY grandparents, parents, brothers/sisters, spouses) who have graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine?
Simple yes or no answer here. The extra details come next.
5. If you do, please provide their name, relationship, and year of graduation from NYITCOM. (max 200 characters)
For this prompt, start with your family member’s full name, your relationship to them, and the year they graduated from NYITCOM. Since you have up to 200 characters, use the remaining space to briefly mention any meaningful influence they had on your decision to pursue osteopathic medicine or apply to NYITCOM.
6. How and where did you learn about NYITCOM? (max 250 characters)
Mention the setting where you discovered the school (e.g. info session, physician in the family, premed fair, research collaboration), keeping it specific and personal.
7. Are you interested in any concurrent degree programs?
If you are, identify which (e.g. MPH, MBA, MHA, MS in Bioethics) and how it complements your career plan. If not, say “No” or “Not at this time.”
NYITCOM requires a minimum and maximum of three letters of recommendation, all submitted via AACOMAS. No emailed or mailed letters accepted.
They prefer that you submit a pre-health committee letter or composite letter if your undergraduate institution offers it. That counts as one letter.
If you don’t have access to a committee letter, you must provide three individual letters: at least two from faculty (one must be a science professor who taught you), plus one from a supervisor. Think of someone who oversaw your long‑term work, clinical, research, or service experience. If you can’t get a supervisor letter, a third faculty letter is acceptable.
For non‑traditional applicants, those out of school for more than two years, if a committee or faculty letter isn’t available, you may submit three professional letters from supervisors (current or former). Each letter must clearly state the length of your working relationship, your accomplishments, and why you’re a strong candidate for medicine.
You will face a traditional one‑on‑one interview at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. It lasts about 30 minutes and features a semi‑closed file format, meaning the interviewer sees your activities but not your GPA or MCAT. That means you need to stay true to the story you told in your primary and secondary applications, as they will be familiar with it.
Expect to be interviewed by a faculty member, and sometimes paired with a student interviewer. The set of questions tends to be standard and nothing overly complex, but may include behavioral prompts. You’ll spend roughly 5 to 10 minutes at the end asking about the program or their experience.
One medical school can be a great match for some applicants and not for others. That means NYITCOM could be an excellent choice for you, but it depends on where you’re coming from, what you value, and what kind of clinician you want to become.
NYITCOM is a good fit if you value:
NYITCOM may not be a good fit if:
If you're looking at NYITCOM, odds are you're also considering other medical schools in New York.
Every school has its own strengths, quirks, and selection criteria, so understanding your options in the state is key. Whether you're drawn to the city vibe, rural programs, research-heavy tracks, or primary care focus, you’ll want to compare them all side by side.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
SUNY Upstate Medical University
You’ve done the deep dive—acceptance rates, MCAT averages, what NYITCOM actually values, and how to craft an app that rises above the noise. But when it’s your future on the line, even the best advice can still leave you second-guessing.
That’s why at Premed Catalyst, we created a free resource that gives you inside access to 8 full AMCAS applications that earned real acceptances to top med schools like UCLA and UCSF. You’ll see exactly how successful applicants structured their activities, wrote their essays, and positioned their story.
If you want clarity instead of guesswork, get your free resource here.
