August 28, 2025
Written By
Michael Minh Le
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When you hear how competitive med school is and start looking into the PCOM acceptance rate, it’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against you. The truth is, most applicants won’t get in. But it’s not because they aren’t smart enough. They just don’t understand what PCOM is actually looking for.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what it takes to get into the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. You’ll get real numbers on GPA and MCAT scores, insight into what makes PCOM different, and step-by-step strategies to help your application stand out with this specific school.
And if you want to see what a successful application actually looks like, we’ve created a free Application Database. While PCOM uses its own application system through AACOMAS, the strategies behind strong writing, activity descriptions, and personal statements are universal. That’s why we’ve included 8 real, accepted AMCAS applications, including ones that earned acceptances at schools like UCLA and UCI. Use these examples to model your app after what works.
Get the free resource here.
For the 2024 entering class, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Philadelphia campus) saw around 7,978 applicants. Only about 512 students matriculated.
That makes the PCOM Philadelphia acceptance rate approximately 6.4%.
That number might not be as low as the most selective MD programs, but PCOM is still a tough school to crack. As one of the most established DO schools in the country, it draws a highly competitive applicant pool. And with no in-state preference, your odds are the same whether you're applying from Pennsylvania or anywhere else.
Let’s get into the numbers: the average GPA for accepted students at PCOM is around 3.5. The average MCAT score? 505.
For comparison, the national average for DO matriculants is about 3.58 for GPA and 504.7 for the MCAT. So PCOM’s averages are right in line with national DO standards. And you’ll need the same kind of numbers to be competitive.
That being said, PCOM doesn’t set hard cutoffs for GPA or MCAT scores. But here’s the reality: if your MCAT is below 500 or your GPA is much below 3.3, your application will likely raise some red flags.
To be considered for admission to PCOM’s DO program, you’ll need to come in with a strong academic foundation, and that starts with the right coursework.
At a minimum, PCOM expects applicants to complete the following prerequisite courses:
You don’t need a science major to apply, but you do need to show you can handle rigorous science coursework. Just as important: all prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
Beyond the classroom, there are other eligibility and application requirements you’ll need to meet:
Let’s be real: med school isn’t cheap, and PCOM is no exception.
If you're headed for the DO program at the Philadelphia campus, you're looking at $66,015 per year in tuition. On top of that, there’s a $400 comprehensive fee each semester (fall and spring), which covers access to essentials like the library, wellness resources, fitness facilities, and more. It’s not waivable, and it’s not refundable.
But here’s the good news: PCOM actually has a solid financial aid system. They don’t just throw you into the deep end with a bill and good luck. Their aid office can help you fund up to 100% of your total cost of attendance. And that’s not just tuition, but also housing, food, transportation, and everything else it takes to survive grad school.
Not to mention, if your financial situation doesn’t quite fit the standard mold, you can request a Professional Judgment review and potentially unlock more aid. That’s a game-changer for students with real life happening outside the classroom.
The formula they use to package aid is straightforward: Cost of Attendance minus your Student Aid Index equals Financial Need. They use that number to determine your mix of loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study.
There’s a reason why PCOM, especially the Philadelphia campus, has built a reputation that holds its own decade after decade. It’s not just about how many doctors they graduate (though that number’s impressive). It’s about the way they do it. The culture, the hands-on training, the legacy of osteopathic medicine.
Here’s more about what makes PCOM stand out:
PCOM doesn’t treat osteopathic medicine like a historical footnote. It’s the foundation. From Day 1, you’re immersed in the DO philosophy: treating the whole patient, not just the symptoms. The hands-on Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) labs teach you how to actually feel what’s happening beneath the surface.
You don’t wait until your third year to get near a patient. PCOM’s curriculum is structured so that clinical exposure starts early, building your confidence before you ever put on a white coat full-time. Whether it’s simulation labs that mirror real hospital scenarios or local community outreach where you provide actual care under supervision, the experience stacks up fast.
The Philadelphia campus has that old-school med school energy. It’s grounded, diverse, and full of students who work hard, help each other, and hustle for what they want. PCOM’s support systems, wellness resources, and mentorship programs reflect that. You're never just a number here, and that makes all the difference.
Founded in 1899, PCOM is one of the oldest and most respected osteopathic medical schools in the country. But don’t let that age fool you. This place is future-focused. From high-tech simulation centers to research in everything from neurobiology to behavioral health, PCOM continues to evolve without losing sight of its roots. You get the best of both worlds: legacy and innovation.
PCOM doesn’t exist in a bubble. Students here are out in Philly running health fairs, supporting underserved neighborhoods, and learning how to be healers outside of hospitals. That kind of impact work isn’t just a line on your application. It shapes who you become as a physician. And when it comes time to interview for residency, that experience will speak for itself.
Getting into Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) means showing up as more than just a set of numbers. Yes, your GPA and MCAT matter, but they’re just the starting point. PCOM is looking for future doctors who already act like doctors: those who serve their communities, think critically, and carry themselves with confidence.
Below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get into PCOM with insight into the specific requirements for this program.
PCOM operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning applications are reviewed as they are received, so submitting early can maximize your chances. You'll apply via AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service), which opens each cycle in early May.
Below is the application timeline you need to follow if you want to get into PCOM:
Your personal statement for Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is your narrative. It needs to tell your story about who you are, what you care about, and the kind of doctor you're becoming.
It’s not a list of your accomplishments; it’s the why behind them. If you say you care about underserved communities, then you should show experiences in free clinics and outreach programs. If leadership matters to you, AdComs better see it in action, not just in a title.
Your experiences are your proof.
This is your chance to show how your path has shaped your purpose, and why medicine, and specifically osteopathic medicine, is the natural next step in your journey.
Secondary essays are your chance to show how well you align with PCOM’s values and offer a chance to address any gaps or concerns. Below are the prompts from the most recent cycle and tailored advice on how to approach each one.
1. Prompt: “If you selected to be considered for the Philadelphia location of PCOM, please respond to the following question: What one aspect of the PCOM campus mission and/or community resonates with your personality and values?” (2,000‑character max)
Pick one aspect—maybe PCOM’s commitment to caring for the whole person or serving diverse communities—and connect it to your own values and actions. Be vivid, not generic: describe a moment when you demonstrated that value, and explain why it matters to you. Show, don’t tell.
2. Prompt: “Use this space if you’d like to address any identified deficiencies in your application.” (700‑character max)
If you have an area that could raise questions, like a semester with lower grades or a gap in experience, then use this prompt to briefly explain context without making excuses. Emphasize what you learned or how you improved afterward. Be concise and forward‑focused.
If you’re applying to PCOM, you need three letters of recommendation, no more, no less. One of them can be from a pre-health or academic advisor (including a committee letter). That alone hits one requirement. A committee letter counts as one of the three, so you don’t have to get three separate ones if your school bundles them.
The other letters should include:
All letters must be on official letterhead and preferably signed, then sent through AACOMAS or emailed to PCOM’s admissions address. PCOM will only review them after you pay the institutional fee.
At Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the interview is traditional. No MMI.
You’ll sit down for about 30 minutes with a small panel, usually a physician, a basic science faculty member, and maybe a current med student. They’ve read your file. They know your stats, your story, and they’re here to see if it all holds up when you’re sitting across the table.
This isn’t the time to recite your personal statement. It’s not a performance. It’s a conversation, but don’t mistake that for easy. You’ll get hit with questions about why you’re choosing the DO route, how you understand osteopathic medicine, what kind of physician you want to be, and what you’ve actually done to prove it. If you say you're passionate about community care, you'd better be able to talk about real moments that prove that’s true.
Expect ethical questions. They may throw in a situational prompt, maybe press you on something from your file. They're not just looking for smart. They’re looking for grounded, service-minded, emotionally aware students.
Every med school has its own culture, values, and training focus. What works for one student might be a mismatch for another. Here's how to figure out if PCOM aligns with your goals.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a good fit if...
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine May Not Be a Good Fit If...
While the Philadelphia campus is the flagship, PCOM’s reach extends beyond the city. The college has expanded into the Southeast with two additional campuses—PCOM Georgia in Suwanee and PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie.
Both are designed to carry forward the same osteopathic philosophy while meeting the unique healthcare needs of their regions. Each campus has its own character, shaped by the communities it serves and the opportunities it provides.
Opened in 2005, PCOM Georgia brings the legacy of PCOM into the heart of the Southeast. The campus offers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, along with graduate degrees in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Biomedical Sciences.
The Suwanee location is known for its state-of-the-art simulation center and interprofessional learning environment, where DO students train alongside future pharmacists and physical therapists. This collaborative model mirrors real-world healthcare teams, preparing graduates to thrive in multidisciplinary settings.
Launched in 2019, PCOM South Georgia was built with a mission: address the physician shortage in rural and underserved communities. The campus offers the DO program and the Biomedical Sciences master’s program, with an emphasis on community-based clinical training.
Students here gain hands-on experience working directly with local healthcare systems, giving them early exposure to the challenges and rewards of rural medicine. It’s a tight-knit campus, offering small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and a training environment that feels personal.
Even if PCOM feels like a strong choice, it’s not the only one worth your time. Too many premeds fall into the trap of hyper-focusing on one school, only to overlook other programs in the same state that might be a better fit.
That’s why we pulled together guides on other medical schools in Pennsylvania so you can build a strong school list where each program aligns with your goals, values, or even gives you a better shot at getting in.
Most applicants never hear “yes” from medical schools like PCOM. And it’s not because they aren’t capable, but because they play the game blind. They piece together random advice from forums, overemphasize the wrong parts of their application, and assume a strong GPA and MCAT score are enough.
You don’t have to make those mistakes.
At Premed Catalyst, we put together a free Application Database that pulls back the curtain on what schools like PCOM really accept. Inside, you’ll find 8 real AMCAS applications that earned seats at top programs across the country, like UCLA and UCI. You’ll see what worked so you can use it to craft your own acceptance-worthy application.
Get your free resource here.
