ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine AZ

Preparing for your Interview

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona’s ideal candidate for admission understands and identifies with the tenets and philosophy of osteopathic medicine and is able to demonstrate a strong and compassionate commitment to medically underserved populations in the form of volunteerism and/or work experience. An ideal candidate is well-aligned with SOMA’s mission to create empathetic physicians aspiring to provide healthcare to medically underserved communities.

Candidates for admission to SOMA are strongly encouraged to spend time shadowing a physician and obtain a letter of support from that physician. Candidates are also strongly encouraged to provide a letter of support from a supervisor of activities involving outreach to medically underserved populations.

To be considered for admission to SOMA applicants typically complete four years of undergraduate work culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Osteopathic medical schools require one year each of biological sciences, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and six semester hours of English.

It is required for applicants to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The MCAT examines knowledge and skill in areas such as biology, math, reading, and problem-solving. A pre-medical advisor can assist applicants in scheduling and preparing for this examination.

Prospective ATSU-SOMA students will be evaluated in three major areas: academic accomplishment, personal characteristics of a physician, and propensity to serve the underserved. Osteopathic colleges require a personal interview during the application procedure. The applicant is strongly encouraged to have clinical exposure in a healthcare environment.

See where ATSU students are making an impact in their communities

ATSU is partnering with the following community partner site regions:

  • Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services Beaufort, SC (north of Hilton Head) Serving rural, suburban and ethnic populations in the low-country region of South Carolina.
  • Adelante Healthcare Phoenix Arizona Serving communities in central Arizona and the Southwest.
  • El Rio Health Center, Tucson, AZ Serving urban, suburban, ethnic, HIV, and homeless constituents in and around Tucson.
  • Family HealthCare Network, Tulare County, CA Serving suburban and farm-worker populations in the valley at the base of Yosemite national park.
  • NWRPCA Campus (Northwest Regional Primary Care Association) Portland, Oregon, A regional model with the classroom serving rural and urban community health centers throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
  • HealthPoint Seattle, WA Serving urban, suburban, émigré and ethnic populations in the county east and south of Seattle.
  • NearNorth Health Service Corporation Chicago, IL Provides health care, social services and nutrition education to the medically indigent and uninsured resident of the inner-city Chicago area.
  • Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Wai’anae, HI on the island of Oahu. A patient centered medical home providing primary care, social work services, traditional Hawaiian healing, behavioral health, dental care and preventative health care services to a medically underserved minority population.
  • San Ysidro Health Center San Ysidro, CA Serving innovative community-oriented healthcare to over 95,000 patients through a network of 34 program sites across San Diego County including: medical and dental clinics, behavioral health centers, HIV centers, WIC nutrition centers, mobile medical units, school-based health centers, chiropractic services, pediatric developmental clinic, teen clinic, senior health center, and Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
  • Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation Centreville, IL Offers whole person healthcare services, including internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health, through an integrated approach to treating each patient holistically.
  • The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, PA The mission is to improve the health and welfare of the community through inclusive whole person health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired public health workforce that is privileged to provide care for the underserved.
  • North Country Healthcare Flagstaff, AZ Provides access to affordable and quality healthcare across Northern Arizona. This nonprofit organization is based in Flagstaff and operates numerous clinics across Northern Arizona.
  • HealthSource Mt. Orab, OH A not-for-profit, primary care, community health center providing medical, dental, and mental health services to medically-underserved communities.
  • ATSU Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA Enhance the health status of all people in the Central Coast of California, with special emphasis on the medically underserved, by providing accessible, affordable, comprehensive and quality healthcare services, through well trained professional staff, in a strategically located health center.