Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopathic physicians are licensed in every state to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery. The practice of osteopathic medicine includes using the most current scientific knowledge to promote health and prevention and to diagnose and treat patients with disease. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medications, perform surgery, and use osteopathic manipulative medicine as a tool to diagnose and treat patients. The philosophy of osteopathic medicine originated from the teachings of Andrew Taylor Still more than 100 years ago and is based on the beliefs that, given the optimum conditions, the human body has the amazing ability to heal, that the structure of the human body is directly related to the function, and that the health of the individual is related to the body, mind, and spirit.

In the United States, there are two types of physicians who practice medicine. Most physicians hold the Doctor of Medicine degree (MD), while osteopathic physicians hold the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO). Both DOs and MDs lead the healthcare team and are licensed in all 50 states and are represented in every specialty. Both are recognized for the high quality of their training. It is very competitive to get into both DO and MD medical schools in the U.S., requiring a high GPA and MCAT score. While both DOs and MDs are very similar, there are some differences. For example, DOs have an additional 250 (or more) hours in hands-on osteopathic principles and practice and are more likely to go into primary care.

Idaho ranks 50th in the nation in terms of physicians per capita. Prior to the arrival of ICOM, Idaho was the most populous state without a medical school of its own. Having a medical school in the state will ensure a steady supply of physicians in the state. It also gives local opportunities for Idahoans to go to medical school.

Our Mission

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine educates students to become highly competent and caring osteopathic physicians and healthcare leaders dedicated to delivering whole-person care in Idaho and other underserved communities.

Our Vision

The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine will be known for leadership and innovation in medical education, increasing access to care, and improving the health of the communities we serve.

ICOM is a freestanding, privately-funded, separately-licensed and independently-operated entity located in Meridian, Idaho, adjacent to Idaho State University’s Meridian Health Sciences Center.

ICOM’s DO program curriculum combines lectures and applied, hands-on learning exercises to instruct students in osteopathic medicine and in basic and clinical sciences.

First- and second-year students typically spend mornings (8 a.m. to noon) in the lecture hall. After lunch, they break into small groups for hands-on learning activities and labs.

The average retention rate amongst all of ICOM’s cohorts is just over 95%.

ICOM uses a lottery-based matching system to place students into clinical rotation sites. While the system incorporates student preference, placement is not guaranteed, and students may be assigned to locations outside their top choices.

ICOM supports its students’ residency preparation and placement by offering career planning seminars, individualized guidance, and personalized application and interviewing support, especially in the fourth year.

Student organizations are a vital component of campus life at ICOM. Learn about the more than 50 student organizations at this link. ICOM also offers academic support resources, such as tutoring, personalized academic coaching, and more.

ICOM only accepts applications through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). For more information about how to apply, visit www.aacom.org. The centralized application service opens in May each year for students who wish to apply for the class entering the following year.

ICOM is approved for a class size of 220 students each year. The accrediting body allows for an 8% variance to allow for attrition.

For a detailed list of prerequisites, please visit the Requirements webpage.

Applicants should have achieved at least a 3.2 science and cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. The admission process is competitive, therefore a higher GPA results in improved chances for acceptance. A recommended MCAT score is required in the 50th percentile with no individual section below 35th percentile.  The overall GPA and the interview are considered of utmost importance. We accept MCAT scores three years prior to matriculation. Prospective students are encouraged to prepare for the MCAT exam well in advance so that the scores will accurately reflect the individual’s academic preparedness. For full information regarding the MCAT exam or to register to take the exam, please visit the AAMC website.

AACOMAS will include all course attempts in the GPA calculation and not drop initial course attempts from the GPA calculation. ICOM follows a holistic approach to reviewing applications and doesn’t just take the GPA and MCAT as a way of reviewing applications.

Yes, it is fine to take the MCAT more than once. ICOM only accepts the MCAT score from up to three years prior to the date of matriculation. We look at the highest score and the breakdown of the individual score.

Yes, as long as the courses are taken at a regionally accredited institution, then the admissions committee will accept the credits. However, in order to stay competitive for the program it would be better to take the courses at a four-year institution.

For the 2025-2026 Application Cycle, ICOM  requires one letter of recommendation. The letter is required to be from a science faculty member (PhD) or a pre-medical/pre-health advisor who has experience with an applicant’s academic abilities.  We are not requiring a physician (DO or MD) letter of recommendation, however it’s strongly encouraged to include one on your application.

Non-traditional students can substitute the premedical advisor or science faculty advisor with a more recent reference (employer, volunteer/community service supervisor) per request sent via email to admissions@icom.edu. Additional letters of recommendation can be submitted through AACOMAS or by mail, but keep in mind the admissions committee may not be able to read an excessive amount of letters.

Letters of recommendation from relatives are not accepted.

 

No, ICOM does not accept applications from students requiring an F-1 student visa status at this time.   Applicants who are a legal Permanent US Resident will be required to provide a copy of their Permanent Resident card (“Green Card”) prior to admission.  Permanent residency status “pending”, is not eligible for admission.

No. ICOM will accept students from across the nation who will help us meet our mission.

Yes. All students have to submit a criminal background check and submit to a drug screening prior to matriculation.

What do Osteopathic Principles and Practices mean to you and what aspects of osteopathic medicine have drawn you to pursue this route to becoming a physician? Please be descriptive in your answer. Have you applied to Medical School (DO or MD) in a previous application cycle? [If you select yes] How have you improved your application?

ICOM conducts all interviews virtually for your convenience. Each session will be led by two faculty members and will last approximately 30 minutes.

You can expect to receive your admissions decision within two weeks of your interview.

Non-traditional applicants—those who have been out of school for three or more years—may substitute a letter of recommendation from a science faculty member with one from a professional supervisor. Whenever possible, we encourage including a letter from a physician.

ICOM’s technical standards and requirements for admission can be found at https://www.icom.edu/technical-standards/

ICOM’s Cost of Attendance can be found on the Cost webpage.

A complete breakdown of tuition and fees can be found on the Student Accounts webpage.

Students attending ICOM can apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA and entering ICOM’s Federal School Code — 043072.

The scholarship names are links to the sites for the scholarships where the scholarship criteria and application are to apply. We also email information out to students on several of these scholarships when applications open. Not all of them have specific application timeframes so we don’t email about each one that is listed.

ICOM does not currently have any institutional scholarships for first-year students. The scholarships on the scholarship page list the criteria for the scholarships, many are open to first-year students.

Information about debt and repayment for ICOM graduates can be found at https://www.icom.edu/admission-aid/debt-repayment/