2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a US DO program in Des Moines, IA that takes 2027-entry applications through AACOMAS. Its published class profile lists a median MCAT of 507 (range 499–511), a median GPA of 3.60, a 6.0% acceptance rate and a class of 225. The school holds a traditional interview: September 2026–February 2027.
Photo: Stephen Matthew Milligan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped
Photo: Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Photo: Jmaxschwerd · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: C. A. Tucker · CC BY-SA 3.0
Current medical students at US schools are filming their guides right now: what the course and teaching are really like, the city they live in, the social side, and whether they'd pick it again.
Coming soonNot on sale yet — we'll open these up as soon as the first US videos land.
Filming now
Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMU-COM), founded in 1898, is one of the oldest health sciences universities in the United States and a long-standing osteopathic training institution in the Midwest. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the school is part of Des Moines University — a health professions university also housing physician assistant, physical therapy, and podiatric medicine programs.
DMU-COM has a strong primary care and rural medicine focus serving Iowa and the surrounding region.
Applications via AACOMAS. DMU-COM is one of the oldest health professions schools in the US. The interprofessional campus with PA, PT, and podiatry programs is distinctive. Iowa's strong rural health mission makes this a compelling option for applicants interested in Midwest or rural practice.
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DO curriculum with OMM integrated throughout. DMU's interdisciplinary health campus enables interprofessional education. Clinical rotations in Years 3–4 at Iowa Health System (now UnityPoint Health) affiliated hospitals and rural community health sites across Iowa.
Des Moines University COM (DO) is strong in these research areas:
Format: Traditional one-on-one interview
Approximately 225 students per year.
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine was founded in 1898 and is based in Des Moines, IA.
Programmes offered:
These are real recordings of the interviewers you would meet, from a panel of 21 photoreal faces. Speak your answers out loud, get pressed with follow-ups, and receive rubric-scored feedback about two minutes after you finish, with a replay of your answers.
Try the AI interviewer| MCAT / GPA (medians) | 507 · 3.60 (MCAT range 499–511) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 6.0% |
| Class size | 225 |
| In-state matriculants | 15.9% |
| Interview format | Traditional interview |
| Intake | Approximately 225 students per year |
| Admission overview | Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. AACOMAS application. CASPer is not required; the AAMC PREview exam is optional but encouraged. Midwestern rural medicine commitment is valued. Healthcare experience and DO shadowing expected. |
|---|---|
| MCAT median | 507 (range 499–511) |
| GPA median | 3.60 overall / 3.55 science (BCPM) |
| Acceptance rate | 6.0% |
| Class size | 225 |
| In-state preference | None |
| In-state matriculants | 15.9% |
| CASPer | Not required |
| Holistic review emphasis | Rural medicine commitment, healthcare experience, osteopathic philosophy, interprofessional interest. |
| Notes | In-state share, entering-class size and mean MCAT verified 2026-09-12 against the AACOM ChooseDO directory (figures for the academic year ending 2026). The MCAT figure is the MEAN published by AACOM for the entering class, not a median, because AACOM does not publish a median. GPA, acceptance rate and any range remain unverified estimates. |
| Specialities offered | Primary Care, Rural Medicine, Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Internal Medicine |
MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.
Working towards the MCAT score Des Moines University COM (DO) expects? Build a week-by-week plan from your test date — free for the first two weeks.
| Format | Traditional one-on-one interview |
|---|---|
| Interview window (2027 entry) | September 2026–February 2027 |
| Decision date (2027 entry) | Rolling admissions |
| Post-interview chances | Approximately 25–35% post-interview (estimated). |
Emphasize rural or Midwest healthcare experience if applicable — DMU-COM strongly values candidates committed to serving Iowa and surrounding states. The interprofessional environment means team-based care experience stands out. Early AACOMAS application is particularly important given rolling deadlines.
Two questions from our US bank that match Des Moines University COM (DO)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
You clearly value patient care, but nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners all care for patients — and several of those paths are shorter and less expensive than the MD or DO route. Why medicine specifically, rather than one of these other health careers?
Likely follow-up · What did you observe about the physician's role, versus the PA's or NP's, that made you choose the longer path?
You are 32 and spent six years as a paramedic before completing a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program. Some admissions committees might question your gap years or academic readiness. How is your non-traditional path an asset, and what does your background give you that a traditional applicant may not yet have?
Likely follow-up · What is one clinical situation from your paramedic career that changed how you think about what physicians do?
We've helped students into Des Moines University COM (DO) and other US medicine schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.
Build an MCAT prep plan that hits the median score profile for Des Moines University COM (DO).
Learn morePractise the Traditional interview format with students who interviewed at Des Moines University COM (DO).
Learn moreGet your personal statement reviewed by successful applicants.
Learn moreCompiled from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the school's own website for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.
We've helped students turn their MCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Des Moines University COM (DO) and other US medicine schools.
Necessary cookies keep the site working; analytics and marketing cookies run only if you allow them. Privacy
