Western University COMP (DO) Medical School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU COMP), founded in 1977, is one of the only osteopathic medical schools on the US West Coast. Located in Pomona, California, it serves California's large healthcare workforce needs and has a campus in Lebanon, Oregon (COMP-Northwest). The school is part of Western University of Health Sciences, a health sciences university with pharmacy, dental, and other health professions programmes.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to Western University COMP (DO).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. AACOMAS application. CASPer required. California location makes it highly competitive; strong GPA and MCAT expected. Healthcare experience and DO shadowing required.
MCAT median
507 (range 501–513)
GPA median
3.74 overall / 3.57 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.8%
Class size
322
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Required
Holistic review emphasis
Healthcare experience, DO shadowing, osteopathic philosophy, interprofessional collaboration.
Notes
MCAT/GPA hedged estimates from publicly available WesternU and AACOMAS data.
Specialities offered
Primary Care, Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Rural Medicine, Geriatrics
Interview Format
How Western University COMP (DO) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
Interview window
September–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 25–35% post-interview (estimated).
What makes Western University COMP (DO) different
Applications via AACOMAS. WesternU COMP is the primary DO pipeline for California — graduates frequently remain in California for residency, serving the state's large and diverse patient population. The interprofessional campus model is genuinely distinctive among DO schools.
Tutor insight
California-based applicants who want to practice in California should prioritise WesternU COMP. Interviewers look for a mature understanding of osteopathic philosophy and specific healthcare experiences. Given the competitive California applicant pool, a strong MCAT and GPA is important — do not discount WesternU as a "safety" school.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
595 medicine questions inside
Interview questions matched to Western University COMP (DO)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Western University COMP (DO)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Medium·MMI · PanelQ1
Service Orientation: Navigating Burnout While Maintaining Commitment
You have been leading a campus student-run health fair for two years. Going into your third year, you notice that team members are dropping out, your own enthusiasm is diminished, and attendance has stagnated. You still believe in the mission. How do you diagnose what is happening, and what do you do to restore the programme's energy and your own?
Likely follow-up · How does this experience prepare you for managing burnout in a clinical team as an attending physician?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·PanelQ2
AAMC Core Competency: Self-Care and Managing Personal Wellbeing
You are three months into your first year of medical school. You are sleeping less than five hours a night, have stopped exercising, and have become increasingly irritable with your family members. You know you are struggling but you feel that reducing your study time is not an option. How do you approach this situation, and what does your answer reveal about your relationship with self-care and professional sustainability?
Likely follow-up · What is the evidence for the relationship between physician wellbeing and patient safety, and how do personal health behaviours during medical training predict long-term burnout?
Western University COMP (DO) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. AACOMAS application. CASPer required. California location makes it highly competitive; strong GPA and MCAT expected. Healthcare experience and DO shadowing required.
Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
Western University COMP (DO) typically interviews in September–February.
Decisions are released Rolling admissions.
Applications via AACOMAS. WesternU COMP is the primary DO pipeline for California — graduates frequently remain in California for residency, serving the state's large and diverse patient population. The interprofessional campus model is genuinely distinctive among DO schools.
