Xavier University College of Osteopathic Medicine prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. The single most universal prerequisite: essentially every MD and DO program asks for it, and it is the foundation the MCAT assumes.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. Take it early: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and most upper-division biology all sit behind it, so a late start pushes the whole sequence past your MCAT date.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab at most schools. A meaningful and growing minority accept one semester of organic plus one of biochemistry. Do not drop the second semester on that assumption until you have checked the schools you actually want.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester, lab rarely required. Roughly two thirds of schools require it outright and the MCAT tests it heavily, so treat it as required even where it technically is not, and take it before you sit the exam.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two semesters with lab. Algebra-based is accepted almost everywhere; take the calculus-based sequence only if your major needs it or a target school names it.

2 semesters · 6 credits

Two semesters of English or writing-intensive coursework. Many schools accept writing-intensive courses from any department, but a few name English specifically. If your writing credits come from elsewhere, confirm before you count them.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Most schools with a math requirement accept statistics or calculus; statistics is the more widely accepted of the two and the more useful for reading clinical research, so the baseline tracks it here. If a target school names calculus, its own requirements will say so.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required outright at a minority of schools (several of them highly selective) and accepted in place of statistics at most of the rest. Take it if calculus is already in your major's path.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. A minority of schools require it, but a quarter of the MCAT is psychological and social foundations: this is the cheapest points on the exam.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Same reasoning as psychology: required by fewer schools, tested directly on the MCAT.

1 semester · 3 credits

One semester. Required by a small number of schools and a common way to fill the upper-division science coursework that strengthens a science GPA.

150+ hours

XUCOM is unusually direct about this without ever naming a number: "XUCOM highly values hands on patient care experience. Competitive candidates have a combination of shadowing and clinical experience, and having direct experience with an Osteopathic physician is highly encouraged." Note the word combination: shadowing alone is not the profile they describe.

50+ hours

No hours count is published, and XUCOM is one of the few schools to say outright that virtual counts: "Online shadowing hours will be permitted, although direct, in-person clinical experience with a DO physician is encouraged. Exposure to Osteopathic medicine is recommended to learn more about the profession." A physician letter is required, "preferably from an Osteopathic physician", and with only two letters required in total, it is half the file.

150+ hours

No hours, but the direction is specific: "We highly recommend significant clinical, volunteer, and experience that aligns with XUCOM's mission and commitment to underserved and rural service." Service that connects to underserved or rural populations reads better here than service in general.

100+ hours

Effectively expected at research-heavy MD programs and genuinely optional at many DO and community-focused schools. If research is not your path, put those hours into clinical work and say so clearly rather than padding a semester in a lab.

No published minimum

XUCOM's second letter comes "from a pre-health committee or Science Faculty (PhD)."

No published minimum

The alternative to the pre-health committee letter, and XUCOM specifies a PhD. All letters "must have an official letterhead or signature."

No published minimum

"XUCOM requires two (2) letters of recommendation with a required letter from a physician." With only two letters in total it is half the file, and no hours count is published. "Letters cannot be written by a relative or colleague of relative."

No published minimum

"Preferably from an Osteopathic physician", a preference inside the required physician letter. XUCOM is one of the few schools to allow virtual shadowing outright, but "direct, in-person clinical experience with a DO physician is encouraged."