ATSU-KCOM (Kirksville)

A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Kirksville, MO · Private · DO

Average MCAT: 503
Average GPA: 3.69
Class size: 171 (4,060 applicants)
Tuition: $68,960 (per year)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AACOMAS deadline: March 1, 2027
Early Decision Program: Aug. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: March 15, 2027

Essays

Essay 1: Shaping experiences (500 words)

Describe one or more significant life experiences that have meaningfully shaped your development as a potential future physician. What did you come to understand about yourself, and how has that insight altered your perspective or behavior?

Essay 2: Osteopathic medicine (500 words)

Describe your experiences with osteopathic medicine and how they have influenced your decision to pursue a career as an osteopathic physician.

Reapplicant

Have you applied to KCOM previously? If yes, list previous application year(s). If yes, detail below what has changed since your last application.

Relatives (DO)

Please list any relatives that are osteopathic physicians:

Relatives (MD)

Please list any relatives that are allopathic physicians:

AACOMAS updates

Please list any changes or updates to your AACOMAS application. This section may be left blank if your AACOMAS application is complete and accurate.

Editor's notes

The GPA screen is low (2.80), so getting the secondary tells you little. The numbers KCOM does put on paper are about experience: 100 hours of clinical exposure or shadowing and 100 hours of leadership and service to the underserved, both strongly recommended. Count yours before you pay the $70.
Apply early, well ahead of the Feb. 1 primary deadline. KCOM is rolling, interviews start in the fall, and deposits for acceptances made before Nov. 15 aren't due until Dec. 14. In a rolling process, a file finished in the summer is read while more seats are open than one finished in January.
Your physician letter should come from a DO if you can manage it. The AACOM profile says KCOM strongly prefers in-person DO shadowing and a letter from a DO you've spent clinical time with, and the second essay asks about your experience with osteopathic medicine. Both draw on the same relationship.
If KCOM is clearly your first choice and you have a 3.50 in both GPAs, look hard at Early Decision. The catch is timing: AACOMAS and a letter of intent by Aug. 1, and no applications anywhere else until you hear back.