Des Moines University

Des Moines University is an osteopathic medical school in Des Moines, Iowa. Des Moines University is the second oldest osteopathic medical school and the fifteenth largest medical school in the United States. There are 14,124 total alumni (10,514 living).

The university is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Des Moines University was founded in 1898 as the Dr S.S. Still College and Infirmary of Osteopathy & Surgery. It was renamed Still College in 1905 and Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery during the 1940s.

In 1958, the institution has renamed the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. The first satellite clinic was established in 1963. In 1971, the Dietz Diagnostic Center, then a speciality clinic, began operation as a major outpatient facility. In 1980 the University was renamed the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences with a broadened educational mission.

The COM (College of Osteopathic Medicine) class of 2021 had an average overall GPA of 3.63, an average science GPA of 3.57, and an average MCAT score of 30 and 507. The average age is 24 with students ranging in age from 20 to 39. Of the total class size of 221 students, 41% are female and 59% are male.

The COM class of 2017 had an average overall GPA of 3.68 with an average science GPA of 3.68. The average MCAT was 28.2. 

In order to be considered for admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree or complete the requirements for a degree before enrollment. The degree must be from a regionally accredited institution. Any major of study is acceptable for application but the most common are biology and chemistry respectively.