Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest Secondary Essay Prompts
These are the secondary application essay prompts for Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page.
About College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest (COMP Northwest)
Secondary Deadline: May 15, 2025
Secondary Fee: $65
FAP Waiver: Yes
CASPer Required: Yes
Screens Applications: Yes
Accepts Application Updates:
Mission
To prepare students to become technically competent, culturally sensitive, professional and compassionate physicians who are prepared for graduate medical education, who are lifelong learners, and who will serve society by providing comprehensive, patient centered healthcare with the distinctive osteopathic philosophy. This is accomplished through excellence in curriculum, translational research, service, osteopathic clinical practice and the enhancement of osteopathic graduate medical education.
2024-2025
Coming Soon
2023-2024
(500 word limit each)
1. What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO).
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician?
3. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community?
4. How does the COMP Northwest Mission statement align with your values?
5. Why do you want to attend COMP Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon?
6. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important?
7. Have you participated in research? (y/n)
8. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)
9. If you have not taken any coursework for over 3 years, please explain why and what you have been doing during that period of time.
1. What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO).
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician?
3. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community?
4. How does the COMP Northwest Mission statement align with your values?
5. Why do you want to attend COMP Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon?
6. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important?
7. Have you participated in research? (y/n)
8. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)
9. If you have not taken any coursework for over 3 years, please explain why and what you have been doing during that period of time.
2022-2023
500 word limit for all:
1. What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO).
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician?
3. If you have not had an opportunity shadow/observe a physician, please explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing so.
4. Are you providing a letter of recommendation from a physician (Yes/No)?
5. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community?
6. How does the COMP Northwest Mission statement align with your values?
7. Why do you want to attend COMP Northwest?
8. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important?
9. Have you participated in research (Yes/No)? If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
10. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)
1. What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO).
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician?
3. If you have not had an opportunity shadow/observe a physician, please explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing so.
4. Are you providing a letter of recommendation from a physician (Yes/No)?
5. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community?
6. How does the COMP Northwest Mission statement align with your values?
7. Why do you want to attend COMP Northwest?
8. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important?
9. Have you participated in research (Yes/No)? If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
10. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)
2021-2022
1. What experience observing a DO solidified your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (This could be a formal shadowing experience (one-on-one with a physician), scribing, observing your own physician, friend, or family member who is a DO). (500 words)
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician? (500 words)
3. If you have not had an opportunity to shadow/observe a physician, please explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing so. (500 words)
4. Are you providing a letter of recommendation from a physician? (Yes/No) If no, please explain the extenuating circumstances as to why you are not providing a letter of recommendation from a physician. (500 words)
5. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community? (500 words)
6. How does the COMP/COMP-Northwest Mission statement align with your values? (500 words)
7. Why do you want to attend COMP/COMP-Northwest? (500 words)
8. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important? (500 words)
9. Have you participated in research? (Yes/No)
If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. (500 words)>br> Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
Did you contribute to the published work as an author/coauthor? (Yes/No)
10. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)(500 words)
2. If you have not had the opportunity to shadow/observe a DO why is it important to you to become an osteopathic physician? (500 words)
3. If you have not had an opportunity to shadow/observe a physician, please explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing so. (500 words)
4. Are you providing a letter of recommendation from a physician? (Yes/No) If no, please explain the extenuating circumstances as to why you are not providing a letter of recommendation from a physician. (500 words)
5. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did your activity benefit the community? (500 words)
6. How does the COMP/COMP-Northwest Mission statement align with your values? (500 words)
7. Why do you want to attend COMP/COMP-Northwest? (500 words)
8. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why are they important? (500 words)
9. Have you participated in research? (Yes/No)
If yes, briefly describe your role and what skills you gained from participation in the research. (500 words)>br> Please provide us with the link to the publication or abstract if possible.
Did you contribute to the published work as an author/coauthor? (Yes/No)
10. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances which you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.)(500 words)
2020-2021
1. While shadowing a physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician. (500 words)
2. Explain why the opportunity to study and participate in clinical experiences in the Pacific NW appeals to you. (500 words)
3. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Northwest? (500 words)
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school. (500 words)
2. Explain why the opportunity to study and participate in clinical experiences in the Pacific NW appeals to you. (500 words)
3. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Northwest? (500 words)
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school. (500 words)
2019-2020
1. While shadowing a physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician?
2. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Northwest?
3. Explain why the opportunity to study and participate in clinical experiences in the Pacific NW appeals to you.
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school.
5. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances that you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.
2. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Northwest?
3. Explain why the opportunity to study and participate in clinical experiences in the Pacific NW appeals to you.
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school.
5. Briefly discuss any extenuating circumstances that you feel are pertinent to your application (poor grades, course withdrawals, lapse in your education, etc.
2018-2019
1. Clinical experience: No essay just filling out Dr. names, number, email, hours.
2. Research: Have you participated in Research? Why was this research experience valuable to you?
3. While shadowing a physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (500 Words)
4. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (500 Words)
5. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Pomona Campus? (500 Words)
6. Describe why you see yourself as a great fit for our school. (500 Words)
7. Is there anything in you application that you would like to explain to the admissions committee?
2. Research: Have you participated in Research? Why was this research experience valuable to you?
3. While shadowing a physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (500 Words)
4. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (500 Words)
5. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Pomona Campus? (500 Words)
6. Describe why you see yourself as a great fit for our school. (500 Words)
7. Is there anything in you application that you would like to explain to the admissions committee?
2017-2018
1. While shadowing a physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (500 words)
2. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (500 words)
3. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Pomona Campus? (500 words)
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school. (500 words)
5. Is there anything in your application that you would like to explain to the Admissions Committee? (500 words)
2. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (500 words)
3. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP Pomona Campus? (500 words)
4. Describe why you see yourself as a great “fit” for our school. (500 words)
5. Is there anything in your application that you would like to explain to the Admissions Committee? (500 words)
2016-2017
1. While shadowing an osteopathic physician, what did the experience do to solidify your desire/ambition to become an osteopathic physician? (1650 characters or less)
2. This question asks you to show your knowledge of osteopathic medicine and explain why you are interested in it. Be specific about what you observed and why this inspired you to pursue a DO degree. (Note: You should be sure to shadow a DO physician if you plan to pursue a degree.) (1650 characters or less)
3. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (1650 characters or less)
4. Make a list of your community service experience. Here, you should be specific and describe one activity where you contributed to the community. Why was this important for you? What did you learn from the experience? Avoid repeating your personal statement. (1650 characters or less)
5. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP – Oregon Campus? (1650 characters or less)
6. Examine the website and mission statement for the school and make a list of all of the attributes you admire and activities you see yourself participating in. For this question, explain what aspects of the school interest you in particular. You should name particular programs and activities. (1650 characters or less)
7. Describe why you see yourself as a great fit for our school. (1650 characters or less)
8. For this question, return to the website and mission statement and make a list of your qualities that match the mission statements ideas. How do you represent these aspects of the school? Write an answer that gives specific information about your background or your experience that illustrates how you are a good fit for the school. Remember here, Show, don’t tell. (1650 characters or less)
9. Is there anything in your application that you would like to explain to the Admissions Committee? (1650 characters or less)
10. This is a place for you to write about anything else in your application that has not been covered elsewhere. You can also use this spot to explain any extenuating circumstances in your family or educational background, but be sure not to repeat information you’ve written for another question. (1650 characters or less)
2. This question asks you to show your knowledge of osteopathic medicine and explain why you are interested in it. Be specific about what you observed and why this inspired you to pursue a DO degree. (Note: You should be sure to shadow a DO physician if you plan to pursue a degree.) (1650 characters or less)
3. What was your most memorable community service activity and how did it impact you? (1650 characters or less)
4. Make a list of your community service experience. Here, you should be specific and describe one activity where you contributed to the community. Why was this important for you? What did you learn from the experience? Avoid repeating your personal statement. (1650 characters or less)
5. What is your specific interest in the osteopathic medicine program at COMP – Oregon Campus? (1650 characters or less)
6. Examine the website and mission statement for the school and make a list of all of the attributes you admire and activities you see yourself participating in. For this question, explain what aspects of the school interest you in particular. You should name particular programs and activities. (1650 characters or less)
7. Describe why you see yourself as a great fit for our school. (1650 characters or less)
8. For this question, return to the website and mission statement and make a list of your qualities that match the mission statements ideas. How do you represent these aspects of the school? Write an answer that gives specific information about your background or your experience that illustrates how you are a good fit for the school. Remember here, Show, don’t tell. (1650 characters or less)
9. Is there anything in your application that you would like to explain to the Admissions Committee? (1650 characters or less)
10. This is a place for you to write about anything else in your application that has not been covered elsewhere. You can also use this spot to explain any extenuating circumstances in your family or educational background, but be sure not to repeat information you’ve written for another question. (1650 characters or less)
Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.
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