Are you considering applying to medical school in Oklahoma? Oklahoma offers a rich blend of culture and history, mouth-watering BBQ, low cost of living, plenty of wide open space, and high-class medical education.
But what’s it like to attend medical school in Oklahoma, and how do you get accepted?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in Oklahoma, including where the medical schools are located, what it’s like to live in Oklahoma, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in Oklahoma.
Here’s what to expect below.
- How Many Medical Schools Are in Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma Medical School Locations
- How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Oklahoma?
- What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
- How to Apply to the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (MD)
-
- Application Requirements
-
- Application Deadlines
-
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
- How to Apply to the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
-
- Application Requirements and Deadlines
-
- Tips to Gain Acceptance at Oklahoma Medical Schools (MD and DO)
-
- Emphasize Community Engagement
-
- Research What It’s Like to Live in Oklahoma
-
- Weave a Community Focus Into Your Narrative
-
- Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Oklahoma Right for You?
How Many Medical Schools Are in Oklahoma?
There are 2 medical schools in Oklahoma. 1 is allopathic (MD) and 1 is osteopathic (DO). However, both medical schools have 2 campuses.
List of Medical Schools in Oklahoma
Allopathic Medical Schools in Oklahoma (MD)
Osteopathic Medical Schools in Oklahoma (MD)
Oklahoma Medical School Locations
Oklahoma is the 20th largest state in the country and has a population of just over 4 million. While this may sound like a lot, the state is sparsely populated. For example, Georgia is the 24th-largest state by area and has a population of 11 million.
- University of Oklahoma College of Medicine: Oklahoma City
- OU-TU School of Community Medicine: Tulsa
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine: Tulsa
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the Cherokee Nation: Tahlequah
OU College of Medicine is located in Oklahoma City, and the other campus, OU-Tulsa, is located in Tulsa. OSU-COM is also located in Tulsa, and the second campus is in Tahlequah, the oldest municipality in the state, thanks to an incorporation act by the Cherokee National Council of 1843.
Tulsa is about 106 miles from Oklahoma City, which takes just under two hours in a car. Tahlequah is about 72 miles or just over an hour away from Tulsa and about 168 miles or 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma and is home to approximately 703,000 residents. Tulsa is the second largest city, with a population of approximately 412,000 people.
How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Oklahoma?
So, how much does medical school cost in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma Tuition Costs (2023 Data From MSAR)
| Oklahoma Medical School | Yearly Tuition In-State | Yearly Tuition Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma College of Medicine | $31,620 | $66,916 |
| Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | $25,796 | $53,298.56 |
View the most recent AAMC tuition data.
- Additional fees not included.
You must also factor in the cost of medical school applications, which compound across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs. Learn more: How Much Do Med School Applications Cost? The Full Price Analyzed.
Plus, there are a number of other financial factors to consider, including transportation, housing, food, exercise, and events. Fortunately, the cost of living in Oklahoma is one of the lowest in the entire country.
What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a Southern state that borders Texas to the south and west, New Mexico to the west, Kansas to the north, Colorado to the northwest, Missouri to the northeast, and Arkansas to the east.
Oklahoma is known as the Sooner State based on the “Sooners”—American settlers who staked their claim on lands formerly owned by Native Americans until the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 took away their rights. This act authorized the Land Rush of 1889, which opened the land to settlement. However, some white settlers didn’t wait until the land run’s designated start time of noon on April 22, 1889, and those people were nicknamed “Sooners.”
Oklahoma is a Great Plains state and transition zone between forested, wetter parts and drier regions, so its geography is made up of subtropical forests, mountains, and arid plains. The combination of hot, dry air from Mexico, cold, dry air from Canada, and moist, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico produces severe weather. The majority of the state falls within Tornado Alley, seeing an average of 52 tornadoes per year.
While certain parts of the state are more prone to tornadoes than others, it’s important to research the weather patterns in the area where you plan to live and have a tornado plan in place. Tornado season lasts from March to August.
When there’s not a tornado outside, you can enjoy ample outdoor opportunities for camping, fishing, and boating. The state has many scenic areas, such as Beavers Bend State Park, Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and Broken Bow Lake.
Oklahoma is a large state that’s sparsely populated in areas. Outside of its two major cities, the majority of the state is rural, which means public transportation can be limited. Plus, Oklahoma City is the 8th largest city in the US by land area and the second-largest state capital after Juneau, Alaska. So while there will be bus options downtown, the farther to the fringes you get, the less likely you’ll find reliable public transportation.
In other words, you’ll need a car if you want to live and study in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is known for its Southern hospitality, and it’s quite common to be greeted on the street by a complete stranger. However, it must also be noted that a large number of Oklahomans are deeply religious. If you come from a Christian background and go to church regularly, you’ll have no trouble making friends. There are quite a few non-Christian churches as well.
If you’re a foodie, Oklahoma features many Southern classics, like BBQ, steak, chicken-fried steak, fried chicken, grilled onion burgers, and Indian Tacos, a popular indigenous dish made with Fry Bread and toppings like seasoned meat, beans, sour cream, shredded cheese, and more. Banh Mi is also popular in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, thanks to the influx of Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War.
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Founded in 1900, the OU College of Medicine is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of underserved urban and rural communities in Oklahoma through continuing development in healthcare, medical education, and biomedical research.
OU College of Medicine’s mission statement is as follows:
“Our vision is to be the premier institution for advancing medical care, education and research in the state, and to be among the leaders nationally. Our goals are Uncompromising Quality, Exceptional Service, Innovative Education, Advancing Knowledge, and Institutional Strength.”
OU places a strong emphasis on accepting and educating in-state applicants. As such, at least 75% of each entering class must be Oklahoma residents.
The OU College of Medicine has two campuses. The main campus is located at the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. The OU-TU School of Community Medicine, a four-year branch campus, is located at the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU admits 165 incoming students each year. Of those, approximately 140 students complete their education on the Oklahoma City campus, and about 25 are in Tulsa.
OU offers a number of unique features. They have a Humanities in Medicine program, with courses like Literature in Medicine, designed to keep students connected to their selfless reasons for entering medical school in the first place.
For the more artistically-minded, OU students publish Blood and Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine, which is a journal full of artwork and photography, short stories, and poetry from around the world.
Another interesting feature is the Anatomical Donor Luncheon, which pairs first-year medical students with the families of the donor body they will come into contact with in the anatomy lab. Students have the opportunity to learn about the donor’s life as well as their personal reasons for donating their body to science.
Plus, 15 to 18 fourth year students go on an international rotation every year to experience healthcare from a global perspective.
The OU-TU School of Community Medicine
The OU-TU School of Community Medicine is an integrated track within the OU College of Medicine, offering all four years of the doctor of medicine program as well as a 30-month physician assistant program on the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Campus.
The mission of OU “is to provide the best possible educational experience for students through excellence in teaching, research, creative activity and service to the state and society.” OU-TU takes this even further by focusing on this mission explicitly to improve the health and healthcare of all Oklahomans.
In addition to learning the necessary knowledge and skills to serve as well-rounded specialty or primary care physicians, students also learn a special skill set designed to improve the health of entire communities.
OU and OU-TU differ in many ways. For example, OU has its third and fourth year rotations at a large academic hospital, while OU-TU has its third and fourth year rotations at the community hospitals in Tulsa.
Plus, OU-TU offers a free Culinary Medicine Program, otherwise known as community cooking classes, designed to improve the health of local communities by teaching med students, residents, physicians, and patients essential cooking skills for making affordable and healthy meals.
Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:
- Median GPA: 3.94
- Median MCAT: 510
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine School Secondary Questions.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 328 | 1888 |
| Matriculants | 160 | 16 |
How to Apply to the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (MD)
To apply to the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, you’ll need to use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. This is the primary application method for first year entering classes for the vast majority of US medical schools.
For Oklahoma’s only osteopathic school, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), you’ll need to apply through AACOMAS. More on that below.
Here’s what you need to know about applying to the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
1 | Application Requirements
Your primary application is made up of several different pieces, and each is essential to your acceptance.
Your primary application must consist of your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and a diverse and detailed Work and Activities section.
At the time of this article, OU College of Medicine does not require the Casper test or AAMC’s PREview exam. Keep in mind that school requirements change from year to year, so be sure to check the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine website for specific requirements, as well as all of the schools you plan on applying to.
After you submit your primary application, you can expect to receive a secondary application two to four weeks later. Unlike the primary application, you will submit your secondaries directly to OU College of Medicine. The secondary fee for OU College of Medicine is $85.
These are the secondary questions from the 2024-2025 application cycle:
Main campus required essays, Oklahoma City
- What other medical schools did you apply to? (List them)
- Why are you applying to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine? (Max 250 words)
- Do you have family or friends in Oklahoma? Please explain (No word/character limit)
- Where else are you applying? (no character limit)
If you go for the SCM track: (School of Community Medicine, in Tulsa)
- Please submit an essay that explains your interest and commitment to Community Medicine. (Max 450 words)
- Please explain how you expect the SCM track to enhance your medical education. (Max 250 words)
- Please enter any additional community or volunteer experience not included on your AMCAS application. (Max 250 words)
- Please highlight any other relevant life experience that you feel might have an impact on your application to the SCM track. (Max 250 words)
If OU’s admissions committee is interested, you could receive an interview invitation at any point between August and December. All interviews at OU College of Medicine are conducted virtually. The Admissions Board is made up of faculty, volunteer faculty, practicing physicians, and fourth year medical students.
Each successful applicant will be offered a position in the OKC educational track first. Successful Tulsa applicants will receive an additional interview with Tulsa. If the applicant is offered a position in both educational tracks, they can choose which they want to pursue.
Nervous for interviews? Our Medical School Interview AI Course combines comprehensive guidance with an advanced, hyper-realistic AI model that offers immediate and unlimited personalized evaluation of your answers.
You’ll receive tailored, actionable insights on content, tone, body language, eye contact, filler words, and more to ensure you are prepared for any question come interview day. You can even interact with our AI coach, Indigo, who will help guide you on the specific ways you can improve through one-on-one dialogue.
To learn more about the complete application process, check out our comprehensive guide: How to Get Into Medical School: AMCAS Application Process.
2 | Application Deadlines
The AMCAS application opens during the first week of May, and submissions happen at the end of May or early June. So, if your goal is to start medical school in the fall of 2026, you need to begin the application process in the spring of 2025.
But be wary of technical application deadlines, as they do not reflect reality. Admissions committees review applications as they are received on a rolling (continuous) basis. They don’t wait until they’re all submitted to get started. Therefore, the first people to submit their applications are the first to receive secondaries. The first to submit secondaries receive the first interviews. The first to interview are the first accepted. Schools have a limit on how many students they accept, so the longer you procrastinate, the worse your chances of acceptance.
Apply as soon as submissions open for your best chance of success—and this goes for your secondaries and interviews as well. For the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, virtual interviews begin at the end of August and typically last until the end of January, as OU wants to have their class selected by March 1st each year.
Here’s what you should be working on month-by-month: Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1972, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) places a strong emphasis on fulfilling the health care needs of rural and underserved Oklahomans. This is reflected in their preference for admitting in-state applicants who want to practice in Oklahoma.
OSU-COM’s mission statement is as follows:
”Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine educates osteopathic primary care physicians with an emphasis on serving rural and underserved Oklahoma.”
The majority of OSU-COM students are from Oklahoma, and more than half of graduates remain in Oklahoma to practice medicine. Nearly one in four graduates practice in a community of 10,000 or less. However, OSUCOM has an application for an out-of-state tuition waiver for students from Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, with possible scholarships for students from Texas.
Students are able to practice their Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) skills as early as their first year. The faculty consult with students on their assessments and treatment and discuss preventative care with patient models.
During their third and fourth year, OSU-COM students rotate at the same hospitals as OU-TU in addition to working at OSU academic medical center. OSU-COM additionally has sites all across Oklahoma where students can rotate. Training options are available at OSU medical center, Hillcrest, St Johns Medical Center, Saint Francis Medical center, and many more throughout the state. Additionally, some electives can also be taken at other clinical and academic institutions.
OSU-COM has multiple admission options:
- The 3+1 program, which allows undergraduate students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a partner university and then earn their doctor of osteopathic medicine degree in seven years instead of the traditional eight years.
- The 3+1 Med Bound Program, which allows students to complete three years of undergraduate education at OSU and four years of medical education at OSU-CHS College of Osteopathic Medicine so that they can earn their bachelor’s degree and medical degree in seven years.
- The ROTC Med Bound Program, which offers a path for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) students to apply to OSU-CHS College of Osteopathic Medicine during their freshman year of college at OSU.
- The Bridge Program, which supports high-potential students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or are pursuing medicine as a second career.
- The Rural Medical Track, which prepares medical students for a rural primary care residency and a successful practice in rural or underserved Oklahoma.
- The Global Health Track, which provides learning opportunities for students interested in global health topics and international outreach.
- The Tribal Medical Track, which is designed to strengthen the clinical education and cultural competence for American Indian health issues and social determinants of health.
OSU-COM also offers a number of dual degree programs, such as DO, MS/PhD,
DO, MS/MBA, and more.
It must also be noted that OSU-COM has two campuses. The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the Cherokee Nation partnered together to establish the nation’s only tribally affiliated medical school located in Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.
Grade Cutoffs:
- Must have a GPA of at least 3.6
- Must have an MCAT of at least 500
How to Apply to the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM)
If you are applying to Oklahoma’s only DO school, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), you will need to use AACOMAS (The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service)—the centralized online application service for colleges of osteopathic medicine in the US.
The AACOMAS application process is very similar to AMCAS. While OSU-COM’s technical deadline for submitting an AACOMAS application is February 28 of the following year, they also start processing applications June 15 and utilize rolling admissions, so applying early is critical.
Application Requirements and Deadlines
The DO primary application, just like the MD one, requires your transcripts, MCAT score, personal statement, letters of recommendation (evaluation), and an experiences and achievements section.
The other main difference is that to apply to any osteopathic school, you must be familiar with and have direct experiences with osteopathy. Your DO personal statement asks you directly why you want to pursue osteopathic medicine, and you must include at least one letter of recommendation from a DO.
OSU-COM takes 4 to 6 weeks to process primary applications, so it could be a month to a month and a half before you receive your secondary, which comes with a fee of $65.
These are the secondary prompts for OSU-COM from the 2024-2025 cycle.
- Are you enrolled in an academic program? Y/N If not, please describe your current activities. (300 Words)
- Elective Programs (select from four choices): Please explain what interests you about this elective program.
- What experiences have motivated you toward a career in osteopathic medicine? Please share a meaningful experience you have had while in the health professional field. (300 Words)
- Optional: Is there any additional information you would like the college to know about you? (500 words)
And remember, even though the technical deadline for secondaries is March 30, the school uses rolling admissions. This means submit your secondary as soon as possible, ideally within 2 weeks of receiving it.
If you successfully intrigue the admissions committee, you’ll receive an invitation for an on-campus, in-person interview. Interviews begin in August and conclude in April of the following year.
Expect that you will be asked about your ties to Oklahoma as well as your own community involvement and serving the underserved.
Learn about AMCAS vs. AACOMAS Application Differences, as well as the ins and outs of the osteopathic application with our comprehensive AACOMAS Application Guide for DO Schools.
Tips for Acceptance at Oklahoma Medical Schools (MD and DO)
1 | Emphasize Community Engagement
Both OU College of Medicine and OSU-COM place a heavy focus on serving underserved communities. Each institution serves a diverse patient population with an emphasis on rural health and tribal health—and this is especially true of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the Cherokee Nation, the country’s first and only tribally affiliated medical school.
Oklahoma medical schools tend to place a greater emphasis on community engagement over research achievements. This is in part due to their large emphasis on applicants connecting to Oklahoman regions or hometowns and having graduates with a genuine interest in contributing to the healthcare landscape of the region.
While research experience will always be important to any medical student’s success, community engagement should be prioritized if you want to stand out to admissions committees in Oklahoma.
2 | Research What It’s Like to Live in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a lot to offer, but it depends on what you’re looking for. While they have two metropolitan areas, they do not offer the same amenities as larger cities like Boston, Miami, or Austin, to name a few. If you’re used to living in a big city where you can count on finding a bus, subway, or Uber whenever you need it, you’ll be in for a bit of a shock—especially if you do not know how to drive or do not have access to a car.
The weather is also extremely unpredictable. Spring brings tornadoes and thunderstorms, summers are extremely hot and humid, winter brings ice storms, and fall has a little bit of everything. Being in the heart of Tornado Alley, the Sooner State sees dozens of tornadoes every year, so plan accordingly.
It’s also important to note that Oklahoma is not known for its diversity. The vast majority of the state are white and Christian, caring deeply about the church they are affiliated with. This is not necessarily a pro or a con; it’s just something to be aware of.
3 | Weave a Community Focus Into Your Narrative
While your application is composed of a number of different components, each must work together to weave a cohesive narrative; in the case of Oklahoma, that narrative should at least in part share why you are passionate about serving the underserved, getting involved in your community, and staying to live and practice in Oklahoma.
If you’re applying from out-of-state, know that you’ll have an uphill battle. However, OSUCOM does offer an out-of-state tuition waiver for qualifying students from Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. But even in this case, the admissions committee will prioritize students who state explicitly that they want to stay in Oklahoma and practice.
Note that OU College of Medicine specifically asks you in your secondary essay which other schools you applied to. If you say that you’re deeply invested in the Oklahoman community and serving the underserved, it could look more than a little suspicious if you also applied to Stanford and Johns Hopkins.
Each component of your application must flow together to tell a convincing, authentic story, as a story is much more memorable and compelling than dry facts. How can your passion for serving the people of Oklahoma show through in your personal statement as well as your extracurriculars?
Learn more: How to Develop a Cohesive Narrative for Medical School Applications.
Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Oklahoma Right for You?
Medical schools in Oklahoma prioritize community engagement and serving the medically underserved. If you share this passion and plan on practicing in Oklahoma long-term, the Sooner State could be an ideal spot to train to become a doctor.
But beyond the medical program and school resources, what matters most is whether or not you enjoy the environment and community you’ll call home for four or more years.
Pros of Medical School in Oklahoma
- Low cost of living
- Affordability
- A mix of city and outdoor activities
- You can experience all four seasons
- Oklahoma-style BBQ
- Rich history
- Exciting arts scene
- Sense of community
- Strong emphasis on primary care and rural health
- Excellent opportunities to work with underserved populations
- OU and OSU place a strong emphasis on active learning through collaboration with other students
- Students gain clinical experiences starting in first year through local community organizations
- State-of-the-art simulation center
- If in-state, high preference for in-state applicants
Cons of Medical School in Oklahoma
- The state is mostly rural and sparsely populated, with both major cities being relatively small
- High poverty rate
- Poor infrastructure
- Severe weather, including thunderstorms, hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes
- Humid summers
- You need a car to get around
- Transportation out of state can be difficult if not in Tulsa or Oklahoma City. The state airports are a decent size but frequently require connecting flights.
- Required rural rotations outside of the OKC/Tulsa Metropolitan area
- If out-of-state, high preference for in-state applicants
Oklahoma offers a unique combination of culture and history, low cost of living, and excellent medical education. If you like the idea of getting involved in your community and serving the underserved, Oklahoma could be right for you—the Sooner the better!
Learn more: How to Decide Which Medical Schools to Apply to (12 Important Factors).
What Adcoms Are Looking For
Regardless of which states you apply to, admission committees are looking for community-minded, mature students, and well-rounded students who will meaningfully contribute to the student body at their school. Leave any checkbox mentality at the door. Passion, perseverance, and dedication are crucial to your success.
Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand out application that will get you noticed by Oklahoma medical schools, as well as any schools at the top of your list. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews.
Our services are tailored to meet the needs of each student because we understand that every applicant is unique. Learn more about our comprehensive medical school application packages.
Sign up for our newsletter and follow our blog for the latest medical school application news, guides, and study strategies.
Thank you to Austin Johnson, DO, from Oklahoma State University, for being our Insider contributor for this guide.
