Although the majority of the states in the U.S. have medical schools, some only have one or two options for those pursuing a career in medicine. This makes admissions even more competitive and dramatically reduces the chances of being admitted if the applicant is from another state. This is the case of Maine, which only has one medical school that grants D.O. degrees. However, the quality of education there is great, and the future of its physicians is full of job opportunities. Today we’ll review the main features of this medical school.
University of New England
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) was established in 1978. It is one of the few medical schools specializing in osteopathic medicine that appears in several reputable U.S. ranking sites.
UNECOM is within the top ten of medical schools for the number of graduates that matched with a residency program that was their first option and for scores obtained in levels 1, 2, and 3 of COMLEX-USA. This is the test taken for getting a medical license from an osteopathic physician.
The main difference between physicians with an M.D. degree and a D.O. degree is that osteopathic professionals have a holistic approach. It focuses on illness prevention and is centered on patients. This is the reason why they usually practice and receive education in primary care specialties. Actually, 60% of the physicians from UNECOM work in a primary care specialty.
The D.O. curriculum in this medical school follows the same principles. The first two years comprise foundational coursework. It combines lectures, laboratory practices, sessions for solving problems, and clinical experiences with standardized patients.
During the third year, students must complete rotations in specific areas. These include internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, among others. In the fourth year, students have more freedom. They must complete four weeks of clerkships in specific health areas but have 19 weeks to choose the specialties they prefer. They can complete rotations in centers located in Maine, in other U.S. states, or abroad.
Although they don’t offer Ph.D. programs, you can go for an M.S. in Clinical Anatomy, which is offered within the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine. Its main objective is to form educators and leaders who are in pursuit of a career in research or medical education.
Although it is the only medical school in Maine, UNECOM is private, and they warmly welcome out-of-state and international students. All applicants will be evaluated with the same criteria. Admissions are done through the AACOMAS online platform. They also accept international students, though there will be a slight difference in the process and/or deadline if you obtain your bachelor’s degree outside of the U.S.
UNECOM is recommended for students who want to pursue a career in medicine with a holistic approach. The school only offers 165 seats a year, so be well prepared, and obtain all the necessary and supplementary documents that will help you gain admission.
We hope this has helped you in your search for the best medical school in the U.S. Read more insightful articles on our Study in the U.S. Guide. You can also check available courses you can take on our Open Courses Page!
