Admissions Information

Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine recognizes, values, and affirms that diversity contributes richness to the college and enhances the quality of education. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are valued for their diversity. The College is committed to providing an academic and employment environment in which students and employees are treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity.

The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religious affiliation, or age.

Students must meet certain minimal technical standards to be successful in the curriculum and to practice medicine safely and competently. Students who with assistance can meet the technical standards to be successful in the VCOM curriculum and to safely and competently practice medicine are considered for admission and are accommodated in the programs of the College.

The college has a commitment to nondiscrimination toward any individual or group of individuals. The college has a zero tolerance policy to hate crimes and other inappropriate behavior exhibited as an act of discrimination. This commitment extends to other groups that may feel disadvantaged from a social perspective.

Any person having inquiries concerning the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 or Section 503, is directed to contact the Director of Human Resources, VCOM, 2265 Kraft Dr., Blacksburg, VA 24060. Phone: 540-231-4000, Fax: 540-231-5252. Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution's compliance with the regulations.

Admissions Process
Within its competitive framework, the College uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool which exceeds the number of seats available. Since a rolling admissions process is used, applications are reviewed and interview decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. After an interview is conducted and the committee meets, students will be notified of their status.

Application Deadline
The official AACOMAS application is posted below. The deadline for VCOM students generally falls on February 1 but is subject to change annually. Students should consult the website. The last day for students to submit the Secondary Application and supporting materials is March 15, but should be done much earlier in order to be competitive.

VCOM begins reviewing applications as early as July of the year preceding admission.

AACOMAS Application
VCOM participates with other osteopathic colleges in a centralized application processing service called the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).

To initiate the application process, prospective students must apply directly to AACOMAS. Students who have taken course work and/or have earned a degree from a foreign institution must also submit to AACOMAS a World Education Service (WES) evaluation of their transcripts.

Secondary Application
Students who have their application sent to VCOM through AACOMAS and who meet all admissions requirements will be invited to submit the secondary application and supporting documents.

Secondary Application Documents and Instructions:

• Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Application Checklist
• Secondary Application:
  Word format (preferred) rev.7-21-08
  Adobe Acrobat PDF rev. 7-21-08

Evaluation Forms:

• Premedical Advisor form
• Osteopathic Physician form

Contact Information:

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
2265 Kraft Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone: (540) 231-6138
Fax: (540) 231-5252
E-mail: admissions@vcom.vt.edu

Early Decision Admissions Track
The Early Decision Admissions Track is an admissions option for those candidates who identify the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine as their first choice for pursuing a medical education amongst both osteopathic and allopathic medical schools. In order to be considered for the Early Decision Admissions Track, the candidate must meet all of the following requirements and agree to apply only to VCOM until an early decision notification has been made. Please note the Early Decision Admissions Track requirements are in addition to the General Admissions requirements listed below.

Early Decision Admissions Track Requirements

1. Minimum Science and Overall GPA of 3.50.
2. Recent MCAT score (by April of the calendar year four years prior to the date of application).
3. Submit an application, transcripts from all institutions attended, and MCAT scores to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) by July 1.
4. Submit a letter of intent to the Office of Admissions indicating that VCOM is your first choice for medical schools by August 1 and request review for Early Decision Admissions Track.
5. Submit all Secondary Application materials including Secondary Application, application fee, letter of recommendation from a premedical advisor/science faculty member, and a letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician by August 15.
6. Withhold all applications to other medical school until early decisions are made by VCOM.
   

VCOM Application Process
The Office of Admissions will review all AACOMAS applications. Applicants who meet the minimum cumulative, science grade point average, and additional admissions criteria will be invited to submit a Supplementary Application.

The Secondary Application process consists of the VCOM Secondary Application, a non-refundable processing fee, waiver/non-waiver statement, and two required letters of recommendation. Two evaluation forms and/or letters of recommendation not written by a relative (by blood or through marriage) are required to complete the application for admission. The first evaluation must be from an osteopathic physician (D.O.). (A letter from an allopathic physician or M.D. in lieu of a recommendation from an osteopathic physician is not accepted, however, a letter(s) of recommendation from an allopathic physician(s) in addition to an evaluation form/letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician is acceptable.) The second required evaluation must be from a premedical advisory committee or science faculty member familiar with the academic work of the applicant. VCOM welcomes additional letters of support or recommendation from those who are acquainted with the student's academic or professional ability. All letters of recommendation must be originals on professional or college/university letterhead, signed by the evaluator, and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions.

Once the Office of Admissions receives these secondary application and supporting materials, the applicant's file is reviewed to determine eligibility for an interview. If the applicant accepts the interview, he/she is brought to the campus where he/she meets with several members of the faculty and administration. The applicant also joins other applicants in this process. Information sought during the interview include not only the applicant's academic history and knowledge, but those attributes that demonstrate the potential to become a quality osteopathic physician. These include such areas as personal record of accomplishment, health care exposure, rural or underserved orientation, community service, volunteering for compassionate and altruistic care service as well as future commitment to practicing altruistic care as a part of their practice, personal goals, and other information that reflects his/her preparedness for professional training and a medical career.

At the conclusion of the interviews, the interviewers forward their recommendation to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee may make any of the following recommendations; to accept, to deny, or to place the applicant on an alternate or hold list.

Professionalism in the Process
An applicant aspiring to become osteopathic physician is expected to show integrity and professionalism throughout the application process, in his/her interactions with AACOMAS, and with the staff of each college of osteopathic medicine. The applicant's interactions with the medical college faculty and staff during the interview process as well as the post-interview process will be considered in the acceptance process as well. Applicants must familiarize themselves with the admissions requirements and procedures, meet all deadlines, report and update any changes to the application, attend all interviews, be accurate and complete in their application, disclose all information requested, and withdraw from all other medical schools when they have made a final decision on the medical school they plan to attend.

Minimum Requirements for Admission
Students must complete courses in biology, physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and English and demonstrate the ability to master the subject matter of those courses. The student's grade point average (GPA) in required courses weighs heavily in the admissions consideration. In addition applicants are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), however this test does not weigh as heavily in the admissions decision making as does the GPA and the information gleaned from interviews. In addition to demonstrated knowledge, acceptance is based on the interview process. The applicant's ability to demonstrate a history of compassion, empathy, dedication and interest in patient care, an orientation to a rural or primary care medicine, and/or to research is considered in the admissions process. Other qualities that reflect the student's ability to adapt to a rigorous academic environment and to a future as a professional provide an advantage in the application process.

Applicants for admission must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation:

1. Applicants must have completed 90 hours or three-fourths of the required credits for a degree in a college or university accredited by a regional educational association in order to be considered for an interview. The candidates must earn a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation. The only exception to the 90 hour requirement is where the college has a formal agreement with VCOM for a combined studies program, and all required courses in the combined studies degree have been completed.
2. To be considered a competitive applicant of VCOM, candidates should have achieved at least a 3.2 science and cumulative grade point average, on a 4.0 scale. The minimum overall GPA for acceptance is 2.75 in the last 120 credit hours or overall. The admissions process is competitive, and a higher grade point average (above 3.2) results in improved chances for acceptance. VCOM places emphasis on the last 120 credit hours and on the science and required courses when choosing between competitive applicants. VCOM also places emphasis on the applicant's interview. The average GPA for acceptance is 3.5.
3. The required undergraduate courses for entry are:
   • Biological Sciences: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
   • Physics: One year with laboratory (6 to 8 semester hours/9 to 12 quarter hours)
   • Inorganic Chemistry: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
   • Organic Chemistry: One year with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
   • English: One year (6 semester hours/8 quarter hours)
   • Six (6) additional science hours are required (Faculty recommend courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, or Genetics to enhance the students' success in medical school).

   Note: Courses with equivalent content will be reviewed.

4. Applicants must submit scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). For the current admissions cycle, the College will accept the April MCAT administration from up to four (4) years prior to the date of matriculation. The average MCAT score for a VCOM student is 24, however, at VCOM the MCAT is weighed in connection with grades and personal qualities. The overall GPA and the interview are considered of most importance.
5. VCOM offers special consideration for practicing Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, and graduates from foreign medical colleges who hold a masters, doctoral, or professional degree. For candidates with this professional and academic background, we are willing to review graduate transcripts to ensure our undergraduate course content requirements are met and we require these applicants take the MCAT. While we are unable to offer advanced standing, courses required for admission may be replaced by a similar course taken through the previous professional college.
6. All students are required to meet the Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment. All students must affirm by signature that he/she has read and meet the standards. Any falsification or misinformation regarding the ability to meet technical standards is a reason for dismissal.

* This information is subject to change at the discretion of the admissions committee. Please refer to the VCOM website for the most up to date information.

Selection Process
To be considered for an interview, an applicant must meet the all the preceding admissions requirements and technical standards for admissions, have a complete file, including the AACOMAS application, a Secondary Application, a form/letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician, a recommendation form/letter from a pre-medical or pre-health committee, the waiver/non-waiver statement, and the processing fee. After the Office of Admissions receives these materials, the applicant's file is reviewed to determine eligibility for an interview, based on the established criteria of the Admissions Committee. Each applicant who interviews with VCOM will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. An admissions decision, based on academic performance, professional experience, and interview, will be provided to the applicant, usually within two weeks of the interview date.

Intentional misrepresentation or omission of information on any form relevant to admissions or records will subject the student to dismissal. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason it deems sufficient. Matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and/or good record of personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and their matriculation at the College.

Transfer Applicants
VCOM accepts transfer applicants in rare circumstances only. Transfers must be passing all subjects at the time of transfer to VCOM, must complete a minimum of two years of training at VCOM, must show extreme need for the transfer, and if leaving an osteopathic medical college to transfer must have letters of recommendation from the Dean and Associate Deans of the prior college attended.

International Student Applicants
Students who plan to pursue an F-1 visa must meet all immigration criterion established by the U.S. government, which includes documentation of finances (tuition and living expenses for four years). Applicants who will require an F-1 Visa or do not possess U.S. citizenship or permanent residency should contact the Assistant Vice President for Student Services at the time of application at (540) 231-5992 if he/she has any questions about eligibility to enroll.