SWAGÊÓƵ

1. Degree Requirements

Applicants must earn a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation.

• Courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited institution that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Ìý
• In some circumstances, a degree from a college or university that is nationally, rather than regionally accredited, is accepted as long as the accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (i.e., a religiously based institution).Ìý
• Applicants who have taken coursework and/or earned a degree from a foreign institution must submit an evaluation of their transcripts to AACOMAS.Ìý The transcript evaluation company chosen must be approved by AACOMAS.

2. Required Undergraduate Courses

Applicants must have completed 90 hours or three-fourths of the required credits for a baccalaureate degree and have completed the required courses listed below from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body.Ìý The courses for consideration must have been completed within the last five years prior to application to VCOM.Ìý The following are required:

• Biological Sciences: 4 credit hours
• Physics: 6 credit hours
• General and Inorganic Chemistry: 6 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry (biochemistry may also be counted): 6 credit hours
• English and Composition: 6 credit hours
• A minimum of 9 additional biomedical science credit hours at the 200 level or above, which prepare the applicant for medical school. ÌýThese include:Ìý
  • Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, virology, genetics, or other equivalent biomedical science courses as deemed appropriate by VCOM.

Students should be aware that they must be able to use a keyboard at a reasonable speed for timed testing situations and data entry into the electronic medical record.Ìý If applicants are not proficient in typing, they should take a typing or keyboarding course prior to entry.

Courses with equivalent content will be considered.Ìý When reviewing courses for course equivalency in the application, special consideration regarding required courses for interview may be considered for the following: practicing Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, and Doctors of Physical Therapy.Ìý For special considerations, course review is conducted by the Director of Admissions and the Campus Dean.Ìý

SWAGÊÓƵfollows the AACOMAS definition of science courses to determine science GPA and science hours.Ìý See the AACOMAS website for more information.

When required courses have been taken prior to the last five years, and the applicant has completed a recent biomedical or pre-medical graduate degree, the Dean and Director of Admissions will review the course equivalency for special consideration.

3.ÌýGPA

Traditional Applicants:ÌýFor those applicants applying with 90 to 120 credit hours and who will complete a baccalaureate degree by the time of admission, the student must achieve a minimum of a 3.4ÌýscienceÌýGPA and a 3.4ÌýcumulativeÌýGPA on a 4.0 scale of their baccalaureate degree in order to be considered.

(Students should be aware that the average student entering SWAGÊÓƵhas a much higher GPA than 3.4; however, SWAGÊÓƵdoes consider a holistic approach in reviewing applicants.).Ìý

Non-Traditional Applicants or Applicants with >140 hoursÌýapplying to VCOM:
SWAGÊÓƵrealizes that students often have difficulty in their first year of college and/or may be returning to college after a prior career (non-traditional students). When students have additional hours after returning to the curriculum or from a new degree (master’s or second bachelor’s degree) that has improved their GPA, SWAGÊÓƵwill consider the most recent 90 credit hours taken in looking at the GPA and science GPA averages.

Other ways to be recognized:
Applicants who have completed the Bluefield University / SWAGÊÓƵcollaborative Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) degree program will receive an interview with the MABS-to-DO Admissions Committee if they receive a >3.5 GPA in the MABS program, regardless of their prior GPA.

4. MCAT

Applicants must submit current scores from the MCAT that are less than four years old prior to the date of matriculation.Ìý For the current admissions cycle, the college will accept the most recent MCAT administered from up to four years prior to the date of matriculation.Ìý The applicant’s MCAT score is balanced with the applicant’s GPA and other factors as outlined by the minimum requirements for interview and admission.

The average MCAT score of those accepted falls between 500 and 506 and a score greater than 496 is generally required.Ìý The successful MCAT score is always balanced with the GPA, along with non-cognitive factors of the applicant that are tied to the profession and the mission of VCOM.

5. Citizenship

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. Once matriculated, students must maintain the requirements for their permanent U.S. resident visa status as set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

6. Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment

Applicants must meet the Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment. All students must read carefully and affirm that he/she meets the technical standards for admission. Any falsification or misinformation regarding the ability to meet technical standards is a reason for dismissal.

• See,ÌýÌýin the College Catalog and Student Handbook

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine recognizes, values, and affirms that diversity contributes richness to the college and enhances the quality of education.Ìý Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are valued for their diversity.Ìý SWAGÊÓƵis committed to providing an academic and employment environment in which students and employees are treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity.Ìý It is the policy of SWAGÊÓƵthat no student or employee shall, on the basis of sex, be discriminated in, or be denied the benefits of, any education program or activity that it operates.Ìý This requirement not to discriminate is required by Title IX and Part 106 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations and extends to admission and employment.Ìý Inquiries about the application of Title IX and Part 106 to SWAGÊÓƵmay be directed to the SWAGÊÓƵTitle IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education, or both.

VCOM’s commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination includes and extends far beyond the federally protected classes and includes, but is not limited to, age, gender, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.Ìý SWAGÊÓƵhas a commitment to nondiscrimination against any individual or group of individuals.Ìý SWAGÊÓƵhas no tolerance to inappropriate behavior exhibited as an act of discrimination.

The College is accredited through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the AOA, which is the only accrediting agency for predoctoral osteopathic medical education and is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). On April 21, 2007, SWAGÊÓƵwas granted full accreditation from the COCA.

More Info

A background check is mandatory prior to matriculation and will be required again during enrollment (typically between second and third year) and may be required at other intervals during enrollment.