Admissions

The deadline for a complete and verified AACOMAS application (including official MCAT scores) is March 15. The deadline for receipt of secondary application materials is April 15. It is understood that once the class is filled with a reasonable number of alternates selected, applications are closed, and the remaining candidates are administratively rendered ineligible for admission.

Only candidates with a completed application file will be considered for an interview. Following review of all application materials, selected applicants will be invited for an interview. The interview is important to both the applicant and the Admissions Committee. It allows the applicant to see WCUCOM and talk with students and faculty. The interview also allows the Admissions Committee to evaluate the applicant on important personal qualities for a potential osteopathic physician that cannot be measured by standardized tests.

The minimum academic requirements for admission are detailed below.

Students must take the Medical College of Admissions Test (MCAT) exam and have the official scores sent to AACOMAS. MCAT test scores are valid for three years from the original date.

Applicant must show satisfactory completion with a final passing grade in each of the following college courses, including laboratory work where applicable as determined by WCUCOM:

• English Composition and Literature 6 Semester Hours
• General Chemistry 8 Semester Hours
• Organic Chemistry 8 Semester Hours
• Physics 8 Semester Hours
• Biological Sciences 12 Semester Hours

These basic requirements must be passed and taken for credit at an accredited college or university. Courses which are designated as “writing intensive” are generally not acceptable to meet the English requirement.

Transcripts must be received from all colleges and universities attended. They should be submitted with the AACOMAS application. Courses completed after submission of the AACOMAS application must be documented by an official transcript sent directly to WCUCOM.

The minimum requirement for admission to a COM must be no less than 75 percent of the credits (90 semester hours) needed for a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. The above minimum requirements may not necessarily be completed prior to application for admission.  Approval of admission is tentative, pending satisfactory completion of minimum requirements and maintenance of a satisfactory academic record before the date of registration.

Credit by examination is not available at WCUCOM.  “Online” or “distance learning” courses are not acceptable for credit at WCUCOM.

The ability to use a computer is an essential skill that is required to complete WCUCOM course work.  Therefore, it is strongly recommended that each entering student have a good working knowledge of computer use and applications.  WCUCOM utilizes the latest in Microsoft and Windows applications.  

WCUCOM will attempt to develop creative ways of opening medical school admissions to individuals with disabilities. In doing so, however, the college must maintain curriculum requirements deemed essential to the education of an osteopathic physician. Unless stated to the contrary, the following policies apply to both prospective students who are candidates for admission and current students who are candidates for the DO degree, hereafter referred to as “candidates.” 

It is the policy of WCUCOM that no student shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program sponsored by WCUCOM. (See Nondiscrimination Policy) 

Regarding individuals with disabilities, WCUCOM does not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise qualified. The COM does require candidates to meet minimal technical standards. These standards identify reasonable expectations of osteopathic medical students, and physicians, in performing common functions. With or without reasonable accommodation, candidates must meet these minimal technical standards. 

An osteopathic physician must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. To perform the activities described below, candidates for the D.O. degree must be able to quickly, accurately, and consistently learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data.

To facilitate the attainment of optimum care and safety, students at WCUCOM must:

1. Behave in a manner exhibiting high moral and behavioral standards reflecting the position and status of an osteopathic physician.
2. Demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with consideration to the diversity of age, gender, nationality, race, religion, or disability.
3. Students of osteopathic medicine must meet minimal technical and ability standards. The practice of medicine in general and osteopathic medicine in particular requires the ability to learn, process, and utilize a great deal of knowledge and experience. Students must have the ability to see, hear, and touch independently to optimally assess the physical, mental, and emotional status of patients. Where a deficiency occurs, it must be compensated with the aid of prosthetics to the extent that the student's functioning is equal to that of a non-impaired student. Reasonable adaptations are those that will enable the osteopathic student to function independently and when necessary, in a team-like fashion with other health professionals in an unimpaired manner.

The specific technical standards recommended by the college of osteopathic medicine name are set forth below.

Applicants and students must have sufficient visual capabilities to observe demonstrations, experiments, and laboratory exercises in the basic and clinical sciences, as well as proper evaluation and treatment integration in order to assess asymmetry, range of motion, and tissue color and texture changes.

They must be able to observe a patient accurately at varying distances and with the ability to discern non-verbal communication.

Applicants and students must have the ability to determine size and depth of an object in low light at 0.3cm.

Applicants and students should be able to speak, hear and observe patients in order to elicit information, examine patients, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in English.

Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing. Applicants and students must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team in English.

Applicants and students should have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of movements reasonably required of physicians include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds, the performance of obstetrical maneuvers and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Applicants and students of osteopathic medicine must possess an enhanced ability to use their sensory skills. Individuals with disabilities who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities may require a thorough evaluation to determine if they are otherwise qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation.  Such individuals may include those with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation and malformations of the upper extremities.

Medical treatments, such as osteopathic manipulative medicine and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, often require upright posture with sufficient upper & lower extremity and overall body strength and mobility. Individuals with disabilities who have significant limitations in these areas may require evaluation to determine if they are otherwise qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Applicants and students must be able to concentrate, analyze and interpret data, and make decisions within areas in which there is a reasonable amount of visual and auditory distraction.  They must perform these functions under a time limitation and do so under a reasonable amount of stress, as physicians are expected to be able to perform such duties in diverse clinical settings where others may be present and where there is a certain degree of noise.  Applicants and students must be able to accurately write prescriptions, accurately perform basic mathematical functions, and accurately and quickly read charts with minimal error in areas where there may be distractions.  They also must demonstrate ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships, and to understand spatial relationships of structures.

Applicants and students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and the development of mature, sensitive and effective professional relationships with patients.  Applicants and students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.

Participation in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratory and Clinical Care Encounters

Active participation in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratories and Clinical Care Encounters is an admission, matriculation and graduation requirement.  During Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine laboratory and clinical care encounters, it is imperative to the educational process that the body region being examined and/or treated will need to be exposed for observation, palpation and treatment.  The examination and treatment must be conducted in a respectful and professional manner.

The development of palpatory skills used for diagnosis and treatment is significant and required in osteopathic medical schools.  Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines “palpation” as examination with the hands and fingers, touching, feeling or perceiving by the sense of touch. Palpation in the osteopathic educational context is the use of touch to examine the body. Palpatory skills are used in all areas of osteopathic medical practice and are especially important in the evaluation and treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

The dress requirement in clinical skills training sessions is designed to promote learning by providing optimal access to diagnostic observation and palpatory experience.  Wearing inappropriate clothing interferes with a partner’s experience of diagnosis and treatment.

Appropriate attire must be clean and includes:

• Shorts which are several inches above the knee - (no jean shorts, cut-offs, cargo, thick-seamed shorts, spandex, short shorts or knee length shorts)
• T-shirts - all genders will be asked to remove t-shirts while acting as patients.
• Appropriate bra for women as outlined in OP&P syllabus - these should expose the spine and ribs (not wide t-back styles).
• Students may wear scrubs (or other apparel approved by the course director) over the laboratory attire when not in the role of the patient.
• When in the role of the patient, each student is expected to remove her/his shoes (no shoes are permitted on the tables).
• Hats or head coverings (other than for religious purposes) are not permitted in lab.
• Religious head coverings must be modified when necessary to allow palpation when they would obscure the immediate area to be examined or treated (e.g., head, neck, upper back). Modifications can include: adjustment of the covering permitting unobstructed palpation beneath the covering; or substitution of a thinner material that allows for adequate evaluation and treatment.
• Each student must be appropriately attired before class begins. Failure to be appropriately attired for class impedes the educational process and will not be tolerated.

Any student with a pre-existing health problem that may preclude examination and/or treatment in a clinical skills laboratory is required to submit a written request for limitation and/or exclusion to the department chair (or designee) and present appropriate medical documentation. A physician member of the department will review this information on a case-by-case basis, and may require additional diagnostic measures. The department member reviewing the case will determine any limitation or exclusion from participation, and the student will be notified in writing of the decision.

It is the policy of WCUCOM to provide equal opportunities for all applicants and students with respect to admission, financial aid, and access to education programs, services and activities, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability, or medical condition.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable laws, WCUCOM provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students with verified physical, psychological and/or learning disabilities.  An accommodation will not be provided if it would result in the fundamental alteration of the college’s programs, services or activities, or if it would impose undue financial or administrative burdens on the college.  

The intent of this policy is to provide each student with the opportunity to excel academically, while creating an equitable environment conducive to learning.  In doing so, however, WCUCOM must maintain the integrity of its curriculum and preserve those elements deemed essential to the acquisition of knowledge in all areas of osteopathic medicine, including the demonstration of basic skills required for the practice of osteopathic medicine. So, for example, technology-related accommodations may be made for disabled students in some of these areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.  One or more trained intermediaries may be provided to assist the student during the educational program, but not under circumstances where the student’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation.

This policy will be administered consistently, fairly, and in a non-discriminatory manner in compliance with the ADA and all other applicable laws.  All applicants receiving supplementary application material for admission will be asked to certify they have reviewed the college of osteopathic medicine name Technical Standards and the Participation in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratories requirements.

Any student accepted to a WCUCOM program who believes themselves to have a mental and/or physical disability must bring this information and all supporting documentation to the WCU Office of Disability Services.

The WCU party responsible for ADA issues is responsible for reviewing the documentation and will follow these steps:

1. In reviewing documentation that indicates mental and/or physical limitations, the party:
   1. Investigates whether the disability is ADA-protected;
   2. Determines if the student is otherwise qualified and is capable of completing the entire program, with or without reasonable accommodation;
   3. Assesses the risk of the student harming self and others;
2. Reserves the right to request additional documentation;
3. May consult with any necessary health-care providers;
4. May require that the student meet with any WCU-selected health-care provider at the student’s expense for further evaluation or testing;
5. Makes a formal recommendation to the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, based on all the information received regarding a student’s qualification for meeting the minimal technical standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requests for accommodation are made by the student according to the procedures outlined below. Applications may be submitted at any time during the academic year. An application for accommodation is a request for only the academic year in which it was submitted. If an accommodation is granted during the first academic year, a renewal application must be submitted the following year should the student desire continuation of the granted accommodations. Requests for accommodation do not signify privilege until official notice is received from the WCU Office of Disability Services.

All requests for accommodation due to a physical, psychological or learning disability must contain appropriate documentation and be directed to the WCU Office of Disability Services.

Assignment of credits and calculation of grade point averages will be made based on all courses attempted. Non-academic courses (e.g. physical education, military science, etc.), courses taken “on line,” and courses taken in a professional program (e.g. nursing, medical technology, dentistry, etc.) will not be used for credit in meeting admissions requirements or in the calculation of the grade point average.

Advanced courses in biological sciences, such as cell and molecular biology, histology, comparative anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and physiology are strongly recommended. Courses in advanced mathematics, psychology, social studies, economics, speech, and philosophy are also desirable.

It is strongly recommended that those who wish to prepare themselves for the study of medicine should enroll in a degree curriculum in college. While most applicants follow a program in biology or chemistry, it is quite possible for those from other major disciplines to receive favorable consideration for admission to osteopathic medical school. Care should be exercised in planning the course of study to be certain that the required subjects in chemistry, biology, physics, and English can be completed satisfactorily before the date of registration.

If a student does not enroll in a degree curriculum, it is considered important to follow a program which will allow time to take several of the strongly recommended subjects and to complete more than the specified minimum number of required courses and credit hours. Elective courses should be chosen in relation to the student's special interests and aptitude. An understanding of social and community problems will be very helpful in meeting the responsibilities of the profession of osteopathic medicine. In addition to a good technical education, it is desirable for the student to have a broad cultural background.

The following admission guidelines apply to international students:

1. International students must meet all general requirements for admission as stated in this catalog and admissions publications;
2. Proficiency in the English language, both written and spoken, is required.  TOEFL scores may be required.  For registration information for TOEFL, contact

TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 615
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, U.S.A.
1.817.863.3546 or 609.771.7100

toet1@ets.org

http://www.ets.org/toefl

3. All academic course requirements and minimum GPA requirements must be met.  All course work taken at the foreign institution must be evaluated for American institution equivalence by one of the following services:

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
One Dupont Circle, N.W., Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036-1135
202.296.3359
http://www.aacrao.org/home

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee WI 53203-3470
414.289.3400  
https://www.ece.org/

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
310.258.9451
http://www.ierf.org/

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
212.966.6:311
http://www.wes.org/

4. A minimum of one year undergraduate or graduate training should have been completed in the United States prior to consideration for admission to WCUCOM;
5. Credit for advanced standing will not be given for any work completed in foreign graduate or medical schools.  All students must apply for first-year status (OMS 1);
6. International students must have permanent residency status (green card) to be eligible to receive any type of federal financial assistance;
7. International students not having permanent residency status must provide written proof of ability to finance their medical education prior to matriculation;
8. International students seeking to enter a program of study at WCUCOM must obtain an appropriate visa issued by the U.S. government.  WCUCOM is approved to issue a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Form I-20.  Upon receiving the completed Form I-20 from WCUCOM, the prospective student will be able to apply for an F-1 (student) visa; and
9. Specific consideration will be given to whether the international student’s country of residence fully recognizes osteopathic physicians and, therefore, authorizes practice rights comparable to those of allopathic physicians.

The major criteria for rating applicants are academic excellence, commitment to osteopathic primary care, commitment to practice medicine in an underserved area, and personal characteristics.  Academic excellence is measured by assessing results of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), grades, grade point averages, and recommendations.  The degree of difficulty of the program which the applicant studied is also considered.  No interview is involved in this assessment.

After the initial assessment, selected applicants are invited to visit the campus for a formal personal interview.  After the interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicants' files, and applicants are notified as soon as a final admissions decision has been made.

A matriculation deposit is required from successful applicants.  Acceptance is conditional until all required documentation is received from schools attended.  Transcripts must be on file prior to matriculation.

WCUCOM is a private institution and encourages applications from all qualified students who are interested in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine.  However, qualified applicants from Mississippi and the targeted regions of the Gulf South will be given preference for admission to WCUCOM.

Note:  Intentional misrepresentation or omission of information relative to scholastic records or test 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 personal conduct.