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VCOM Campus

A Step-By-Step Guide

The MISSION of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health. The six steps below outline our admissions process.

1. Determine if you are a qualified applicant

VCOM has a minimum set of requirements that all applicants must meet in order to be considered for acceptance into our doctor of osteopathic medicine degree program. Beyond our minimum requirements, there are other qualities and qualifications we consider that will help improve your chance of acceptance and success in our program.

2. Submit your application

All applications must be submitted through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).

Transcripts

In order to process your application, AACOMAS will require official transcripts from all colleges/universities you attended. Only upon acceptance will official transcripts need to be sent to VCOM.

MCAT

Please release your official MCAT scores to AACOMAS using the link below. VCOM will accept scores within four years of matriculation year, see chart below.

Request your MCAT scores

Year of Desired Matriculation to VCOM

MCAT

Fall 2023

Dated April 2019 or later

Fall 2024

Dated April 2020 or later

Fall 2025 Dated April 2021 or later
Fall 2026 Dated April 2022 or later

 

AACOMAS Application Deadline

March 1 is the official deadline, but classes may be filled in advance due to rolling admissions. Therefore, applicants should apply early.

3. If invited, complete the secondary application

The secondary application is obtainable by invitation only. Not all applicants will receive the secondary application. Once VCOM receives your AACOMAS application, your file will undergo an initial screening. Eligible applicants will be invited to complete a secondary application. Only one secondary application, along with a $50 application fee*, is necessary regardless of whether you apply to one, two, or three VCOM campuses. On the secondary application, you will be given the opportunity to rank your preference to be located at the Virginia, Carolinas, Auburn, or Louisiana campus.

Secondary Application FAQ

Pay Secondary Application Fee through Paypal

4. Submit letters of recommendation

VCOM requires a letter of recommendation from a pre-medical/pre-health committee or science faculty member who is the designated pre-medical advisor and/or who has taught the student and who is 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. 

If an applicant has worked with a physician in their volunteer or previous work experience, then a letter of recommendation from that physician is strongly recommended. Letters of recommendation from other volunteer or shadowing experiences are a plus.

VCOM will accept a personal letter of reference from a physician who is a family member; however, such letters will be counted as a personal reference and not as a formal physician letter of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation submitted directly to VCOM from the author, must be written on professional letterhead and signed.  Letters of recommendation that are included as part of the pre-medical/pre-health committee packet or from an official evaluation collection service recognized by VCOM (Interfolio, VirtualEvals, AACOMAS letter service, an official college/university service) will be accepted without signature or letterhead as long as the letters are sent directly from the author to the pre-med advisor or evaluation service and they accept them as authentic.

VCOM provides evaluation forms as a courtesy for the osteopathic/allopathic physician, pre-medical/pre-health committee or science faculty member.  Applicants are welcome to submit letters of recommendation in lieu of the evaluation forms.  The forms are provided as a resource and are not required. 

Premedical Advisor Form (PDF)

Osteopathic/Allopathic Physician Form (PDF)

VCOM will accept letters through:

  • VirtualEvals
  • Interfolio
  • AACOMAS letter service
  • An official college/university service
  • USPS

Please mail letters of recommendation (regardless of campus preference) to:

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Attn: Office of Admissions
2265 Kraft Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060

5. Schedule your interview

Once your application is complete you will be considered for an interview. If chosen, you will be notified by phone or email to schedule an in-person interview at one of our VCOM campuses. Interviews are generally conducted October through April.

The Interview Day schedule typically includes:

  • Greeting & Orientation Session about VCOM
  • Admissions Interviews – Three one-on-one interviews with VCOM faculty or administration members
  • Financial Aid session
  • Tour of VCOM campus (typically by current VCOM students)
  • Lunch with current students
  • Tour of local area
  • Admissions Wrap-Up

6. Check your application status

Once VCOM receives the AACOMAS application, the secondary application, a $50.00 processing fee, MCAT score, a letter of recommendation from a physician, and a letter of recommendation from a pre-medical/pre-health committee or science faculty member, your application is considered complete. VCOM will send you an electronic notification indicating the application is complete. If you feel your application is complete and you have not received this notification, once you have been invited for a Secondary Application you can check your status at https://admissions.vcom.edu using the temporary password that was sent to you in your invitation for secondary email. Allow two weeks from the date information is submitted to VCOM to be available online and inform us of any discrepancies.

NOTE: In the event you are applying to VCOM while completing coursework in summer or fall, please provide both VCOM and AACOMAS an updated transcript at the conclusion of each semester/trimester.