The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) continues to strengthen its commitment to identifying and preparing students who are aligned with its mission to serve rural and medically underserved populations. A recent articulation agreement with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU), a small Catholic, not-for-profit institution with a healthcare emphasis located in Baton Rouge, enhances this effort by offering eligible FranU students a guaranteed interview for admission to VCOM-Louisiana.
The new agreement provides qualified FranU students who have demonstrated high achievement with a direct pathway to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree while continuing their undergraduate education.
To be eligible for the Guaranteed Interview for Admissions Program, students must receive a positive endorsement from FranU’s pre-medical committee or advisor, complete the majority of required prerequisite coursework at FranU, earn at least 90 credit hours by the time of application, and maintain a science and overall GPA of 3.50 or higher. Applicants must also earn a competitive MCAT score, complete required healthcare and community service experiences, and meet all technical and admissions requirements established by VCOM.
Students selected through the program will interview on campus at VCOM-Louisiana with faculty and administrators. As with all applicants, final admission decisions will be made by the VCOM admissions committee following the interview process.
By creating intentional pathways for students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to service, VCOM and FranU are investing in the future of healthcare for communities that need it most.
Eva Crochet, VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2029, and a graduate of FranU’s Class of 2023, where she earned a degree in Biology Pre-Professional Human Medicine, offers a firsthand perspective on how her undergraduate education at FranU helped prepare her for the rigors of medical school and success at VCOM-Louisiana.
FranU gave me the confidence and strong foundation I needed to succeed in medical school. My instructors challenged and supported me, helping me grow academically and personally while teaching me to think critically and adapt in a demanding environment.
Brian Rash, PhD, vice president, academic affairs, and provost at FranU says the partnership with VCOM strengthens the foundation students need to compete and succeed in medical school. “Working with VCOM, FranU can more intentionally prepare students for the competencies, professionalism, and service orientation that medical education demands,” he said, “The result is not simply improved access to medical school, but a stronger pipeline of well-prepared, mission-driven future physicians who are more likely to remain in our state as they begin to practice medicine.”
This partnership reflects a shared commitment between the two institutions to expand opportunities for aspiring physicians while helping to address physician shortages across rural Louisiana and the Gulf South.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Located in Baton Rouge, LA FranU is a small, Catholic, not-for-profit institution with a healthcare emphasis. The University offers degrees in nursing, health sciences, humanities, behavioral sciences and natural sciences. The University is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady and is faithful to its mission grounded in Franciscan values. The University is a student-centered academic community committed to the pursuit of truth and common good and devoted to excellence in teaching and learning for the past 102 years.
