Skip to main content
VCOM Campus

Admission Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Interview and Admission

Within its competitive framework, VCOM uses multiple criteria to select the most promising candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available.  An applicant aspiring to become an osteopathic physician is expected to show integrity and professionalism throughout the application process.  The applicant’s professionalism during interactions with the medical college faculty and staff during the application process will be considered in the acceptance process. 

The College uses a mission-driven admissions process; therefore, the applicant’s academic ability and alignment with the mission and vision of VCOM is considered in the admissions process.  Other qualities that reflect the student’s ability to adapt to a rigorous academic curriculum and to demonstrate professional and ethical characteristics for a future professional provide an advantage in the application process.

Is a letter of recommendation required from a physician? No, but encouraged. We recommend attending one of our Virtual Physician Experiences if invited for a Secondary Application, particularly if you do not have a letter.

Applicants for admission must meet the following requirements to be considered for an interview:

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. 
  • 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). 
  • Applicants who have taken coursework and/or earned a degree from a foreign institution must submit an evaluation of their transcripts to AACOMAS.  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.  The courses for consideration must have been completed within the last five years prior to application to VCOM.  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.  These include: 
    • 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.  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.  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.  For special considerations, course review is conducted by the Director of Admissions and the Campus Dean. 

VCOM follows the AACOMAS definition of science courses to determine science GPA and science hours.  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. GPA

Traditional Applicants: For 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 3.4 science GPA and a 3.4 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale of their baccalaureate degree in order to be considered.

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

Non-Traditional Applicants or Applicants with >140 hours applying to VCOM:
VCOM realizes 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, VCOM will 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 / VCOM collaborative 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.  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.  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.  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.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Edward Via 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.  VCOM is committed to providing an academic and employment environment in which students and employees are treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity.  It is the policy of VCOM that 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.  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.  Inquiries about the application of Title IX and Part 106 to VCOM may be directed to the VCOM Title 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.  VCOM has a commitment to nondiscrimination against any individual or group of individuals.  VCOM has no tolerance to inappropriate behavior exhibited as an act of discrimination.

College Accreditation

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, VCOM was granted full accreditation from the COCA.

More Info

Background Checks and Illegal Behavior

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.

See the Background Checks Policy

Agreements with Colleges and Universities for Interview

VCOM has agreements with select colleges and universities that share our mission for guaranteed interviews. If your school has an agreement with VCOM, please contact your pre-health advisor or designated liaison at your institution to learn more. In some cases, the requirements for admission, as stated above, may be modified as part of these affiliated agreements.

Undergraduate

  • Alabama A & M University
  • Alabama State University
  • Anderson University
  • Appalachian College of Pharmacy
  • Averett University
  • Bluefield College
  • Berry College
  • Centenary College
  • Christopher Newport University
  • Clemson University
  • Coker University 
  • Columbus State University
  • Converse College
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
  • East Tennessee State University 
  • Eastern Mennonite University
  • Emory and Henry College
  • Ferrum College
  • Freed-Hardeman University
  • Fontbonne University
  • Grambling State University*
  • Jacksonville State University
  • Harding University
  • Indian River State College
  • Louisiana College
  • Louisiana Baptist College
  • Louisiana Tech University*
  • Lynchburg College
  • Mary Baldwin College
  • Maryville College
  • McNeese State University*
  • Meredith College
  • Miles College
  • Millersville University
  • Mississippi College
  • Newberry College
  • Nicholls State University*
  • North Dakota State University
  • North Greenville University
  • Northwestern State University*
  • Old Dominion University
  • Pfeiffer College
  • Radford University
  • Roanoke College
  • SD School of Mines & Technology
  • Shenandoah University
  • South Dakota State University
  • Southeastern Louisiana University*
  • Southern Wesleyan University
  • Troy University
  • University of Louisiana – Lafayette *
  • University of Louisiana – Monroe *
  • University of Mary Washington
  • University of Mobile
  • University of New Orleans*
  • University of South Carolina Upstate
  • University of South Florida
  • University of the Sciences
  • University of Virginia Wise
  • Virginia Military Institute
  • Virginia Tech
  • Western Carolina University
  • Wingate University

* These schools are part of one agreement with the Louisiana System

HBCU Schools

VCOM has an admissions scholarship for eligible applicants enrolled at an HBCU institution. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

Minority Association for Pre Med Students (MAPS)

VCOM has an admissions scholarship for eligible applicants who are active members of their Minority Association for Pre Med Students (MAPS)* at select partner institutions.   Qualified applicants have the secondary fee waived and are eligible for a reduced tuition deposit.   Please contact bking@vcom.edu for eligibility requirements.    

Currently, VCOM has partnerships with these schools.   If your school has an active chapter and wish to be considered for partnership with VCOM,  contact bking@vcom.edu.

  • Auburn University
  • Clemson University
  • Florida International University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Kennesaw State University  
  • Louisiana Tech
  • Penn State University
  • Rowan University
  • Tulane University

*If your school does not have a MAPS Chapter but has a similar club please contact us to see if your school and club may be eligible. 

Veterans

VCOM has an admissions scholarship for veterans of U.S. military service. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.