Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) was established in 2002 as the first osteopathic medical school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the college was a joint venture between the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. VCOM offers Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees to medical students who are interested in pursuing a career as an osteopathic physician. The college is committed to preparing compassionate, competent and scholarly osteopathic physicians who will serve their communities and improve the health care system.

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Since its inception, VCOM has grown rapidly and now has three campuses located throughout Virginia and South Carolina. The main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA and offers a 4-year DO program with clinical rotations at local hospitals throughout Southwest Virginia. It also provides students with research opportunities through its Center for Biomedical Research & Education (CBRE). In addition to its main campus, VCOM has two satellite campuses located in Spartanburg, SC and Auburn, AL that offer 3-year accelerated DO programs for students wishing to enter into practice right away.

VCOM’s commitment to providing quality health care education is reflected in its accreditation by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). In addition to this accreditation, it has also been recognized by U.S News & World Report as one of the top medical schools for primary care education. With its expansive educational offerings and commitment to excellence, VCOM continues to be an integral part of providing quality health care services across rural areas of Southwest Virginia and beyond.

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, abbreviated as VCOM, is one of the top-ranked U.S. medical schools located in Blacksburg, VA. Keep reading to see admissions application information including average GRE scores, admissions selection factors and dual degree programs of Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

2265 Kraft Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 231-6138

Admissions E-mail: mprice@vcom.vt.edu
Web site: http://www.vcom.vt.edu
Electronic application: http://www.aacom.org

Fall 2008 Admissions Information
AMCAS application accepted? No
Earliest application date: 05/15
Application deadline: 02/01
Oldest MCAT considered: 2004
Application fee: $75
Director of admissions: Megan R. Price
Does this school ask for a secondary application as part of the admissions process? Yes

This school requires undergraduate work in these subjects in order to apply: biology, English, organic chemistry, physics, demonstration of writing skills, general chemistry

Is a personal interview required for admission? Yes
Are interviews conducted at the medical school? Yes

Acceptance notice to regular application for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Earliest date: October 15
-Latest date: April 1

Applicant’s response to acceptance offer for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Maximum time in weeks: 3 weeks
-Does the school consider requests for deferred entrance? Yes
-Deposit to hold place in class: $1,200
-Deposit due: At time of acceptance offer
-Deposit refundable prior to: N/A
-Starting month for the class of 2007-2008: August

Early Decision Plan application period for the 2007-2008 first-year class:
-Does the school have an Early Decision Plan (EDP)? Yes
-EDP application period begins: May 1
-EDP application period ends: September 15
-EDP applicants notified by: October 15

Fall 2005 Admissions Statistics

The Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a private, non-profit medical school located in Blacksburg, Virginia. VCOM was founded in 2002 and is one of the nation’s leading osteopathic medical schools. The college offers a four-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree program, as well as a two-year Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a three-year Physician Assistant Program. VCOM has an impressive admissions rate, with an acceptance rate of around 5%. The average GPA for accepted students is 3.6 or higher and the average MCAT score for accepted students is 503 or higher. Furthermore, the school offers merit-based scholarships to qualified applicants to help offset tuition costs. VCOM also has an impressive residency match rate, with 87% of graduates entering into residencies within 12 months after graduation. The college also emphasizes service to its community through outreach programs such as health fairs and free clinics that provide healthcare services to underserved populations in southwest Virginia.

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 2,115 331 260 160
In-state: 180 100 78 58
Out-of-state: 1,935 231 182 102
Women: 1,076 178 92 92
Minorities: 723 87 57 42
International: N/A 1 1 1

Acceptance rate: 12.3%

GPA
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.5

MCAT
Overall score (composite): 7.5
Verbal reasoning: 7.8
Physical sciences: 7.1
Biological: 7.7
Writing: Q

Undergraduate Majors
Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 43%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 12%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 11%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 18%
Mixed disciplines and other: 16%

Biological sciences (biology, microbiology, zoology, etc.): 43%
Physical sciences (biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, etc.): 12%
Non-sciences (sociology, economics, English, etc.): 11%
Other health professions (nursing, pharmacy, etc.): 18%
Mixed disciplines and other: 16%

Combined Degree Programs
Combined degree programs offered: D.O./Ph.D., D.O./M.B.A., D.O./M.P.H., D.O./M.S.

Does the school have a combined college/D.O. program? No
Number of years to complete combined college/D.O. program: N/A
Web site for combined college/D.O. program: N/A

Selection Factors
Details on the policies, preferences, criteria, factors and procedures used in the M.D. admission process:
(Data appear as originally submitted by this school)
Basic Requirements: Undergraduate degree including 8 hours Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, 6 hours Physics, English, and additional Science with minimum GPA of 2. 75 and a recent MCAT score no earlier than April 2004. Preference is given to candidates who fulfill our mission (Appalachian, rural, minority, mission-minded) with scores near our average (GPA-3. 5, MCAT-24).