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Subject/Title: Admissions (Student): General Process

Policy Number: 10.04
Effective Date: August 1990
Revised Date: July 11, 2012; July 3, 2023
Department: Student & Professional; Support & Relations

Issued by: John D. Schriner, Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs
Approved by: John Brose, D.O., Dean

The admissions process at the ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM) begins with an applicant’s primary application forwarded by the AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) central collection service. The significant contribution of AACOMAS is the comparison of the application to the applicant’s transcript and grade point average.

Many applicants are rejected at this point simply because they do not meet the minimal grade point requirements, which are strictly adhered to. Grade point averages are calculated to the hundredth of a point.

Requirements

Admission requirements include the successful completion of specific coursework and meeting certain academic standards.

A. Entrance Requirements

All applicants must be able to ensure that they meet the minimum course requirements by August of the year for which they are applying. These minimum course requirements are completion of:

1. A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university is preferred. Exceptional applicants may be accepted upon completion of at least 75% of their degree requirements.
2. A full academic year-- normally two semesters or three quarters—with no grade lower than C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each of the following:
   1. English, usually 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours;
   2. Biology, usually 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours;
   3. General chemistry, usually 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours;
   4. Physics, usually 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours
   5. Organic chemistry, usually 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours, with an additional coursework in biochemistry highly recommended;
   6. Behavioral sciences, e.g., psychology, sociology, or anthropology, usually 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours.

B. Admissions Test

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required of all applicants. MCAT, except for those who are successfully completing the Early Assurance Program requirements. MCAT scores cannot be older than three years before the intended year of matriculation.

C. Supplementary Admission Criteria

Any qualifying applicant is sent a secondary application. Current criteria to receive a secondary application include:

1. The applicant must be a United States citizen or hold a permanent visa. Applications from those classified as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will not be considered.
2. An applicant who is not a resident of Ohio must have a minimum 2.75 science G.P.A. and a composite of 490 on the MCAT test.
3. All Ohio resident applicants are eligible to receive a secondary application.

D. Completed Admission File

No applicant can be reviewed for an interview until his/her admissions file is complete. A completed file consists of:

1. Primary and secondary applications
2. Secondary application fee of $60
3. Valid MCAT scores
4. Required letters of recommendation
5. Signed out-of-state contract (if applicable)

E. Required Letters of Recommendation

The applicant should submit a letter of recommendation from either a premed committee or one letter from a natural science faculty member who taught you in class, and a second letter from a professor (natural sciences or otherwise), a licensed physician (DO/MD), a supervisor, or another qualified professional. A letter from an osteopathic physician is highly desirable but not required. The Senior Director of Admissions will have discretion to determine when a file is complete.