Admission / Apply

Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale

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Admission Requirements
International Applicants
Technical Standards for Admission
Application Deadline
Application Process
Interview / Selection Process
Reapplication Process
Matriculation Process
Deferred Admission
Transfer Admission
Related Links

AZCOM Admission

The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine considers for admission those students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary to become exemplary osteopathic physicians. To select these students, the College uses a rolling admissions process within a competitive admissions framework.

Competitive Admissions

Within their competitive admissions framework, the College uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available. For the class that matriculated in the fall of 2008, AZCOM received nearly 3,500 applications for its 250 seats.

Rolling Admissions

AZCOM uses a rolling admissions process in which applications are reviewed and interview decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Interviews are conducted and selection decisions for the College are made until the classes are filled. Applicants are notified of their selection status within two to four weeks after their interview date. To be competitive within this process, candidates should apply early in the admissions cycle.

Admission Requirements

Courses that may contribute to success in medical school include Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.

Students seeking admission to AZCOM must submit the following documented evidence:

0. Completion of the above prerequisite coursework.
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable)
   • To be competitive, students should have minimum cumulative GPAs and science GPAs over 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
   • To receive a supplemental application, students must have minimum science and cumulative GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
0. Completion of a bachelor's degree at regionally accredited colleges or universities prior to matriculation.
   • Applicants participating in special affiliated programs with the College and other exceptions to this policy will be considered on an individual basis.
0. Competitive test scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
   • Average MCAT score for students entering AZCOM in 2008 was 26.
   • Only MCAT exam scores earned from tests taken no more than 3 years prior to the planned enrollment year are acceptable.
   • Register for MCAT tests through the MCAT Program Office at 319/337-1357 or visit www.aamc.org/students/mcat for information.
   • MCAT exams are offered multiple times per year.
0. Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from either a premedical advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant. The second letter must be from either a D.O. or an M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended, and letters written by immediate family members will not be accepted.
0. Demonstration of a sincere understanding of and interest in osteopathic medicine.
0. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
0. Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
0. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
0. Passing the Midwestern University criminal background check.
0. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
0. Meet the Technical Standards for the College.

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International Applicants

An international student must satisfy all of the requirements for admission to the College or Program that apply to a student who has completed all of his/her prerequisite coursework in the U.S. at a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, an international student must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This may be accomplished by satisfying both of the following requirements:

0. The international student has completed a minimum of two full time semesters or three full time quarters of instruction at a postsecondary institution in the United States. Completed coursework must include a minimum of 50% of the prerequisite science coursework for the college or program of interest, 6 semester hours of non-remedial English composition, and 3 semester hours of public speaking/speech.
0. The international student must submit official TOEFL scores. A minimum passing score is 550 (paper version, maximum score 677) or 100 (internet version, maximum score 120). The TOEFL scores must be from an exam taken within two years of the anticipated date of matriculation into the college or program.

If the international student wishes to receive credit for prerequisite coursework completed at a college or university outside of the United States, he/she must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation of this coursework. The student must obtain this evaluation from one of the following services:

0. Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 (www.ece.org, e-mail: info@ece.org)
0. Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338
0. World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 (www.wes.org, e-mail: info@wes.org)

Based on the official foreign transcript evaluation and the grade earned in the course(s), the college or program will decide if it will apply any of these credits toward fulfillment of its prerequisites.

International Applicant Packet

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Technical Standards for Admission

The educational mission of AZCOM is to produce competent osteopathic physicians, emphasizing primary care but including traditional specialties and subspecialties. Because the D.O. degree signifies that the holder is a physician prepared for entry into the practice of medicine within postgraduate training programs, graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care, including direct hands-on analysis and treatment.

Accordingly, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students admitted to AZCOM with reasonable accommodation. A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.

IV. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.

V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities; and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.

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Application Deadline

The official AACOMAS application deadline is January 1, 2010; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis only until all seats are filled.

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Application Process

1. AACOMAS Application – January 1, 2010 Deadline

To initiate the application process, all applicants must apply online via the centralized application service administered by AACOM at http://aacomas.aacom.org/. The AACOMAS application is typically available in early June. As part of this process, you must submit official MCAT scores (for tests taken no earlier than April 2007) and official transcripts directly to AACOMAS. The Office of Admissions will not accept MCAT scores or transcripts submitted directly to Midwestern University. The deadline for submission of the AACOMAS application is January 1.

2. AZCOM Supplemental Application – March 1, 2010 Deadline

Upon receipt of the AACOMAS application from the application service, the Midwestern University Office of Admissions will email the supplemental application to all applicants who have earned minimum cumulative GPAs and science GPAs of 2.75. Applicants must complete and submit the supplemental application form with their resume, essay responses, and nonrefundable/nonwaivable $50 processing fee to the Office of Admissions. All supplemental application materials must be received in the Office of Admissions on or before the deadline of March 1, 2010.

3. Letters of Recommendation – March 1, 2010 Deadline

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must be written by a prehealth advisory committee or science professor who has taught the applicant. The second letter must be from a physician, either a D.O. or an M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. The required letters of recommendation must be received in the Office of Admissions on or before the deadline of March 1, 2010. Letters must adhere to the following guidelines:

• The applicant’s full legal name and AACOMAS ID number must be on the front page of the recommendation. Please provide this information to the evaluator.
• Letters must be sent directly from the evaluator and must be printed on letterhead stationary, which includes the complete contact information for the evaluator.
• The evaluator's academic degree must be listed (e.g., Ph.D., D.O., M.D.).
• Students who have previously applied to AZCOM must submit new letters of recommendation.
• Letters from immediate family members will NOT be accepted.

4. Completed Applications – March 1, 2010 Deadline

All application materials, including the AACOMAS application, MCAT scores (as reported to AACOMAS), two required letters of recommendation, and all supplemental application materials with the application fee must be received in the Office of Admissions on or before March 1, 2010. Only completed applications received by the Office of Admissions on or before the deadline date will be reviewed for potential fall 2010 enrollment.

5. Application Review and Interview Decisions

AZCOM uses a rolling admissions process to review completed applications and make interview decisions. Applications will not be reviewed until all required application materials have been received by the Office of Admissions, including the AACOMAS application, official MCAT scores (as reported to AACOMAS), supplemental application materials, processing fee, and both required letters of recommendation. Students should complete their files as soon as possible to remain competitive in this process and to ensure full consideration of their application.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and verifying the status of their required application materials on the university website. Instructions for accessing your application information on the university website will be sent to you by the Office of Admissions. Please keep the Office of Admissions informed of any changes to your mailing address and email address. All requests for withdrawing an application must be done in writing. Applicants are expected to act professionally in their interactions with AACOMAS and with AZCOM. Please follow AACOM's applicant protocol at all times.

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Interview and Selection Process

Applicants must meet all of the admissions requirements listed previously to be considered for on-campus interviews. After the Office of Admissions receives all of the required application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit interview invitations based on established criteria of the admissions committee. Applicants who are invited to interview will be contacted by the Office of Admissions and receive instructions for scheduling their interviews via the university's web-based scheduling system. Additional applicants may be placed on an interview waiting list pending possible interview openings toward the end of the interview cycle. The on-campus interview process typically begins in September and ends in April.

When applicants accepts interview appointments, they join several other interviewees to meet with members of a three-person interview panel — a panel selected from a volunteer group of basic scientists, current students, administrators, and clinicians. Team members question applicants about their academic, personal, and health care preparedness for medical school, and they rate applicants on a standardized evaluation form relative to each variable. At the conclusion of the interviews, the team members forward their applicant evaluations to the Admissions Committee. The Committee may recommend to accept, to deny, or to place the applicant on either the hold or alternate list. This recommendation is then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies students of their status within three or four weeks of the interview.

The interview process typically begins in September and ends in April.

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Reapplication Process

After receiving either a denial or end-of-cycle letters, applicants may reapply for the next enrollment cycle. Before reapplying, however, applicants should seek the advice of an admissions counselor.

To initiate the reapplication process, applicants must submit their applications to AACOMAS. Applications are then processed according to standard application procedures.

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Matriculation Process

To initiate the matriculation process, newly accepted students must return both their signed matriculation agreement and their deposit by the date designated in their matriculation agreement. To conclude the matriculation process, a student must also:

0. Submit deposit monies and administrative fees by the dates designated in their matriculation documents. Deposits are applied toward first quarter's tuition.
0. Submit official transcript(s) from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 claendar days) prior to the first day of classes. Students who are accepted to Midwestern University less than one month prior to the first day of classes will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be sent to and approved by the Office of the Dean of the College. Students who fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College. (NOTE: The information provided on the student's AACOMAS application is verified against the information provided on the student's transcript(s). If the course and degree information on the application cannot be verified, the student's offer of admission is revoked.)
0. Submit completed medical files as instructed in the packet sent by the Office of Student Services.
0. Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by AZCOM or an AZCOM-approved outside carrier of their choice.
0. Provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending AZCOM (for non-U.S. citizens/nonpermanent residents only).
0. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
0. Authorize and pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
0. Sign and submit the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse policy statement.
0. Complete a physical exam and submit form.
0. Sign and submit the Credit Policy Statement.

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Related Information

Deferred Admission

Deferments are only considered under extreme circumstances in which students are physically unable to begin classes due to a medical condition. If granted, a student may defer their admission for one year only.

To initiate the deferred admission process, students must make their request in writing to the Director of Admissions by the date designated in their matriculation agreements. The request must be accompanied by a letter(s) from the student's physician(s) documenting the conditions that prevent the student from beginning their medical education. The Director will respond to written requests with a letter detailing the specific conditions associated with deferral. Typically, the conditions include:

0. At the time of their deferral requests, students must submit their remaing deposit monies by the first week of December during the year preceding their matriculation.
0. Students must provide a letter(s) from their physician(s) stating that the student can begin their medical education.

Students are NOT required to interview again or submit another supplemental application or letters of evaluation.

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Transfer Admission

AZCOM may elect to accept transfer students from other U.S. osteopathic medical schools as long as these students remain in good academic standing and provide acceptable reason(s) for seeking a transfer. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) standards require that the last 2 years of instruction must be completed within the college of osteopathic medicine granting the D.O. degree.

Students requesting transfers must meet the College's general requirements for admission and follow transfer procedures:

0. All inquiries for transfer to AZCOM must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
0. The Office of Admissions will confirm the availability of rotation sites through the Division of Clinical Education.
0. If sites are available, applications will be sent.
0. Students must return their completed applications to the Office of Admissions and must include: transcripts from the COM, class rank (must be in top 50 percent), statement of reason for transfer, Dean's letter verifying "Good Academic Standing," a letter of reference from the Dean of Student Affairs, and COMLEX Level 1 scores, if available.
0. Completed applications are forwarded to the Associate Dean for Clinical Education.
0. Applications are reviewed by the Associate Dean for Clinical Education who conducts interviews with the applicants and the Chairs.
0. Recommendations are forwarded to the Dean of AZCOM for final approvals.
0. Applicants are notified by the Dean of the final transfer decision.

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Related Links

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Program Office

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