Admission / Apply

Technical Standards for Admission

The educational mission of CCOM 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 CCOM with reasonable accommodation. Candidates must have abilities and skills in five areas: I) observation; II) communication; III) motor; IV) conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and V) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but candidates 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. Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs.

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 and 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, will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College 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 at CCOM.
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International Applicants

International Applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

International Applicant Packet

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Application Deadline

The official AACOMAS application deadline is January 1st; 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. Typically, 50% of all admissions offers are made by the end of December.

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Application Process

1. AACOMAS Application – January 1, 2011 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 May. As part of this process, students must submit official MCAT scores (for tests taken no earlier than 2008) 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. CCOM Supplemental Application – March 1, 2011 Deadline

Upon receipt of the AACOMAS application from the application service, the Office of Admissions will e-mail supplemental applications to all applicants who have earned minimum overall GPAs and science GPAs of 2.75. Applicants must complete and submit their supplemental application forms with all required materials, including a 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, 2011.

3. Letters of Recommendation – March 1, 2011 Deadline

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must be written by a prehealth advisory committee, prehealth advisor or basic science professor who has taught the applicant. The second letter must be written by 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, 2011. Letters must adhere to the following guidelines:

a. The full legal name and AACOMAS ID number of applicants must be on the front page of the recommendation. Please provide this information to the evaluators.

b. Letters must be sent directly from evaluators and must be printed on letterhead stationery, which includes the complete contact information for evaluators.

c. The academic degrees of evaluators must be listed (e.g., Ph.D., D.O., M.D.).

d. Students who have previously applied to CCOM must submit new letters of recommendation.

e. Letters from immediate family members will NOT be accepted.

The Office of Admissions will accept letters of recommendation via mail, Interfolio, or VirtualEvals. Letters of recommendation should be sent to the following address:

Office of Admissions

555 31st Street

Downers Grove, IL 60515

4. Completed Applications – March 1, 2011 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, 2011. Only completed applications received by the Office of Admissions on or before the deadline date will be reviewed for potential Fall 2011 enrollment.

5. Application Review/Interview Decisions

CCOM uses a rolling admissions process to review completed applications and to 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 must complete their file as soon as possible to remain competitive in this process and to ensure full consideration of their applications.

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 web site. Instructions for accessing application information on the University's web site will be sent by the Office of Admissions. Please keep the Office of Admissions informed of any changes to the mailing address and e-mail address. All requests for application withdrawals must be in writing. Applicants are expected to act professionally in their interactions with AACOMAS and with CCOM. Candidates are expected to follow AACOM's applicant protocol at all times.

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Interview / 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 come to campus for interview appointments, they join several other interviewees to meet with members of a three-person interview panel, which is 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 to four weeks of the interview.

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Reapplication Process

After receiving either 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 submit both their signed matriculation agreement and their deposit by the date designated in their matriculation agreement. To conclude the matriculation process, students must also:

1. Submit deposit monies and administrative fees by the date designated in their matriculation documents. Deposits are applied toward the first quarter's tuition.
2. Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. Students who are accepted to MWU 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.
3. 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 AACOMAS application is verified against the information provided on student transcripts. Offers of admission are revoked when course and degree information on student applications cannot be verified.)
4. Submit completed medical files as instructed in the information sent by the Office of Student Services.
5. Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by CCOM or a CCOM-approved outside carrier of their choice.
6. Provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending CCOM (for non–U.S. citizens or nonpermanent residents only).
7. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
8. Authorize and pass the Midwestern University fingerprinting background check.
9. Sign and submit a Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.
10. Complete a physical exam and submit form.
11. Sign and submit a Credit Policy Statement.
12. Illinois residents must submit proof of Illinois residency if requested by MWU.

Students who either fail to satisfy these matriculation requirements or omit or falsify information required on official admissions documents automatically forfeit their seat at the College. Students will not receive further notification from CCOM relative to forfeitures.

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Related Information

Dual Admission Program

Dual admission programs are currently in effect with the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN. Details of these programs are available through the Office of Admissions.

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Commitments Made Prior to Matriculation at CCOM

Students who have made commitments prior to their matriculation at CCOM must be aware there may be curricular priorities that are not compatible with their tentative schedules. Students who wish to fulfill prior commitments must request time off from each course director and department chair during the first week of the academic year. Every effort will be made to accommodate these commitments, but MWU does not guarantee that time off for prior commitments will be approved.

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Articulation Agreement Between Midwestern University Programs

Deferred Admission

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Transfer Admission

CCOM 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 reasons for seeking their transfers. The American Osteopathic Association / Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA/COCA) standards require that the last two 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:

1. All inquires for transfer to CCOM must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
2. The Office of Admissions will confirm the availability of rotation sites through the Office of the Dean.
3. Applications will be sent if the Dean designates that there are available transfer positions.
4. 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%), statement of reason for transfer, Dean’s letter verifying “Good Academic Standing,” a letter of reference from the Dean of Students, and COMLEX Level 1 scores, if available. All required application materials must be received by the Office of Admissions on or before January 1.
5. Completed applications are forwarded to the Office of the Dean.
6. The Dean reviews applications and the Dean's Advisory Council conducts interviews with applicants.
7. Recommendations are forwarded to the Dean of CCOM for final approvals.
8. Applicants are notified by the Dean thru the Office of Admissions 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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