Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine - ARCOM
General Information
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is a state-of-the-art medical school located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. ARCOM will train physicians using small group learning focusing on the integration of basic science knowledge with clinical application.
Mission Statement
Closest City Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is located on nearly 600 acres of land at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Campus Setting
RuralFacilities
The campus is located in Arkansas's third largest city but don't let that fool you. It is still a rural environment with a small-town feel. Nestled in the river valley region, surround by tall pines, the ARCOM building promotes the highest level in information technology.
Our team-based learning curriculum is supported by several student conference/study rooms. The Simulation and Standardized Patient Labs offer students the opportunity to experience real life, hands-on training within their first semester. The Anatomy Lab and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Lab will each accommodate 80 students and includes the latest technology. There is also an Anatomy Model Lab which allows for additional study opportunities.
Research facilities include a 3500 square foot space on the main campus that is available for faculty and student use. In addition, the ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center is located 10-15 minutes from campus and will include approximately 100,000 square foot of research space. Renovation is expected to be complete in 2024-2025.
Wellness is strongly supported at ACHE/ARCOM. The facilities, curriculum and offered activities are designed to improve the mental and physical health of our students, as well as faculty and staff. Some examples include artwork throughout the building, a park and fitness center on campus, walking/biking trails that connect to campus, nutrition and exercise information sessions, and an on-site therapist.
Student Residence Options
On-campus housing is available at The Residents and The Village at Heritage apartments with studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts, featuring the following amenities: swimming pool, fitness center, pavilion, dog park, study rooms, washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave, and 24-hour protection by our campus police force. Also included in the affordable price are all utilities, maintenance needs and regularly scheduled pest control.
Located adjacent to ARCOM, the apartments offer students comfort and convenient. All students are welcome to live on campus, as space allows, including their significant other and children, if applicable.
Townhouse options are also available within a 3–5-minute walk from the academic buildings and include all amenities mentioned above.
COM Accreditation Status The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Commission on Osteopathic Accreditation (COCA) provides accrediting standards that require systematic review of osteopathic medical education program.
ARCOM is Accredited by the Commission of Osteopathic College Accreditation. The next COCA accreditation visit is in academic year 2024-2025.
University Affiliation(s) Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
-
2023-2024
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
643
Total Male
314
Total Female
329
Total Other
0
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
826
First-Year Matriculants
158
First-Year Male Matriculants
71
First-Year Female Matriculants
86
First-Year Other Matriculants
1
Matriculants In-State
27
Matriculants Out-of-State
131
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.6%
Asian
19.0%
Black/African American
5.1%
Hispanic/Latino
3.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.6%
White
62.0%
Multiple Races
5.7%
Undisclosed
0.0%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
88.7%
Non-Science Majors
11.3%
Graduate Degrees
8.2%
Overview
Private Institution
Non-Profit
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Institutional Affiliation
2014
Year Founded
Rural
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine - ARCOM
Address
(479) 308-2243
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
ARCOM utilizes a helical curriculum with emphasis on active learning and problem solving to prepare students to meet the competencies established by the profession, and to provide opportunity for students to obtain the level of knowledge, skills, and professionalism required of osteopathic physicians.
Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, the curriculum guides students to develop a holistic, osteopathic approach to medicine continuously correlating basic science information and methodology with fundamental clinical application. Early clinical experiences, medical outreach opportunities, classroom lecture demonstration, team-based learning, hands-on laboratory sessions, small-group, case-based learning, the use of standardized patients and simulation, as well as guided independent study opportunities will be utilized.
Emphasis is placed on preparing students to become primary care physicians. Goals of the curriculum are to foster not only the acquisition of knowledge and skills, but also the assessment, evaluation, and application of factual knowledge in the clinical context.
Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered
The MSB degree is a 30-credit hour program designed to be completed in one year. Courses are taught by ARCOM faculty and held in the medical school.
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Anatomy
RecommendedBiochemistry
Required3 semester hours
Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Genetics
RecommendedPhysics
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Additional Science Courses
Behavioral Sciences
RecommendedCollege English
Required6 semester hours
Math/Statistics
RecommendedAdmissions
ARCOM operates on a rolling-admission process. All course work and MCAT scores must be verified by AACOMAS before applications will be reviewed. Qualified applicants are invited to submit a Secondary Application and later attend an interview, when appropriate.
ARCOM will evaluate applicants with a holistic approach based on fit for our mission as well as academic ability and offer admission accordingly. Although not required, it is highly recommended that applicants take the CASPer test and have scores sent to ARCOM. More information on CASPer can be found on the ARCOM Admissions website.
Interview Options: Option to interview virtually or in-person
Physician letter required? MD or DO
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
While the completion of in-person coursework is preferred, we understand that some pre-requisite courses were only taught in an online format due to the pandemic.Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
While letter grades are preferred, we understand that, during the pandemic, some schools only offered pass/fail grades.Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
While the completion of in-person lab coursework is preferred, we understand that some labs were only taught in an online format due to the pandemic.Earliest Application Submission Date: May 6, 2024
Primary Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
ARCOM does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in the recruiting and selection of students for admission. ARCOM seeks to recruit and admit students from Arkansas and surrounding regions who are committed to serving the rural and medically under-served areas or the state and region.
Admission to ARCOM is competitive, selective, and designed to advance ARCOM’s mission and values. Any undergraduate major is acceptable as long as prerequisites are completed and taken for credit at regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Complete applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee to evaluate a candidate’s academic ability, knowledge of and commitment to osteopathic medicine, community service, professionalism, communication skills, and personal integrity. Competitive applicants are scheduled for an on-campus interview.
International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students
Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No
Application Interview Format: See Below
ARCOM interviews run July through April. The schedule includes interviews with faculty and community representatives, as well as information about ARCOM campus life, curriculum, financial aid resources, research opportunities, medical outreach programs, clinical rotation sites, and residency programs affiliated with ARCOM. Applicants will also receive a tour of the campus, enjoy lunch with current students and discussion time with administration.Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Secondary Applications will be made available to applicants who are best suited to fulfill the mission, values, and goals of ARCOM and will expire within 30 days.Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 15, 2024
Supplemental Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
Secondary Applications will be made available to applicants who are best suited to fulfill the mission, values, and goals of ARCOM and will expire within 30 days.Supplemental Application Fee: $0
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
There is no fee to submit an ARCOM Secondary Application.Earliest Acceptance Date
August 1, 2024
Latest Acceptance Date
July 16, 2025
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 14, 2025
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Deferred entrance requests are approved on a case-by-case basis. Deposit deadlines still apply, as well as an additional deposit due by January 2 of the following year. Both deposits are applied to first semester tuition upon matriculation.Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes
Osteopathic Medical College (COM) applicants may be asked to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:
- Those accepted prior to November 15 to have until December 14.
- Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 to have 30 days.
- Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 to have 14 days.
- Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked by the accepting COM for an immediate deposit.
- After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each COM has the discretion to implement COM-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other COMs.
Mean MCAT Score
497.7
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.62
Oldest MCAT Considered: May 1, 2021
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: March 15, 2025
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
- Paper
Main Admissions Contact
(479) 308-2292
Phone
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
2024-2025 Academic Year
In-State Tuition
$59,000
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,000
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$0
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$0
Health Insurance Fee
$0
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$28,790
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$258,390
Acceptance Deposit
$2,000
Additional Deposit
$0
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
The deposit is applied toward first semester tuition upon matriculation.Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://achehealth.edu/financial-aid/
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 84%
Scholarships Offered? No