Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus - VCOM-Auburn
General Information
VCOM is a fully accredited osteopathic college with four campuses, one in Blacksburg, VA in a public/private collaboration with Virginia Tech; one in Auburn, AL in a public/private collaboration with Auburn University, one in Monroe, Louisiana in a public/private collaboration with ULM, and one in Spartanburg, SC where VCOM participates in “College Town” an ongoing group of colleges located in the community who work together for various student activities.
VCOM is committed to the recruitment of students committed to their mission and a future of working with patients from medically underserved populations in the Appalachian and Delta region of the country. VCOM is also committed to meeting the primary care needs in the SE United States. Students applying to one VCOM campus may ask to be considered on all four campuses on the secondary without paying additional fees.
Main Campus
This is the osteopathic medical college's primary location.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus (Main Campus) - VCOM-VC
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website http://www.vcom.edu/virginia
Phone
Admissions
Phone
Email admissions@vcom.vt.edu
Website https://www.vcom.edu/admissions
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Carolinas Campus - VCOM-Carolinas
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website http://www.vcom.edu/carolinas
Phone
Admissions
Phone
Email admissions-carolinas@carolinas.vcom.edu
Website https://www.vcom.edu/admissions
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus - VCOM-Louisiana
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://www.vcom.edu/louisiana
Phone
Admissions
Phone
Email admissons-louisiana@ulm.vcom.edu
Website https://www.vcom.edu/admissions
Mission Statement
Closest City Auburn, AL
Campus Setting
UrbanFacilities
The VCOM–Auburn campus includes a 100,000-square-foot academic facility, outdoor patios, a lake, and a walking path.
- The main facility offers two theater-style high-tech classrooms, a state-of the-art anatomy lab, 20 small-group rooms, 4 conference rooms, student lounges, food service, and a library. High-definition video projection and recording allows all presentations to be recorded and later displayed through VCOM TV for student review.
- The fourth floor houses the Center for Medical Simulation and Technology, which includes clinical medical procedural skills laboratories, simulated patient exam rooms with recording capability and EMR technology, and patient simulation laboratories, and high-tech mannequin simulators for pediatric, adult, and obstetrical procedural training.
- The osteopathic manipulation and physical examination lab provides electronic tables and high definition video monitoring to assure optimal education.
- The facility has an event center. Research laboratories are present on campus and in Auburn University. VCOM students also have access to many other resources from the University through their collaborative agreement.
Student Residence Options
COM Accreditation Status VCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
University Affiliation(s) VCOM-Carolinas, VCOM-Louisiana, VCOM-Virginia, collaborative agreement with Auburn University.
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Entering Class 2022
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
623
Total Male
293
Total Female
330
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
N/A
First-Year Matriculants
148
First-Year Male Matriculants
65
First-Year Female Matriculants
82
First-Year Other Matriculants
1
Matriculants In-State
71
Matriculants Out-of-State
77
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.7%
Asian
14.9%
Black/African American
7.4%
Hispanic/Latino
2.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.0%
White
69.6%
Multiple Races
4.1%
Undisclosed
1.4%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
84%
Non-Science Majors
16%
Graduate Degrees
14%
Overview
Private Institution
Non-Profit
VCOM-Carolinas, VCOM-Louisiana, VCOM-Virginia, collaborative agreement with Auburn University.
Institutional Affiliation
2014
Year Founded
Urban
Campus Setting
Main Contact
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn Campus - VCOM-Auburn
Address
(334) 442-4000
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
The curriculum at VCOM is innovative and modern. The faculty of VCOM recognizes that students learn in a number of ways and therefore the curriculum includes classroom instruction, small group learning with required readings, computerized case-based tutorials, flipped classroom presentations, laboratory experiences, and clinical skills with learning experiences throughout the four years.
Preparatory/Postbaccalaurete Programs Offered
Bluefield College Masters of Arts in Biomedical Sciences – in partnership with VCOM
VCOM has partnered with Bluefield College to convert our Graduate Certificate Program into a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences.
For information on VCOM’s preparatory programs, visit https://www.vcom.edu/premedical_admissions
Special Programs
Rural and Medically Underserved Populations Outreach
As a part of the service-based curriculum and through multiple outreach programs facilitated by the College, faculty and students provide health care for medically underserved
and disadvantaged populations in Virginia. Students participate in projects to improve the health and wellness of a community as a part of their curriculum, as well as through their student professional organization volunteer programs
Global Outreach
Embracing the one world – one health concept, VCOM faculty and students also participate in providing global health outreach programs in El Salvador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Students benefit from
the sharing of cultural experiences, medical education, and public health practices that, in turn, improve the health of the remote communities served. VCOM provides sustainable year-round health clinics in all three countries.
ONMM and Sports Medicine
VCOM students have the opportunity to learn these clinical skills from renowned sports medicine faculty from the Virginia Tech University Athletics program.
Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Biology/Zoology
Required4 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required6 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required6 semester hours
Genetics
RecommendedMicrobiology
RecommendedPhysics
Required6 semester hours
Physiology
RecommendedAdditional Science Courses
Additional required biomedical credits: 9 semester hours. See recommended courses.
College English
Required6 semester hours
Admissions
VCOM utilizes a rolling admissions process. The steps below outline our admissions process:
- Determine if you are a qualified applicant
- Submit your application
- If invited, complete the secondary application
- Submit letters of recommendation
- If invited, schedule your interview
Interview Options: Option to interview virtually or in-person
Physician letter required? N/A; no physician letter required
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will not require any shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes
Only in certain circumstancesAccepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes
Only in certain circumstancesAccepts online lab coursework? Yes
Only in certain circumstancesEarliest Application Submission Date: May 4, 2023
Primary Application Deadline: April 12, 2024
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
VCOM seeks to admit the greater portion of the class from qualified applicants who grew up in or are based in Alabama, followed by students from the southern Appalachian and Delta states; and traditionally medically underserved regions. (Target states for all VCOM campuses include Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia).
VCOM screens all AACOMAS applications within 2 to 3 weeks of receipt. Candidates who present a strong overall and science GPA in the last 90 hours are encouraged to apply. Students must have an acceptable MCAT score, however VCOM considers students from target states with a GPA >3.7 with lower but acceptable MCAT scores. VCOM will then invite students to complete a secondary application. Completed applications are reviewed for academic preparedness, healthcare experience, volunteer outreach, fit with VCOM’s mission, and commitment to osteopathic medicine.
VCOM utilizes a rolling admissions process. Thus, candidates who submit an application early and return all required documents promptly will be at an advantage in the admissions process. VCOM recognizes, values and affirms that diversity contributes to the richness of the academic programs of the college.
International Students Accepted? Accepts on a Case-by-Case Basis
Permanent residents are considered, and a non-U.S. citizen is considered in rare occasions.Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No
Application Interview Format: Traditional
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? Yes
Admissions EDP Available For
Both In-state and Out-of-State
EDP Application Due Date
July 1, 2023
EDP Supplemental Materials Due
August 15, 2023
EDP Applicants Notified
October 1, 2023
EDP Applications Submitted To Other
https://www.vcom.edu/admissions/applying-do-program/early-decision-trackSupplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Supplemental applications are accepted on a rolling basis. In addition to completing a secondary application, a letter of recommendation from a premedical advisor or science faculty member who has taught the applicant is required. If an applicant has worked with a physician in their volunteer or previous work experience, then a letter of recommendation from that physician is recommended.
Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: May 4, 2023
Supplemental Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
In order to be considered for a Secondary Application, candidates must present a competitive science GPA, overall GPA and MCAT score. (See VCOM’s website for more information.)Supplemental Application Fee: $50
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
AACOMAS waiverEarliest Acceptance Date
October 1, 2023
Latest Acceptance Date
August 1, 2024
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 15, 2024
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes
Applicants will be requested to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines schedule:
- Those accepted prior to November 15 will have until December 14
- Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 will have 30 days
- Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 will have 14 days.
- Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked for an immediate deposit.
- After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each medical college may implement college-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges.
Mean MCAT Score
502.7
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.74
Oldest MCAT Considered: April 1, 2020
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
- Paper
Main Admissions Contact
(334) 442-4050
Phone
https://www.vcom.edu/admissions
Website
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
The tuition and fees below are from the prior 2022-23 academic year and may have changed for this current application cycle. Please confirm the latest rates with the institution.
In-State Tuition
$49,800
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,800
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
$28,630
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$224,719
Acceptance Deposit
$1,500, non-refundable
Additional Deposit
$0
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://www.vcom.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 86%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $7,583