Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine–Carolinas Campus (VCOM–CC)

Office of Admissions* 350 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303
*Prior to Oct. 1, 2010, please address correspon-dence to the VCOM-Virginia Campus address.
E-mail: admissions@vcom.vt.edu  

Description
To meet our mission, VCOM recruits, educates, and graduates students from South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and the Appalachian Region. Currently, students from the Carolinas make up about 20 percent of the student body at the campus in Virginia. “We are excited to estab-lish the first comprehensive osteopathic medical school campus in the Carolinas in August 2011,” commented Jim Wolfe, PhD, VCOM’s President. “We have had a strong and growing presence in the Carolinas over recent years, with five estab-lished clinical campuses in North Carolina and one in South Carolina for third- and fourth-year medical students. The four-year medical school campus in Spartanburg is the next logical step for us in our commitment to the Carolinas.”
VCOM has collaborated with Spartanburg Regional Medical Center (SRMC) for the past six years for the clinical education of third and fourth-year medical students. Numerous VCOM graduates are currently completing residency programs in both South and North Carolina.

Mission Statement
The Mission of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to provide medical education and research that prepares global-minded, community-focused physicians and improves the health of those most in need. VCOM faculty, staff, and students value: profes-sionalism, integrity, duty, compassion, altruism, knowledge, and critical thinking.
Setting: Sparanburg, South Carolina: fast-growing college town, home to Wofford College, Converse College, and University of South Carolina - Upstate.
Date Founded: 2010; Private

Accreditation
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The Carolinas Campus is a branch campus of VCOM and has been approved by the South Carolina Council on Higher Education to recruit and enroll students for fall 2011.

Institutional affiliation
Wofford College
2009-2010 Enrollment
Total medical school enrollment: N/A Total male: N/A
Total female: N/A First-year enrollment: N/A First-year male: N/A First-year female: N/A
Total enrollment affiliate institutions: 1,439
Note: VCOM-Carolinas Campus will matriculate the first class of 150 students in August 2011.
Curricular Offerings
The curriculum at VCOM is innovative and modern. The faculty of VCOM recognizes that students learn in a number of ways. Students generally assimilate a knowledge base through instruction, reading and experience. VCOM developed a hybrid curriculum consisting of lectures, computerized case tutorials, laboratory experiences, clinical skills laboratories and clini-cal experiences throughout the four years.
Combined Degree Programs
Baccalaureate/DO: No DO/MA: Yes
Five-year program with Virginia Tech
DO/MS: Yes
Five-year program with Virginia Tech or Duke
University
DO/MPH: Yes
Five-year program with Johns Hopkins
University
DO/MBA: Yes
Program with Virginia Tech
DO/JD: No
DO/PhD: Yes
Program with Virginia Tech.
Third-year VCOM-CC students with a strong GPA will be eligible for combined degree programs offered at VCOM–VC.

Special Programs
•    Medical Missions at VCOM provide care to underserved and disadvantaged popula-tions throughout rural South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, the Appalachian
 
region, and globally in developing countries.
 
•    Global Medicine Programs: Essential to the practice of Osteopathic Medicine is the belief that people are healthy only when they are healthy in mind, body and spirit.
Around the world, VCOM partners with many


organizations to improve the spiritual and social well-being of a community, as well as its physical and mental health care needs. VCOM students and faculty provide year-round clinics in El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Guatemala is our next frontier. http://www.vcom.vt.edu/

Preparatory Programs
Post baccalaureate program: Available at VCOM–VC Summer program(s): No
Facilities
•    The VCOM-CC building is 65,000 square feet and located on an 18-acre campus.
 
•    VCOM-CC offers a state-of-the-art anatomy lab with plastinated specimens and a ventila-tion system that allows the air to circulate 15 times per hour.
 
•    Two theatre classrooms seat far beyond the projected 150 enrollment. Twelve moderately sized rooms are available for small group learning. Six clinical skills laboratories are interconnected using modern video com-puter technology and net meeting. VCOM-CC provides a classroom environment that affords optimum learning conditions while demon-strating respect for students and faculty alike.

Residence
The town of Spartanburg provides an array of housing opportunities for VCOM-CC students. Private apartment and townhome complexes catering to graduate students and young profes-sionals are conveniently located throughout Spartanburg, and in neighboring communities. VCOM-CC students also enjoy the serene environ-ment of the surrounding areas.

Application Information
Primary application service: AACOMAS
Earliest filing date: Opening date of AACOMAS
Latest filing date:* 2-1-2011
*For best consideration, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application at least four weeks prior to this school’s latest filing date.
Academic year/orientation for first-year students start date: mid-August 2011
International students (non-US citizens or temporary residents) eligible: In select cases.
Applicants should select VCOM on the AACOMAS application. While a drop down box will appear for applicants to specify their first choice of preferred campus, note that responses at this stage are for AACOMAS data collection purposes only. Upon receipt of the AACOMAS application by VCOM, eli-gible applicants will be invited to submit a second-ary application where the applicant may designate he or she wishes to be considered for one or both campuses. Students who are invited for interview will interview on the campus of first choice. See VCOM’s website for more information.
Supplemental Application
Supplemental application required: Yes
Sent to: Screened Applicants

URL: http://www.vcom.vt.edu/admissions/
application.html
Supplemental Application Fee: $85 Fee waiver available: Yes
Waiver conditions, if offered: AACOMAS waiver Supplemental app. earliest filing date: 7-1-2010 Supplemental app. latest filing date: 3-15-2011
Supplemental Application Requirements
In order to be considered for a Secondary Applica-tion, candidates must present a minimum overall and science GPA of 2.75. Competitive applicants present a minimum overall and science GPA of 3.3 and MCAT at or above 25. Two letters of recom-mendation are required: one from a premedical advisor or science faculty member and one from an osteopathic physician. Additional letters of recommendation are accepted.
Applicants will have the opportunity to rank VCOM campus preference on the Secondary Application. Once the campus location is selected and, if eligible, the applicant will be invited for an interview on that campus. Candidates will not
interview on both campuses. See VCOM’s website for more information.

MCAT
Oldest MCAT considered: April 2007 Accept September 2010 MCAT Scores: Yes
Accept January 2011 MCAT scores: Yes, Considered
Additional Comments: Candidates who apply with the January MCAT may be placed on a Waiting List until December 14
•    Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 will have 30 days
 
•    Those accepted between January 15 and May 14 will have 14 days
 
•    Those accepted after May 15 may be asked for an immediate deposit
 
•    Earliest acceptance date: 10-1-2010
 
•    Latest acceptance date: Until class is filled
 
•     Maximum time for applicant to accept offer:
 
AACOM traffic guidelines. The maximum time for applicant to accept offer of admission is 2 1/2 months. This applies to candidates who receive an offer of admission on or around October 1 and will not be required to send a deposit until December 14.
 
•     Requests for deferred entrance considered: Yes
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP available for: Both Residents and
Non-Residents
EDP applications due: 7-1-2010
EDP supplemental materials due: 8-15-2010 Applicants notified: 10-1-2010
COM Interview Format
The interview day at VCOM-CC is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Candidates will attend a VCOM-CC information session, participate in three one-on-one interviews, dine with VCOM– CC representatives during a luncheon session, tour the area adjacent to campus and meet with a representative of the financial aid office.

applicants are considered and students are ac-cepted from areas throughout the United States.
VCOM screens all AACOMAS applications within two weeks of receipt. Candidates who present a strong science GPA and MCAT score are invited to submit the Secondary Application and letters of recommendation. Completed applications are reviewed by campus ranked number 1 on the Secondary Application for academic prepared-ness, health care experience, volunteer outreach, and commitment to the osteopathic profession. VCOM utilizes a rolling admissions process. Thus, candidates who submit an application ear-ly and return all required documents promptly will be at an advantage in the admissions pro-cess. VCOM recognizes, values and affirms that diversity contributes richness to the college and enhances the quality of education.
 
First-Year Class Matriculants’
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity:
Percentages are based on self-reported data and
therefore may not equal 100%.
American Indian or Alaska Native: N/A Asian: N/A
Black or African American: N/A Hispanic/Latino: N/A
White: N/A
Pacific Islander: N/A
First-Year Class Matriculants with:
Science Majors: N/A Non-Science Majors: N/A

Send Letters of Recommendation by:
Virtual Evals: Yes Interfolio: Yes Paper: Yes
Regular Acceptance Notice
Applicants will be requested to submit necessary
matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:
Those accepted prior to November 15 will have

First-Year Class Matriculants’
Selection Factors
VCOM seeks to admit a portion of the class from qualified applicants based in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Appalachian Region. (The Appalachian region consists
of rural and underserved areas of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia). Although VCOM seeks students from rural and Appalachian regions, all qualified


Baccalaureate degree: N/A
Graduate degree(s): N/A

Premedical Coursework

Science
Course	Req.	Rec.	Lab	Sem. Hrs
Biology/Zoology	X		X	8
Biochemistry		X
Molecular
Biology		X

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees                                          Deposit

 

Genetics		X
Inorganic
Chemistry	X	X	8