Location: Fort Smith, AR

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is to educate and train compassionate osteopathic physicians, skilled in the science of patient-centered osteopathic medical care, dedicated to the ethical and social principles of the osteopathic profession, committed to lifelong learning, and focused on service to the underserved. This mission will be accomplished at the undergraduate and graduate medical education levels through excellence in teaching, research, service, and scholarly activity.

College Description

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.

Campus Setting

Rural. Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is located on nearly 600 acres of land at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Year founded: 2014

Type: Private, non-profit

Accreditation:
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

Institutional affiliation:
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Facilities:

The campus features a 102,000 square foot facility in the third largest city in Arkansas. Nestled in the river valley region, the building promotes the highest level in information technology. Our team-based learning curriculum is supported by 20 student conference/study rooms, and ten standardized patient/OSCE rooms. The Simulation Lab will offer students the opportunity to experience real life, hands-on training. The Anatomy Lab and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Lab will each accommodate 80 students with the latest technology. A total of 7,000 square feet has been designated as research space with 3,500 square feet already completed. In addition, our parent institution, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, recently purchased a 318,000 sq. ft. building to be designated to research and wellness.

Student residence options:

On-campus housing is available at The Residents and The Village at Heritage apartments with 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, internet, and cable. Located adjacent to ARCOM, the apartments offer students comfort and convenience. 

2021-2022 Enrollment

• Total medical school enrollment: 615
• Total male: 297
• Total female: 317
• First-year matriculants: 162
• First-year male matriculants: 76
• First-year female matriculants: 86
• Matriculants in-state: 26
• Matriculants out-of-state: 136
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: 701

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.

None Offered

MS, Biomedicine
The MSB degree is a 30 credit hour program designed to be completed in one year. All courses are taught by ARCOM faculty and classes are held in the state-of-the-art medical school.

Special Programs

None Offered

Admissions Process

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.

Application Information

• Primary application service: AACOMAS 
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/4/2022) 
• Primary application deadline: 3/1/2023 
• Supplemental application deadline: 3/1/2023
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  Applicants should submit their AACOMAS application at least four weeks prior to the deadline. However, ARCOM operates on a rolling admission process so a Fall application submission is most beneficial.
• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No 
• International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: No 

First-Year Class Matriculants’ 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.

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: May 2019
• Accept September 2022 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2023 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Interfolio
• Paper

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes 
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: 7/1/2022 
• Supplemental application deadline: 3/1/2023 
• Supplemental application requirements:
  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.  
• Fee waiver available: Yes 
• Waiver conditions:
  AACOMAS Fee waiver 
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Secondary Applications will be made available to applicants who are best suited to fulfill the mission, values, and goals of ARCOM.
• Supplemental application fee: $50, non-refundable 

Interview Format

ARCOM interviews run mid-August to mid-March. 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.

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 8 semester hours with lab
• Organic Chemistry, 8 semester hours with lab
• Inorganic Chemistry, 8 semester hours with lab (can be satisfied with General Chemistry I & II with labs)
• Physics, 8 semester hours with lab
• Biochemistry, 3 semester hours
• Science Electives, 4 semester hours

Recommended:

• Anatomy 
• Cellular Biology 
• Genetics 
• Immunology 
• Microbiology 
• Physiology 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Humanities/Philosophy/Theology
• Speech/Drama/Debate

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 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
• After May 15 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

• Earliest acceptance date: 8/15/2022
• Latest acceptance date: 7/20/2023
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/17/2023

Early Decision Program

Early Decision Program Offered: No

Tuition and Fees

• 2021-22 annual resident tuition: $43,000
• 2021-22 annual non-resident tuition: $43,000
• 2021-22 annual resident fees: $4,771
• 2021-22 annual non-resident fees: $4,771
• 2021-22 annual health insurance fee: $0
• Fees include:
  • Lab
  • Student Activities
  • Technology (not computer)
  • Health Service
  • Other
• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $28,921
• Average 2021 graduate indebtedness: $209,835

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $2,000, non-refundable
• Additional deposit amount: $0
• Deposit applied to tuition: Yes

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 85%
• Scholarships: Yes
• Average scholarship/grant: $2,778

Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Address:
7000 Chad Colley Blvd.
Fort Smith, AR 72917

Main phone: (479) 308-2200

Admissions office

Email: admissions.arcom@achehealth.edu
Phone: (479) 308-2200