Branch Campus Location: Spartanburg, SC
College Main Campus: Blacksburg, VA
Additional Branch Campuses: Auburn, AL; Monroe, LA

The mission of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is to prepare globally minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations and promote research to improve human health. VCOM faculty, staff, and students are committed to the mission as can be seen in the many service–based learning experiences, Appalachian and Delta region outreach programs, and international outreach. 

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. Students who apply to one of VCOM’s campuses are provided an option to be considered at other VCOM campuses in the secondary application, ranking their choice of campuses (rather than paying for 4 applications). 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 Southeastern United States.  

Campus setting:
Suburban. VCOM–Carolinas maintains an independent 18-acre campus and is located in one of the fast-growing college towns in the United States. Spartanburg is home to Wofford College, Converse College, University of South Carolina-Upstate, Methodist College, Spartanburg College, and VCOM. VCOM participates in the city’s “College-Town” program, a collaborative that offers exciting opportunities and programs for students from all campuses.

Year founded: 2010

Type: Private, non-profit

Accreditation:
VCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

Institutional affiliation:
VCOM-Auburn, VCOM-Virginia, VCOM-Louisiana

Facilities:

Voted the eighth most beautiful medical school campus in the nation, the main Carolinas campus building is 70,000 square feet and located on a beautiful 18-acre campus with a lake and walking trail. 

• The main 80,000+-square-foot academic building on the Carolinas campus offers two theatre style classrooms with state–of–the–art technology that allows recorded presentations for later view; wireless access throughout, a state-of-the-art anatomy lab; and 20 moderately-sized group learning rooms. 
• Additional buildings include a research facility, facilities for human resources and finance, a facility housing the OMM clinical practices, and a turn of the century home under restoration for events. 
• Simulation and Technology Center: The third floor houses a state-of-the-art Center for Simulation and Technology including simulated patient treatment rooms, and manikin–based training laboratories for pediatric, adult, and obstetrical training and clinical procedural skills laboratories. 
• YMCA Program: Students at the VCOM-Carolinas campus are offered a membership to the YMCA of Spartanburg. The YMCA provides a wide variety of education and recreational programs that foster growth in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA is a state-of-the-art workout facility that offers a personalized wellness plan, fitness classes, club sports, and personal training. VCOM-Carolinas students are also offered the opportunity to play club sports through the Spartanburg Sports League. 

Student residence options:
The community of Spartanburg provides an array of housing opportunities for rent in a new housing development next to campus and in downtown Spartanburg just blocks away from the campus. (Purchase is not recommended as third– and fourth–year clinical education also occurs in communities outside of Spartanburg). Private apartment and townhome complexes cater to graduate students and young professionals.

• Total medical school enrollment: 632
• Total male: 280
• Total female: 352
• First-year matriculants: 124
• First-year male matriculants: 52
• First-year female matriculants: 72
• Matriculants in-state: 29
• Matriculants out-of-state: 95
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: –

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 uses a hybrid curriculum consisting of lectures, computerized case tutorials, laboratory experiences, clinical skills laboratories, and clinical experiences throughout the four years.

Through VCOM’s university partnerships opportunities exist for dual-degrees after completion of the third year. For information on VCOM’s dual-degree/concurrent program offerings, visit www.vcom.edu/admissions/parallel-degree.

Community Outreach
Each week faculty and students provide health care for medically underserved and disadvantaged populations in the Carolinas through free clinic experiences and community health projects. 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. VCOM faculty offer special opportunities for VCOM students in pediatric outreach, in OMM outreach, and serving free clinics and shelters in the local region.

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.

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

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 provide 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.

Geriatrics
VCOM has several outreach and other educational opportunities in the field of geriatrics for interested students.

Via Wellness Program
To promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit, faculty and students know the message must start at home. Faculty and students structure and participate in the Via Wellness Program, the program provides enrichment to campus life through a wide variety of sports, individual exercise programs, a social program, cultural programs, and spiritual programs. Families are included in all programs. Fitness awards are provided for those who achieve various levels of participation.

Pediatrics Outreach
VCOM Carolinas wishes to provide an exciting unique experience for the clinical students while developing compassionate student physicians capable of caring for these extraordinary patients, through immunization and school health projects.

Admissions Process

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

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: Rolling
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  For best consideration, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application at least five weeks in advance of the latest filing date, as VCOM is on a rolling admissions process and seats may be filled prior to this date.

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 North and South Carolina, 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 120 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 (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: Select Cases. Permanent residents are considered, and a non-US citizen is considered in rare occasions.

International students enrolled in the last two academic cycles: 0

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: April 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: Rolling
• Supplemental application requirements:
  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.
• Fee waiver available: Yes
• Waiver conditions:
  AACOMAS waiver.
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  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, non-refundable

Interview Format

Traditional interview

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 4 semester hours  
• Organic Chemistry, 6 semester hours  
• Inorganic Chemistry, 6 semester hours  
• Physics, 6 semester hours  

Additional biomedical credits: 6 hours at the 200 level or above. Recommended courses include: 

• Anatomy 
• Biochemistry 
• Genetics 
• Microbiology 
• Physiology 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours

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.

• Maximum time for applicant to accept offer: AACOMAS traffic guidelines
• Earliest acceptance date: 10/1/2022
• Latest acceptance date: 8/1/2023
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/15/2023

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: Yes
• EDP available for: In- and Out-of-State Residents
• EDP application due date: 7/1/2022
• EDP applications submitted to: AACOMAS
• EDP supplemental materials due: 8/15/2022
• Date EDP applicants notified: 10/1/2022

Tuition and Fees

• 2021-22 annual resident tuition: $47,800
• 2021-22 annual non-resident tuition: $7,800
• 2021-22 annual resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual non-resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual health insurance fee: $0
• Fees include: Other
  
• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $26,668
• Average 2021 graduate indebtedness: $253,676

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $1,500, non-refundable
• Additional deposit amount: $0
• Deposit applied to tuition: Yes

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 84.7%
• Scholarships: Yes
• Average scholarship/grant: $6,391

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Carolinas Campus
VCOM-Carolinas

Address:
350 Howard Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Main phone: (864) 327-9800

Admissions Office

Email: admissions-carolinas@carolinas.vcom.edu
Phone: (864) 327-9906