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

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. 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. Applicants may ask to be considered on all four VCOM campuses in the secondary application without paying additional application fees, ranking their campus of choice. 

Campus setting:
The VCOM-Louisiana campus is beautifully placed on Bayou Desiard on the University of Louisiana (ULM) campus. VCOM-Louisiana is surrounded by the ULM athletic grounds and the bayou. The campus has a walking path along the bayou for students and faculty, with easy access to the ULM campus and shared resources nearby.

Year founded: 2019

Type: Private, non-profit

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

Institutional affiliation:
VCOM-Auburn, VCOM-Carolinas, VCOM-Virginia, University of Louisiana Monroe

Facilities:

The VCOM Louisiana campus includes a 100,000-square-foot academic facility, on the bayou and includes outdoor patios 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 Simulation and Technology Center in the facility houses all 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 are located within the facility along with a small group classroom theatre. State of the art, high definition video capability assures optimal education. 
• Research laboratories are present in collaboration with the University. VCOM students also have access to many other resources from University through their collaborative agreement. 

Student residence options:
The communities of Monroe and West Monroe provide an array of housing opportunities for rent. (Purchase is not recommended as third– and fourth-year clinical education also occurs in communities outside of Monroe). Private apartment and townhome complexes cater to graduate students and young professionals and are conveniently located on campus and throughout the community and apartments just down the street.

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 learning 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

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 apart 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 sports medicine faculty who also care for the athletes from the University Athletics programs.

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 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 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.

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-State 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

Science Courses

Required:

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

• Inorganic Chemistry, 6 semester hours  
• Physics, 6 semester hours with lab 
• 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

Tuition and Fees

• 2021-22 annual resident tuition: $47,800
• 2021-22 annual non-resident tuition: $47,800
• 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- Louisiana Campus

Address:
4408 Bon Aire Drive 
Monroe, LA  71203

Main phone: (318) 342-7131

Admissions Office

Email: admissons-louisiana@ulm.vcom.edu
Phone:  (318) 342-7131