Location: Billings, MT

Mission Statement

To educate and inspire students to become highly competent osteopathic physicians and lifelong learners prepared to meet the diverse health care needs of tomorrow through innovative education, relevant research, and compassionate service.

College Description

Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (MCOM) is an independently operated branch campus of the established Rocky Vista University College. We are committed to producing graduates who not only are knowledgeable and skilled, but who also are ethical, compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered. It is our goal that all MCOM students will practice the traditions of osteopathic principles, philosophy and heritage and will become well-rounded physicians equipped to meet the diverse needs of patients today and into the future.

Campus setting:

The brand new 138,000 square feet medical school building is situated on 12.8 acres in the West End neighborhood of Billings, the largest city in Montana. Situated in Yellowstone County in the south-central portion of Montana, Billings has an estimated population of over 117,000 people and growing. The location is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States, known for its beautiful outdoors and famous big sky.

Year founded: 2022

Type: Private, for-profit

Accreditation:

MCOM has received programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The new campus also has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Institutional affiliation:

• Rocky Vista University (Parker, CO)

Facilities:

The MCOM campus will house a modern, purposely designed 138,000 square foot technologically advanced medical school building on 12.8 acres of private land. The facility features a large state-of-the-art simulation center, large library, ample study spaces, expansive active learning classrooms, full-size fitness center, yoga studio, private meditation room, private lactation room, demonstration kitchen, student recreational lounge, ample free parking, and massive windows to fully enjoy natural light and the big sky of Montana.

Student residence options:
Numerous apartment complexes are available in close proximity to the campus.

2021-2022 Enrollment

MCOM will enroll it’s initial class for the 2022-2023 academic year.

• Total medical school enrollment: N/A
• Total male: N/A
• Total female: N/A
• First-year matriculants: N/A
• First-year male matriculants: N/A
• First-year female matriculants: N/A
• Matriculants in-state: N/A
• Matriculants out-of-state: N/A
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: 1,372

The design of the curriculum is based on a proven systems-based integrated academic model. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, guiding students to develop a holistic, and more importantly, an osteopathic approach to medicine. In utilizing a systems approach to medical education, basic biomedical science disciplines are integrated with clinical sciences in a fashion that reflects clinical relevancy, rather than broken down into individual segregated disciplines. The overall curriculum is scheduled in blocks with intervening periods of integrations, reflection, wellness, and time for scholarly activity and electives.  Weekly schedules follow a format of faculty guided Student Directed Learning during most afternoons and group Active Learning Sessions most mornings.  Assessments are formative and summative with an emphasis on learning of material and competency of skill. MCOM continually correlates basic scientific information and methodology with fundamental clinical application.

Students are exposed to clinical settings and simulation beginning in their first semester and continuing throughout the first two years of coursework, giving them the opportunity to prepare for the “real world” of medicine. We believe that by adding early clinical skills, simulation, and active learning in a team or small group setting early in the curriculum will strengthen the students’ abilities to think critically, solve clinical problems, and develop the skills they will require to continue to learn throughout their careers. Professionalism and ethics are key components for a physician and are emphasized throughout the entire curricular experience at MCOM.

• Third and fourth-year students are placed at one of our regional training sites throughout the state and region to ensure continuity and coordination of clinical education within RVU’s vast and growing clinical training network. The competency-based curriculum is designed to fulfill our mission of training students who are competent and ready to enter graduate medical education and training, with an emphasis on preparing students to become primary care physicians.
• MCOM has a dedicated faculty; established affiliations with medical centers, hospitals, and health care systems; a structured and supported rural medicine program; and a mission to educate the finest osteopathic physicians possible.

Educational Tracks

Special Tracks and Electives will be offered at MCOM. These will include but not limited to Academic Medicine & Leadership, Rural & Wilderness Medicine, Global Medicine, Digital Health, Military Pathway, Physician Scientist, and others in development.

None offered

Master of Medical Sciences (MMS)
The RVU Montana Campus plans to offer an MMS degree program. This is currently under development and accreditation process.

Admissions Process & Application Information

Interview considerations are only given to candidates possessing a minimum of 3.00 science GPA and 3.00 cumulative GPA. An MCAT score is required and must be within the immediate three years. MCOM does not require a minimum MCAT score. Three letters of recommendation are required including an academic reference (pre-med committee or advisor, science faculty or anyone who can address the candidate’s academic aptitude), a clinical reference to include someone who supervised the candidate’s work (voluntary or paid) in a clinical setting, and a third letter of the candidate’s choice.

MCOM seeks well-rounded, service-oriented individuals who can complete an academically rigorous curriculum and will help the college fulfill its mission. MCOM assures equal opportunity to all students and applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, color, non-disqualifying disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school-administered programs.

• Primary application service: AACOMAS
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/4/2022)
• Primary application deadline: 3/15/2023
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2023
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  As MCOM reviews candidates on a rolling-process, it is in the candidate’s best interest to submit their AACOMAS application as early in the cycle as possible. Please note that all interviews may be concluded prior to the stated application deadlines if all seats are filled.

First-Year Class Matriculants’ Selection Factors

MCOM seeks well-rounded, service-oriented individuals who can complete an academically rigorous curriculum and will help the college fulfill its mission.

International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: MCOM will consider international applicants in the future as necessary governmental approvals are obtained.

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: 1/1/2020
• Accept September 2022 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2023 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: 8/1/2022
• Supplemental Application Deadline: 4/15/2023
• Supplemental Application Requirements:
  Verified AACOMAS applications will be screened for our minimum requirements. Candidates must possess a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last three years prior to matriculation. Qualifying applicants will be invited to submit the supplemental application. A candidate’s file is considered complete upon receipt of verified AACOMAS application, supplemental application, official MCAT score and required letters of recommendation.
• Fee waiver available: Yes
• Waiver Conditions:
  Supplemental fee waivers are available for candidates who are eligible to receive an AACOMAS fee waiver; and for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans or active duty (applicant or spouse of applicant).
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Verified AACOMAS applications will be screened for our minimum requirements. Candidates must possess a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last three years prior to matriculation. Qualifying applicants will be invited to submit the supplemental application.
• Supplemental Application Fee: $60, non-refundable

Interview Format

Interviews will be conducted virtually in an online format. Each candidate will interview with two individuals selected by the MCOM Office of Admissions. Interviewers will only have access to personal statements, work and volunteer experience, honors and awards, MCOM supplemental questions, and letters of recommendation. Interviewers will not have access to a candidate’s academic information or MCAT scores. Interview questions may be based only on information from the supplemental application and non-academic information from the primary AACOMAS application. The length of the interview is approximately 45-minutes and the style is relaxed and conversational to help determine a candidate’s fit for the expected culture of MCOM.

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 12 semester hours with lab
• Organic Chemistry, 8 semester hours with lab
• Inorganic Chemistry, 8 semester hours with lab
• Physics, 8 semester hours with lab
• Biochemistry, 3 semester hours

Recommended:

• Genetics
• Anatomy
• Physiology

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours
• Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Math/Statistics

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: 9/1/2022
• Latest acceptance date: 7/24/2023
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes. For compelling reasons.
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/24/2023

Early Decision Program

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

MCOM will enroll it’s initial class for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Tuition and Fees

• 2022-23 annual resident tuition: TBD
• 2022-23 annual non-resident tuition: TBD
• 2023-23 annual resident fees: TBD
• 2022-23 annual non-resident fees: TBD
• 2022-23 annual health insurance fee: TBD
• Fees Include: N/A
• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: N/A
• Average 2021 graduate indebtedness: N/A

Deposit

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

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: N/A
• Scholarships: Yes
• Average scholarship/grant: N/A

Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine
MCOM

Address:
4130 Rocky Vista Way
Billings, MT 59106

Main phone: (406) 901-2700

Admissions Office

Email: admissions@rvu.edu
Phone: (406) 901-2701
Fax: (406) 901-2716