Main Campus: Parker, CO
Additional Locations: Ivins, UT

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

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) was founded in 2006 to educate osteopathic physicians and prepare them to meet the diverse needs of their patients. It is our goal and standard that upon graduation, our students will be qualified to enter any medical specialty. Our emphasis, however, is the training of students who are committed to entering community-based and primary care disciplines to meet the needs of those who are underserved or disadvantaged in Colorado, Utah, and the Mountain West Region. 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 RVUCOM students will practice the traditions of osteopathic principles, philosophy and heritage and will become well-rounded physicians equipped to meet the needs of patients today and into the future. The RVUCOM- Southern Utah campus, located in Ivins, UT matriculated its first class in 2017.

Campus setting:
Suburban. Denver is the closest city for the Colorado campus; St. George for the Utah campus.

Year founded: 2006

Type: Private, for-profit

Accreditation:

RVUCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). RVU has regional accreditation from Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. RVU’s Surgical Simulation Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Institutional affiliation:

• Rocky Vista University (Parker, CO & Ivins, UT)

Facilities:

The Colorado campus includes a state-of-the-art, 145,000-square-foot educational facility constructed to advance the education of RVUCOM students and graduates. RVUCOM has designed and equipped a standardized patient lab that is based on the requirements established for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners as well as the United States Medical Licensing Examination. An extensive simulator laboratory is available to provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, competencies and confidence. The auditoriums, laboratories, and study and learning areas of the college have been engineered to develop a positive learning environment. The Utah campus features a new 104,000-square-foot medical education facility, including a full simulation center featuring an emergency room, OR, ICU, and labor and delivery suite.

Student residence options:
Numerous apartment complexes are available in close proximity of the Colorado campus. On-site, furnished apartments are available for students on the Utah campus.

2021-2022 Enrollment

• Total medical school enrollment: 1,232
• Total male: 669
• Total female: 563
• First-year matriculants: 353
• First-year male matriculants: 160
• First-year female matriculants: 193
• Matriculants in-state: 90
• Matriculants out-of-state: 263
• 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. RVUCOM continually correlates basic scientific information and methodology with fundamental clinical application.

Students are exposed to clinical settings in their first semester, which gives them the opportunity to prepare for the “real world” of medicine. We believe that by adding early clinical exposure and active learning in a team or small-group setting early in the curriculum, we will strengthen the students’ ability 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 RVUCOM.

• Third and fourth-year students are placed at one of our regional centers 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.
• RVUCOM 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
Educational Tracks offered in: Military Medicine, Global Medicine, Rural/Wilderness Medicine, Physician-Scientist, Academic Medicine and Leadership, Long Term Care Medicine (Utah location only) Urban Underserved (Colorado location only) and Digital Health.

None Offered

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS)
The RVU MSBS is a 9-month (30 semester hour) degree program. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for students with diverse backgrounds and life experience to strengthen their educational foundation in the biomedical sciences, cultivate critical thinking skills, and prepare for careers in the health sciences. We serve a wide range of pre-health students,including second career students and those looking to improve their applications to graduate health programs such as DO, MD,dental, physician assistant, veterinary, and others. Graduating students have reported improvements in studying technique,test-taking skills, GPA, and standardized test scores.

Special Programs

Tracks and Special Programs
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine has developed several specialized educational tracks and programs to further develop the education of interested students. For a list of offerings, please see http://www.rvu.edu/tracks-and-special-programs/

Admissions Process & Application Information

Consideration will only be given to candidates possessing a minimum of 3.00 science and cumulative GPA. An MCAT score is required, taken within three years prior to matriculation. RVUCOM no longer requires a minimum MCAT score for consideration, however it should be noted that scores of 506+ will be considered competitive.

Letters of Recommendations (submitted to AACOMAS). Three required letters include:

• A letter from a healthcare provider (DO or MD preferred) who has worked with the candidate.
• An academic reference (order of preference to include Pre-Med Advisor or Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to successfully complete a rigorous medical school curriculum).
• A letter of the candidate’s choice.

Be aware that only the maximum number of six (6) letters submitted through AACOMAS will be considered. The Office of Admissions is not able to accept letters of recommendation sent directly to RVUCOM or from any other letter service, such as Interfolio or VirtualEvals. (Please refer to  https://www.rvu.edu/admissions/do/ for confirmation, if necessary.)

RVUCOM seeks well-rounded, service-oriented individuals who can complete an academically rigorous curriculum and will help the college fulfill its mission. RVUCOM 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 RVUCOM 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 and seats filled prior to the application deadlines.

First-Year Class Matriculants’ Selection Factors

RVUCOM 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: Yes. RVUCOM may consider international applicants. Demonstrated English language proficiency will be required; preference will be given to applicants who have previously attended a regionally-accredited college or university in the US, or who reside in countries where the primary language spoken is English. Applicants who completed coursework outside the US must submit an official, detailed course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the evaluation services listed on our website. International applicants are held to the same admissions standards as all other applicants. Please visit our website for complete information and requirements: https://www.rvu.edu/admissions/do/

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: 6/15/2022
• Supplemental Application Deadline: 4/15/2023
• Supplemental Application Requirements:
  Verified AACOMAS applications will be screened for our minimum requirements. Candidates must posses a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last three years prior to matriculation. Qualifying applications 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 posses a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and science) and a qualifying MCAT score taken within the last three years prior to matriculation. Qualifying applications will be invited to submit the supplemental application.
• Supplemental Application Fee: $60, non-refundable

Interview Format

Traditional interview

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: 8/1/2022
• 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

Tuition and Fees

• 2021-22 annual resident tuition: $60,270
• 2021-22 annual non-resident tuition: $60,270
• 2021-22 annual resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual non-resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual health insurance fee: $4,646
• Fees Include: N/A
• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $31,510
• Average 2021 graduate indebtedness: $235,983

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: 82%
• Scholarships: Yes
• Average scholarship/grant: $5,000

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
RVUCOM

Address:
8401 S. Chambers Road
Parker, CO 80112

Main phone: (303) 373-2008

Admissions Office

Email: admissions@rvu.edu
Phone: (720) 874-2477
Fax: (720) 875-2897

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Southern Utah Campus

Address:
255 E. Center Street
Ivins, UT 84738

Admissions Office

Email: admissionsut@rvu.edu
Phone: (435) 222-1290