Location: Hattiesburg, MS

WCUCOM Ranked No. 1 for Graduates in Rural Areas by U.S. News and World Report

The mission of the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) is to prepare men and women to become osteopathic physicians through an emphasis on primary care, lifelong learning, research, scholarly activities, service, including osteopathic clinical service, and graduate medical education. Using a community-based training model, the COM will educate and train graduates who are committed to serving the health care needs of all individuals, with special attention to the medically underserved and diverse populations of the state, region, nation and across the globe.

WCUCOM is a private institution designed to promote an environment of individual attention with faculty and staff. WCUCOM offers an integrated curriculum with emphasis on rural and community-based medicine. Graduates are encouraged to practice primary care medicine in medically underserved areas, especially in the Gulf South United States.

Campus setting:
Rural –Closest city is Hattiesburg, MS

Year founded: 2010

Type: Private, non-profit

Accreditation:
WCUCOM’s current accreditation status is “Accreditation with heightened monitoring”.

Institutional affiliation:
William Carey University

Facilities:

The medical school complex consists of eight buildings located at William Carey University:

• Completed in 2021, the Health Sciences Building houses all WCU Health Science programs. WCUCOM added a west wing with two 3,300 SF lecture halls seating up to 220 each and additional office spaces.
• COM Academic Building houses two lecture halls, OPP lab, classrooms, study rooms, and a research laboratory.
• COM Asbury Administrative Center houses the Office of Diversity, Rotations department, and Dean’s Suite.
• COM Turner Medical Arts Building houses the Innovative Learning Center with clinical diagnostic and treatment rooms, eight student conference rooms, study areas, and faculty offices.
• COM Ross Anatomy Wing houses the cadaveric anatomy lab, with space for study of medical imaging and anatomical models.
• Fail-Asbury Hall contains faculty offices, graduate level classrooms and student study spaces. The Fail-Asbury Hall also contains the 1,850 SF modern student lounge and a 1,000 SF student fitness room.
• Mary Ross Building houses OPP faculty offices and an osteopathic manipulative treatment clinic operated by the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Thomas Building houses 10 WCUCOM clinic rooms, 8 high fidelity simulation rooms, a 2,400 SF OMM lab and a 1,500 SF task trainer room.

WCUCOM offers a robust clinical training experience in a community-based training network representing over 50 hospital systems across the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition, we have a small cohort of students assigned to New York. Other facility-related features include:

• Wireless campus with video-streamed lectures
• Regional hospital and clinic affiliations that afford comprehensive clinical training opportunities.
• University library with access to thousands of medically related texts, articles, and 21 subscription e-resources specifically supporting COM students.
• University cafeteria, student center, coffee shop, tennis courts and exercise track.

Student residence options:

On-campus residence halls are available to COM students on a limited basis.

• Total medical school enrollment: 524
• Total male: 301
• Total female: 223
• First-year matriculants: 174
• First-year male matriculants: 96
• First-year female matriculants: 78
• Matriculants in-state: 21
• Matriculants out-of-state: 153
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: 524

WCUCOM offers an integrated curriculum that begins with first-year foundational courses that address the anatomic and cellular/molecular underpinnings of the science of medicine. Courses are taught through clinically-relevant application and case-based learning experiences while simultaneously developing skills in physical examination, doctor-patient communication, and osteopathic principles and practice. The second year continues with system-based organization of the biomedical and clinical course content material and increased opportunities for self-directed learning and self-assessment. In the third and fourth years, students work with clinical faculty at regional hub sites throughout the Gulf South. Clerkship experiences encourage problem solving, teamwork, and further advancement in clinical skills development. Students receive additional clinical training through use of patient simulators and standardized patient encounters. 

None Offered

Master’s of Biomedical Science
One-year, non-thesis program in the biomedical sciences designed to prepare students for enrollment in the healthcare professional schools such as medical, dental, physical therapy school, etc.

OMM Scholars Program
The OMM Scholars Program is a one-year program after completion of the second year of medical school for osteopathic medical students who have a genuine desire to incorporate OMT into their future practice. The OMM Scholars Program is designed for those seeking additional skill in and understanding of neuromusculoskeletal medicine or those interested in educating the next generation of osteopathic physicians. The scholars program provides a limited number of tuition and stipend awards each year.

Admissions Process

Admissions is done on a competitive basis. Key criteria in the admissions process are how well the applicant fits the mission of the school, their academic credentials (overall GPA, science GPA, MCAT scores, and recommendations), and their personal attributes. AACOMAS applications are reviewed as soon as they are verified to determine if a secondary application will be granted. Once the secondary application is complete, the candidate will be considered for an interview. The individual will be informed of their status (accept, reject, or defer) within a short time after the interview.

Application Information:

• Primary application service: AACOMAS
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/5/2022)
• Primary application deadline: 3/15/2023
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2023
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  For best consideration, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application by December 31, 2022.

First-year class matriculant’s selection factors

The Admissions Committee looks for a Science GPA of 3.4 or above with an overall GPA of 3.4/3.5 and an MCAT score of 500 or above

International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: Yes
International students must show evidence of their ability to meet their financial obligations to the institution, as well as their eligibility for visa sponsorship.

International students enrolled in the last two academic cycles: 63

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: 6/4/2019
• Accept September 2022 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2023 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Interfolio
• Paper
• Email

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: 6/1/2022
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2023
• Supplemental application requirements:
  If selected for a supplemental application, complete the supplemental application and submit of required letters of recommendation.
  
• Fee waiver available: No
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Applicants are screened based on competitive academic and non-academic credentials.
• Supplemental application fee: None

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

Recommended:

• Anatomy, 4 semester hours 
• Biochemistry, 4 semester hours 
• Genetics, 4 semester hours 
• Molecular & Cell Biology, 4 semester hours 
• Physiology, 4 semester hours 
• Psychology, 3 semester hours 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours
• Math/Statistics, 8 semester hours
• Sociology, 3 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.

• Earliest acceptance date: 10/1/2022
• Latest acceptance date: 7/15/2023
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes. Deferred entrance will be granted only in exceptional circumstances with Admissions Committee approval.
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/31/2023

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

Tuition and Fees

• 2021-22 annual resident tuition: $46,000
• 2021-22 annual non-resident tuition: $46,000
• 2021-22 annual resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual non-resident fees: $0
• 2021-22 annual health insurance fee: $2,657
• Fees include:
  • Student Services
  • Lab
  • Technology (not computer)
• Estimated annual room, board, books, and living costs: $38,843
• Average 2021 graduate indebtedness: $239,781

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $1,000, non-refundable
• Additional deposit amount: $0
• Deposit applied to tuition: Yes

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 85%
• Scholarships: No

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM)
710 William Carey Parkway
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Main phone: (601) 318-6235

Admissions Office

Email: comadmissions@wmcarey.edu
Phone: (601) 318-6235