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About 萝莉社视-COM and the DO Difference

What is osteopathic medicine?

There are two pathways a student can take to become a doctor: The MD (allopathic) path or the DO (osteopathic) path. The allopathic medical philosophy is defined by using symptoms to form a diagnosis and treatment plan. Osteopathic medicine鈥檚 philosophy focuses on treating the whole person and finding the root causes of illness. While all healthcare workers are trained to listen to and treat patients, DO training emphasizes partnering with a patient to work towards greater well-being.

DOs follow a nearly identical educational and licensing route to MDs. However, DOs also obtain an additional skillset (鈥淥MM鈥, or osteopathic manipulative medicine) that involves physical manipulation of the body鈥檚 muscles and tissues. Like MDs, DOs complete four years-worth of medical school including two years of clinical rotations; board exams, and a 3-7 year-long residency program in their desired specialty area.

What is osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM)?

鈥淥MM鈥 stands for osteopathic manipulative medicine. (It is sometimes referred to as 鈥淥MT鈥, or osteopathic manipulative treatment.) OMM is the physical manipulation of the body’s structures, such as organs, muscle tissues, bones, ligaments, and tendons.

Osteopathic manipulative medicine is one of the many tools in a DO鈥檚 toolkit. It is often used to augment treatment for headaches, arthritis, stress injuries, sports injuries, or pain in various areas.

However, OMM does have a wider application to medical students: it provides student doctors with enhanced palpatory skills and an elevated understanding of the body鈥檚 anatomy.

Why does Utah need another medical school?

Utah is the fastest-growing state in the nation鈥攁nd Utah County is the epicenter of the Intermountain West鈥檚 unparalleled population growth. Projections estimate that Utah will gain 1 million citizens by 2030. When combining these estimations, it鈥檚 approximated that 3 million citizens in central Utah will need physicians.

Unfortunately, Utah currently ranks in the bottom 10% for key physician workforce categories and is 49th in the nation for the number of primary care physicians to population.

With growing populations, pre-existing physician shortages, and 75% of all Utah student doctors leaving the state for a program or residency, Utah has a dire need for graduate medical education. And that鈥檚 why 萝莉社视-COM was created: To address the growing healthcare needs of Utah and serve its citizens. 萝莉社视-COM also recognizes that its creation is only one piece of the solution, which is why we work with the state legislature, other medical schools, and key opinion leaders to create new and expand existing residency programs in Utah.

Where is 萝莉社视-COM located?

萝莉社视-COM sits on a 30-acre campus in south Provo, looking out to Timpanogos Golf Club and the stunning Wasatch Mountain range. The four-story, 140,000 square-foot academic building includes 70 learning pods, a simulation center, 18 鈥淥SCE鈥 rooms; custom-made anatomy and OMM labs, an open, self-serve 鈥渕icro market鈥, student and faculty lounges, library, a multi-faith room, private showers and bathrooms, and a variety of study spaces.

What does pre-accreditation mean?

All osteopathic medical schools obtain and maintain pre-accreditation status until (just) before they graduate their first cohort of students. 萝莉社视-COM has been granted pre-accreditation status by the American Osteopathic Association鈥檚 Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). COCA reviews a college鈥檚 success鈥攊ncluding its academic progress and many other factors鈥攖o ensure that the college can produce confident, competent physicians.

萝莉社视-COM is on-track to receive full accreditation in 2025, when its inaugural class graduates.

Is 萝莉社视-COM a proprietary institution?

Yes, 萝莉社视-COM is a proprietary institution, overseen by a Board of Directors.聽However, 萝莉社视-COM also qualifies as an IRS-certified Program Related Investment (PRI). The PRI provision allows private foundations to invest in proprietary activities (if the work of the proprietary entity aligns with the private foundation鈥檚 mission and objectives). The Ray and Tye 萝莉社视 Family Foundation is the lead investor in 萝莉社视-COM.

萝莉社视-COM also has its own separate 501(c)3 Foundation which allows the school to accept charitable donations for scholarships, research, academic programming, and community outreach.

Admissions Requirements

How do I apply?

萝莉社视-COM only accepts applications through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). cycle opens each May for students planning to join the following year鈥檚 class.

When is the best time to apply?

萝莉社视-COM has a rolling admissions process, which begins on the first Monday in May. Applicants who apply early in the cycle have the greatest opportunity for an available seat. Applications to 萝莉社视-COM must be submitted to AACOMAS by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1.

How many students are in each class?

Per COCA guidelines, 萝莉社视-COM can accept 180 students each year. COCA accounts for an 8% variance (due to attrition).

Does 萝莉社视-COM only accept students from Utah?

No. 萝莉社视-COM will accept applications from any qualified student across the United States.

Is it acceptable to take the MCAT more than once?

Yes. 萝莉社视-COM reviews all MCAT attempts and accepts valid MCAT scores for three years from the original test date.

What are 萝莉社视-COM鈥檚 minimum requirements for GPA and MCAT?

A total MCAT score of 500 with subsection scores of 125 is preferred. Total scores of 494 and below will not be considered. MCAT scores are valid for three years from the original test date. Exams must be taken no later than March 31 of the year of matriculation.

A minimum cumulative and science GPAs of 3.0 are preferred. We appreciate that an applicant鈥檚 last 60 credit hours are a meaningful representation of their current ability and, as such, evaluate that as a separate metric. Learn more about academic requirements for admission here.

How are repeated courses factored into GPA calculations?

All course attempts are included in the AACOMAS GPA calculation. However, 萝莉社视-COM follows a holistic application review process, considering factors in addition to GPA and MCAT.

Are prerequisite courses from a community college accepted?

Yes. If the courses are taken at a regionally accredited institution, the credits will be accepted.

How many letters of recommendation do I need?

Letters of recommendation/evaluation are required from the three following sources:

  1. A healthcare source who is familiar with the applicant鈥檚 work in healthcare/with patients (preferably an osteopathic physician)
  2. An academic source who is familiar with the applicant鈥檚 academic work
  3. A character reference who can speak to the applicant鈥檚 personal attributes and character traits

Note: Letters must be signed and on letterhead and dated within two years prior to application submission. Letters from family members are not accepted.

What does a secondary application require?

Applicants who meet minimum technical standards and who align with the mission and values of 萝莉社视-COM will be invited to complete a secondary application. This application will include submission of a video (preferred) or essay and professional headshot, a signed attestation of minimum technical standards, letters of recommendation, and a $60 secondary application fee (non-refundable, waived for applicants who qualify for AACOMAS Fee Waiver or AAMC Fee Assistance Program).

What does the interview process look like?

Selected applicants are invited to participate in formal, personal interviews, in person or virtually. Applicants are interviewed by faculty or staff (who only have access to an applicant鈥檚 personal statement and secondary application video/essay). Interviews are conducted in a traditional format, and applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Communication style
  • Professional demeanor
  • Ethics, cultural and/or human sensitivity issues
  • Interest in 萝莉社视-COM and the osteopathic profession

During this interview session, applicants also have the opportunity to meet with the admissions team, campus leaders, and student ambassadors to learn more about 萝莉社视-COM. In-person interviews also include a campus tour.

Does 萝莉社视-COM accept transfer students?

Students enrolled at a medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA) or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) may be considered for transfer admission into the beginning of the second or third year of medical studies at 萝莉社视 of Osteopathic Medicine (萝莉社视-COM) upon completion of the equivalent level of medical education as currently structured at 萝莉社视-COM and provided that a vacancy exists. The last two years of education must be completed at 萝莉社视-COM. LCME-enrolled transfer students must successfully complete all OMM/OPP competencies before graduation from the COM. Transfer or admissions with advanced standing is at the discretion of the Dean. Please read our Transfer Admission Policy in full聽here.

Do I need to have a criminal background check or drug screen prior to matriculation?

Yes. Students must complete both a criminal background check and a drug screening prior to matriculation. These screenings must be performed by a certifying organization retained by 萝莉社视-COM. Repeat screenings will be required before third and fourth year to participate in Clinical Education requirements.

Our Curriculum

Are there no scheduled lectures at 萝莉社视-COM?

Yes. We do not offer a traditional medical school lecture schedule. Instead, students meet daily on-campus with a pre-established group of peers to watch pre-recorded lectures, produced by 萝莉社视-COM faculty, in learning pods. Faculty are available in-person or online to answer questions about the materials. Videos are supplemented by in-person weekly reviews. 萝莉社视-COM does require that students complete traditional labs, exams, and other clinical (third- and fourth-year rotations, etc.) experiences in-person. Information about our innovative curricular model can be found on our 听辫补驳别.

Are the anatomy labs virtual?

No. Anatomy labs are held in our one-of-a kind lab that combines cadavers and virtual technology. Next to each cadaver table are large, wall-mounted touch screens that allow students to use 3D anatomy software, watch videos, and view images while learning in our lab. First and second-year students can utilize a supplementary, augmented reality (anatomy) program to prepare for their labs, but all required labs occur in our in-person, prosected cadaver lab. (Additionally, an elective dissection course is offered for second-year students interested in preparing select prosections.)

What is the grading system?

Students in their first and second year(s) receive letter grades for core courses, resulting in a cumulative GPA after each semester. Students in their clinical years聽(third and fourth years) receive 鈥淗onors鈥, 鈥淗igh Pass鈥, 鈥淧ass鈥, or 鈥淔ail鈥 for each core clinical rotation.

Our assessment system is designed to give students individualized, meaningful feedback about their progress on a weekly basis. Students complete board preparatory-style questions every week. Each board prep question is accompanied by a complete explanation of the correct and incorrect answers so that students can move forward with greater understanding. Assessment gathers data from student responses to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

Individualized data about the topic, organ system (e.g., cardiovascular system), and discipline (e.g., pharmacology) from practice questions, midterms, and finals is provided to each first and second-year student. Students can use their assessment results to change their studying focus or bring this information to a Learning Services Specialist or free peer tutor for additional assistance.

Clinical Education and Rotations

What clinical experiences will I have before my 3rd and 4th year rotations?

萝莉社视-COM students will have a variety of clinical experiences before traditional rotations in their third and fourth year. These experiences include:

First year (second semester)

  • Volunteering at community health events to provide vision, hearing, and blood glucose and blood pressure checks
  • Participating in graded OSCEs (objective structured clinical examinations). These immersive experiences mimic a clinic-style visit and require students to interact with a patient actor, offer a diagnosis, and create a treatment plan.

Second year:

  • Volunteering at community health events to provide vision, hearing, and blood glucose and blood pressure checks
  • Participating in OSCEs that increase in academic expectations
  • Providing care (under faculty supervision) to underserved populations at the United Way鈥檚 Volunteer Care Clinic in Provo
  • Offering comprehensive health screenings to Provo elementary-aged children through 萝莉社视-COM鈥檚 鈥Kaufusi鈥檚 Keikis鈥 health outreach program
  • Attending multiple interprofessional education events that incorporate clinical experiences in collaboration with healthcare students from local colleges and universities

What will clinical rotations look like in third and fourth year?

  • Third year: You will have rotations in the following specialties: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Women鈥檚 Health, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Psychiatry.
  • Fourth year: You will complete a required Emergency Medicine rotation, elective rotations, and sub-internship rotations in your areas of interest.

Clinical Education will have the flexibility to work with 萝莉社视-COM preceptors (or any preceptors that you have relationships with) to create your rotation experience.

Will I need to set up my own rotations?

Our Clinical Education Department works with hospitals and clinics in Utah and neighboring states to arrange for required third-year student rotations. Rotations that are requested to be completed out of state will be supported by the Clinical Education Department and they will guide you on what needs to be done. Students will receive their required rotation schedules in the spring of their second year and begin rotations the following summer.

As with most medical schools, fourth-year students at 萝莉社视 have control over what their fourth-year schedule looks like. To make this happen, there will be some work for the student. Each student will be assigned a Clinical Education Coordinator to work with and help assist through the process. 萝莉社视 has a variety of rotation options through our personal database as well as national databases that we participate in.聽聽聽

Is 萝莉社视-COM planning on starting new Residency programs?

There are numerous hospitals in Utah that may be able to create new or expand residency programs to accommodate more residents. In 2022, 萝莉社视-COM played a crucial role in securing legislative funding from the State of Utah for the development of new residency programs in Utah. The Utah Medical Education Council reviews residency and fellowship program applications for this state funding to help maximize the potential for new and expanded residencies and fellowships.

萝莉社视-COM maintains close relationships with legislators and healthcare leaders to advocate for ongoing legislation surrounding the expansion of medical education.聽 萝莉社视-COM is an ACGME accredited sponsoring institution.