collageMinimum Requirements for Interview and Admission
Students must complete courses in biology, physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, English, and demonstrate the ability to master the subject matter of those courses. The student’s grade point average (GPA) in required courses weighs heavily in the admissions consideration. Applicants are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). In addition to demonstrated knowledge, acceptance is also based on the interview process. The College uses a mission-driven admissions process; therefore, the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a history of compassion, empathy, dedication, and interest in patient care, an orientation to a rural or primary care medicine, and/or to research is considered in the admissions process. Other qualities that reflect on the student’s ability to adapt to a rigorous academic environment and to a future as a professional provide an advantage in the application process.
COVID-19 Related Information
Is a letter of recommendation required from a physician for the 2021-2022 cycle? – No, but encouraged. We recommend attending one of our Virtual Physician Experiences if invited for a Secondary Application, particularly if you do not have a letter.
Applicants for admission must meet the following requirements to be considered for an interview:
1. Degree Requirements
Applicants must earn a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation.
- Courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited institution that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In some circumstances, a degree from a college or university that is nationally, rather than regionally accredited, is accepted as long as the accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (i.e., a religiously-based institution). Contact the Office of Admissions in advance of applying.
- Applicants who have taken coursework and/or earned a degree from a foreign institution must submit an evaluation of their transcripts to AACOMAS. The transcript evaluation company chosen must be approved by AACOMAS. Please see the AACOMAS website for a list of approved companies.
2. Required Undergraduate Courses
Applicants must have completed 90 hours or three-fourths of the required credits for a baccalaureate degree and have completed the required courses listed below from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body:
- Biological Sciences: 4 credit hours
- Physics: 6 credit hours
- General and Inorganic Chemistry: 6 credit hours
- Organic Chemistry: 6 credit hours
- English and Composition: 6 credit hours
- A minimum of 6 additional biomedical science credit hours at the 200 level or above, which prepare the applicant for medical school. These include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, virology, or genetics.
A “C” is the minimum grade needed for all required courses. However, a “B” or better is generally needed for acceptance.
Courses with equivalent content will be considered. VCOM follows the AACOMAS definition of science courses to determine science GPA and science hours. See the AACOMAS website for more information.
3. GPA
VCOM places emphasis on the science and required courses as well as the last 120 credit hours when choosing competitive applicants.
- Applicants must achieve at least a 3.2 science and cumulative grade point average.
- The average GPA of accepted students is 3.5 to 3.6.
4. MCAT
Applicants must submit current scores from the MCAT that are less than four years old prior to the date of matriculation. For the current admissions cycle, the college will accept the April MCAT administered from up to four years prior to the date of matriculation. VCOM considers the GPA most important, and the MCAT score in the decision process is balanced with the GPA.
The average MCAT of applicants is 500. Applicants with an MCAT of less than 494 are generally not considered for an interview (and higher MCATs are more competitive). A competitive MCAT is at or above 500. Please note that VCOM considers both the numeric and percentile scores when assessing overall MCAT performance.
5. Citizenship
An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident. International students who have questions regarding their application status should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to determine eligibility for admission.
6. Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment
Applicants must meet the Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment. All students must read carefully and affirm that he/she meets the technical standards for admission. Any falsification or misinformation regarding the ability to meet technical standards is a reason for dismissal
Applicants must be able to use a keyboard at a reasonable speed for timed testing situations and data entry into the electronic medical record. If applicants are not proficient in typing, they should take a typing or keyboarding course prior to entry.
7. Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, and Doctors of Physical Therapy
Special consideration regarding required courses for interview may be considered for practicing Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists, and Doctors of Physical Therapy when reviewing courses for course equivalency in the application. For special considerations, course review is conducted by the Director of Admissions and the Campus Dean.
Vcom Application Deadline
Tentative Program Timeline
- September: Host informational sessions in partnership with VCOM for interested students
- Oct. 1: Application becomes available for submission.
- Nov. 1: Review documents due to Clemson University for interested students
- November – December: Applications considered by Clemson University/VCOM committee
- December – January: Clemson University Rocovich Scholar EAP committee recommends 12 students to VCOM
- March 1: Letter of Intent due to VCOM Admissions Committee
- March – April: Applicants interviewed and evaluated by VCOM Admissions Committee
- April 30: Deadline for student notification of acceptance
- May 15: Deadline for accepting or declining offer of admission
Application
Clemson will make available information about the program in September of each year. Applicable pre-health advising offices will distribute information to health-related undergraduate departments as well as students who have self-identified as pre-med with the College of Sciences and students participating in AED (pre-med honorary).
Completed applications will be due to the Clemson University Early Assurance Program (EAP) committee by Nov.1 during the fall semester of the junior year. The EAP committee may include Clemson University faculty from health-related disciplines, VCOM faculty, CU health advisers from health-related colleges, and other appropriate faculty and staff.
The application may include the following information. Applications must be limited to four pages, excluding letters of recommendations and transcripts. Personal statements should not exceed one page.
- Demographic information.
- Employment (medical and non-medical).
- Community/Volunteer service.
- Research experience.
- Physician shadowing/clinical observation.
- Publications.
- Leadership positions.
- Honors/awards/recognitions.
- Personal statement.
- Two letters of recommendation — one letter must be from the pre-medical committee/advisor or faculty member.
- Official transcript.
Students who complete an application and meet the program prerequisites will be reviewed by the Clemson University Rocovich Scholar EAP committee. The Rocovich Scholar EAP committee will recommend up to 12 applicants to be considered by VCOM by the beginning of the junior year spring semester.
Recommended applicants will be required to submit an additional letter of intent to the VCOM Admissions Committee by March 1. This statement of intent may include the following:
- Any information regarding personal challenges/hardships that you have overcome.
- Traits, experiences, challenges, and/or interests that make you unique and would bring added value to the learning environment at VCOM.
- Relationships, bonds or interests that you have to the state of North or South Carolina (if you are not a North or South Carolina resident.
- Any past achievements, experiences, family or personal circumstances and/or educational barriers that you believe make you a unique student, able to bring diversity to the class.
All recommended applicants will be interviewed by the VCOM Admissions Committee during April of their junior year. Up to five students will receive an offer of admission by April 30 (acceptance is contingent upon the required minimum MCAT score and Rocovich Scholar EAP requirements).
Accepted applicants must accept or reject their acceptance offer within two weeks. Applicants who accept the offer of admission cannot apply to any other medical schools during the same application cycle. An offer of admission MUST be formally rejected before applicants will be allowed to apply to other medical schools through American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) in the same application cycle. Students who do not receive an offer of admission are welcome to apply to VCOM as an early decision or regular decision applicant.
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