Admissions Requirements
Letter of recommendation for a physician whom you have worked with the healthcare field. A letter from a DO is preferred, but one from an MD will also be accepted. This letter should not be written by a friend or family member.
Letter of Recommendation(s) from either a Pre-Medical/Professional Advisory Committee or two letters from natural science professors who are familiar with the academic work of the applicant.
Note: If you are waiting on a committee letter and it will prolong your application, it is highly encouraged to use letters from 2 science faculty instead. ARCOM welcomes additional letters of recommendation from those who are acquainted with the student’s academic or professional ability. Letters of recommendation will be accepted via the AACOMAS application process, Virtual Evals, Interfolio, by email, and/or by mail to:
ARCOM
Director of Admissions
7000 Chad Colley Blvd.
Fort Smith, AR 72916
MCAT scores dated on or after May 2021
Minimum of 90 credit hours or three-fourth of the required credits for a degree from a college or university accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent residency card. ARCOM does not accept international students.
The CASPer test is not required but highly recommended.
ARCOM does not have a set minimum GPA or MCAT score as we conduct a holistic review of applicant materials taking into consideration all factors that might indicate an applicant is a fit for our mission. While competition dictates that most students will have an overall GPA > 3.5, science GPA > 3.4, and 500+ MCAT respectively, which reflect greater opportunity for success with the curriculum and national board examinations, students with GPAs below these averages may be considered. The upper division grades in the sciences are scrutinized by the faculty in making admission decisions.
While there is no minimum number of volunteer or shadowing hours required, it is highly encouraged that all applicants take part in both in order to show a well-rounded application and commitment to service.
Preference is given to students from rural and underserved environments that are more likely to advance the mission and goals of ARCOM, especially those from Arkansas and Southcentral United States.
Pre-Requisite Courses
| Discipline | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences with Lab | 8 semester hours |
| Biochemistry | 3 semester hours |
| Inorganic Chemistry with Laboratory (8 hours of general/college chemistry will fulfill this requirement) | 8 semester hours |
| Organic Chemistry with Laboratory | 8 semester hours |
| Physics with Laboratory | 8 semester hours |
| Additional Science Electives* | 4 semester hours |
| English Composition and Literature | 6 semester hours |
These basic requirements must be taken for credit and passed with 2.0 or better from a college or university accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign coursework cannot be used to meet this requirement. It is strongly encouraged that applicants have a broad education background that includes behavioral science and the humanities, along with a proficiency in scientific problem solving, critical thinking and writing.
Recommended courses to prepare for the osteopathic medical curriculum include additional humanities such as literature, philosophy or theology; communication skills such as speech, debate, or drama; additional science courses such as genetics, human physiology, human anatomy, immunology, epidemiology, etc.
Admitted Students
ARCOM accepts a class of 150 students each year and the curriculum is formatted around a cohort model. Orientation is typically at the end of July each year.
Transfer Applicants
ARCOM accepts transfer applicants in rare circumstances only when students are transferring from a LCME or AOA accredited college of medicine. Transfers must be passing all subjects at the time of transfer and be in good standing with their current college of medicine.
The student must provide a written statement outlining reasons for the request for transfer to the ARCOM Dean and must be eligible for continuing or readmission at the current college of medicine. They must have a letter of recommendation from the Dean, Vice Dean or Senior Associate Deans of the prior college attended. Decisions regarding transfer are made by the Dean in consultation with the Admissions and Curriculum Committees and will be based on factors including academic record, circumstances leading to the transfer request, available space, and admission standards. Credits eligible for transfer will be reviewed by the Curriculum Committee, with the Dean making final determination. All students must complete a minimum of the last two years of training at ARCOM, successfully fulfill all requirements of the ARCOM curriculum, including demonstration of competency in the philosophy and application of osteopathic principles and practice (including osteopathic manipulation), and receive the recommendation of the faculty through the Student Progress Committee for graduation.
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine transcripts will reflect the cumulative credit hours transferred from the previous medical school. Information regarding grades or class rank from the previous school will not be reflected on the ARCOM transcript. Students who transfer into Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine will not receive a class rank.
- Application Deadline: April 15 for consideration to enter in the Fall (June/July start date)
- Transfer Student Application
Advanced Standing (Transfer of Credit)
Credits will only be transferred from COMs accredited by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) or schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). All students must complete at a minimum the last two years of training at ARCOM, successfully fulfill all requirements of the ARCOM curriculum, including demonstration of competency in the philosophy and application of osteopathic principles and practice, and receive the recommendation of the faculty through the Student Progress Committee for graduation.
Additional tools offered as part of CASPer -Duet and Snapshot – are not required or taken into consideration as part of the ARCOM admission process.