Location: Glendale, AZ

Mission Statement

Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine educates students to exhibit professionalism, provide patient care, and serve their communities in order to become qualified osteopathic physicians.

College Description

Midwestern University has a proud and impressive history. Founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery by J. Martin Littlejohn, Ph.D., D.O., M.D. (1865-1947), the organization was incorporated in Chicago, Illinois, to train physicians in a not-for-profit environment.

Today, Midwestern University is still governed by the strong principles of the founding administration and faculty. We are an independent, not-for-profit corporation organized primarily to provide graduate, and postgraduate education in the health sciences. We are dedicated to the education and development of our students, faculty, and staff in an environment that encourages learning and personal development.

Campus setting:
The 156-acre Glendale Campus boasts a scenic location situated 15 miles outside of downtown Phoenix

Year founded: 1995

Type: Private, non-profit

Accreditation:
Midwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413; 800/621-7440; www.higherlearningcommission.org).

Institutional affiliation: Midwestern University

Facilities:

Some of the facilities on campus include:

• Sahuaro Hall, with lecture halls, conference rooms, and laboratory classrooms boasting the finest in educational equipment and medical resources (64,850 sq ft).
• Cholla Hall, with two lecture auditoria, modern pharmacy laboratories, multi-use classrooms, and a computer lab (37,976 sq ft).
• Ocotillo Hall, with cutting-edge practice labs, classrooms, and a 600-seat dividable auditorium (40,000 sq ft).
• Agave Hall, with state-of-the-art anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine labs, as well as several multi-purpose spaces (40,000 sq ft).
• Glendale Hall, featuring classrooms, faculty offices, and a dental simulation lab (130,000 sq. ft.).
• Foothills Science Center, which houses faculty research facilities (26,765 sq ft).
• Mesquite Hall, home of the Clinical Skills & Simulation Center which offers human and technology-based simulation models for MWU students to practice clinical skills; features 19 clinical and 6 specialty exam rooms, a mock OR/ER, scrub room, and student testing/faculty observation areas with high-resolution video.
• 2,600-seat Auditorium with classroom space for lectures and large campus events (40,000 sq ft).
• Recreation & Wellness Hall, with gymnasium and exercise facilities, and special rooms for music, crafts, and dance/aerobics (26,135 sq ft).
• Four Barrel Student Center buildings, which are home to University departments including Admissions, Financial Aid, University Relations, Communications, Human Resources, Information Technology, Campus Security, and the Stagecoach Dining Hall. Student amenities include lounges, game room, and outdoor basketball courts and a sand volleyball court.
• Comprehensive medical library with computer resources and study rooms.
• Chanen Interfaith Chapel, with space for personal reflection, student organizations, special events.
• The Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic, offering comprehensive family medical treatment in six specialty areas, including Clinical Psychology, Family Medicine, Foot and Ankle Services, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Speech-Language Pathology, and Pharmacy Services.

Student residence options:

Student Apartment Complex

The apartment complex consists of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments that feature ample study and living space; kitchen with range, oven, and refrigerator; wireless Internet; and cable television. The complex also has a swimming pool, volleyball court, sand play area for children, picnic and barbecue areas for residents and their guests.

2018-2019 Enrollment

• Total medical school enrollment: 1,014
• Total male: 634
• Total female: 380
• First-year enrollment: 253
• First-year male: 168
• First-year female: 85
• First-year in-state: 67
• First-year out-of-state: 186
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions:  NA

Instructional Program
As scientists and practitioners of the healing arts, osteopathic physicians subscribe to a philosophy that regards the body as an integrated whole with structure and function working interdependently. As an extension of this philosophy, osteopathic physicians treat their patients as unique persons with biological, psychological, and sociological needs, an approach that underscores the osteopathic commitment to patient-oriented versus disease-oriented healthcare. In recognition of this approach, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) has developed, and continues to refine, a four-year curriculum that educates students in the biopsychosocial approach to patient care, as well as the basic medical arts and sciences.

Within this curricular format, AZCOM students spend their first two years completing a rigorous basic science curriculum and preparing for their clinical studies, including early clinical simulated experiences. During their third and fourth years, students rotate through a variety of clinical training sites accruing 84 weeks of direct patient care experience. By stimulating intellectual curiosity and teaching problem-solving skills, the AZCOM curriculum encourages students to regard learning as a lifelong process.

Total Curricular Hours

First Year – 71.5
Second Year – 64.0
Elective Credits – 2.0
Third Year – 72.0
Fourth Year – 63.0

Total – 272.5

DO/Master of Biomedical Sciences (MSBS)

None Offered

Special Programs

None Offered

Admissions Process

To initiate the application process, all applicants must register and apply online via the centralized application service administered by AACOM at http://aacomas.aacom.org/. The AACOMAS application is typically available in May or June. As part of this process, students must submit official MCAT scores for tests taken no more than 3 years prior to the matriculation date, and official transcripts directly to AACOMAS. The Office of Admissions will not accept MCAT scores or transcripts submitted directly to Midwestern University. The deadline for submission of the AACOMAS application is January 1st.

Application Information

• Primary application service: AACOMAS
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/2/2019)
• Primary application deadline: 1/1/2020
• Supplemental application deadline: 3/1/2020
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  AZCOM uses a rolling admissions process in which applications are reviewed and interview decisions are made at each interval during the admissions cycle. Interviews are conducted and selection decisions for the College are made until the class is filled. Applicants are notified of their selection status within two to four weeks after their interview date. To be competitive within this process, candidates should apply early in the admissions cycle.Within its competitive admissions framework, the College uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available. AZCOM typically receives over 5000 applications for its 250 seats.

First-Year Class Matriculants’ Selection Factors:

Applicants must meet all of the admissions requirements listed previously to be considered for on-campus interviews. After the Office of Admissions receives all of the required application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit interview invitations based on established criteria of the Admissions Committee. Applicants who are invited to interview will be contacted by the Office of Admissions and receive instructions for scheduling their interviews via the University’s web-based scheduling system. Additional applicants may be placed on an interview “Wait List” pending possible interview openings toward the end of the interview cycle.

When applicants accept interview appointments, they join other interviewees to meet with members of an interview panel selected from a volunteer group of basic scientists, current students, administrators, and clinicians. Panel members assess applicants for their academic and personal preparedness for medical school, and their understanding of the osteopathic physician’s role in the healthcare team. They rate applicants on a standardized evaluation form relative to each variable. At the conclusion of the interviews, the panel members forward their applicant evaluations to the Admissions Committee. The committee may recommend to accept, to deny, or to place the applicant on either the hold or alternate list. This recommendation is then forwarded to the Dean of AZCOM for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies accepted applicants within three to four weeks of their interview.

International students (non-U.S. citizens/temporary residents) considered: Yes

Must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411; www.ece.org
• World Education Services (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100; www.wes.org
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338; www.jsilny.com

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: July 2017
• Accept September 2019 MCAT scores? Yes
• Accept January 2020 MCAT scores? Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Virtual Evals
• Interfolio
• Paper

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: 5/1/2020
• Supplemental application deadline: 3/1/2020

• Supplemental application requirements; To receive a supplemental application, students must have minimum science and cumulative GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
• Fee waiver available: Yes
• Waiver conditions: AACOMAS waiver
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students: Screened applicants: To receive a supplemental application, students must have minimum science and cumulative GPAs of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
• Supplemental application fee: $50, non-refundable

Interview Format

Panel Interviews

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 8 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:

• Biochemistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Behavioral Sciences
• 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 16
• 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
• Earliest acceptance date: 1/9/2020
• Latest acceptance date: 7/20/2020
• Deferred entrance requests considered? Yes,For documented medical reasons only
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/20/2020

Early Decision Program

Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

Tuition and Fees

Source: 2018-18 tuition. Data subject to change. 

• 2018-19 annual resident tuition: $68,574
• 2018-19 annual non-resident tuition: $68,574
• 2018-19 annual resident fees: $729
• 2018-19 annual non-resident fees: $729
• 2018-19 annual health insurance fee: $3,456
• Fees include: Student Services
• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $98,573
• Average 2017 graduate indebtedness: $303,733

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $200
• Additional deposit amount: $0
• Deposit applied to tuition? Yes
• Deposit refundable? Partially. $100 refunded if withdrawn at least 30-days prior to orientation

Financial Aid

• Financial aid website
• Percent of enrolled students with federal financial aid: 90%
  
• Does your COM offer scholarships? Yes
• Average annual scholarship/grant per student: $2,858

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM)

Address:
19555 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308

Main phone: (623) 572-3275

Admissions office

Email: admissaz@midwestern.edu
Phone: (623) 572-3229