Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
RowanSOM
Location: Stratford, NJ
COVID-19 Related Information
Osteopathic Medical Schools Adapt Admissions Processes in Response to COVID-19
Medical School Interview Options for 2020-2021 Cycle: We are ONLY offering virtual interviews this cycle.
Requires a Letter from a Physician: DO or MD Letter Required, however, if possible, a DO Letter is preferred
Accepts Online Coursework to Fulfill Prerequisite Requirements: Yes, courses must be completed a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Accepts Pass/Fail Coursework to Fulfill Prerequisite Requirements: Yes, on a case by case basis
Accepts Online Lab Coursework: Yes, on a case by case basis
Willing to Accept Applicants Without Lab Coursework: Yes, only for Spring 2020 term
General Information
Mission Statement
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine prepares future physicians and scientists who are committed to improving health in New Jersey and throughout the nation. To advance our mission we:
- Develop clinically skillful, compassionate and culturally competent physicians from diverse backgrounds who are grounded in our osteopathic philosophy and ready to meet future healthcare workforce needs;
- Advance research, innovation and discovery to improve health and solve the medical challenges of today and the future; and we
- Provide exceptional patient-centered care, with an emphasis on primary and interprofessional team-based care that responds to the needs of the community including underserved and special needs populations.
College Description
Located on a modern campus minutes from Center City Philadelphia, under two hours from bustling New York City and just one hour from the famous Jersey Shore, RowanSOM offers an accredited four-year program leading to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. It is consistently a leader among the osteopathic schools in academics, research, funding and student diversity. The school’s osteopathic graduate medical education program is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the country.
Campus setting:
The school is located in a suburban setting. The nearest large city is Philadelphia.
Year founded: 1976
Type: Public, non-profit
Accreditation:
The Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine is fully-accredited by the COCA and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Institutional affiliation:
- Rowan University
Facilities:
The centerpiece of the campus is the Academic Center, a three-story, 110,000-square-foot building that houses the library, basic sciences and anatomy labs, classrooms, lounges, students services, cafeteria, prayer/meditation room and wellness center.
The 74,000-square-foot Science Center houses laboratories and facilities used for leading-edge research and experimentation.
The 54,000-square-foot University Education Center (UEC) now houses the state-of-the-art PBL classrooms and the RowanSOM Student Services Department.
Student residence options:
There is no on-campus housing, however there are a number of apartment communities in close proximity to the RowanSOM campus.
2019-2020 Enrollment
- Total medical school enrollment: 781
- Total male: 408
- Total female: 373
- First-year enrollment: 211
- First-year male: 107
- First-year female: 104
- First-year in-state: 170
- First-year out-of-state: 41
- Total enrollment affiliate institutions: N/A
Campus Photos
Curricular Offerings
RowanSOM has two different curriculum tracks from which to choose: Synergistic Guided Learning (SGL) Curriculum and Problem Based Learning (PBL) Curriculum. Students can make their choice at the time of acceptance or after acceptance. Once students are accepted into RowanSOM, students will be assigned into one of the curriculum tracks based on their secondary application and ranked preferences. A separate PBL committee will make assignments to the PBL cohort.
Both curricula tracks will prepare students to become excellent physicians who will provide exceptional care and become leaders within their community. Our students consistently perform well on National Board Exams
Dual Degree Programs
BS/DO
Three plus four articulation agreements with select colleges allow qualified candidates to apply during their junior year and begin osteopathic medical studies in what would traditionally be their senior year. Participants of the Baccalaureate/DO program must take the MCAT, complete all course requirements and interview with members of the admissions committee to be considered for a seat in the class. Acceptance into the undergraduate college and pursuing the three plus four track does not guarantee acceptance into RowanSOM. (Contact Admissions for more information.)
DO/MBA
The joint DO/MBA program is offered in cooperation with Rowan University. The Master of Business Administration is designed to prepare future physicians to establish, build and manage medical practices and/or other business endeavors and assume leadership positions within for-profit and not-for-profit organization.
DO/MPH
The joint DO/MPH program is offered in cooperation with the Rutgers University School of Public Health. The Masters in Public Health degree is designed to prepare future physicians to address a multitude of health issues within our society
DO/JD
The joint DO/JD program is offered in cooperation with Rutgers University – School of Law Camden Campus. The program is designed to prepare future physicians for joint careers in medicine and law.
DO/PhD
The joint DO/PhD program is a unique interdepartmental program between the departments of Cell Biology and Molecular Biology that is intended to prepare future physicians anticipating careers in biomedical research or teaching.
Preparatory Programs
Masters in Biomedical Sciences
Offered to students interested in research or enhancing their science background in preparation for application to DO or MD programs. Students are required to take credits of GSBS courses. Course are offered in the evenings. Applications are accepted year round.
Special Programs
None Offered
Admissions Process & Application Information
Admissions Process
Our admissions committee uses the holistic review process when reviewing applicants to RowanSOM. Unless a BS/DO student, applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation to Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Any undergraduate major is acceptable, however, students must complete prerequisite coursework prior to matriculation. Applicants must show academic ability and the ability to succeed in a medical school program. Applicants are also evaluated on their knowledge of osteopathic medicine, their exploration of the profession and their motivation to enter the profession. An admission to Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine is on a rolling admissions basis and favors the early applicant. Out-of-state applicants are encouraged to apply. All application materials should be received prior to the application deadline to be given adequate consideration. Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability.
- Primary application service: AACOMAS
- Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/5/2020)
- Primary application deadline: 2/1/2021
- Supplemental application deadline: 2/15/2021
- Submission timing for best consideration: For best consideration applicants should submit their application at least four weeks prior to the deadline. Our admissions process favors the early applicant.
First-Year Class Matriculants’ Selection Factors:
- Strong academic background
- Knowledge of Osteopathic Medicine
- Leadership skills and the journey to medical school
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Research, volunteering and shadowing experiences
International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: Yes
Applicants should contact the RowanSOM Admissions Office at (856) 566-7050 for more information.
MCAT
- Oldest MCAT considered: January 2016
- Accept September 2020 MCAT scores: Yes
- Accept January 2021 MCAT scores: Yes
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
Supplemental Application
- Supplemental application required? Yes
- Earliest supplemental application submission date: 6/22/2020
- Supplemental application deadline: 2/15/2021
- Supplemental application requirements:
All applicants are required to complete a supplemental application. In addition, letters of recommendation from a pre-medical committee or two science faculty professors and the Medical College Admissions Test, (MCAT) are required. - Fee waiver available: Yes
- Waiver conditions:
AACOMAS waiver - Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
All applicants - Supplemental application fee: $90, non-refundable
Interview Format
The interview is generally a closed file interview conducted by a faculty member and a medical student. Interviews are approximately 30 minutes long.
Premedical Coursework
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:
- Anatomy, 3 semester hours
- Biochemistry, 3 semester hours
- Genetics, 3 semester hours
- Physiology, 3 semester hours
Non-Science Courses
Required:
- College English, 3 semester hours
- Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours
- Math/Statistics, 6 semester hours
None recommended
Acceptances
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-specificprocedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges
- Earliest acceptance date: 9/21/2020
- Latest acceptance date: 3/31/2021
- Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes, The RowanSOM Deferment Policy can be found here: https://som.rowan.edu/education/admissions/transfer.html
- Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/12/2021
Early Decision Program
- Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: Yes
- EDP available for: Residents, Non-residents
- EDP application due date: 8/15/2020
- EDP applications submitted to: AACOMAS
- EDP supplemental materials due: 8/31/2020
- Date EDP applicants notified: 10/21/2020
First-Year Class Matriculants
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.5% |
Asian | 39.1% |
Black or African American | 6.9% |
Hispanic/Latino | 6.0% |
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 0.5% |
White | 41.6% |
Multiple Races | 6.4% |
Undisclosed | 5.5% |
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors | 85% |
Non-Science Majors | 15% |
Graduate Degrees | 20% |
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
- 2019-20 annual resident tuition: $41,339
- 2019-20 annual non-resident tuition: $66,324
- 2019-20 annual resident fees: $3,343
- 2019-20 annual non-resident fees: $3,343
- 2019-20 annual health insurance fee: $4,810
- Fees include:
- Student Services
- Lab
- Computer
- Student Activities
- Technology (not computer)
- Health Service
- Other
- Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $23,462
- Average 2019 graduate indebtedness: $240,043
Deposit
- Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $150, non-refundable
- Additional deposit amount: $0
- Deposit applied to tuition: Partially: $95 for criminal background check
Financial Aid
- Financial Aid Website
- Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 77%
- Scholarships: Yes
- Average scholarship/grant: $4,286
Contacts & Additional Resources
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
RowanSOM
Address:
One Medical Center Drive
Stratford, NJ 08084
Main phone: (856) 566-7050
Email: somadm@rowan.edu
Phone: (856) 566-7050
Fax: (856) 566-6895