Main Campus: Lewisburg, WV

The mission of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is to educate students from diverse backgrounds as lifelong learners in osteopathic medicine and complementary health related programs; to support and develop graduate medical education training; to advance scientific knowledge through academic, clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence based medicine. WVSOM is dedicated to serve, first and foremost, the state of West Virginia and the health care needs of its residents, emphasizing primary care in rural areas.

WVSOM has the feel of a small school with a national reputation. WVSOM’s excellence has earned the school national recognition for 20 consecutive years as a leader in primary care, family medicine and rural medicine in the highly regarded U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Graduate Schools” rankings. WVSOM is the only independent medical school in the nation, which means all of the students are focused on one thing; to become physicians. WVSOM provides a cutting-edge, 21st century, clinically integrated approach to medical education. Students learn the practice of patient-centered medicine and develop lifelong learning and leadership skills in a caring family atmosphere.

Graduates are well prepared to succeed in any field of medicine they choose to pursue. WVSOM is number 1 in providing primary care physicians for West Virginia, (W.Va. HEPC Health Sciences Report Card). WVSOM is number 1 in the nation graduating primary care physicians who practice in rural Appalachia, (Academic Medicine). WVSOM is number 1 in the nation among all medical schools graduating physicians who practice in rural areas, (Academic Medicine).

Campus setting:
WVSOM is situated in the rural setting of Lewisburg, WV. The independent campus in an inviting and historic community provides a relaxing atmosphere where students are encouraged to explore creative, athletic, and recreational opportunities. It enables students to pursue a first-class medical education in a place full of outdoor beauty. Students also enjoy cultural outings with music performances in Carnegie Hall and live drama and dance at two live theaters. The town is often filled with music, art festivals, and events. The world-famous Greenbrier Resort and Spa is minutes away.

Year founded: 1972

Type: Public, non-profit

Accreditation:
WVSOM is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA).

Institutional affiliation:
None

Facilities:

Located in historic Lewisburg, WVSOM’s 68-acre campus combines green spaces and tree-shaded areas with new and recently renovated buildings. WVSOM’s state-of-the-art Clinical Evaluation Center includes a clinic setting with 24 examination rooms for use with standardized patients, a hospital setting with a four-bed emergency room suite, a birthing suite and general simulation rooms to house 25 human patient simulators, and the John Manchin II DO Conference Hall. The Center for Rural Medicine and Technology is a cutting-edge instructional facility housing two modern 200-seat lecture halls, a commons area, and office space.

Other WVSOM facilities include: the Fredric W. Smith Science Building; the Robert C. Byrd Clinic, an on-campus primary care clinic that provides varied clinical training opportunities; the Admissions Center; and the Founders’ Activity Center, a recreation and fitness facility for students, faculty, staff and their families. The Roland P. Sharp Alumni and Conference Center, used by on-campus and off-campus groups for programs, meetings and events.

A 55,000-square-foot Student Center includes student recreation area, SGA offices, open and quiet student study space, the campus store, a food service area, and a 1,000-seat meeting hall. The Student Center also includes a clock tower.

Student residence options:
Students are encouraged to visit Lewisburg and to review the listings for available rentals.

• Total medical school enrollment: 792
• Total male: 408
• Total female: 384
• First-year enrollment: 200
• First-year male: 109
• First-year female: 91
• First-year in-state: 43
• First-year out-of-state: 157
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: N/A

The WVSOM Patient Presentation curriculum is carefully constructed to thoroughly prepare graduates for practice in any setting. However, the WVSOM educational program is tailored to meet the unique needs of patients in rural, medically underserved areas. Faculty members are particularly committed to teaching in a student-friendly atmosphere.

Specialty clinics and health screenings allow students to develop clinical skills and bedside manner. The common thread of osteopathic principles and holistic medicine ties together all elements of WVSOM’s curriculum. WVSOM offers one integrated curricular track for its osteopathic medical students.

None Offered

None Offered

International Medicine Programs
WVSOM’s Center for International Medicine and Cultural Concern (CIMCC) works with individual students and small groups to travel to remote, under-served communities in Central and Latin America, Southern and Western Africa and India. Traditional European placements are also available. First- and second-year students may participate in spring break and summer time-off trips; for third- and fourth- year students, four-to-eight-week clinical rotations are offered. WVSOM-CIMCC provides students opportunities to learn experientially about both practical and specialized medicine on a global scale in both clinical and research settings. WVSOM’s CIMCC offers one of the most diverse international medical studies programs among osteopathic medical schools.

Rural Health Initiative
During the third and fourth years, students participate in unique rural experiences which provide an opportunity to learn about local industries and daily life in the mountain state and how these factors affect healthy and treatment within those communities.

Admissions Process

Our admissions process not only considers the applicant’s academic ability but also incorporates individual interviews to better determine an applicant’s interpersonal skills. Interest in rural, primary care is considered.

Application Information:

• Primary application service: AACOMAS
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/5/2020)
• Primary application deadline: 2/15/2021
• Supplemental application deadline: 2/15/2021
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  For best consideration, applicants should apply early for rolling admission. For late applicants, submission of their AACOMAS application should be completed at least four weeks prior to the deadline.

First-year class matriculant’s selection factors:

The Committee on Admissions of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine recommends acceptance of applicants on the basis of motivation for osteopathic medicine, motivation to serve in rural communities in the primary care fields, health-related experiences, and scholastic achievement.

International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: No

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: 2018
• Accept September 2020 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2021 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Interfolio
• Paper

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: June 2020
• Supplemental application deadline: 2/15/2021
• Supplemental application requirements:
  Supplemental application and fee. Letters of recommendation from an osteopathic physician and from a premedical advisor, a premedical advisory committee or an approved basic science faculty member.  Verification form for classification as a West Virginia resident student for West Virginia residents only. WVSOM “Health and Technical Standards for Admission and Graduation” form.
• Fee waiver available: No
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Applicants who pass initial screening. Please visit https://www.wvsom.edu/Admissions/application-requirements for specifics on minimum requirements.
• Supplemental application fee: No supplemental fee. If offered an interview, an interview fee ($40 in-state; $80 out-of-state) is due.

Interview Format

A 30-minute, open file personal interview includes two faculty members, and the director of admissions or assistant director of admissions. 

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

• Earliest acceptance date: June 2020
• Latest acceptance date: July 2021
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: Typically the third week of July

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 6 semester hours with lab
• Inorganic Chemistry, 9 semester hours
• Physics, 6 semester hours
• Biochemistry, 3 semester hours

*Any combination of labs (additional biology labs, chemistry, or physics)– 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Organic Chemistry 
• Genetics 
• Anatomy 
• Physiology 
• Immunology 
• Cell Biology 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours
• Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours

Tuition and Fees

• 2019-20 annual resident tuition: $21,472.00
•  2019-20 annual non-resident tuition: $52,710.00
•  2019-20 annual resident fees: $1,200.00
•  2019-20 annual non-resident fees: $1,200.00
•  2019-20 annual health insurance fee: $3,886.00
• Fees include:
  • Student Services
  • Lab
  • Computer
  • Student Activities
  • Technology (not computer)
  • Health Service

• Estimated annual room, board, books and living costs: $27,456
• Average 2019 graduate indebtedness: $213,175

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class:

First deposit of $500 (non-refundable) for in-state residents
First deposit of $2,000 (non-refundable) for out-of-state students

• Additional deposit amount:

Second deposit of $500 (non-refundable) for in-state residents
Second deposit of $1,000 (non-refundable) for out-of-state students

• Deposit applied to tuition: Yes
• Deposit refundable: No

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 748
• Scholarships: Yes
• Average scholarship/grant: $13,682

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Address:
400 Lee Street North
Lewisburg, WV 24901

Main phone: (800) 356-7836

Admissions Office

Email: admissions@osteo.wvsom.edu
Phone: (800) 356-7836 or (888)-276-7836