Location: Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey Nationally Recognized for Excellence by U.S. News and World Report

The mission of the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) is to prepare men and women to become osteopathic physicians through an emphasis on primary care, lifelong learning, research, scholarly activities, service, including osteopathic clinical service, and graduate medical education. Using a community-based training model, the COM will educate and train graduates who are committed to serving the health care needs of all individuals, with special attention to the medically underserved and diverse populations of the state, region, nation and across the globe.

WCUCOM is a private institution with a small class size to promote an environment of individual attention with faculty and staff. WCUCOM offers an integrated curriculum with emphasis on rural and community–based medicine. Graduates are encouraged to practice primary care medicine in medically underserved areas, especially in the Gulf South United States. 

Campus setting:
Rural –Closest city is Hattiesburg, MS

Year founded: 2010

Type: Private, non-profit

Accreditation:
WCUCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

Institutional affiliation:
William Carey University

Facilities:

The medical school complex consists of four buildings located on the William Carey University main campus in Hattiesburg, MS.  

• The 18,000-square-foot Academic Building houses two amphitheater classrooms equipped with high-quality audio-visual integration, a state-of-the-art OPP lab, and space for research.  

• The 16,000-square-foot Medical Arts Building contains the Innovative Learning Center with standardized patient examination rooms, clinical simulator rooms, and a telemedicine center. It also has breakout rooms for student group study and a suite of faculty offices.  
• The 13,000-square-foot Asbury Administration Building houses the COM administrative offices as well as a portion of the faculty.  
• The 6208-square-foot Anatomy Wing contains a state-of-the-art anatomy laboratory with space for study of medical imaging and an anatomical model room.  
• Additional facilities include a Wireless Everywhere Print Anywhere (WEPA) kiosk, conference rooms and, lounge areas. Individual study carrels are placed in multiple locations throughout the facility.  

WCUCOM offers clinical training at a community-based training network representing nearly 50 hospital systems in four states: Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. Other facility-related features include: 

• Wireless campus with video streamed lectures 
• Regional hospital and clinic affiliations that afford comprehensive clinical training opportunities 
• Small group meeting rooms with plasma screens and multimedia capabilities 
• Personal response system and online learning management system 
• University cafeteria, coffee shop and library with access to thousands of medically-related texts, articles, and database search engines 

Student residence options:

On-campus housing is available to COM students on a limited basis.

• Total medical school enrollment: 448
• Total male: 272
• Total female: 176
• First-year matriculants: 158
• First-year male matriculants: 90
• First-year female matriculants: 68
• Matriculants in-state: 21
• Matriculants out-of-state: 137
• Total enrollment affiliate institutions: 0

WCUCOM offers an integrated curriculum that begins with first-year foundational courses that address the anatomic and cellular/molecular underpinnings of the science of medicine. Courses are taught through clinically-relevant application and case-based learning experiences while simultaneously developing skills in physical examination, doctor-patient communication, and osteopathic principles and practice. The second year continues with system-based organization of the biomedical and clinical course content material and increased opportunities for self-directed learning and self-assessment. In the third and fourth years, students work with clinical faculty at regional hub sites throughout the Gulf South. Clerkship experiences encourage problem solving, teamwork, and further advancement in clinical skills development. Students receive additional clinical training through use of patient simulators and standardized patient encounters. 

None Offered

Master’s of Biomedical Science
One-year, non-thesis program in the biomedical sciences designed to prepare students for enrollment in the healthcare professional schools such as medical, dental, physical therapy school, etc.

None Offered

Admissions Process

Admissions is done on a competitive basis. Key criteria in the admissions process are how well the applicant fits the mission of the school, their academic credentials (overall GPA, science GPA, MCAT scores, and recommendations), and their personal attributes. AACOMAS applications are reviewed as soon as they are verified to determine if a secondary application will be granted. Once the secondary application is complete, the candidate will be considered for an interview. The individual will be informed of their status (accept, reject, or defer) within a short time after the interview.

Application Information:

• Primary application service: AACOMAS
• Earliest application submission date: Opening Date of AACOMAS (5/5/2021)
• Primary application deadline: 3/15/2022
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2022
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  For best considerations, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application by the end of 2021.

First-year class matriculant’s selection factors:

The Admissions Committee looks for a Science GPA of 3.4 or above with an overall GPA of 3.4/3.5 and an MCAT score of 500 or above

International students (non-U.S. citizens or temporary residents) considered: Yes
International students must show evidence of their ability to meet their financial obligations to the institution, as well as their eligibility for visa sponsorship.

MCAT

• Oldest MCAT considered: 5/15/2018
• Accept September 2021 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2022 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Interfolio
• Paper

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: 5/15/2021
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2022
• Supplemental application requirements:
  • Completed supplemental application submission of required recommendations
• Fee waiver available: N/A.
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Screened applications based on competitive academic and non-academic credentials.
• Supplemental application fee: None

Interview Format

Traditional interview

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-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges.

• Earliest acceptance date: 10/1/2021
• Latest acceptance date: 7/15/2022
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes. Deferred entrance will be granted only in exceptional circumstances with Admissions Committee approval.
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 8/2/2022

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 12 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, 4 semester hours 
• Biochemistry, 4 semester hours 
• Genetics, 4 semester hours 
• Molecular & Cell Biology, 4 semester hours 
• Physiology, 4 semester hours 
• Psychology, 3 semester hours 

Non-Science Courses

Required:

• College English, 6 semester hours

Recommended:

• Behavioral Sciences, 6 semester hours
• Math/Statistics, 8 semester hours
• Sociology, 3 semester hours

Tuition and Fees

• 2020-21 annual resident tuition: $44,000
• 2020-21 annual non-resident tuition: $44,000
• 2020-21 annual resident fees: $0
• 2020-21 annual non-resident fees: $0
• 2020-21 annual health insurance fee: $2,342
• Fees include:
  • Student Services
  • Lab
  • Technology (not computer)
• Estimated annual room, board, books, and living costs: $25,000
• Average 2020 graduate indebtedness: $205,476

Deposit

• Amount of deposit to hold place in class: $1,000, non-refundable
• Additional deposit amount: $0
• Deposit applied to tuition: Yes

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid Website
• Enrolled students with federal financial aid: 98%
• Scholarships: No

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM)
710 William Carey Parkway
Hattiesburg, MS 39401-7842

Main phone: (601) 318-6235

Admissions Office

Email: dday@wmcarey.edu
Phone: (601) 318-6316