Hattiesburg, MS

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, and 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 healthcare needs of all individuals, with special attention to the medically underserved and diverse populations of the state, region and nation.

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

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 more than 7,500 beds 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: 407
• Total male: 252
• Total female: 155
• First-year enrollment: 109
• First-year male: 70
• First-year female: 39
• First-year in-state: 21
• First-year out-of-state: 88
• 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 (1 year)
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 (5/2/2019)
• Primary application deadline: 3/15/2020
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2020
• Submission timing for best consideration:
  For best consideration, applicants should submit their AACOMAS application at least six weeks prior to the deadline.

First-year class matriculant’s selection factors:

Admissions is done on a competitive basis. The key admissions criteria include fit with the COM’s mission, presentation of academic credentials indicative of successful completion of medical school, and personal traits indicative of a competent physician. The major academic factors used in selection of students are science GPA, (biology, chemistry, physics), MCAT scores (emphasizing science sections), and recommendations from former professors. Generally a science GPA of 3.4+ and a total MCAT score of 500+ are necessary for a competitive application.

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: Within three years of the date of submission of the AACOMAS application.
• Accept September 2019 MCAT scores: Yes
• Accept January 2020 MCAT scores: Yes

Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation

• AACOMAS
• Virtual Evals
• Interfolio
• Paper
• Email

Supplemental Application

• Supplemental application required? Yes
• Earliest supplemental application submission date: 6/1/2019
• Supplemental application deadline: 4/15/2020
• Supplemental application requirements:
  • Complete secondary application
  • Submission of all transcripts
  • Submission of recommendations
• Fee waiver available: No
• Supplemental application sent to the following prospective students:
  Screened applicants – please include criteria (Required): Overall GPA, science GPA, MCAT scores, review of coursework
• Supplemental application fee: None

Interview Format

The interview day consists of the following:

• Orientation session
• Financial aid information
• Presentation about WCUCOM
• Tour of the facilities
• Lunch with current COM students
• 3-on-1 interview with faculty

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: 10/1/2019
• Latest acceptance date: 7/22/2020
• Deferred entrance requests considered: Yes. Entrance is deferred only in exceptional cases and subject to approval by the Admissions Committee.
• Orientation / start date for first-year students: 7/20/2020

• Early Decision Program (EDP) offered: No

Science Courses

Required:

• Biology/Zoology, 12 semester hours
• Organic Chemistry, 8 semester hours
• Inorganic Chemistry, 8 semester hours
• Physics, 8 semester hours

Recommended:

• Biochemistry, 4 semester hours
• Genetics, 4 semester hours
• Anatomy, 4 semester hours
• Physiology, 4 semester hours
  
• Molecular & Cell Biology, 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

• 2018-19 annual resident tuition: $42,000
• 2018-19 annual non-resident tuition: $42,000
• 2018-19 annual resident fees: $0
• 2018-19 annual non-resident fees: $0
• 2018-19 annual health insurance fee: $0
• Fees include:
  • Student Services
  • Lab
  • Technology (not computer)
• Estimated annual room, board, books, and living costs: $19,000
• Average 2018 graduate indebtedness: $237,211

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
Website

Admissions office
Email: dday@wmcarey.edu
Phone: (601) 318-6235
Admissions Website