Admissions Policy

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) is a private institution that empowers its students with the essential personal and professional skills needed to be competent, confident, and compassionate osteopathic physicians dedicated to meeting the healthcare challenges of the communities in which they serve. We encourage applications from qualified students who are interested in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine, regardless of their state of permanent residence.

Academic Requirements 

Applicants are required to provide evidence of a solid foundation and demonstrate proficiency in the biological and physical sciences. A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university is required.

The preferred minimum academic requirements for admission to Noorda-COM are the following:

 

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) 

A total score of 500 with subsection scores of 125 is preferred. Total scores of 494 and below will not be considered. MCAT scores are required and will not be waived; applications will be placed on hold and will not be reviewed until official MCAT scores are received through AACOMAS. MCAT scores are valid for three years from the original test date. Exams must be taken no later than March 31 of the year of matriculation.

GPA  

A minimum cumulative and science GPAs of 3.0 are preferred. We appreciate that an applicant’s last 60 credit hours are a meaningful representation of their current ability and, as such, evaluate that as a separate metric.

Prerequisite Coursework  

Completion of the following college courses, which may include laboratory work, before matriculation is required. These required courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher and taken for credit at a regionally accredited college or university. Advanced placement credits can fulfill the course requirements if they are accepted for credit by your degree-granting institution. Required courses must be recorded in the Academic History section of the AACOMAS application (see AACOMAS Transcript Entry instructions).

  • Eight (8) semester credits of each subject below:
    • Biology/Zoology with lab
    • Inorganic Chemistry with lab
    • Organic Chemistry with lab (Four (4) semester credits can be Biochemistry)
    • Physics with lab
  • Six (6) semester credits of each subject below:
    • English Composition and/or Literature
    • Behavioral Sciences(1)
      • Psychology and sociology highly recommended
    • Math/Statistics
  • Please see AACOMAS Course Subjects for courses classified as behavioral sciences.

The following courses are not required but are recommended as additional preparation:

  • Anatomy*
  • Physiology*
  • Immunology
  • Histology
  • Embryology
  • Philosophy
  • Medical Terminology

* Completion of courses in anatomy and physiology is highly preferred and will give applicants a competitive advantage. Accepted students who have not completed these courses at enrollment will need to complete additional content prior to matriculation.

While online prerequisite coursework is accepted, in-person coursework and labs are highly preferred. Independent study coursework will not be accepted for required prerequisite courses. Prerequisite coursework completed at a community college is acceptable.

Completion of a minimum of 60 science credit hours is highly preferred and will give applicants a competitive advantage.

Substitutions or Waiver of Admissions Requirements 

Prerequisite course substitutions or waivers are permitted in some situations. An applicant may request substitution or waiver of undergraduate coursework for Noorda-COM’s prerequisites by submitting an Admissions Requirement Substitution/Waiver Request and supporting documentation to the Office of Admissions. Supporting documentation may include the following:

  • A faculty letter detailing course content
  • A copy of the course description from the college catalog
  • A copy of the course syllabus.

Documentation providing the most detail will expedite the review process. Applicants will be notified of decisions upon review of course content. Please note that if a substitution is granted, the substituted course will not be counted toward the fulfillment of any other prerequisite.

Non-academic Experiences

Non-academic experiences are also considered, as well as a candidate’s demonstrated alignment with the mission and values of the College. The Admissions Committee looks for non-academic experiences including but not limited to the following:

  • Leadership roles in organizations (e.g., club leadership, teaching assistant, tutor, etc.)
  • Involvement in non-healthcare community volunteer or enrichment
  • Involvement in research activities
  • Commitment to an organization(s) for more than two (2) years
  • Participation in a domestic/international humanitarian or medical mission trip
  • Work experience in the medical field (e.g., EMT, nurse, medical assistant, CNA, etc.)
  • Medical field volunteer experiences (e.g., hospital or hospice volunteer, medical interpreter, Red Cross volunteer, etc.)
  • Shadowing of a physician, osteopathic or allopathic (osteopathic preferred)

Residency 

We encourage qualified individuals interested in osteopathic medicine to apply, regardless of their current/permanent state of residence. We accept individuals from across the country and aim to build a diverse class to help us meet our mission.

At this time, we are not accepting applications from international or DACA students. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to apply.

Applicant Responsibilities 

Applicants aspiring to become osteopathic physicians (D.O.) are expected to act professionally in their interactions with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) and with each college of osteopathic medicine. Responsibility, respect, good judgment, professional communication, and cooperation are qualities that are valued by the osteopathic profession, and it is expected that applicants will demonstrate these qualities throughout the application process.

  • Applicants are expected to become familiar with admission requirements, follow application procedures, and meet all deadlines at each school to which they apply.
  • Applicants are responsible for the collection and timely submission of supplemental applications, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and all applicable fees. All candidates who submit a supplemental application and subsequently complete the application process (submitting all required materials) are considered for admission by the colleges to which they submit a complete application. Applicants are encouraged to review the online application instructions and the colleges’ online program pages to determine the standards and processes for the colleges to which they are applying.
  • Applicants are responsible for reporting and updating any changes in the initially submitted application (e.g., address, telephone number, academic status, and state of residence).
  • Applicants are responsible for responding promptly to all interview invitations and offers of admission (either to accept or to decline).
  • Applicants who have made a final decision regarding the medical school they plan to attend have an obligation to promptly withdraw their applications from all other schools.
  • Applicants may hold only one acceptance after May 1

Minimum Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation

The College will not discriminate against disabled individuals who are otherwise qualified while expecting applicants and students to meet certain technical standards as set forth herein. In adopting these standards, the College believes it must keep in mind the ultimate safety of the patients for whom its graduates will eventually care. The standards reflect what the College believes, in its professional and academic judgment, are the minimum expectations of osteopathic medical students (and physicians) necessary for the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of medical care.

A candidate for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree must have multiple abilities and skills, including observation, communication, motor, conceptual, integrative, quantitative, behavioral, and social. This policy is applicable to all matriculated students who have documented physical, learning, and/or psychological disabilities. Technological compensation can be made for handicaps in some of these areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

The development of palpatory skills used for diagnosis and treatment is a significant distinction between the educational programs in osteopathic and allopathic medical schools. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines palpation as examination with the hands and fingers, touching, feeling, or perceiving by the sense of touch. Palpation in the osteopathic educational context is the use of touch to examine the body. Palpatory skills are used in all areas of osteopathic medical practice and are especially important in the evaluation and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Active participation in the Osteopathic Clinical Skills Laboratory is an admission, matriculation, and graduation requirement.

The osteopathic medical profession uses a variety of treatment models, and through the skills development process, the student learns the art and skills of manipulative treatment. Psychomotor skills are developed by repeated practice. Reading and observation, although helpful, do not develop the skills required to perform palpatory diagnosis and manipulative treatment. Each student is required to actively participate in all skill development laboratory sessions. These skills are taught by treating and being treated by a cadre of students of all genders and with varying body types to simulate a medical practice setting.

The holder of a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. In order to carry out the activities described below, candidates for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree must be able to consistently, quickly, and accurately integrate all information received and have the ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data.

Student applicants must meet the following minimum technical standard requirements for admission and matriculation:

  • Communication – Communicate effectively (in English) with patients and all members of the healthcare team.
  • Motor Function, Strength and Mobility – Sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Mobility to attend to emergency codes and to perform such maneuvers as CPR is required. Significant limitations in these areas would negatively impact likelihood to succeed and place patient safety at risk.
  • Observation/Sensory Skills – Sufficient to observe demonstrations, experiments, and laboratory exercises in the biomedical and clinical sciences. Must have adequate capabilities for proper evaluation and treatment integration to be able to assess asymmetry, range of motion and tissue texture changes. Individuals who are otherwise qualified and who may have significant tactile sensory or proprioception disabilities may require a thorough evaluation.
  • Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities – Must be able to perform cognitive functions in a time- sensitive environment in diverse clinical settings where others may be present. Must be able to draw on their store of knowledge in emergency situations.
  • Behavioral and Social Attributes – Sufficient personal qualities to effectively and professionally engage in team-based patient care. Promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.

Participation in Osteopathic Clinical Skills Laboratory
By participating in osteopathic clinical skills laboratory, students will palpate a variety of people, genders, and body types to simulate the diversity of patients expected in a practice setting. Peer-to-peer palpation enhances the student’s educational experience and provides the opportunity for feedback from a patient’s perspective.

The development of palpatory skills needed to diagnose and treat problems of the musculoskeletal system requires dress attire to maximize the ability to evaluate tissue texture changes, bony and soft tissue landmarks, tenderness, and range of motion.

Noorda-COM will attempt to develop creative ways of opening the medical school curriculum to competitive, qualified disabled individuals when possible. In doing so, however, the College must maintain the integrity of its curriculum and preserve those elements deemed essential to the education of an osteopathic physician.

Application Process 

Step 1 – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service Application (AACOMAS) 

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) is the centralized application service for U.S. osteopathic medical schools. AACOMAS enables applicants to complete one application and submit it with the required information to programs participating in the centralized service.

AACOMAS verifies your coursework for accuracy and sends the application and supplemental materials to the medical colleges you designate in the application. The service reduces the number of initial application forms,

Each year, the AACOMAS application cycle opens in May and is available through April of the following entry year. All application materials, including detailed instructions, can be accessed through the AACOMAS Applicant Help Center.

Applicants must request that official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be submitted directly from the institution to AACOMAS (see Sending Official Transcripts to AACOMAS instructions). Applicants must request that all MCAT scores be sent to AACOMAS from AAMC using the online MCAT Score Reporting Service.

Applicants are encouraged to include the scheduled MCAT test dates on the AACOMAS application to indicate their intent to take or retake the exam.

AACOMAS stores all the necessary materials about each applicant and transmits the information in a standardized format to the colleges of osteopathic medicine selected by the applicant. AACOMAS has no participation in the selection process. The applicant will receive from AACOMAS a computer-generated applicant profile with a calculation of GPA and MCAT averages. Noorda-COM also will receive the applicant profile, including the AACOMAS application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and MCAT scores. Noorda- COM conducts an initial review of the transmitted AACOMAS application, MCAT scores, and academic records to determine which applications will be further evaluated for advancement through the application process.

Applications must be submitted to AACOMAS by the primary application deadline: April 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Step 2 – Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Secondary Application 

Applicants meeting the minimum initial review criteria will be invited to complete the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Secondary Application. Minimum requirements for each incoming year can be found on the website at www.noordacom.org/admissions.

Required Supplemental Application Materials 

Applicants who meet minimum standards and who align with the mission and values of Noorda-COM will be invited to complete a secondary application.

The following supplemental materials are required as part of the secondary application process for the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine:

  • A completed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine Secondary Application. This application will include the submission of a video (preferred) or essay and professional headshot, a signed attestation of minimum technical standards, letters of recommendation, and a secondary application fee (non-refundable, waived for applicants who qualify for AACOMAS Fee Waiver or AAMC Fee Assistance Program).
  • Letters of recommendation/evaluation are required from the three (3) following sources:
    1. A healthcare source who is familiar with the applicant’s work in healthcare/with patients (preferably an osteopathic physician)
    2. An academic source who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work
    3. A character reference who can speak to the applicant’s personal attributes and character traits

Note: Letters must be signed and on letterhead and dated within two (2) years prior to application submission. Letters from family members are not accepted.

Applicants who anticipate applying for military scholarships should obtain additional copies of the letters of recommendation written on their behalf, sealed in an envelope to ensure confidentiality, to submit with such scholarship applications. Military scholarship committees require original letters and letters submitted to Noorda-COM will not meet this requirement.

Priority consideration will be given to completed secondary applications submitted on a first-come first-served basis. Secondary applications and all supporting documentation must be received by Noorda-COM by the secondary application deadline: May 1 at 11:59 p.m. MT.

Step 3 – Interview and Admissions Decisions 

Selected applicants are invited to participate in a formal personal interview, either in person or virtually. Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Communication style
  • Professional demeanor
  • Ethics, cultural, and/or human sensitivity issues
  • Interest in Noorda-COM and the osteopathic profession

After the interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicant’s file along with associated metrics and then makes decisions regarding candidacy. Applicants are notified via email as soon as a final admission decision has been made.

Enrollment Requirements

To secure a seat in the matriculating class at Noorda-COM, all incoming students must complete the following enrollment requirements:

Seat Deposit

Submission of a full seat deposit ($1,250 Acceptance Fee + $750 Enrollment Fee) is required. Payment is credited toward tuition and fees balance upon matriculation. The fees are non-refundable as allowed after the three-day cooling-off period regardless of the reason. Withdrawing prior to matriculation does not negate the no-refund policy.

Transcripts

All incoming students are required to request official transcripts to be sent to transcripts@noordacom.org from all institutions where coursework and/or degrees were listed as in progress/pending at the time of application. Transcripts should be sent after the posting of final grades and/or the conferral of degree(s). Acceptance is conditional until all official transcripts are received from institutions where a degree was earned, or prerequisite coursework was completed.

Transcripts must be on file prior to matriculation. All required coursework must be completed with a C or higher and degrees completed by July 15 of the matriculation year. Transcripts must be submitted electronically to transcripts@noordacom.org. If an institution does not send transcripts electronically, transcripts may be mailed to:

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Attn: Transcripts
2162 S 180 E

Provo, UT 84606

Criminal Background Check
Students are required to undergo a background check and drug screen prior to matriculation, towards the completion of their second year, and possibly prior to graduation, at their own expense. These screenings must be performed by a certifying organization retained by Noorda-COM in order to satisfy federal and state requirements for individuals participating in clinical activities involving patient care, including clinical clerkships and early clinical experiences.

Drug Screening
Prior to matriculation, all students matriculating into Noorda-COM will have a drug screening performed at their own expense. Students will be required to undergo an additional drug screening towards the completion of the second year prior to promotion to third year and clinical clerkships. The drug screening will be performed by a certifying organization retained by Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. The purpose of the drug screening is to satisfy federal and state requirements for individuals participating in clinical activities involving patient care, including clinical clerkships and early clinical experiences. A positive drug screening may result in denial of acceptance into the COM.

Immunizations
All matriculating students must be vaccinated in accordance with Noorda-COM’s guidelines to participate in clinical activities and rotations. Immunization and health requirements are based on CDC guidelines for healthcare workers and the requirements of the Department of Clinical Education. These requirements are subject to change and matriculating and enrolled students are expected to adhere to the current guidelines.

Automobile Insurance
All Noorda-COM students are required to submit proof of personal auto insurance after matriculation. Students may seek an Auto Insurance exemption if they do not have a personal mode of transportation by contacting the Clinical Education Department.

Student Health Insurance
All Noorda-COM students are required to maintain personal health insurance.  Students may have insurance through various options including parents, spouses, or health exchanges. To ensure students have access to a comprehensive plan, Noorda-COM is making available a student health insurance plan through HSA Consulting (HSAC). All students must either enroll in the Noorda-COM sponsored health plan or provide proof of acceptable alternative health coverage to HSAC.

Noorda-COM does not waive student health insurance requirements for religious or personal preferences. Noncompliance with Noorda-COM’s health insurance policy may result in unexcused absences leading to failure of a course, academic probation, failure to progress, delay in graduation, or dismissal from the College.

Misrepresentations in the Admissions Process 

Discovery following admission or matriculation of intentional misrepresentation or omission of any information used in the application process or omission of information relative to scholastic records, test records, or meeting the tenants of the technical standards will subject the student to

dismissal. Matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and/or personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and their matriculation at the College. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason the College deems sufficient.

This policy was reviewed and revised in March 2024. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (adlevine@noordacom.org).