Earlier this summer, Noorda-COM received approval from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) to begin recruiting students for its inaugural class of medical students.
This is the next major step toward pre-accreditation status for Noorda-COM and came after the Association’s June meeting and a two-year application process. To date, more than 1,300 applications have been received since Noorda-COM began the admissions process in August. The first class will be comprised of 90 students when instruction begins next fall. It is anticipated Noorda-COM could receive between 3,500 to 5,000 applications for the 90 available seats.
“We believe applicants want to come to Noorda-COM because we will be student-centered in fact, not just in words only,” said Casey Himmelsbach, Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Noorda-COM is also committed to being a school of first choice for students from Utah. “We don’t want students to choose Noorda-COM because it’s local, because it’s convenient, or because it’s in Utah County, said Noorda-COM founding President Dr. Richard Nielsen. “We anticipate they’re going to want to make us their first choice because it will be the best medical school option available.”
The next step will be reviewing these applications and inviting prospective students to complete a secondary application and then participate in virtual interviews. “We want to identify a group of students who are creative and innovative and who will help address the healthcare shortages we are experiencing in the state,” said Dr. John Dougherty, Founding Dean.
