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Preparing for D.O. Program Admission
Admission Requirements : Early Decision Process : Premedical Student Checklist : Application Checklist : Application Process : Top Ten Application Mistakes : Personal Statement Tips : Ambassadors : Still Scholars Early Acceptance
Phase One: Initial Application Criteria
In selecting Still Scholars, ATSU looks for students who demonstrate an understanding of the osteopathic philosophy, have an expressed commitment to pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine, are academically talented, and have demonstrated maturity inside and outside of the classroom.
The Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program application materials include:
1. Completed Application with Essays
2. Three evaluation forms/current letters of recommendation (one from each of the following):
- Academics: Pre-Health Professions Advisor OR Science Faculty Member
- Clinical or Work Experience: Health Professional or Employer/Supervisor*
- Community Involvement: Extra-Curricular Organization Advisor*
*If a letter cannot be provided, another faculty member's evaluation will be accepted
3. Overall strong academic record (3.40 or higher cumulative GPA.; 3.40 or higher science GPA)
4. Transcript(s) showing the completion of at least 75% of the following academic coursework to demonstrate successful fulfillment of all academic requirements for ATSU-KCOM’s Still Scholars Program:
- Biology with Lab: Two completed courses (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
- General Chemistry with Lab: Two completed courses (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
- Organic Chemistry with Lab: Two completed courses (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
- English: Two completed courses (6 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
- General Physics with Lab: Two completed courses (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
Students must have received a grade of “B” or above in the previously listed courses from a U.S., regionally accredited college or university at the time of their Still Scholars application. A "B-" will not be accepted.
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Overall academic record
- Fulfillment of academic requirements with a minimum grade of “B” in each required course
- Proven commitment to osteopathic medicine based on required essays
- Community service/Leadership positions held
- Evaluation forms/Letters of recommendation
Applicants selected for a campus visit are notified by August 15. Each selected applicant is invited for a required campus visit* in September that includes the following activities:
- Overview of osteopathic tradition and ATSU’s history
- Overview of ATSU-KCOM’s curriculum
- Shadowing experience with an osteopathic physician
- Demonstration of Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMT)
- Interaction with current medical students
- Tour of campus
- Formal Still Scholar Admissions interview with the ATSU-KCOM selection committee
*Special arrangements can be made for students residing in Hawaii or Alaska.
After the campus visit and interview, applicants who are approved to be a Still Scholar are granted Conditional Acceptance and are given a reserved seat in ATSU-KCOM’s entering class upon baccalaureate graduation, providing the remaining program criteria are met. Students will receive full acceptance after completing a prematriculation interview.
No more than 15 students will be accepted into this program per year.
Exclusive Agreement
The ATSU-KCOM Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program requires that Scholars who are granted conditional acceptance agree to not apply to any other school unless they have received a formal denial/dismissal from the Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program. It is considered unethical to apply to other schools if a participant is granted acceptance into in any early acceptance program. Applying for other medical schools will result in immediate forfeiture of the guaranteed seat in that medical school’s program. If a participant’s application is declined or if a participant is dismissed from the program for any reason, they are then able to apply for any medical school programs, including ATSU-KCOM and ATSU-SOMA, through the traditional application process.
All components of the completed application, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts must have a postmark date on or before June 1, and be mailed to:
Andrea O’Brien, M.S., Associate Director of Residential Admissions
ATSU-KCOM Admissions
Still Scholars Program
800 W. Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501
