The Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become osteopathic physicians at A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). ATSU-KCOM prides itself on developing physicians who focus on whole person healthcare and community service, and looks for students who also hold these values.

ATSU-KCOM’s Still Scholars Early Acceptance program rewards highly capable students who are dedicated to the osteopathic philosophy with admittance into our institution’s founding osteopathic medical program without traditional MCAT requirements. This program encourages students to focus on developing strong academic and leadership skills, yet allows them to focus on their undergraduate experience without the additional pressures of preparing for the MCAT.

Students from any four-year regionally accredited undergraduate institution in the United States may apply for this program, provided they meet the application requirements.

To be eligible to apply for the Still Scholars program, the following requirements must be met:

  • A minimum of four semesters (or 45 semester credit hours or equivalent) completed by the end of the second/sophomore year of college
  • Two years of full-time coursework remaining prior to graduation with a BS or BA degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution
  • Student must be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • At least 75 percent of prerequisite courses finished by the end of the sophomore year, or Aug. 1
  • Received a B or above in all pre-requisite courses (see pre-requisite list below)
  • All college courses that meet pre-requisites must be taken after high school graduation.
  • Strong clinical experiences and/or shadowing (minimum of 50 hours combined)
  • Strong leadership and service experiences (minimum of 50 hours combined)
  • The applicant must have achieved a minimum 3.4 cumulative grade point average and a 3.4 minimum science grade point average on a 4.0 scale
  • Three letters of recommendation from the following professionals unrelated to applicant:
    1. Science faculty that you received a grade from OR health professions advisor;
    2. Physician that you have shadowed (MD or DO);
    3. Advisor for a service organization you are an active member of

  • Completed applications and letters of recommendation must be postmarked by August 1 following sophomore year.

Student applications will be reviewed and an on campus interview conducted in early fall. Students given conditional early acceptance into ATSU-KCOM through the Still Scholars Program will be required to successfully complete facilitated assignments and activities prior to submitting a final AACOMAS and secondary applications to ATSU-KCOM. A final pre-matriculation interview will be conducted in early Fall of the student’s senior year to provide full acceptance into ATSU-KCOM’s DO program.

Prior to matriculation into ATSU-KCOM’s DO program, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s of art or science degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, plus all remaining pre-requisite courses. Students accepted into the Still Scholars Early Admissions Program are exempted from taking the MCAT, and may not submit an MCAT score to AACOMAS.

Pre-Requisite Courses for ATSU-KCOM Osteopathic Medicine

  • General Biology – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
  • Physics – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
  • General or Inorganic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
  • Organic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
  • English – 6 semester hours/8 quarter hours

Application Form
Evaluation Form