The LMU-DCOM recruitment program has three goals:
- To increase the visibility of LMU-DCOM primarily in the Southeast region of the United States. LMU-DCOM is actively engaged in meeting with undergraduate students and the general public to discuss the College and the osteopathic profession. Institutions in the Cumberland Gap region and surrounding areas in Appalachia are visited as often as possible on a rotating basis. Institutions outside the Southeast region are also visited.
- To attract students from the Appalachian area who are committed to serving this area. LMU-DCOM will maintain close ties with undergraduate institutions and premedical advisors in the Appalachian region. LMU-DCOM hosts tours of the LMU campus for premedical advisors and premedical students. LMU-DCOM also works closely with high schools in the Appalachian region to educate students about the osteopathic profession.
- To create a diverse student body. LMU-DCOM believes that a diverse student body is important for the development of all future physicians. Recruitment efforts focus on underrepresented minorities by maintaining close ties with premedical advisors and premedical clubs whose focus is on minority students. In addition, LMU-DCOM representatives will also attend conferences and career fairs with an emphasis on minority students.
Osteopathic Medicine Awareness Conferences
LMU-DCOM periodically holds Osteopathic Medicine Awareness Conferences (OMAC). These are half-day events held on the LMU-DCOM campus designed for interested students and premedical advisors to learn about the College and the Osteopathic Profession. These conferences are also open to members of the local community and school systems who wish to learn more about osteopathic medicine. Attendees hear presentations on osteopathic medicine, the pre-clinical curriculum, the clinical curriculum, and the admissions process.
Following these presentations, there is a more informal question and answer panel-discussion with current LMU-DCOM students. The conference ends with a tour of the facilities and a light lunch. During the lunch the applicants have the chance to talk one-on-one with the faculty, staff, administrators, and current LMU-DCOM students.
Off-Campus Recruiting
During the fall and spring semesters, members of the admissions staff, the faculty, and various administrators make visits to premedical clubs, career fairs, graduate school fairs, Dean’s Days, and other such conferences. Anyone interested in having a representative from LMU-DCOM make a presentation at their school should contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services.
Grade School and High School Visits
To increase the likelihood that LMU-DCOM produces a significant number of graduates who practice in the Appalachian region, the college visits grade schools and high schools several times a year to educate young students about the benefits of the osteopathic profession. Young students, especially those in underserved areas, are not always aware about different career options. Heightened awareness about the profession and LMU- DCOM will hopefully motivate some of these students, who otherwise might not have ever considered being a physician, to enter the profession. LMU-DCOM also has several sessions a year for high school students on the LMU- DCOM campus.
Early Identification Program
LMU-DCOM has an early identification program with the undergraduate Admissions Department at LMU that will allow students accepted to the undergraduate program to apply and interview with the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine for conditional acceptance. Undergraduate students in the program will work closely with faculty advisors to ensure maintenance of educational standards. The students will also be involved with events at LMU-DCOM, so that they gain an early exposure to osteopathic medicine.
LMU Guaranteed Professional Admission (GPA) Program
Students in the LMU undergraduate program will take and complete all core requirements and prerequisite courses approved by LMU-DCOM for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program and work towards a Baccalaureate degree.
Admission Requirements (prior to beginning Undergraduate coursework):
- Submit LMU online undergraduate application. Recommended program: Bachelor of Science, pre-health professions track (Biology Pre-Med, Chemistry Pre-Med, and Psychology Pre-Med).
- Minimum of 25 composite ACT or 1250 composite SAT score
- High school GPA of 3.7 (unweighted)
- Submit a written personal statement demonstrating interest in health career & leadership experience
- Submit GPA Program application (and required reference letters). These reference leaders should reference community service & leadership, while also addressing character & skills.
Undergraduate Benchmarks/Requirements (to be completed during undergraduate study):
- Maintain a minimum of 3.3 or higher GPA (3.3 science GPA, 3.2 non-science GPA)
- C+ is minimum grade for all required courses; however, B or better is generally needed
- Complete & submit the MCAT with a minimum of 494 total.
- Submit application to DCOM through Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOMAS). This includes additional recommendations and a second interview.