Requirements for Admission

(Montana Campus)

The Rocky Vista University (RVU) Office of Admissions processes applications to the RVUCOM and MCOM programs. This admissions policy establishes the criteria and procedures used by the RVU Admissions Department in the evaluation of applicants to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs.

RVU utilizes a comprehensive and holistic approach in evaluating each candidate in a fair and consistent manner. Applicants must meet all published prerequisites and minimum requirements and follow all the appropriate processes.

The minimum requirements for admission include:

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university must be completed prior to matriculation (exceptions may be made and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; including exceptions that pertain to faith-based and/or strong international universities).

In the event of coursework completed at foreign institutions, official detailed course-by-course evaluations must be completed by an approved agency. Please see the list of approved agencies in the RVU Student Handbook and Catalog, under 'Matriculation' section. 

  • Minimum prerequisite course work that must be completed prior to matriculation includes:
    • Biology (8 semester hours including lab)
    • General Chemistry (8 semester hours including lab)
    • Organic Chemistry (8 semester hours including lab)
    • Physics (8 semester hours including lab)
    • English or Literature (6 semester hours)
    • Biochemistry (3 semester hours)

No grade below a “C” will be considered to fulfill requirements. C- is considered below a C and will not fulfill requirements. Additional upper-division coursework such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, and Cellular Biology is highly recommended.

  • A minimum science and cumulative GPA of 3.0 as calculated on the AACOMAS application.
  • MCOM is requiring candidates to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Candidates are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) within 3 years prior to matriculation. There is no minimum required score.
  • Letters of Recommendations (submitted to AACOMAS). Three required letters include:
    • A credentialed healthcare provider (DO, MD, PA, or NP) who supervised the candidate’s work (voluntary or paid) in a clinical setting.
    • An academic reference (order of preference to include Pre-Med Advisor or Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to successfully complete a rigorous medical school curriculum).
    • A letter of the candidate's choice.
    • Note, only the maximum number of six (6) letters submitted through AACOMAS will be considered. The Office of Admissions is not able to accept letters of recommendation sent directly to MCOM or from any other letter service, such as Interfolio or VirtualEvals.
  • Students must provide official transcripts from all colleges attended where a degree was earned prior to matriculation. In the event of coursework completed at foreign institutions, the applicant must submit official detailed course-by-course evaluations completed by an approved agency. A list of these agencies is available in the University Handbook & Catalog.

International students: MCOM welcomes international applications. Demonstrated English language proficiency is required during the virtual interview; preference will be given to applicants who have previously attended a regionally-accredited college or university in the U.S.