Rocky Vista University
College of Osteopathic Medicine

Colorado State University

RVUCOM will hold up to six (6) seats annually for graduates of Colorado State University’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program.  To be considered for admission, candidates must:

• Meet the minimum admissions requirements set forth by RVUCOM;
• Have completed the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (1 year) degree requirements at the time of RVUCOM matriculation;
• Have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.4 in the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (1 year);
• Complete an AACOMAS application prior to March 15th
• Provide a letter of reference from a physician.

CSU-BMS will provide RVUCOM with a list of the recommended candidates and RVUCOM will make the final decision. CSU-BMS will recommend candidates based on a holistic review of the applicant. Any CSU-BMS candidate who is not selected to participate in the program is eligible to apply to RVUCOM via the traditional process.

Regis University MSBS Collaboration

RVUCOM will hold up to ten interview seats each year for students graduating from the MSBS program at Regis University. To be eligible for admission, students must:

• Meet the minimum admissions requirements set forth by RVUCOM;
• Be on target for completion of the Regis MSBS degree requirements;
• Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in the Regis MSBS program;
• Inform the Regis MSBS program director of their interest in being considered;
• Demonstrate understanding and interest in osteopathic medicine and preference for RVUCOM’s program;
• Receive excellent feedback from their clerkship supervisor;
• Demonstrate professionalism throughout their time at Regis

Students recommended to RVUCOM by Regis will be required to submit an AACOMAS application in June immediately following graduation from the MSBS program. Recommended students will not be required to submit a supplemental application. Interviews will be granted in September. (Note: interview does not guarantee acceptance into RVUCOM.)

Utah Rural Health Scholars Early Acceptance Program

(Utah Location Only)

RVUCOM’s Early Acceptance Program (EAP) offers a provisional early acceptance to highly motivated students enrolled and in good standing with the Utah Rural Health Scholars Program. Students meeting requirements of the program and remaining in good standing in the program will not be required to take the MCAT. Up to 12 students annually may be admitted to RVUCOM through this program.

Students are eligible to apply after the completion of 60 semester hours of coursework (typically the end of their sophomore year). Students must have completed a minimum of 8 semester hours of General Biology 1 and 2 with lab, General Chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, English Composition, plus one writing-intensive course.

For additional information, contact [email protected].

Western Colorado University

RVUCOM will reserve up to 5 seats per year for students granted conditional acceptance to RVUCOM via the Early Acceptance Program (EAP).

• Candidates will be eligible to apply after the completion of 60-90 semester hours of course work. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Western Colorado University before applying.
• Candidates must have completed a minimum of 8 semester hours of Biology (General Biology 1 & 2 with Lab), Cell Biology, General Chemistry 1 & 2, Organic Chemistry 1 & 2, one English Composition course, and one communication course prior to application.
• Candidates must have achieved a minimum science and cumulative GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA will follow the AACOMAS guidelines and will not include grades for math courses.
• Candidates must shadow a physician and provide a letter of recommendation 
• Candidates will complete an application by November 1st. Designees from Western Colorado University will conduct preliminary interviews in mid to late November. Initial recommendations will be made and forwarded to RVU. Representatives from RVUCOM will interview candidates on Western Colorado University’s campus in December. Candidates will be notified of their provisional acceptance in the program in January and will be expected to attend a meet and greet at the RVU campus in Parker, CO at a date to be determined.
• Candidates must meet with Western Colorado University’s health professions advisor at the conclusion of each semester. The advisor will provide an update to RVUCOM regarding the progress of each student. A minimum science and cumulative GPA of 3.4 must be maintained with a minimum grade of “B” in each required course.
• Candidates must submit an AACOMAS application prior to January 1 designating RVUCOM (candidates may not apply to other schools/programs) while in the program.
• Candidates in good standing are NOT required to take the MCAT. 
• Candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete all requirements prior to matriculation.

Request to Deferment

Eligibility for Deferral: Only students who have been admitted, received an official acceptance letter from RVU, and have fully deposited may request a deferral.  Deferral requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, reviewed by the appropriate dean or program director. Some cases may necessitate additional documentation require students to provide supporting documentation.

Deferral Request Procedure: Students who wish to request a deferral must submit a written request, via email, to the Program Admissions Leadership. The request must include the following:

• Student’s full name and contact information, including current phone number, address, and email.
• The reason for the deferral request, along with relevant supporting documentation (e.g., medical documentation, official military orders, etc.).
• Written commitment to the start date for the next enrolled class start date.
• All deferral requests will be reviewed by the Program Admissions Leadership; if eligibility is determined, requests may be presented to the appropriate Dean or Program Director for a final decision. A decision will be communicated to the student in writing within 30 days of the request submission.
• Requests may not be considered if received less than 30 days prior to the program’s start.
• Exceptions to requests may be approved by Program Deans or Directors.

Deferral Duration: Deferral may be granted for a maximum of one academic year, per program. If approved, the student’s enrollment will be automatically deferred to the approved start date. If deferral is granted for medical reasons, students may need to provide proof of medical clearance by a medical professional before the deferred start date.  Proof of medical clearance shall be determined by the Dean or Program Director.

Requirements to Confirm Deferral: 

• Already submitted the full deposit amount. The deposit, as specified on the student’s matriculation agreement, will be applied to tuition.
• Submit a $500 nonrefundable administrative fee.
• Complete all requirements as specified in the student’s matriculation agreement. Date sensitive materials should be completed in the spring prior to matriculation. (Students may be required to do another background check or drug screen prior to matriculating.  Additionally, students must finish all required health records and immunizations to comply.)
• Students will not have to submit another application or re-interview.

Applicants’ academic qualifications will be pre-screened by the RVUCOM Office of Admissions and interviews will be offered to competitive applicants. Applicant interviews will be conducted virtually, and an official campus visit day will be offered to accepted students. The virtual interviews will be approximately 30 minutes in length and conducted by a two-person panel of the RVUCOM team. Interviewers will have access to the applicant’s personal statement, supplemental application, and letters of recommendation. However, the interviewers will be blinded to the applicants’ grades and MCAT scores. All interviewers’ recommendations will be evaluated post-interview by the RVUCOM Admissions Committee with the final decision made by the Dean.

The Admissions Committee meets at least once a month to make a recommendation to the Dean relative to each applicant’s status.  The recommendation can be to offer an acceptance, to place the applicant on the alternate list, or to deny admission. The final decision will be made by the Dean.

All acceptance offers are provisional pending the successful completion of all conditions set forth in the matriculation agreement including:

• Completion of all prerequisite coursework and documentation that a minimum of a bachelor’s degree has been earned from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
• Payment of non-refundable deposits totaling $2,000 on or prior to the date designated in the matriculation agreement. RVUCOM follows the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) relative to deposit due dates. Deposits will be applied to tuition. 
• Successful passage of a drug screen and background check. Both services are to be scheduled and managed through PreCheck and are to be completed by the dates specified on the matriculation agreement. An applicant who has a deficiency or abnormality discovered on either screening will be referred to a sub-committee for further investigation. 
• Completion of required medical and immunization documents are to be scheduled and managed through SentryMD (the medical record division of PreCheck)  and to be completed by the dates specified on the matriculation agreement.
• Submission of a waiver demonstrating proof of medical insurance coverage or enrollment in the plan provided by the University.
• Submission of a waiver stating they meet the technical standards (any questions pertaining to whether a standard is met or if reasonable accommodations are required, must be addressed with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs), have read, understand, and agree to adhere to the policy set forth in the statement for students of RVUCOM regarding physical exposure in classroom activities and participation in osteopathic manipulative medicine and physical exam courses, and understand and agree to adhere to RVUCOM’s Code of Student Conduct/academic responsibility and code of behavioral conduct.
• Submission of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended where a degree was earned. RVUCOM will accept transcripts submitted as part of the AACOMAS application. In the event of an earned degree isn’t posted prior to matriculation, a letter will be required from the university registrar confirming that the requirements for graduation have been met and indicating when the degree will be posted on the transcript. Official transcripts must be sent to RVUCOM as soon as the degree is posted. 
• In the event of course work completed at foreign institutions, official detailed course by course evaluations completed by an approved agency must be submitted. Official evaluations must be included with the AACOMAS application and, in the case of a degree earned, the evaluation must reflect that the degree is equivalent to a degree earned at a regionally accredited US college or university. Please see website or AACOMAS site for a list of acceptable agencies. These agencies include:
  • World Education Services, Inc. 
    (212) 966-6311
  • AACRAO
    (202) 296-3359
  • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. 
    (414) 289-3400
  • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. 
    (305) 273-1616
• Official evaluations must be included with the AACOMAS application and, in the case of a degree earned, the evaluation must reflect that the degree is equivalent to a degree earned at a regionally accredited US college or university.  
• Any other requirements set forth in the matriculation agreement.

Each medical school’s curriculum is unique and based upon that school’s longitudinal timetable. The medical school curriculum at RVUCOM is a four- year longitudinal course of study in which the coursework builds upon previously learned precepts.  Therefore, requests for transfer are discouraged and will rarely be considered unless there are highly compelling circumstances. Circumstances may warrant that a student enrolled in a college of medicine seeks to transfer to another institution. Credits may be transferred from medical schools and colleges accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).  RVUCOM will not consider transfer requests from students enrolled at a foreign medical school or LCME accredited program.

• Transfers from one college of osteopathic medicine to another shall require that at a minimum the last two years of instruction be completed within RVUCOM.
• Transfers shall be accepted and transfer credits shall be given only if the student is in good standing and eligible for readmission to the previously attended college of osteopathic medicine.
• Credit is only given for completed courses with grades of 70 percent (C) or greater.

RVUCOM transcripts will reflect the cumulative credit hours transferred in from the previous medical school.  Information regarding grades or class rank from the previous school will not be reflected on the RVU transcript. Students who transfer into RVUCOM will not receive a class rank. Anyone wishing to transfer to RVUCOM must:

• Provide a written statement outlining reasons for the request for transfer. All information is to be sent to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and External Relations. Decisions regarding transfer are made by the Dean and will be based on factors including academic record, circumstances leading to the transfer request, available space, and admission standards.
• Provide a letter from the Dean of the transferring institution verifying that the student is in good standing and be eligible to continue.
• Submit a copy of their AACOMAS application.
• Meet all admission requirements to Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which include submitting official transcripts of all college work where a degree was earned, transcripts from the medical school attended including the final transcript showing the successful completion of the first two years, MCAT scores; national board scores, and letters of evaluation.
• Pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 prior to starting externships.
• Pass a background check and drug screen.
• Submit required medical forms.