Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - LECOM
General Information
LECOM has grown to become the nation’s largest medical college with campuses in Erie, PA, Greensburg, PA, Bradenton, FL and Elmira, NY. LECOM offers a quality medical education at an affordable price with one of the lowest, private medical college tuitions.
LECOM is a leader in innovative, student-centered medical education with five learning pathways leading to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree – Lecture Discussion, Problem-Based Learning, Directed Study and two three-year pathways: the Primary Care Scholars and the Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway. The majority of LECOM graduates become primary care physicians who enter the fields of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or Ob/Gyn.
U.S. News & World Report ranks LECOM the top medical colleges for graduating primary care physicians. As a result of our outstanding tuition rates, our five unique pathway delivery models, and our high residency placement rates, LECOM is proud to be the most applied to Osteopathic Medical College in the United States.
Additional Locations
Additional Locations offer the same programs as the main campus. Use the main campus' application to apply to additional locations.
LECOM at Elmira - LECOM Elmira
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://lecom.edu/
Phone
LECOM at Seton Hill - LECOM Seton Hill
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://lecom.edu/
Phone
Mission Statement
Closest City Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh
Campus Setting
SuburbanFacilities
LECOM has designed its campuses with the latest educational technology where each detail lends itself to the mission of teaching students how to care for patients. Lecture halls use smart classroom technology, and smaller classrooms provide ideal environments for small group study sessions.
In Erie, students learn in fully equipped anatomy and microbiology labs. Students receive Clinical Assessment Training with standardized patients in a working physician’s office. LECOM remains the only osteopathic medical school with its own teaching hospitals: Millcreek Community Hospital, Corry Memorial Hospital and Warren General Hospital. Students receive memberships at the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center that is designed to focus on total well-being for students. LECOM at Seton Hill provides classrooms, labs, and student services on the campus of Seton Hill University near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 2020, LECOM added an additional location in Elmira NY along the New York southern tier. LECOM at Elmira provides students the opportunity of Problem Based Learning along with numerous clinical education opportunities in the 3rd and 4th year to serve the communities within the Southern Tier of New York. The LECOM Research Centers offer over 26,000 square feet of laboratory space for faculty and student-assisted research.
Student Residence Options
LECOM organizations and clubs provide our students with opportunities to explore residency and specialty programs and allow our students to engage in service activities throughout the community. As members our students enhance their leadership skills, network, and advocate for medical education and healthcare issues.
LECOM celebrates the oneness of humanity to foster meaningful discourse in an educational environment that supports a humble posture of learning that is systematic across all Institutional Programs. Steeped in mutual respect and trust for the diverse community we represent, our mission focuses on education and community service.
COM Accreditation Status The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program Accreditation, College of Osteopathic Medicine The College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association.
LECOM is a member of Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities
and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
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2023-2024
Total combined data for Pennsylvania and New York campuses.
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
2,719
Total Male
1,257
Total Female
1,439
Total Other
23
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
4,221
First-Year Matriculants
283
First-Year Male Matriculants
131
First-Year Female Matriculants
152
Matriculants In-State
59
Matriculants Out-of-State
224
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.0%
Asian
30.7%
Black/African American
2.1%
Hispanic/Latino
2.5%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.0%
White
59.7%
Multiple Races
1.4%
Undisclosed
3.50%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
86.6%
Non-Science Majors
13.4%
Graduate Degrees
12.0%
Overview
Private Institution
Non-Profit
1992
Year Founded
Suburban
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - LECOM
Address
(814) 866-6641
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
LECOM offers its medical students a choice of student-centered pathways that match the learning styles of individual students. Five pathways are available in Erie: Lecture/Discussion (LDP), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Directed Study (DSP), and two three-year osteopathic medical degree programs: the Primary Care Scholars (PCSP) and the Accelerated Physician Assistant (APAP) Pathways.
LECOM at Seton Hill offers the PBL pathway and the APAP pathway while LECOM at Elmira offers PBL. In years three and four, students complete clinical rotations at more than 90 hospitals and clinics throughout the United States, including regional clinical campuses in Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York.
Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered
DO/MHSA*
The LECOM Masters in Health Services Administration program (50 credit hours) provides students with the skills required to plan, direct, and lead medical and health service organizations as administrators in hospital or other acute and subacute healthcare facilities, public health care organizations, pharmacies and private practice groups. The knowledge gained from the MHSA program is essential for fiscal, planning and managerial work in healthcare organizations and the establishment and management of clinical practices. Delivered concurrently via on-line distance education in medical student’s third and fourth years.
DO/MPH*
The LECOM Masters in Public Health program (45 credit hours) is grounded in foundational public health knowledge. This includes administrative skills critical to improving and enhancing the health, health care, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in North America by applying the philosophy of osteopathic medicine that seeks to treat the whole person mind, body and spirit. Delivered concurrently via on-line distance education in medical student’s third and fourth years.
DO/MSBS*
LECOM offers a research-focused curriculum concurrent with the DO program for students who desire a strong research background and/or are interested in a career as a physician-researcher. The MSBS program is a graduate level program for medical students that serves as a structured research experience. Through coursework, research design, laboratory experience and a comprehensive research project, the MSBS program will produce graduates qualified for clinical medicine able to develop independent research programs.
DO/MSMEd*
The MSMEd program is for current medical, pharmacy, and dental students, transitional rotating interns, off-cycle graduates, and international medical graduates who desire to strengthen their applications for residency by having a thesis-based research project, designated research mentor, and additional skill sets centered around helping health care providers and patients learn. Also, students will learn a unique set of skills to support success in residency.
DO/MSBE*
The LECOM Master of Science in Biomedical Ethics program (36 credit hours) will benefit future physicians seeking the mastery in biomedical & pharmacology ethics, health care compliance, patient-care management, risk management, and in medical research as well as palliative care and end-of-life care positions providing essential assistance to patients and their families. Delivered concurrently via on-line distance education in medical student’s third and fourth years.
DO/MS MCT*
The LECOM Master of Science in Medical Cannabinoid Therapeutics (MS MCT): The MS MCT program is delivered on-line and designed to prepare health professionals to contribute to population-based, culturally appropriate, and innovative approaches concerning the rapidly expanding medical cannabinoid therapeutic industry. The program builds upon foundational osteopathic principles and competencies focused on whole person care, mind, body, and spirit.
The curriculum centers around the evolving medical cannabis policies, organizational management, environmental and occupational health, social and behavioral implications, pharmacokinetics, vertically integrated business systems, macro-economic, governing laws and regulations and ethical impacts. Students will also gain an understanding of the basic chemistry and efficacy of the current medical cannabinoid pharmacological industry.
The M.S. MCT curriculum consists of 45 credits. There are 11 core courses, 16-week experiential discovery course completed through executive interviews and analysis (6 credits) and a 16-week master’s thesis or capstone project course (6 credits). Special focus on production, packaging, and dispensary delivery systems business structures of the Medical Cannabinoid industry within the United States and the world.
* Masters programs available through distance education. See lecom.edu for details
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Anatomy
RecommendedBiochemistry
Recommended3 semester hours
Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours (May substitute 3 credits of biochemistry for 4 credits of organic chemistry.)
Genetics
Recommended3 semester hours
Microbiology
RecommendedPhysics
Required With Lab4 semester hours
Physiology
RecommendedBehavioral Sciences
Required6 semester hours
College English
Required6 semester hours
Admissions
Applicants submit a primary application to AACOMAS which collates materials, computes grades, and transmits standardized information to LECOM. Applicants are required to submit either a single letter of recommendation from a pre-professional committee or two letters from undergraduate or graduate college/university science professors. When complete, applicants receive a personalized email from LECOM inviting them to complete a web-based Supplemental Application.
LECOM’s Academic Index Score (AIS) is an alternative to the MCAT – In place of the MCAT applicants may use an AIS, a calculation based on the applicant’s overall GPA, from undergraduate and graduate school, and SAT / ACT scores from high school. Accordingly, LECOM recognizes diversity of backgrounds in applicants, while scores on standard tests do not solely relate to becoming a great physician. Utilizing the AIS contributes to our ability to provide a holistic review of applicants.
Following receipt of all necessary documentation, the application is reviewed by Admissions Committee members to evaluate candidates for those who are suitably matched to the ISLOs of professionalism, osteopathic philosophy, and discipline knowledge. Candidates that meet these criteria are invited to complete a virtual interview.
Following the interview, the Admissions Committee conducts a second review of the applicant-submitted information and interview evaluations. Applicants who have demonstrated to the Committee that they are qualified for admission are extended an offer of acceptance to the College of Medicine.
Interview Options: Virtual interviews only
Physician letter required? N/A; no physician letter required
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
Prerequisite courses will only be accepted if the student had no other options in which to take the course other than online. Must be taken at a US accredited institute.Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
If the student is not provided an option by the college, we will accept all P/F grades. Otherwise, we cannot accept P/F grades for core science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) pre-requisite courses. Student would be required to provide documentation from the school regarding P/F policies. All other courses can be accepted.
Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
LECOM's Academic Index Score (AIS) is an alternative to the MCAT - In place of the MCAT applicants may use an AIS, a calculation based on the applicant's overall GPA, from undergraduate and graduate school, and SAT/ACT scores from high school. Accordingly, LECOM recognizes diversity of backgrounds in applicants, while scores on standardized tests do not solely relate to becoming a great physician. Utilizing the AIS contributes to our ability to provide a holistic review of applicants.
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes, but only in certain circumstances (please explain)
Online lab coursework from an accredited US institution only.Earliest Application Submission Date: May 6, 2024
Primary Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
LECOM seeks candidates who exemplify the LECOM mission to prepare students to become competent osteopathic physicians who partner with their patients on the pathway to health and well-being. Applicants should not only demonstrate success in their science courses, but also have proven themselves as well-rounded individuals who have been successful overall in their academic careers.
LECOM is also looking for students who meet the ethical and professional standards that the public expects of high-quality health care professionals and who demonstrate an interest in community service and leadership. LECOM encourages applicants to learn more about the profession by getting to know an osteopathic physician. Receiving exposure to the osteopathic profession will enhance awareness of the osteopathic medical philosophy. Working with a physician will prepare the applicant for the required admissions interview.
International Students Accepted? Accepts International Students
International students (non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents) will be considered on an individual basis. Non-U.S. citizens must provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds are available in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses to complete the entire program at LECOM and submit World Education Services (WES) transcript evaluations for all non-U.S. coursework. Additional requirements and information are available by contacting the Admissions Office.Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No
Application Interview Format: See Below
LECOM uses a rolling admissions cycle and schedules applicant information sessions from July through April of the application year. Applicants are invited to attend a virtual information session and are given the opportunity to submit a recorded video interview. Applicants can choose on the supplemental application which LECOM campus session to attend.
LECOM Erie, LECOM at Seton Hill and LECOM at Elmira each hold virtual information sessions with attendees eligible to attend any one of the respective campuses. Applicants will receive information about the curricular pathways available at LECOM, financial aid resources and procedures, research opportunities, clinical rotation sites, and residency programs affiliated with LECOM. After the session, applicants use instructions sent via email to submit a recorded video interview which is reviewed by the admissions committee.
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? Yes
Admissions EDP Available For
Both In-state and Out-of-State
EDP Application Due Date
August 1, 2024
EDP Supplemental Materials Due
August 15, 2024
EDP Applicants Notified
October 1, 2024
EDP Applications Submitted To AACOMAS
Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Qualified applicants will be notified to complete an online supplemental application and must submit the application fee at that time. LECOM requires a letter of recommendation from a premedical or pre-health committee or two letters from science professors from the applicant’s undergraduate or graduate institution.
MCAT Scores are considered; in lieu of MCAT Scores, LECOM may use an Academic Index Score that uses undergraduate and graduate GPAs in a formula calculation with ACT and/or SAT Critical Reading and Math scores. Interviews are offered based on completion of the supplemental application.
Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: July 1, 2024
Supplemental Application Deadline: April 10, 2025
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
Must have a 2.7 or higher overall GPA and either a 497 or better MCAT taken within the past three years or an Academic Index Score (AIS) of 110 or higher. The AIS is calculated using ACT or SAT with overall post-secondary GPA. An applicant who does not meet the MCAT requirement or who has not taken the exam may enter the ACT or SAT scores to use the AIS to qualify for the supplemental application. The student must follow up with official documentation.Supplemental Application Fee: $50, non-refundable
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
Receipt of AACOMAS fee waiverEarliest Acceptance Date
August 1, 2024
Latest Acceptance Date
August 2, 2025
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
July 26, 2024
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Military only.Acceptance/deposit deadlines conform to the AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines Schedule? Yes
Osteopathic Medical College (COM) applicants may be asked to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:
- Those accepted prior to November 15 to have until December 14.
- Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 to have 30 days
- Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 to have 14 days.
- Those accepted on or after May 1 may be asked by the accepting COM for an immediate deposit.
- After May 1 of the year of matriculation, each COM has the discretion to implement COM-specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other COMs.
Mean MCAT Score
504.6
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.62
Oldest MCAT Considered: July 1, 2021
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: January 31, 2025
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
- Paper
Main Admissions Contact
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
For the 2024-2025 academic year
In-State Tuition
$38,685 Erie & Seton Hill campuses; $41,510 Elmira campus
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,685 Erie & Seton Hill campuses; $41,510 Elmira campus
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$1,462
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$1,462
Health Insurance Fee
$4,752
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$26,184
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$242,117
Acceptance Deposit
$1,500, non-refundable
Additional Deposit
$500
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
Deposit Refundable? Yes
Refundable only in the event of military deploymentFinancial Aid Website https://lecom.edu/tuition-financial-aid/
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 82%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $1,989.09