Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - OU-HCOM
General Information
Additional Locations
Additional Locations offer the same programs as the main campus. Use the main campus' application to apply to additional locations.
OU-HCOM Cleveland
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/about/campuses/cleveland
Phone
OU-HCOM Dublin
Affiliation
Address
Campus Setting
Website https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/about/campuses/dublin
Phone
Mission Statement
Closest City Athens, Ohio
Campus Setting
RuralFacilities
On each campus, there are similar types of spaces that support the educational mission of the college such as large classrooms, small case-based learning rooms, learning resource centers, anatomy labs, clinical training & assessment/simulation areas, Osteopathic Manipulation laboratories, and multipurpose rooms.
Many other types of spaces exist that improve the medical student experience such as cafes, dedicated study spaces, student lounges, and game rooms. Study nooks are created in common spaces to encourage communication and collaboration.
HCOM continues to support research and scholarly activity by providing adequate laboratory facilities in multiple buildings. These facilities include wet labs, dry labs, and clinical research areas to encourage collaborative research.
Student Residence Options
Your OU-HCOM education is not limited to the classroom, labs, or clinics. Our students engage in organizations that encourage leadership, fellowship, and community service. From student government and class offices to memberships in the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways Program, Student Osteopathic Medical Association, the Student National Medical Association, the Surgery and Sports Medicine Club, and the Lifestyle Medicine Club, OU-HCOM students on all campuses have outlets to explore leadership and medical specialty interests.
As an OU-HCOM student, your mental and physical health are our top priorities. All campuses have workout facilities, paid memberships to local fitness clubs, counseling, and psychological services. Intramural sports, state and local parks, and community service projects abound to get you out of the classroom or apartment and into the local community and fresh air.
Our Office of Student Affairs provides academic support and residency advising services to ensure you can complete the following steps to become a physician. Free tutoring, Academic Peer Support Leaders, learning communities, Osteopathic Primary Care Associates, and board preparation are only a few of our services and activities. For a complete list of organizations, support systems, and student-life activities, visit OU-HCOM's Office of Student Affairs.
The Office of Inclusion provides programming and research opportunities for all students. Inclusion Scholars design and implement inclusion initiatives and conduct small research projects annually. The annual Multicultural Gala celebrates OU-HCOM's cultural diversity and gives faculty, staff, and students a chance to socialize outside of class. For more activities sponsored by the Office of Inclusion, visit OU-HCOM's Office of Inclusion.
COM Accreditation Status The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Heritage College underwent its most recent comprehensive accreditation visit by the COCA across all three campuses on September 27 – October 1, 2021. All accreditation standards/elements were met, and the COCA awarded the college Accreditation
with Exceptional Outcome, providing the college with a 10-year accreditation status. The college’s next comprehensive visit will occur in the academic year 2031-2032.
University Affiliation(s) Ohio University
OU-HCOM operates under a “one-college, three locations” philosophy. The admission process, requirements, and curriculum are the same no matter which campus an applicant prefers.
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2023-2024
Academic Year Enrollment
Total Medical School Enrollment
996
Total Male
442
Total Female
551
Total Other
3
Total Enrollment Affiliate Institutions
28,522
First-Year Matriculants
252
First-Year Male Matriculants
102
First-Year Female Matriculants
149
Matriculants In-State
237
Matriculants Out-of-State
15
Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.0%
Asian
15.9%
Black/African American
4.4%
Hispanic/Latino
3.6%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.0%
White
68.3%
Multiple Races
4.8%
Undisclosed
2.0%; Non-resident Alien: 0.4%
Majors of First-Year Matriculants
Science Majors
90.2%
Non-Science Majors
9.8%
Graduate Degrees
10.3%
Overview
Public Institution
Non-Profit
Ohio University
Institutional Affiliation
1975
Year Founded
Rural
Campus Setting
Campus Contact
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - OU-HCOM
Address
(800) 345-1560
Phone
Website
Admissions Office
Curricular Offerings
OU-HCOM and the Pathways to Health and Wellness curriculum commits to: provide a clinically integrated, learning-centered, osteopathic medical education continuum for students, interns, residents and primary care associates; embrace diversity and public service; and improve the health and well-being of underserved populations.
All Heritage College medical students begin their medical education with Osteopathic Approach to Patient Care 1, which focuses on Wellness. Each week, students are provided with learning objectives, outcomes and preparatory materials to direct study, activate prior experience and knowledge, and identify areas for growth.
Educational topics to be emphasized are identified and presented via a patient case and guide the integrated learning activities throughout the week. Activities include integrated learning labs, osteopathic patient care skills, simulated experiences and early clinical experiences. A reporting phase will allow for reflection and assimilation in a small group format.
Preparatory/Postbaccalaureate Programs Offered
Post-baccalaureate
The program consists of one academic year of prescribed upper-level science coursework at Ohio University, plus participation in our four-week Prematriculation Program. Students who complete all program requirements
and finish the post-bac program with a 3.2 overall GPA will be guaranteed admission to that fall's entering class.
Consideration for the program begins by applying to Heritage College, completing the interview process, and receiving a waitlist decision from the Student Selection Advisory Committee. No other application is necessary.
Student Selection Advisory Committee members will convene at the end of the interview cycle in May to select participants. Potential post-bac students must also:
- be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status
- have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- have taken the MCAT within three years of matriculation to Heritage College with a score of 490 or better.
Prematriculation
PreMatriculation is a four-week accelerated introduction to the medical school experience for HCOM Post Baccalaureate participants and other mission-aligned entering medical students. The program, held in Athens,
mirrors the content and rigor of the first semester of the Pathways to Health and Wellness Curriculum and provides opportunities for participants to become familiar with the health disparities and social determinants of health endemic to rural southeastern
Ohio.
Students who have completed our Post Baccalaureate program are required to participate in PreMatriculation. Other entering students may be invited to participate based on their academic needs or alignment with our college mission. The program typically enrolls a cohort of 24 students.
Program Components
The program is designed to promote academic, career and personal success by helping to reinforce strategies that promote life-long learning. The curriculum uses a case-based learning approach that allows program participants to
explore basic science concepts (e.g., anatomy, physiology, biochemistry) that form the foundation for clinical concepts.
Summer Scholars
Summer Scholars is a program designed for aspiring physicians from communities
experiencing health care disparities or medical provider shortages. For more than 40 years, participants hailing from those communities have been selected to participate in the rigorous 5-week program, which offers an immersive experience designed
to give participants a realistic introduction to the first-year curriculum at Heritage College and to foster academic, career and personal success.
College faculty and medical students teach courses in medical morphology, histology, immunology and biochemistry. There are also workshops on the admissions process, learning strategies, time management and other areas relevant to medical school experience. Annually, the program accepts 24 applicants who have encountered barriers that have impeded their path to medical school but who are passionate about practicing medicine with populations and in communities where there are limited medical resources and access to health care.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Participants in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program work in an active research laboratory under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This eight-week program is designed
to expose you to the challenges, excitement, and satisfaction of biomedical and basic science research.
COMCorps, an AmeriCorp Program
COMCorps members serve a 10.5 or 11.5-month term packed with 1,700 hours of life-changing experience serving others. COMCorps service members are active in schools and agencies as they deliver health-related
projects
Transformative Care Continuum
The Transformative Care Continuum is an accelerated, competency-based program that prepares students for careers in family medicine through a continuous experience from medical school through residency
and beyond.
Special Programs
PreDOc
PreDOC is a nationwide student organization with the purpose of educating premed students about osteopathic medicine and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. PreDOC meets every month during the academic year, both in-person on our HCOM campuses
and virtually. The goal of PreDOC is to create a close-knit community of premed students who are informed, inspired, and excited about practicing osteopathic medicine.
PreDOC is an opportunity for any and all premedical students -undergraduate students,
graduate students, and even those who are taking gap years or are interested in making a career change. You can learn more about upcoming programming by joining our GroupMe. The PreDOC password is "Bobcats".
Dual Degrees/Concurrent Programs Offered
DO/BME
The DO/BME in Biomedical Engineering program integrates medicine and technology. Biomedical engineering is a rapidly growing field that prepares students with the technological tools and understanding to specialize in the areas of Biomechanics, Cellular/Biomolecular Engineering and Biomedical Information Processing.
DO/MGH
The Master of Global Health dual degree program is designed for medical students interested in developing skills to work with multicultural, low resource, and vulnerable populations. Graduates with a DO/MGH can take a broad range of career paths including permanent or temporary involvement in groups such as Doctor’s Without Borders, Partners in Health, WHO, CDC and similar organizations. This dual degree also provides a focused competency to physicians working with immigrant/migrant populations.
DO/MBA
The DO/MBA program combines the study of medicine with training in managerial, financial and technical expertise that can be applied to healthcare. In addition to enhancing the leadership characteristics of physicians, this training path can be applied in other areas including hospital administration, healthcare policy and related fields such as biotechnology.
DO/PhD
The DO/PhD combines training in medicine and research for students interested in becoming physician-scientists. Demand for physicians with this dual training is high and can lead to careers as faculty members at medical schools, universities and research institutes. Students select mentors to engage in research in a variety of health-related areas of study, with particular emphasis on translational research.
Premedical Coursework
Courses below are shown as either Recommended or Required and, when applicable, include the number of semester hours needed.
Anatomy
Recommended With Lab3 semester hours
Biochemistry
Recommended With Lab3 semester hours
Biology/Zoology
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Inorganic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Chemistry (Organic)
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Genetics
Recommended3 semester hours
Immunology
Recommended3 semester hours
Physics
Required With Lab8 semester hours
Physiology
Recommended With Lab3 semester hours
Additional Science Courses
Behavioral Sciences
Required6 semester hours
College English
Required6 semester hours
Math/Statistics
Recommended3 semester hours
Admissions
OU-HCOM only considers those with completed application files for a potential interview. A completed file consists of a verified AACOMAS application, official and valid MCAT scores, and receipt of all secondary application materials. Applicants are responsible for monitoring the status of their application.
Candidates are notified of their pre-selected interview date via email by the office of admissions. Interviews are scheduled on Tuesdays from mid–September until late April. Admission decisions are made the same day as the interview. Candidates will be notified of the committee decision on the next business day.
Interview Options: Virtual interviews only
Physician letter required? MD or DO
Virtual Shadowing Options? Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements? Yes
Accepts prerequisite coursework pass/fail grades? Yes
Will your institution waive MCAT exam requirements? No
Accepts online lab coursework? Yes
Earliest Application Submission Date: May 6, 2024
Primary Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Submission Timing for Best Consideration
First Year Class Matriculant's Selection Factors
Applicants to OU-HCOM must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent visa. We welcome candidates from out-of-state and from any major, with the understanding that all prerequisites must be complete prior to matriculation. Most candidates have their bachelor’s degree, with many having advanced degrees.
Candidates with three years of outstanding academic work and related experiences may also be considered. In addition to strong academics, applicants should have numerous experiences that reflect maturity, service, clinical experience and exposure, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. Attributes integral to a successful candidate include strong moral character, professional behavior and a commitment to integrity and compassionate care.
Early submission of the AACOMAS application and all supporting secondary documents is strongly encouraged and is beneficial in the rolling admissions process. OU-HCOM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or military veteran status in its employment practices or in the provision of educational programs and services.
International Students Accepted? Does Not Accept International Students
Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students considered for admissions? No
Application Interview Format: Traditional
Early Decision Program (EDP)
EDP Offered? No
EDP Applications Submitted To AACOMAS
Supplemental Application
Supplemental Application Required? Yes
Minimum two letters of recommendation from natural science faculty who have taught the student, i.e., biology, chemistry, physics faculty, or a pre-med committee letter. There is one required essay and an additional, student-selected essay on the supplemental application. Additional essays are also required for those with a Dublin or Cleveland campus preference and, for those reapplying or considering our dual degree programs.Earliest Supplemental Application Submission Date: June 17, 2024
Supplemental Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
Supplemental Application Sent To: Screened Applicants
All Ohio residents will receive a secondary application. All other applicants will receive a secondary application if they have either a 490 MCAT OR 3.00 science GPA. However, to be considered a competitive applicant, students should have metrics closer to a 3.60 science GPA and a 504 MCAT.Supplemental Application Fee: $60, non-refundable
Supplemental Application Fee Refundable? No
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver Available? Yes
OU-HCOM will grant a supplemental application fee waiver if the applicant received an AACOMAS fee waiver.Earliest Acceptance Date
September 17, 2024
Latest Acceptance Date
April 29, 2025
Orientation/Start Date for First Year Students
August 5, 2024
Deferred Entrance Requests Considered? Yes
Requests must be received in writing and approvals are at the discretion of the student selection advisory committee.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
503.4
Avg. Cum. Undergrad GPA Score
3.65
Oldest MCAT Considered: January 1, 2022
Latest MCAT Score Accepted: December 31, 2024
Accepted Sources for Letters of Recommendation
- AACOMAS
- Interfolio
- Paper
Main Admissions Contact
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
2024-2025 Academic Year
In-State Tuition
$38,564
Out-of-State Tuition
$56,284
Annual Fees
In-State Resident Fees
$2,578
Out-of-State Resident Fees
$2,578
Health Insurance Fee
$3,098
Tuition Fees Include
Estimates, Deposits, and More
Estimated Annual Room Board, Books, and Living Costs
$34,234
Average Graduate Indebtedness
$249,052.26
Acceptance Deposit
$100
Additional Deposit
$500
Deposit Applied to Tuition? Yes
The acceptance deposit signals the acceptance of the offer of admission. The Additional deposit signals the intent to enroll.Deposit Refundable? No
Financial Aid Website https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/admissions/financing/
Percent of Enrolled Students with Financial Aid 87%
Scholarships Offered? Yes
Annual Scholarship/Grant Per Student: $2,500