University of New England

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) application process examines the whole person, just as an osteopathic physician works with and treats the whole person. There are many different criteria the Admissions Committee uses to evaluate applicants, including: academic record and scholastic ability; exposure to and experience in health care and human services; leadership, community service and/or research experience; interest in practicing primary care, practicing in New England and/or working in underserved communities; and the maturity and desire to work collaboratively with classmates, faculty, health care providers and patients.

Academic Requirements

Following are the scholastic requirements for admission, followed by recent averages.

• Ninety (90) semester hours or 75 percent credit toward a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in both elective and required subjects. The average GPA for the class of 2011 is 3.43.
• Satisfactory completion of the following courses, including laboratory:
• Eight semester hours (credits) of biology
• Four semesters (generally 16 credits) of chemistry
• Biochemistry is required for matriculation, but candidates are encouraged to submit an application if currently enrolled or to be enrolled in biochemistry prior to matriculation.
• UNECOM offers both a Distance Medical Biochemistry course and Organic Chemistry distance education course. To find out more about these courses, visit the Distance Education homepage.
• Eight semester hours (credits) of physics
• One year (generally 6 credits) of English composition and literature
• Satisfactory completion of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), taken within two years of application. The minimum MCAT score is 18 with M on the writing sample. The average MCAT score for the class of 2011 is 25.

Prospective students are encouraged to strengthen their command of the sciences through additional courses in anatomy, calculus, chemistry, genetics, microbiology and/or physiology. But, just as osteopathic medicine offers a comprehensive approach to health promotion, the Admissions Committee believes that candidates should have obtained a broad-based education that includes coursework in arts and letters, communication, humanities and social sciences.

Personal Factors
The Admissions Committee considers a number of other factors beyond academics when evaluating applicants for incoming classes. An understanding of the unique philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine is critical. Personality and the ability to establish rapport and trust with classmates, colleagues and future patients are important. Maturity, exposure to health care and human services, and breadth of both work and volunteer experience are also key factors. Leadership, whether through clubs and organizations, volunteer and community service, and/or employment is also considered by the Admissions Committee.

Take a look at recent issues of the online COMmunicator newsletter for lots of photos, news and events to get a sense of what student life is like for medical students at UNE.