University of New England

1. Can you describe a typical student?
2. Do you accept students from outside of New England?
3. What are average GPA and MCAT scores for the entering class?
4. Do I have to have a letter of recommendation from a D.O.?
5. What is the acceptance rate?
6. Can I transfer credits, academic years at another medical school or professional degrees?
7. Do you have any open houses scheduled?
8. Will a UNECOM representative be traveling to my area?
9. How do I make arrangements to visit campus and talk with students?
10. Can a current student contact me?
11. How much are tuition and fees?
12. Is there on-campus housing available? Where do students live?
13. Where do student do their third- and fourth-year rotations?
14. How do UNECOM students do on boards?

1. Can you describe a typical student?
The average age of a first-year student at UNECOM is 27 years old. There is generally a 50/50 split between men and women, but three of the four current classes have more women than men. Nearly 10 percent of the class identify themselves as non-white. Not all students have undergraduate degrees in the sciences, but most have some type of professional health care or human services experience before applying to UNECOM. More and more students are applying to UNECOM after completing a master's degree. Students come to UNECOM from around the country and the world, but the majority are from New England (approximately 60 percent) and the northeast states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York (up to 20 percent).

2. Do you accept students from outside of New England?
As a private institution, UNECOM accepts students from around the United State and the world. In keeping with the mission of the institution, generally 60 percent of the accepted class is from New England. There are also many students from California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

3. What are average GPA and MCAT scores for the entering class?
The average MCAT score for the first-year class (of 2011) is 25; the average MCAT generally is in the 24-26 range. The average GPA for the first-year class (of 2011) is 3.43: the average GPA for the last few years has been in the 3.3-3.5 range.

4. Do I have to have a letter of recommendation from a D.O.?
A letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician (D.O.) is not required, but is strongly encouraged. A recommendation from an osteopathic physician can demonstrate to the Admissions Committee a candidate's familiarity with, and commitment to, the osteopathic philosophy and type of practice.

5. What is the acceptance rate?
More than 3,360 AACOMAS applications were received for the class of 2012. More than 2,700 UNECOM supplemental applications were offered. Less than 500 candidates are invited for a campus interview. The class size is generally about 120 students.

6. Can I transfer credits? Can I transfer academic years from another medical school or professional degree?
Only students who attended another school or college of osteopathic medicine are eligible for transferring into the second or third year of osteopathic medical studies at UNECOM.

Accepted candidates with professional degrees, science-based master's degrees, or currently enrolled in an allopathic medicine program may be eligible for advanced standing. Advanced standing is granted by the department chair or course director on a case-by-case basis. Advanced standing does not offer the opportunity to complete the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree in less than four years, but can provide for a lighter course load during parts of the first year curriculum.

7. Do you have any open houses scheduled?
UNECOM does not have any open houses scheduled at this time, but welcomes prospective students and applicants to arrange for a personalized visit to campus. Contact the UNECOM Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services (RSAS) at UNECOMadmissions@une.edu or 207-602-2329 with your request.

8. How do I make arrangements to visit campus and talk with students?
Contact the UNECOM Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services (RSAS) at UNECOMadmissions@une.edu or 207-602-2329 with your request.

9. Will a UNECOM representative be traveling to my area?
For more information contact the UNECOM Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services (RSAS) at UNECOMadmissions@une.edu or 207-602-2329.

10. Can a current student contact me?
We have more than 100 eager, outstanding first- and second-year students who are willing to e-mail dialogue with prospective students and current applicants. Contact the UNECOM Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services (RSAS) at UNECOMadmissions@une.edu or 207-602-2329 with your request.

11. How much are tuition and fees?
Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $38,930, not including a $505 general service fee and $85 for malpractice insurance. The Financial Aid Office allows $1,000 under the first year budget for equipment and instruments; $2,000 to purchase a laptop computer; and $1,850 to purchase books; and $1,900 for health insurance.

Indirect costs are also included in the student's financial aid budget to cover expenses that the student may have while attending school (August through May for the first year). General allowances include, but are not limited to, $550/month for rent; $360/month for food; and $190/month for utilities. Student's actual expenses may vary. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Office.

12. Is there on-campus housing available? Where do students live?
There is no on-campus housing available for osteopathic medical students. Most students live in the surrounding cities of Biddeford (population of 23,000), Saco (population of 17,000), or Old Orchard Beach (population of 5,000). Some students live north of the area in Portland or South Portland; others live south of Biddeford in Arundel or Kennebunk. Reasonably priced rental housing, in a variety of configurations, is readily available in the Biddeford and Saco area.

13. Where do student do their third- and fourth-year rotations?
Third-year rotations are at one of eight Clinical Training Centers (selected by student-run lottery) throughout the northeast. Fourth-year selectives (20 weeks) and electives (18 weeks) are at health care facilities of student's choice around the country. The Clinical Training Centers for the current third-year student (class of 2009) are listed below. Visit the UNECOM Curriculum page for more information.

• Berkshire Clinical Training Center (CTC), Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• Keystone CTC, Lancaster and Reading, Pennsylvania
• Leatherstocking CTC, Cooperstown and Utica, New York
• Lehigh Valley CTC, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey
• Maine CTC, throughout central and southern Maine
• NewarkCTC, Newark and Patterson, New Jersey
• Rhode Island CTC, Warwick and Providence, Rhode Island
• Samaritan CTC, Watertown, New York

14. How do UNECOM students do on boards?
UNECOM students are required to pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 before continuing their core rotations, and required to pass COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE and PE prior to graduation. An average of 90 percent of UNECOM students pass the boards the first time, although the pass rate can vary from year to year and between the different exam levels. The first-time pass rate for the new COMLEX PE (Performance Exam) was 98 percent. Some students choose to take the USMLE, but it is not required.