University of New England

AACOMAS Application Process
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) participates with other osteopathic colleges in a centralized application process through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). AACOM Application Service (AACOMAS) is the starting point to apply to UNECOM.  

AACOMAS collects personal and academic data, official transcripts, and MCAT scores; verifies academic records and computes grades; and then transmits standardized information to UNECOM and other colleges designated by the applicant. This process can take four to six weeks following receipt of all transcripts. AACOM and AACOMAS take no part in the evaluation, selection, or rejection of applicants.

The AACOMAS application process for the class entering August 2009 opened May 1, 2008. Applicants for this next cycle should plan on sending the following information to AACOMAS:

• A fully completed AACOMAS application including the AACOMAS processing fee.
• Complete official transcripts of scholastic records from ALL colleges and universities attended. (All required courses must be completed before matriculation.)
• The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores sent directly from the testing service. AACOMAS' number is 600.

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine will receive the processed AACOMAS application approximately four to six weeks after submitted.

In order for the Admissions Committee to best evaluate applicants, all candidates meeting UNECOM's minimum academic requirements will be invited to submit a supplemental application. A link and password to UNECOM's supplemental application will be provided to candidates at the appropriate time. There is a $55 supplemental application fee.

The UNECOM supplemental application deadline for the class entering August 2009 is March 15, 2009. Applicants are encouraged to complete their supplemental application as soon as possible to be considered for possible interview.

Letters of Recommendation
In addition to the online application form, the UNECOM Supplemental Application includes letters of recommendation from academic and professional evaluators.

The academic requirement can be met in three different ways: with a letter from a pre-health committee (whenever available); from a pre-health advisor (if a committee letter is not available); OR two letters from faculty members, preferably in the sciences (if a pre-health committee or advisor letter in not obtainable).

A letter of evaluation/recommendation from an osteopathic physician is strongly encouraged, but not required. If to be submitted, it should be from a physician who knows the applicant's character, potential as a future physician, ability to work with and related to others, and preparation for both the science of medicine and art of healing.

The professional requirement is rather broad, and the letter may be from an osteopathic or allopathic physician, allied health professional, supervisor, mentor, or similar professional who is familiar with the applicant's character.

Letters of recommendation should be sent to:

UNECOM Admissions Committee
C/O COM Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services
University of New England
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, Maine 04005

Technical Standards
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine has established Essential Technical Standards for education, practice and licensure as an osteopathic physician.

If accepted to UNECOM, but before matriculation in August, all incoming students will be asked to read and attest that they meet each of the Minimum Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodation. The Essential Technical Standards for the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine document is available at /com/pdf/techstandards.pdf

Interviews
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine reviews candidates application files after all of the materials noted above have been received. Applicants are invited to campus for an interview so that members of the Admissions Committee can meet and further evaluate candidates. Interviews, and final evaluation of candidates, are conducted on a rolling admissions basis beginning in September and continuing through March or April.

Deadlines
For the class entering August 2009 the deadlines will be February 1, 2009 (AACOMAS central application), and March 15, 2009 (UNECOM supplemental application and letters of recommendation). Candidates are urged to complete their applications as early as possible in order to receive consideration for an interview.

Applicant State Residency
Prospective students from across the country, Canada and abroad apply to UNECOM and are encouraged to do so. True to the mission of the College to serve the people of New England, some preference is given to candidates from the New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

Still, all prospective students are encouraged to apply for admission. Nearly 70 percent of the current first-year class is from the New England states; approximately 10 percent are from the northeast states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York; and the remaining members of the class are from around the country.

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.