Selection Process
The ACOM Admissions Committee will be responsible for reviewing and assessing the completed AACOMAS and supplemental applications with required support materials. The major criteria for rating applicants are academic and non-academic achievements.
Academic assessments include: the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, grades, and grade point averages.
Personal characteristics include: the applicant’s ability and desire to fulfill the college’s commitment to the primary care and underserved needs of Alabama and the region, personal experiences with patient populations, physician shadowing, community/volunteer service, leadership positions, and honors received. Letters of recommendation play a major role in the assessment of applicants.
Applicants who are selected for an interview will receive an email invitation with login credentials to schedule their interview date.
Interview
The personal interview is a critical component in making decisions about who will be admitted to ACOM. The primary purpose of the interview is to assess an applicant’s interpersonal skills and how they relate to others as well as more about their motivation for the profession. It also allows us to learn additional information about inters and experiences of applicants and perhaps to get a sense of the likelihood that they would accept a seat if offered. The Interview Day provides the student with an overview of ACOM, including a chance to meet faculty, staff, and students and to learn more about the academic programs, clinical rotations, students services, and student life.
Applicants are invited to visit the campus in person or virtually for a formal interview with two faculty/qualified staff who have all completed online training in interview procedures, desired qualifications, and rubric scoring. After the personal interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicant’s file along with the interviewers’ comments. The admission recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Dean of the College. Applicants are notified of their admission status within a few weeks of their interview. Notification times may vary during the application cycle.
Matriculation
Accepted applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable deposit of $2,000. ACOM follows the suggested deposit guidelines established by AACOMAS.
- Applicants accepted prior to November 15 have until December 14 to make their deposit.
- Applicants accepted between November 15 and January 14 have 30 days to pay their deposit.
- Applicants accepted between January 15 and April 30 have 14 days to pay their deposit.
- Applicants accepted after May 1 may be asked for an immediate deposit.
After May 1 of the year of matriculation, ACOM has the right to implement specific procedures for accepted students who hold one or more seats at other medical colleges.
Matriculation is conditional until all official transcripts are received from schools attended. ACOM can use final transcripts submitted with the AACOMAS application. All complete transcripts must be on file prior to matriculation. It is expected that all prerequisite courses, course work listed on the AACOMAS application, and baccalaureate degree requirements will be completed by July 1 of the matriculation year at ACOM.
Matriculation packets are emailed to deposited students usually around February 1 of each year. Packets include information on how to obtain the required drug screen and background check, ordering medical equipment, health insurance, and immunization records.
ACOM requires all students to adhere to ACOM’s Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation and Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) Mandatory Course Requirements.
Note: Discovery after admission or matriculation of intentional misrepresentation or omission of any information use in the application process or omission of information relative to scholastic records or test records will subject the student to dismissal. Matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and/or personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and their matriculation at the College. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason it deems sufficient.