Considering medical school? Click the Choose DO link below to find out more about osteopathic medicine. Need a mentor or a shadowing opportunity? The Washington Osteopathic Medical Association website has resources.
PNWU-COM accepts 144 students for each new class of osteopathic medical students which start in the fall. PNWU-COM uses a “rolling admissions” process. Offers of admission are made following the first interview until the class is full. It is strongly recommended to apply early.
The PNWU-COM Admissions Committee will consider applications from all qualified individuals; however, in order to meet the mission of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, preference is given to applicants from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and rural and/or medically underserved areas of the country.
The major criteria for rating applicants are academic excellence, commitment to osteopathic primary care, commitment to practice medicine in an underserved area, and personal characteristics.
May
- The primary application, AACOMAS, opens.
July
- PNWU-COM begins reviewing AACOMAS applications and emails invitations for applicants to begin the supplemental application
- Submit required letters of recommendation through the AACOMAS evaluation process
- Monitor your application status with AACOMAS and PNWU-COM
September
- PNWU-COM begins emailing invitations to interview
October – April
- Interviews begin and admission offers are made until the class is full
February 3
- Last day to submit an AACOMAS application
March 3
- Last day to submit a supplemental application and all required documents
Acceptance is conditional until all required documentation is received and completed to PNWU’s satisfaction.
- Applicant must have earned a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Final, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions must be on file prior to matriculation.
- Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) official scores are required and must be released to AACOMAS.
- Satisfactory completion of the following college courses, which may include laboratory work, before matriculation. These basic requirements must be passed (a grade of C or above is recommended) and taken for credit at a regionally accredited college or university. Advanced placement credits can fulfill the course requirements if they are accepted for credit by your degree granting institution.
- English composition and literature: 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours
- General chemistry: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
- Organic chemistry: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours (4 semester hours can be biochemistry)
- Physics: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
- Biological sciences: 12 semester hours/18 quarter hours
Use the DO Admissions Advising Planning Worksheet for planning purposes. In addition to the required academic prerequisites courses the following courses are recommended.
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Behavioral Sciences
- Humanities
Other required matriculation forms, surveys, training, counseling, etc.
- Minimum technical standards
- Medical and immunization requirements
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening, if randomly selected
- Health insurance coverage
The minimum age to matriculate at PNWU-COM is 18 years of age and the applicant must be a US Citizen, US permanent resident status, or DACA status. The application to PNWU-COM begins by submitting a primary application through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS). Applicants must designate PNWU-COM to receive the application.
A verification of the information provided on the application will take place. This may take as much as 30 days or longer. PNWU-COM will receive the application only after the verification is complete by AACOMAS. Applicants should review the AACOMAS instructions and FAQ to assist them in submitting their application properly.
MCAT:
- Once the MCAT exam is taken release the official score to AACOMAS.
- MCAT scores are valid for three years from the original test date. The test must be taken no later than January 31 of the year medical school starts.
Updates to your application should be made during the AACOMAS academic update periods. Dates are available on the AACOMAS website. PNWU admissions and the PNWU-COM admission committee will review applications in a holistic manner and consider the applicants intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, commitment and suitability to succeed in the study of osteopathic medicine.
If you have any questions regarding your specific situation, we strongly encourage applicants to contact their pre-medical/pre-health advisor, or a PNWU admissions counselor at recruitment@pnwu.edu or 509.249.7888
An email invitation to complete a supplemental (secondary) application will be sent to selected applicants after the primary application has been received and reviewed. Check your junk email folder to ensure emails from PNWU are being received.
The supplemental application essay is an opportunity to highlight specific or additional reasons you should be selected for an interview. A nonrefundable supplemental application fee of $85 is required at time of submission. The fee is paid online using a bank account, credit or debit card.
- Requests for a supplemental application fee waiver must be submitted to admission@pnwu.edu and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicant must meet the AACOMAS fee waiver eligibility
- Submit a written request for a supplemental application fee waiver
- Supplemental Application Instructions
- Use a compatible web browser: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari
- Turn off all pop-up blockers
- Turn off Auto Fill functionality
- The supplemental essay prompt is at the top of the application.
- At the bottom of the application use the Submit option once you are ready to upload the supplemental essay and pay the application fee.
- If you have been approved for a fee waiver, you need to pay the fee first to submit your supplemental application. Once payment has been received the refund will be processed, usually complete within a two-week period.
- If you are unable to upload your essay please email it to admission@pnwu.edu in pdf format.
A letter of recommendation is required from each of the following sources:
- A physician, MD or DO (preferably a DO who is a member of the AOA)
- A science faculty member who has evaluated the applicant’s post-secondary science course work (excluding medical/bio ethics and computer engineering courses)
- A pre-medical source (a pre-medical adviser or committee) or one of the following substitutes:
- A military supervisor/commanding officer in health profession
- Research supervisor
- A second science faculty or second physician letter
- A licensed health professional supervisor
PNWU-COM does not have a standardized recommendation form. All recommendations should be on official letter head, signed, and dated by the writer. Recommendations must be written within two years prior to your application.
Recommendations should be submitted using Evaluations in the AACOMAS application. PNWU-COM will accept up to three additional letters of recommendation from other sources such as employers, researchers, etc. These additional letters may not be used to substitute for the three required letters.
The interview day is an opportunity for PNWU to get to know applicants and for applicants to get to know PNWU. Opportunities to communicate directly with faculty, staff, or current students will be provided. The dress for the day is professional. The interview day format is under development but may include:
- A live introduction and prerecorded informational session
- Multiple mini interviews (MMI)
- A campus tour
- A group activity
- Q&A time with students, staff, and faculty
After the interview, the PNWU-COM Admissions Committee reviews the applicants’ file and makes recommendations to the dean. Applicants are notified via email and the Self-Service portal is updated as soon as a final admissions decision has been made.
A nonrefundable acceptance fee of $2,000 is required from accepted applicants.
Acceptance is conditional until all required documentation is received and completed to PNWU’s satisfaction.
PNWU-COM does not usually defer admission. Requests submitted will be reviewed by the PNWU-COM Admission Committee and a recommendation made to the dean.
Note: Intentional misrepresentation or omission of information relative to scholastic records, test records, background reports, etc. will subject the applicant or student to dismissal.