Application & Selection

Admission Requirements

KYCOM participates with other colleges of osteopathic medicine in the centralized application services offered by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). To apply, you must initiate your application to KYCOM by submitting a Primary Application through AACOMAS, which may be obtained by contacting:

AACOMAS
P.O. Box 9137
Watertown, MA 02471
Phone: (617) 612-2889
aacomasinfo@liaisoncas.com

Prospective students who have their applications sent to KYCOM for consideration and meet the minimum requirements for admission will be emailed, by the KYCOM Admissions Office, instructions on how to access an online KYCOM Secondary or Supplemental Application. Please note that all application materials received become the property of KYCOM and are not returned to any applicants regardless of determination.

Applicants to KYCOM should submit their completed applications no later than March 1 for review. However, applicants are urged to submit their completed application dossiers to KYCOM as early as possible, since KYCOM admits students on a continuous or rolling basis. Applications may be reviewed as early as the summer months. Interviews generally begin in August and run through April or until the entering class is filled.

KYCOM will only review complete files from applicants whom have submitted all required materials, including:

1. A completed AACOMAS application and a completed KYCOM supplemental application, including official MCAT Scores
2. A nonrefundable supplemental application fee of $75
3. Letters of recommendation
   1. Requirement: A letter from a physician (preferably a D.O. who is a member of the AOA)
   2. Requirement: At least one of the following options:
      • Letters from two different science faculty who are familiar with the applicant’s academic work
      • Letter from a pre-med advisor and a letter from a science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work
      • Letter from the pre-med committee
4. Recommendation letters: Written within the two years prior to the opening date of AACOMAS application.
5. All applicants and students are required to meet KYCOM Technical Standards that are on the Secondary Application. Please read KYCOM’s statement of Technical Standards below and affirm that you meet these standards.
6. In addition, all applicants to KYCOM must affirm that, if accepted, they will meet all immunization requirements prior to enrollment.

The minimum academic requirements for admission to KYCOM are:

1. A baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
2. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students must take the exam and have the official scores sent to AACOMAS. MCAT test scores are valid for three years from June of beginning cycle year.
3. Satisfactory completion of the following college courses, including laboratory work:
   • English Composition and Literature 6 Semester Hours
   • General Chemistry 8 Semester Hours
   • Organic Chemistry 8 Semester Hours (4 hours of which can be Biochemistry)
   • Physics 8 Semester Hours
   • Biological Sciences 12 Semester Hours

These basic requirements need to complete with a final grade of no less than a “C” from an accredited college or university.

Integrity: Prospective students seeking admission to KYCOM are expected to demonstrate integrity and professionalism throughout the application and matriculation process. Any intentional misrepresentation, falsification or omission of all requested application and matriculation information is reason for rejection or dismissal. KYCOM reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason it deems sufficient. Further, matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and their matriculation at KYCOM.

Technical Standards

Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine complies with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Pikeville and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities. In doing so, however, KYCOM must maintain curriculum requirements deemed essential to the education of an osteopathic physician. Regarding disabled (or handicapped) individuals, KYCOM does not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise qualified, but it does require applicants and students to meet certain minimum technical standards.

Students who, with reasonable assistance, can meet the technical standards to be successful in the KYCOM curriculum and to safely and competently practice osteopathic medicine are considered for admission. KYCOM recognizes that there are varying levels of disability and needs, and is committed to supporting those with disabilities who, with reasonable assistance, can meet the technical standards. These standards identify reasonable expectations of osteopathic medical students and physicians in performing common functions.

A candidate for the D.O. degree must have multiple abilities and skills including: observation; communication; motor; conceptual; integrative and quantitative; and behavioral and social attributes. Accommodations can be made for various handicaps, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner throughout their enrollment at KYCOM.

Observation

The candidate must be able to acquire a level of required information as represented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic sciences. This includes but is not limited to information conveyed through physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, as well as microbiologic cultures and microscopic images of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. Furthermore, a candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand; acquire information from written documents; and see information presented in images on paper, film, slide, or video. Observing and acquiring information from these sources usually requires functional visual, auditory, and somatic sensation, enhanced by other sensory modalities. The use of a trained intermediary in such cases would compromise performance, as it would be mediated by another individual’s power of selection, observation and experience.

Communication

The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively with patients and their families and with all members of the healthcare team. A candidate must be able to interpret X-ray and other graphic images and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomenon (such as EKG’s). Assistive devices may be used if necessary.

Motor

Candidates and students should possess the motor skills necessary to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients and to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers, basic laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. Examples include cardiopulmonary resuscitation; administering intravenous medication; applying pressure to stop bleeding; opening of obstructed airways; suturing of simple wounds; and performing simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements; equilibrium; and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Sensory

Osteopathic candidates need exceptional sensory skills. It is, therefore, necessary to thoroughly evaluate individuals who are otherwise qualified but who have significant tactile sensory or proprioceptive disabilities. This would include individuals with significant previous burns, sensory motor deficits, cicatrix formation and any malformations of the upper extremities.

Strength and Mobility

Osteopathic treatment often requires upright posture with sufficient lower extremity and body strength. Therefore, individuals with significant limitations in these areas would be unlikely to successfully complete the requirements for a D.O. degree. Mobility required for emergency codes and CPR is also required.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

The candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize in a timely fashion. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structure.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Candidates must possess the emotional health required to fully use their intellectual abilities, to responsibly attend to the diagnosis and care of a patient, and to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients.

Candidates and students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.

Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.

Student Transfers

Student transfers to KYCOM are rare. Student requests for transfer to KYCOM should be directed to the KYCOM Admissions at kycomadmissions@upike.edu. KYCOM does not encourage transfer students but will consider them in special circumstances. Any transfer student accepted at KYCOM may, at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, receive credit for courses taken at another medical school.

1. Credits may be transferred only from medical schools and colleges accredited either by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) or by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
2. When a student transfers from another COCA-accredited College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) to KYCOM, the last two years of instruction must be at KYCOM as the COM granting the D.O. degree.
3. When students transfer from an LCME-accredited medical school or college to KYCOM, at least two years of instruction must be completed at KYCOM.
4. In the case of LCME transfers, KYCOM’s requirements for osteopathic manipulative medicine must be completed prior to graduation.

Requirements

After confirming KYCOM’s offer of acceptance with a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit, all new students must also successfully meet KYCOM’s requirements regarding criminal background checks, drug screening, immunization record with titers showing immunity and medical insurance. See below: