Early Acceptance Program Between Viterbo University and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) College of Osteopathic Medicine
This agreement is a unique partnership between Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) (LECOM) and Viterbo University that provides early acceptance into the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program. The Early Acceptance Program (EAP) is designed to facilitate the admission of Viterbo students into LECOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.
The EAP is offered at Viterbo in two tracks: the 4+4 track and the 3+4 track.
Early Acceptance Program Doctor of Osteopathic (4+4)
The 4+4 track is the recommended track for most students. It is comprised of two phases. Phase I consists of four years of undergraduate education at Viterbo. Phase II consists of four years of medical school education at LECOM and its associated clinical training sites.
A student interested in the 4+4 track may apply to enroll as part of their application to Viterbo University but must be enrolled in the program prior to starting their third year of study at Viterbo University.
General requirements for 4+4 track and early admission
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 in all courses taken at Viterbo
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in all science courses taken at Viterbo
- Earn a C or better in all courses taken at Viterbo
- Successful interview with LECOM admissions personnel while enrolled at Viterbo
- Satisfy all remaining requirements outlined by the Viterbo Pre-health Committee and LECOM admissions
Early Acceptance Program Doctor of Osteopathic (3+4)
The 3+4 track allows students to obtain a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in biology from Viterbo and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from LECOM in seven years (3+4). It is comprised of two phases. Phase I consists of three years of undergraduate education at Viterbo. Phase II consists of four years of medical school education at LECOM and its associated clinical training sites. This is accomplished through “reverse transfer” of LECOM coursework to fulfill some requirements for the B.S. degree at Viterbo. See sample four-year academic plan for biology.
A student interested in the 3+4 track should apply to enroll in the program as part of their application to Viterbo University but must be enrolled in the program prior to starting their second year at Viterbo.
General requirements for 3+4 track and early admission
- Major in biology
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all courses taken at Viterbo
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.35 in all science courses taken at Viterbo
- Earn a C or better in all courses taken at Viterbo
- Successful interview with LECOM admissions personnel while enrolled at Viterbo
- Satisfy all remaining requirements outlined by the Viterbo Pre-health Committee and LECOM admissions
About Osteopathic Medicine
From the Viterbo University Pre-Health Advising handbook:
Osteopathic medicine is an integral part of the primary health care system. They diagnose disease, supervise the care of patients, and prescribe treatment. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) completes a three- or four-year program. A majority of graduates work in a primary care setting, particularly family practice. Most osteopathic schools require the MCAT for admission however for students in Viterbo’s articulation agreement, the MCAT may not be required. Typical admissions averages for osteopathic medicine range on GPA and the MCAT can be found at AACOM. However, typical admissions averages for high-quality programs in the Midwest include an average overall GPA of 3.4–3.5 and a minimum SAT score of 1280 or a minimum ACT score of 29. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that the profession (i.e., physicians and surgeons) will grow by 7% from 2018–2028. Updated job outlook data can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The American Association Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) provides information on application requirements, descriptions of careers, and programs in the U.S.