HES: ATSU-KCOM Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program

A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Truman State University

Addendum C

Part I. ATSU-KCOM Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program

A. Program Description. The Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become osteopathic physicians at ATSU-KCOM. ATSU-KCOM prides itself on developing physicians who focus on whole person healthcare and community service, and looks for students who also hold these values. ATSU-KCOM’s Still Scholars Program rewards highly capable students who are dedicated to the osteopathic philosophy with conditional admittance into our institution’s founding osteopathic medical program without traditional MCAT requirements. This program encourages students to focus on developing strong academic and leadership skills, yet allows them to focus on their undergraduate experience without the additional pressures of preparing for the MCAT. In addition, Still Scholars students are awarded a small academic scholarship for medical school upon entry to ATSU-KCOM. ATSU-KCOM may admit a maximum of 15 Still Scholars students into medical school each year.
B. Eligibility to Apply. Under the Still Scholars Program agreement, students who are finishing their sophomore year of their undergraduate education may be recommended by the designated Health Professions Advisor to apply to the Still Scholars Program. Students accepted into the Still Scholars Program will be required to fulfill all remaining course and program prerequisites and spend a substantial amount of time gaining clinical experience, leadership, and service activities before gaining admittance into ATSU-KCOM. The MCAT is waived for students accepted through this pipeline program, provided all program requirements are fulfilled.
C. Candidacy Selection. To be selected for candidacy for the Still Scholars Program, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

    1. Students may enroll in any major, provided that application requirements are met by the time of application.
    2. Students must be in the process of finishing their sophomore year of their undergraduate education, or have a minimum of two years of full-time study left in their degree program.
    3. Completion of at least 45 credit hours prior to applying to applying.
    4. Completion of at least 75% of the following prerequisite courses for medical school by the end of their sophomore year (AP credits or college credits received prior to high school graduation cannot be counted toward pre-requisites):
      a. General Biology – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      b. Physics – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      c. General or Inorganic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      d. Organic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      e. English – one year or 6 semester hours/8 quarter hours;
    5. Suitable academic achievement demonstrated by the following:
      a. Science GPA of at least 3.40, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      b. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.40, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      c. Have a minimum grade of a B in all prerequisite courses;
      d. Maintain status as a full-time student at Truman.
    6. Demonstrate substantial involvement in volunteer work or community service activities which exhibit a strong commitment to helping others/empathy and leadership.
    7. Shadow a physician or work in some aspect of the medical field (paid or volunteer), and have a minimum of 50 hours of clinical experiences by the time of their application.
    8. Maintain good disciplinary standing at the Truman as certified by the Advisor and an official university academic transcript.
    9. Apply to the Still Scholars Program by August 1 after their sophomore year, submitting all required application components (application, essays, exclusive agreement form, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation).
    10. If invited, applicant will interview at ATSU-KCOM and be selected by the Admissions Committee for participation in the Still Scholars Program.

D. Satisfactory Progress during Still Scholars Program. To continue in good standing in the Still Scholars Program, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

    1. Continue satisfactory academic progress in undergraduate coursework as demonstrated by:
      a. Minimum Cumulative GPA of at least 3.40, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      b. Minimum Science GPA of at least 3.40, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      c. Remain a full-time student at the Truman;
      d. Completion of or in the process of completing any remaining prerequisite courses (listed in C.4.);
      e. Meeting specific undergraduate course equivalencies for graduation, as determined by the Advisor.
    2. Active participation in and fulfillment of all ATSU-KCOM Still Scholars Program Canvas course requirements.
    3. Participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the osteopathic medicine profession. Specific community service activities that a candidate may elect include:
      a. Service and volunteer activities which exhibit a strong commitment to helping others/empathy and leadership, especially those that benefit underserved communities;
      b. Engaging with some aspect of the osteopathic medicine field;
      c. Being an active member of the Truman health professions or premed club;
      d. Being involved in academic enrichment opportunities, undergraduate research programs, or other medical career preparation programs.
    4. Participate in at least 100 hours of clinical experiences, including shadowing, employment, or volunteer work where interaction with and direct observation of a physician (unrelated to applicant) interacting with patients occurs. Shadowing at least one osteopathic physician is highly encouraged, and shadowing primary care physicians is also desired.
    5. Have personal integrity and sound moral character by maintaining a good disciplinary standing. This includes the avoidance of serious sanctions, criminal/civil charges, maintaining acceptable interpersonal relations with faculty and peers, showing maturity and judgment, and exercising personal responsibility in meeting commitments.

E. Exemption of the MCAT. For students who are in the Still Scholars Program, the MCAT is exempted and a score cannot be submitted to or appear on the AACOMAS medical school application. Students who submit an application with an MCAT score will be dismissed from the Still Scholars Program and reviewed as a general applicant.

Permission from ATSU Admissions must be received in advance of any MCAT exam date, if the candidate chooses to take the MCAT for their own purposes (such as for scholarship applications, military, etc.).  Documentation listing the requirement of the MCAT exam score must be submitted to Admissions prior to the exam date. The exam score should not be reported to AACOMAS or ATSU- KCOM.

F. Final Medical School Candidacy Interview Criteria for ATSU-KCOM. To be interviewed by ATSU-KCOM under this agreement, a Still Scholars candidate must meet all criteria under Section D., Candidacy Selection, as well as the following conditions:

    1. Successful completion of all Still Scholars Program requirements.
    2. Completion of the AACOMAS (common application for osteopathic medicine schools) by July 1, and completion of secondary ATSU-KCOM application by August 1.
    3. Provide ATSU-KCOM with a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation, including one letter each from:
      a. The Truman Health Professions/Premed Advisor or science faculty member of a course the applicant took;
      b. A licensed and practicing physician (letter from an osteopathic physician preferred).
    4. Meet all admission requirements and fulfill all technical standards for ATSU-KCOM.


Part II. ATSU-KCOM General Admissions Reserved Interviews

A. Purpose. This Addendum is designed to culminate in reserved interview slots for up to three (3) qualified Truman applicants per year by ATSU-KCOM for its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.
B. Number of Interview Slots. The number of reserved interview slots for three (3) applicants will be reviewed annually with a potential for more slots, depending on the applicant pool from Truman and the educational progress of the students admitted under the MOU, with the final determination to be made by ATSU-KCOM.
C. Release of Interview Slots. A letter of endorsement for selected Truman student(s) to be interviewed under this agreement must be submitted by the Pre-Health Advising Program Director to ATSU-Admissions. If by September 30 of the annual admissions cycle there are fewer than three (3) qualified applicants from Truman who have been endorsed through this agreement, ATSU-KCOM will release the remaining interview slots for that cycle to other qualified
D. Review of Addendum. This Addendum will be reviewed every three (3) years for updates and process changes.
E. Delay of Application. Subject to prior approval by ATSU-KCOM, Truman graduates may elect to delay application to ATSU-KCOM up to one (1) year following graduation.
F. Candidacy Selection. To be selected for candidacy, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

    1. Meet all admission requirements and fulfill all technical standards for ATSU-KCOM.
    2. Completion of or in the process of completing the following prerequisite courses:
      a. General Biology – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      b. Physics – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      c. General or Inorganic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      d. Organic Chemistry – one year with laboratory or 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours;
      e. English – one year or 6 semester hours/8 quarter hours.
    3. Make satisfactory academic progress as demonstrated by:
      a. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.30, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      b. Science GPA of at least 3.30, including all occurrences of repeated courses;
      c. Have a minimum grade of a B in all prerequisite courses before matriculation;
      d. Maintain(ed) status as a full-time student at Truman.
    4. Have a minimum MCAT score of 500 and a 125 BBFL, with the test date occurring within the last three (3) years of the application cycle when they apply.
    5. Exhibit qualities of character embraced by the healthcare profession.
    6. Participation in mentoring and advising programs as demonstrated by meeting at least once per semester with the Pre-Health Advising Office to discuss progress and update the applicant’s file.
    7. Participation in community service activities consistent with the goal of entering the osteopathic medicine profession. Specific community service activities that a candidate may elect include:
      a. Service and volunteer activities which exhibit a strong commitment to helping others/empathy and leadership, especially those that benefit underserved communities;
      b. Engaging with some aspect of the osteopathic medicine field;
      c. Being an active member of the Truman health professions or premed club;
      d. Undertaking academic enrichment opportunities, undergraduate research programs, or other medical career preparation programs.
    8. Participate in at least 100 hours of clinical experiences, including shadowing, employment, or volunteer work where interaction with and direct observation of a physician (unrelated to applicant) interacting with patients occurs. Shadowing at least one osteopathic physician is highly encouraged, and shadowing primary care physicians is also desired.
    9. Have personal integrity and sound moral character by maintaining a good disciplinary standing. This includes the avoidance of serious sanctions, criminal/civil charges, maintaining acceptable interpersonal relations with faculty and peers, showing maturity and judgment, and exercising personal responsibility in meeting commitments.

G. Interview Criteria. To be interviewed by ATSU-KCOM under this agreement, a candidate must meet all criteria under Section F., Candidacy Selection, as well as the following conditions:

      1. Completion of the AACOMAS (common application for osteopathic medicine schools) by August 31 and completion of secondary ATSU-KCOM application by September 30.
      2. Provide ATSU-KCOM with a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation, including one letter each from:
        a. The Truman Health Professions Advisor or science faculty member of a course the applicant took;
        b. A licensed and practicing physician (letter from an osteopathic physician preferred).
      3. A letter of endorsement for students is submitted under this MOU Addendum for consideration of a reserved seat from Truman Advisor before September 30 in the year prior to intended matriculation. The endorsement letter is separate from the required letter of recommendation that may be written by the same individual.

H. Privacy. The Parties agree to protect the students’ educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g and any applicable policy of the Parties. To the extent permitted by law, the Parties may share information from students’ educational records with each other so that each can perform its respective responsibilities under this agreement but shall not disclose or share education records with any third party.

I. Discontinuation of Agreement. Although the Parties anticipate a long and mutually satisfying relationship between our two educational institutions, this agreement may be discontinued for any reason providing that written notice be given twelve (12) months prior to such discontinuation, and that those students who have been accepted under this agreement be permitted to complete their course of study.

J. Use of Logo. Truman will obtain written authorization from A.T. Still University, prior to using the A.T. Still University name for any purpose. Furthermore, Truman will provide drafts of all promotional materials to A.T. Still University for review and approval prior to use.