College of Osteopathic Medicine FAQs
General Questions
How do I apply to KCU's College of Osteopathic Medicine?
Once you have completed an application on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Applications Service (AACOMAS), you will be notified if you are eligible to receive a secondary application for KCU's College of Osteopathic Medicine.
How do I apply to KCU's dual-degree programs?
KCU offers dual-degree master's programs in both health-care leadership and bioethics. Students will learn more about both of our dual-degree programs at orientation. Applications for both programs are available to College of Osteopathic Medicine students during their first semester of enrollment.
What should I do if I move or my personal information changes after submitting an application?
If you have submitted an application to AACOMAS, but not completed our secondary application, please contact AACOMAS immediately. AACOMAS will notify all designated colleges or universities, including KCU. If you have submitted your online secondary application to KCU, please contact the KCU Admissions Office at 800-234-4847 or directly at 816-654-7160. We also encourage you to submit any updates in writing to [email protected].
What should I do if I decide to withdraw my application?
If you decide to withdraw your application from KCU during the application process, please contact the Admissions Office in writing as soon as possible. AACOM applicant protocol states: "Applicants who have made a final decision on the medical school they plan to attend have the obligation to promptly withdraw their applications from all other schools." Contacting KCU regarding your withdrawal will prevent you from receiving unwanted mail reminders.
Admission Requirements
What are the academic requirements for attending KCU?
What are the health requirements for attending KCU?
What immunizations do I need to have to matriculate to KCU?
When must my Hepatitis-B vaccination series be complete?
Your Hepatitis-B vaccination series must be complete prior to matriculation in August. Note: The Hepatitis-B vaccine is administered over a six-month period. Applicants intending to start medical school in August must start the series no later than February.
Recommendation/Evaluation Letters
What if my school provides a service that collects and mails my recommendation letters for me?
Great! However, you are still responsible for coordinating with this service to ensure that we receive at least one letter of recommendation from a premed advisor/committee and/or one letter from a science faculty member. Additionally, we will need one letter from a physician. This letter can be from either a DO or MD. Any of these letters may be forwarded directly from the author as well.
Does KCU provide a form for letters of recommendation, if needed?
No. KCU does not require any additional evaluation forms to be submitted with the letters of recommendation.
Can you use recommendation/evaluation letters that were sent last year?
Yes. Letters of recommendation can be used for up to two years from the date on the letters.
What should I do if my recommendation/evaluation letters are outdated by more than two years?
Recommendations/evaluations dated more than two years before your application is submitted to AACOMAS are considered outdated. This can happen when you have been away from academia for a period of time. You may substitute your premed advisor/committee with a letter from a science faculty member.
What if my school does not have a premed committee?
A premed committee letter is not required. Applicants who do not have a premed advisor committee will submit a letter of recommendation from a science faculty member.
Prerequisite Courses/Course Substitutions
What should I do if a grade changes or coursework is completed after I submit my AACOMAS application?
For any grade changes and updates contact AACOMAS for support.
Are there allowable course substitutions for Biochemistry and/or Genetics?
In some cases, substitutions may be made for the Biochemistry requirement. To request a substitution for undergraduate coursework, please forward one of the following to the KCU Admissions Office:
- A faculty letter detailing course content
- A copy of course description from the school catalog
- A copy of the actual course syllabus
The method providing the most detail will produce the most accurate assessment. For biochemistry, the information should indicate the applicant has studied intermediary metabolism or specifically lipid metabolism.
Applicants will be notified of decisions upon review of course content.
Note: If a request to substitute a course is granted, the substituted course will not be counted toward the fulfillment of any other prerequisite.
I have prerequisite course work in progress. Will my file be reviewed prior to the completion of the course work?
Yes, provided you have listed the course work as "not yet taken" (NY) on your AACOMAS application. Please make sure to list all course work you are planning to take on your AACOMAS application. All other required materials must be received in order for the application to be considered complete. Click here to learn more about the application process.