VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

AboutVCOM: A Message from the President Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO

It is my pleasure to provide you with an introduction to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)! VCOM has four campuses with one common Mission: to graduate community focused, globally minded osteopathic physicians to meet the needs of the rural and medically underserved populations and to improve human health. This Mission is the heart and soul of VCOM, and is shared by our students, faculty, and staff. With four campuses, VCOM is now one of the largest medical schools in the country, yet each VCOM campus maintains the feeling of a small private college for the student. VCOM boasts great outcomes and has been recognized as a leading medical school in the U.S. VCOM was ranked by US News and World Report as #2 in the nation for students receiving first choice of residency among all medical schools (M.D. and DO.), which attests to the quality of our students and graduates. VCOM was also ranked #6 in the nation among all medical schools for students entering primary care residencies. As a testament to our focus on diversity, VCOM was also ranked #3 in the nation among all medical schools for African American student enrollment and #4 in the nation among all medical schools for Hispanic student enrollment. VCOM also ranked 5 th lowest in tuition among all private medical schools while also providing health and disability insurance for each student, demonstrating VCOM’s focus on student well-being. The Virginia campus is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, in the Corporate Research Center of Virginia Tech and operates as a private/public collaborative venture with the University. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains area, the campus is surrounded by beautiful mountain views, clear streams, and an exciting university community of over 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The public/private agreement between VCOM and Virginia Tech allows VCOM students an opportunity to enjoy the arts, athletics and sporting events of a major university but still allows VCOM to maintain the small family feel of a private college. The Virginia campus includes four buildings on a 17-acre campus with access to a dedicated walking path, great landscaping, and water features. The Carolinas campus is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Supported and embraced by the community, VCOM is Spartanburg's newest pride. VCOM Carolinas has been a leading partner in the revitalization of the Northside community. In a small city of many colleges, VCOM has partnered with several local colleges for community-wide higher education events, research, and education. These relationships include Wofford College, Converse College, and USC upstate. The “College Town Events” throughout the year include everything from community engagement to entertainment. The VCOM Carolinas campus includes a 19-acre campus with walking trails and a beautiful new facility and was named eighth most beautiful medical school campus among all osteopathic and allopathic campuses. The Auburn campus is located in Auburn, Alabama and operates as a private/public collaborative venture with Auburn University. Through this agreement, VCOM-Auburn students have access to the events of a major university and yet the VCOM campus itself offers the nurturing feel of the small private college. The Auburn campus is located on 17 acres and includes walking paths and a lake with areas to relax and be outdoors. The Louisiana campus is located in Monroe, Louisiana. The VCOM-Louisiana campus is beautifully placed on the bayou on the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) campus. With easy walking access to the ULM campus, the VCOM-Louisiana campus is surrounded by the ULM athletic grounds and the bayou. The campus has a walking path along the bayou for students and faculty, with easy access to the ULM campus and shared resources nearby.

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