Admissions FAQ

Rowan-Virtua SOM offers two curriculum models: Synergistic Guided Learning (SGL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The SGL curriculum model is offered only on the Stratford Campus, whereas the PBL curriculum model is offered at both our Rowan-Virtua SOM Stratford and Rowan-Virtua SOM Sewell Campus. When applying to Rowan-Virtua SOM and completing the secondary application, you will be asked to indicate which curriculum model you think best aligns with your learning style.

If you are offered an admission to Rowan-Virtua SOM and you selected the SGL curriculum model, you will be assigned to the Rowan-Virtua SOM Stratford Campus as the SGL curriculum model is only available on that campus.

If you are offered an admission to Rowan-Virtua SOM and you select the PBL curriculum model, you will have the option of selecting which campus location you prefer and the other campus will automatically default to your alternate choice. The alternate choice option will only be used if we are unable to offer admission to your first-choice campus location.

We believe that offering an alternate-choice campus gives students more admission options. Our promise to candidates interested in our PBL curriculum is they will be evaluated for each campus in the order they specify. If other candidates fulfill the admission requirements for  their first-choice campus, they will be accepted there. Having an alternate -choice campus will expedite the admissions process should we not be able to extend an offer of admission to a candidate’s first-choice campus location. The choice of campus will have no impact on the admissions decision.

All first-year PBL candidates will be required to select a primary and by default an alternate-choice campus option on the secondary application (along with other application requirements including: the primary AACOMAS application, required letters of recommendation and MCAT score) before your application can be fully processed for consideration of your campus option.

Your application will only be reviewed for the alternate-choice campus if we cannot offer admission to your first-choice campus location. If a candidate is offered admission to the alternate-choice campus, they will receive an offer for that campus (and candidate will be informed that we could not offer admission to their first-choice campus location).

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) provides an excellent overview of osteopathic medicine. Please click here for more information.

Rowan-Virtua SOM participates in the American Association of College of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service, (AACOMAS). You must complete the AACOMAS application located on the AACOM website at www.aacom.org. Applicants may apply to AACOMAS in early May. The deadline to submit your primary AACOMAS application is February 1 of the year of anticipated enrollment.

Students interested in the PBL Curriculum will have an opportunity to select this curriculum as their highest level of interest on the Rowan-Virtua SOM Secondary application. Once an applicant has selected this option, they will be required to respond to the following question:

Please prepare an essay that explains why you want to participate in the Problem Based Learning Curriculum (PBLC) and why you are a good fit for this curriculum.

 If offered acceptance to Rowan-Virtua SOM, the applicant’s essay along with other application information will be forwarded to the PBL committee for review, assessment and consideration in the PBL curriculum.

 *Acceptance to Rowan-Virtua SOM is not determined by the student’s curriculum track selection.

When we receive your verified AACOMAS application, you will receive a notification from the Office of Admissions. The notification will include a link and login instructions to access the Secondary Application online. Deadline to submit the Secondary Application is February 15 of the year of anticipated enrollment.

Fee waivers are only granted to individuals who have been granted an AACOMAS Fee Waiver. If you are granted an AACOMAS fee waiver, AACOMAS will notify the Office of Admissions and your secondary application fee page will automatically be marked complete when you access the secondary application online. Deadline to submit the Secondary Application is February 15 of the year of anticipated enrollment.

Students accepted to the 2022 Entering Class had a cumulative GPA of 3.65, a science GPA of 3.59 and an average score of 506 on the MCAT.

The New Jersey Residency Policy and Eligibility for In-State Tuition policy can be found here.

After reviewing the policy, if you are classified as an out-of-state student and think you meet the criteria to be considered a New Jersey resident for tuition purposes, you may apply for a change in residency.  To apply, you would complete the Residency Analysis Form found at here.

There are additional documents required to be submitted with the Residency Analysis form which are described in Part II of that form.  In order to allow enough time for processing the request it is recommended that the form and all required items be submitted at least five (5) weeks before the start of the semester for which you are seeking a change in tuition. 

Rowan-Virtua SOM does have some preference to NJ residents, but out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We accept competitive applicants from all over the country.

A Pre-medical Advisory Committee recommendation is preferred. In lieu of this recommendation, or in addition to, you can submit two letters from science faculty (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, etc.), who can attest to your qualifications for medical school. If you are unable to obtain the required letters of recommendation, please contact the Office of Admissions. Letters from D.O. physicians are strongly recommended.

*Deadline to submit letters of recommendation is February 15 of the year of anticipated enrollment.

You may submit your letters of recommendation via AACOMAS or Interfolio. We ask that all letters of recommendation be submitted on official letterhead. When submitting letters of recommendation, please be sure to include your AACOMAS ID to ensure proper matching. If you find it necessary to mail letters of recommendation, please forward to the following address:

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
113 East Laurel Road
P.O. Box 1011
Stratford, NJ 08084

*Deadline to submit letters of recommendation is February 15 of the year of anticipated enrollment.

Once your file is complete, a notification e-mail will be sent to you by the Office of Admissions. Your application file will then be submitted to the Admissions Committee for review. If the Admissions Committee decides to grant an interview, you will be notified immediately.

Please note that a file is considered "complete" once the minimum application requirements have been received. It is incumbent upon the applicant to ensure that any additional materials submitted are received by the admissions office.

Yes, the Admissions Committee will accept the January MCAT. The January MCAT exam is the last MCAT exam that the Admissions Committee will consider for the current admissions cycle. Applicants who take the MCAT exam after January will be required to apply for the next admissions cycle.

MCAT scores are good for a period of five years. For instance, January 2018 is the oldest MCAT accepted for entry into the 2023 first year class.

All students enrolled in the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine are eligible to apply for financial aid. In general, financial aid is awarded based upon enrollment and not need. Financial aid is any loan, scholarship, and/or grant that is awarded to assist in financing education. Incoming students are encouraged to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with the Financial Aid Internal Application that is required of all Stratford Campus students applying for financial aid. The completion of the FAFSA is a federal requirement that determines need and eligibility. It is not a loan or scholarship application.

Financial Aid awarded at the Graduate/Professional School level is typically through the Department of Education's Title IV Programs. The school also participates in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Title VII loan programs.

Tuition (2022-2023)
In-State: $42,503
Out-of-State: $67,452

*Out-of-state residents pay out-of-state tuition for all four years of medical school.

You can sign up for a campus tour or check out a video tour. The Office of Admissions is also available to assist you or provide an academic consultation, if you desire. You can speak with a representative, or schedule an appointment, by contacting the Office of Admissions at (856) 566-7050 or email at somadm@rowan.edu.

1. Accepted students have no "right" to a deferment.
2. Only accepted applicants may request a deferment.
3. Applicants may request a deferment for the following reasons:
   • Illness
   • Military requirements
   • Other non-academic crises that will seriously impact the applicant's ability to succeed as a medical student
   • Note that job commitments do not qualify as a reason for deferment
4. Applicants requesting a deferment will be expected to provide documentation of the condition for which a deferment is requested. The documentation should be sent to the Assistant Dean for Admissions.
5. The Assistant Dean for Admissions, in consultation with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, will make a decision regarding the deferment.
6. The Applicant may appeal unfavorable decisions to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
7. No deferments will be considered within two weeks of the registration date.
8. A deferment, when granted, is for one year only. Should an applicant need additional time, he/she would be required to reapply to the school.

Yes. While each case is reviewed separately, Rowan-Virtua SOM conducts a criminal background check prior to admission to ensure the health, welfare and safety of patients and others at Rowan-Virtua SOM. This policy applies to all applicants conditionally accepted to, and students enrolled in or visiting, educational programs that may include clinical experience in any facility that requires a criminal background check.