Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is the only osteopathic medical school in the state of North Carolina. The school claims to offer 100% residency placement, hands-on experience, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to rural and underserved areas, among other perks. However, it only has a 4% acceptance rate when considering DO school rankings. Osteopathic medical programs are just as competitive and demanding as MD programs, but there are some key differences between MD vs DO in terms of curriculum and career outcomes.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the school, as well as and how to get accepted into Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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CUSOM School Profile
Mission Statement
“The mission of the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is to educate and prepare community–based osteopathic physicians in a Christian environment to care for the rural and underserved populations in North Carolina, the Southeastern United States and the nation.”
CUSOM focuses on cultivating a wholesome community-based approach and training socially minded clinicians. It aims to provide medical care to regions of the Unites States that do not have easy access to it. CUSOM requires its students to have a commitment to serving rural and undeserved areas.
Is there a super fast way to get into medical school? Watch this video:
Admissions Statistics
- Science GPA average: 3.54
- Cumulative GPA average: 3.60
- Average MCAT accepted: 505
Eligibility for International Students
CUSOM accepts both in-state and out-of-state candidates, but it does not accept international students, which means if you are a non-US citizen or a temporary resident, you will not be able to apply to CUSOM.
Selection Factors
MCAT and GPA
In a recent year, Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine saw a total medical school enrollment of 617, of which 161 were first-year matriculants. Among those selected, 82% were science majors, while 18% had non-science majors. Additionally, 17% of students had a graduate degree. So, it is not easy to get into this medical school. On the other hand, overall, CUSOM does not have a very high requirement for GPA and MCAT scores.
Students accepted into CUSOM had an average science GPA of 3.54 and a cumulative GPA of 3.60. In a recent year, the average MCAT score of students accepted to CUSOM was 505. The school accepts MCAT scores within the last three years.
The various osteopathy programs and residencies at CUSOM have different MCAT and GPA standards, as follows:
Tips to Improve Your GPA
Students often wonder how to get into medical school with a low GPA, but if you pay attention to your scores and grades early on, you will not need to think about that. Depending on where you are in your medical school application timeline, you can identify certain issues with the help of a medical school advisor, who can suggest certain strategies to improve your GPA:
If you have graduated, and it is too late to work on improving your GPA, you could look into medical schools that accept low GPA and see if you meet their requirements. You may also wish to consider a gap year before medical school to take additional courses and improve your grades.
Tips to Improve Your MCAT Score
Coursework and Undergrad
Applicants trying to get into CUSOM’s Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program need to have a C grade or higher in the following courses:
Six additional upper (300 level and above) biomedical science hours are favorable. CUSOM recommends courses in Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunology Microbiology, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Along with the aforementioned coursework, students are also required to submit a valid MCAT score.
To gain admission to CUSOM’s Biomedical Sciences Masters (MSBS) program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and the following coursework:
Candidates are also encouraged to submit any GRE, MCAT, PCAT, OAT, or DAT scores from the past five years. Two letters of recommendation and a CV are also required.
For the MHPE course at CUSOM, applicants need to have a baccalaureate from an accredited institution in a health-related clinical field. They must also send in their official transcripts, GRE scores (recommended), any standardized test scores that they may wish to share (SAT, ACT, MCAT, PCAT), a letter of recommendation, statement of interest, and a CV.
The ONMM residency program does not have any coursework requirements but asks candidates to submit a diploma and transcripts as part of their application. It also requires a CV, so you may wish to consider residency CV editing to strengthen this component of your application.
Prerequisites and Recommended Courses
For its premedical coursework, CUSOM requires Biology/Zoology (8 semester hours with lab), Organic Chemistry (8 semester hours with lab), Inorganic Chemistry (8 semester hours with lab), and Physics (6–8 semester hours with lab optional). It also recommends that its applicants have Anatomy (4 semester hours), Biochemistry (4 semester hours), Genetics (3 semester hours), Immunology (3 semester hours), Microbiology (3 semester hours), Molecular Biology (3 semester hours), and Physiology (3 semester hours).
Candidates must also adhere to the non-science course medical school prerequisites when applying to CUSOM. These include a mandatory 6 semester hours of College English and recommended 3 semester hours of Behavioral Sciences, as well as 3 semester hours of Math/Statistics.
AACOMAS Experiences, Employment, and Other Activities Sections
Like other osteopathic medical school applications, the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine uses the centralized American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). Applicants must enter their information in the AACOMAS system to apply to the DO program. The application requires the following:
- GPA and transcripts
- MCAT score
- Personal statement
- Extracurriculars
- Letter of reference
- Clinical experience and shadowing (not mandatory)
Note that CUSOM has a Secondary Application for its DO program as well, which is given by invitation only. It includes the application, a $50 non-refundable processing fee, and two required letters of recommendation.
The MSBS program at CUSOM uses the PostBacCAS Centralized Application Service for postbaccalaureate programs. Candidates can apply directly via the official website.
Example of the Experience Section of the AACOMAS Application:
Sample: Extracurricular Activities
Montfort School – 20XX–20XX
- Member of the school’s debate club
- Represented the school in the Senior Level National debate
- Organized club meetings every month
Non-Healthcare Employment
HomeShop Store – Mr. Dumphy – April 20XX to March 20XX
- Worked as floor staff on weekdays
- Stocked shelves and maintained inventory
- Worked at reception desk
- Assisted with customer support
Non-Healthcare Volunteer or Community Enrichment
Tutoring Middle-school Students
- Taught Math, English, and Biology to middle-school students in my locality
Healthcare Experience
Internship at ABC Clinic – Dr. Jefferson – May 20XX to November 20XX (paid)
- Administered medication to patients
- Maintained patient records
- Cleaned patient rooms
- Delivered results to different departments
What is CUSOM Looking for?
CUSOM values leadership, professionalism, teamwork, integrity, diversity, and the ethical treatment of all humanity. The school seeks to produce osteopathic physicians who are well trained, socially minded clinicians who practice evidence-based medicine. It has eight goals for its students:
- To recruit and graduate osteopathic medical students who are committed to serving in rural and underserved areas throughout North Carolina, Southeastern United States, and the nation.
- To educate osteopathic medical students in the art and science of osteopathic medicine using the most current research in clinical and basic science.
- To provide osteopathic medical education that is holistic in its approach, evidence based, community focused, and patient centered. To treat the patient as an integrated whole: mind, body, and spirit.
- To contribute to the fund of osteopathic medical knowledge through educational, scientific, and clinical research and other scholarly activity.
- To develop outreach sites in rural and underserved North Carolina to provide educational services and health care to the region.
- To develop a sustainable international medical missions program to train clinicians for underserved areas of North Carolina, the United States, and the developing world.
- To collaborate with NC hospitals and other partners to provide health care and other educational services to the region.
- To develop postgraduate training programs in collaboration with other institutions to ensure that Campbell University medical students have training programs upon graduation.
Personal Statement/Application Essays
As part of the application process, you will be required to submit the AACOMAS personal statement. With the personal statement, the admissions committee gets to know about an applicant’s motivation and passion for pursuing osteopathic medicine, and in any DO school application, you should emphasize your interest in osteopathic medicine, in particular.
Whether you are applying to multiple programs or a single school through the centralized application system, keep the personal statement general. There is a fixed character limit of 5,300, and you will not be allowed to save your statement if it exceeds this limit. Avoid using tabs, italics, multiple spaces, etc., as they will not be saved.
Recommendation Letters
Applicants for the DO program at CUSOM will need to submit two letters of recommendation as part of their secondary application. They can be submitted via AACOMAS, Interfolio, email, and mail at any time in the application process. One letter must be from either an osteopathic physician (DO) or an allopathic physician (MD). Note that CUSOM strongly recommends that it is written by an osteopathic physician. The second can be from either a pre-health committee, pre-health advisor, or PhD biomedical science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) faculty member. These letters cannot be written by a relative, including blood relatives and relatives through marriage.
Your AACOMAS letter of recommendation should highlight that you have strong communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrate community service, leadership, clinical experience, and participation in extracurricular activities; are motivated; possess the necessary knowledge; and are a well-rounded professional overall.
Want to learn how applicants avoid rejection by medical schools? Watch this video:
Interview Format
All three programs at CUSOM use interviews for the final selection of candidates.
For the DO program, which uses a traditional osteopathic medical school interview format, candidates are informed via phone or email if they are selected. Interviews will be conducted virtually and are generally conducted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from September to April during the application cycle (subject to change). Selected candidates will have two one-on-one interviews with each being 25—30 minutes long.
For the MS program, selected candidates will have the opportunity to choose the date for their interview. It will be a virtual meeting between the candidate and the MSBS Admissions Committee.
Similarly, for the MHPE program, selected candidates will be notified, and based on the candidate's preference, the interview can be carried out on campus or electronically. The MHPE Admissions Committee will then evaluate candidates and notify those selected by email.
Sample CUSOM Interview Question and Answer
Question: Why did you choose our school?
Answer: I am a tech enthusiast and have always been interested in providing holistic care to people who do not have the easiest access to it. Both of these interests brought me to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at CUSOM. I believe every human has a right to medical care and healthy living, and I want to work toward providing the necessary care to as many people as I can. Your DO program is the perfect opportunity for me to do just that, as it allows students to spend time in rural, critical access small hospitals and gain diverse quality experience. The knowledge and skills I acquire during the first two years of the program will not only help me provide the best care for people in rural areas but also assist me in achieving my goal of becoming a compassionate and respected physician.
Furthermore, the huge Simulation Center at CUSOM is something I’m very excited about. I am fascinated by new technology and am very intrigued with how the SIM Lab uses the Microsoft HoloLens to interact with holograms representing human anatomy. I believe this is part of the future of medical education, and I would be honored to contribute to it at CUSOM.
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine uses rolling admissions. Typically, selected applicants are notified within two to three weeks of when the interview was conducted.
Application Timeline
CUSOM uses the AACOMAS system and the primary applications open on the opening day of AACOMAS. The deadline for the primary application is March 1, while the deadline for the secondary application is March 15. CUSOM utilizes rolling admissions, which is why it highly recommends submission of all application materials as soon as possible. Candidates should make sure to submit their application no later than four weeks before the application deadline.
Tuition and Debt
CUSOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program costs $57,360 USD in tuition. Overall, including the price for books and supplies, rooms, transportation, etc. a student will have to budget $86,005 for the first year. The annual tuition for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program is $25,040, while the annual tuition for the Master of Health Professions Education program is $9,480.
Funding Opportunities
There are merit scholarships and endowed scholarships available at CUSOM. Merit scholarship criteria comprise mainly cumulative GPA, science GPA, MCAT score, applicant interview, and content of the scholarship essay. Your student application for admission is also your application for the merit scholarships.
Merit scholarships include:
Access to all these scholarships is mainly dependent on GPA, MCAT, and overall academic performance.
The criteria for the endowed scholarship varies based on the respective scholarship agreements.
Endowed scholarships include:
Residency Match Rates
The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) has a match rate of 99.85%, which places it at the top of DO school rankings. In a recent year, a majority of CUSOM residency graduates were placed in Internal Medicine (30), followed by Family Medicine (24), Emergency Medicine (18), and Pediatrics (17), among others.
CUSOM graduates can practice in the US and Canada: all 10 Canadian provinces recognize the qualifications of osteopathic graduates from American medical schools as equal to those of US-trained MDs.
You can use our residency match calculator to find out what your chances of matching are.
Review of Available Programs
The programs offered at CUSOM are:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
This is a four-year program where the first two years are designed to provide a strong core of biomedical principles and a strong foundation in clinical sciences. In years three and four, students train at regional clinical sites in North Carolina and South Carolina. All students spend time in small rural and critical access hospitals, in keeping with the mission of the school. After completing the program, students can enter residency in any specialty.
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS)
This is a two-year graduate degree program for students who want to improve their academic record or standardized test scores, which will help them gain admission to health professions programs. The first year includes preparation for standardized tests, professional development, opportunities for community service, and an EMT training program. The second year involves strengthening the understanding of biomedical sciences as well as training students to think critically and develop essential scholarship skills.
Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE)
The MHPE degree program is a 30-credit, six-term program that is delivered in a hybrid format. This allows candidates to complete it in 24 months, or even longer. It is designed to help students develop skills in teaching, leadership, research, healthcare delivery systems, and personal and professional management. The courses include:
- The Successful Clinical Leader
- Governance and Administrative Skills
- Introduction to Teaching
- Curriculum Design for the 21st Century
- Assessment and Strategic Planning
- Research Skills
- Applied Education Skills
Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal (ONMM) Residency Program
The mission of this program is to produce physicians who can integrate osteopathic principles and manipulative treatment into conventional medical care. After successful completion of the program, residents can take the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM) specialty board examinations.
Detailed Academic Curriculum of the MD or DO program
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at CUSOM focuses on providing its students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue practice in a primary care setting or medical and surgical sub-specialties.
The first two years of the curriculum are designed to provide a strong understanding of biomedical principles as well as a strong foundation in clinical sciences, including osteopathic principles, professionalism, and clinical skills. The courses are structured in Blocks spanning 9 weeks over four semesters.
Block 1 and Block 2, which make up the first semester, include Integrated Basic Science & Clinical Courses, while Block 3 revolves around the Musculoskeletal System and Block 4 includes Neuroscience & Human Behavior (Psychiatry).
Block 5 focuses on Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems, Block 6 on Hematology, Dermatology & Renal System, Block 7 on Endocrine & Gastrointestinal Systems, and Block 6 on Reproductive System & Clinical Applications of Biomedical Sciences II.
The next two years offer training at regional clinical sites in North Carolina and South Carolina. Year three students go through Simulation Lab/CAA for 8 weeks and then transition to 3rd year Clinical Rotations. Year four includes Residency Development for 4 weeks, transitioning to 4th year Clinical Rotations.
The Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine course gives students in-depth knowledge of osteopathic principles.
Campus and Faculty
Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine is located at the Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences, 4350 US-421, Lillington, NC 27546, United States. The Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences is approximately 96,500 square feet spread over four floors. It is adjacent to the central campus of Campbell University in Buies Creek in the Research Triangle.
The Levine Hall of Medical Sciences includes the medical library, anatomy lab, OMM lab, simulation center, research facilities, classrooms, group rooms, student study spaces, and a full-service café.
Students can get administrative help by contacting the following services:
- Admissions Osteopathic Medicine: 910-893-1770 - [email protected]
- Admissions Post-baccalaureate Programs: 910-893-7689 - [email protected]
- Clinical Affairs: 910-893-7065 - [email protected]
- Registrar: 910-893-1749 - [email protected]
- Student Affairs: 910-893-1784 - [email protected]
Students studying at or applying to CUSOM should make note of this departmental contact information, as they can address most of the issues they might have.
Affiliated Teaching Hospitals
- Southeastern Regional Medical Center – Lumberton
- Cape Fear Valley Medical Center – Fayetteville
- WakeMed Hospital – Raleigh and Cary
- Central Harnett Hospital – Lillington
- Betsy Johnson Hospital – Dunn
- Novant Health Rowan Medical Center – Salisbury
- Wayne Memorial Hospital – Goldsboro
- Carteret Health Care – Morehead City
- UNC Smithfield
- UNC Clayton
- Conway Medical Center
- Central Carolina Hospital
- FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital
Research Fields
Students at CUSOM have the opportunity to participate in several research fields with dedicated facilities. The Tracey F. Smith Hall focuses on research in cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, fluorescence microscopy, protein, DNA and RNA analysis, and small molecule separation. Bryan Hall includes cell culture and microscopy facilities. The Human Performance Lab is where clinical research takes place. The Free Radical Research Facility has an EMXplus Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectrometer for the direct detection of free radicals and paramagnetic species in biomedical research.
Notable Faculty
Dr. Robert Agnello at CUSOM is the Assistant Professor for Family Medicine at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as a Family Medicine/Pain Medicine physician. His clinical interest is in pain management via integrative osteopathic medicine. He is part of several medical organizations, including the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), NCS-ACOFP, American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO).
Contact Information
Official admissions office website: https://medicine.campbell.edu/admissions/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 4350 US Hwy 421, Lillington, NC 27546
Phone numbers:
1 (855) CUSOM13 (1-855-287-6613) Ext 1770
(855) 287-6613 [Toll Free]
(910) 893-1770
FAQs
1. Does the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at CUSOM have a minimum GPA requirement?
The DO program at CUSOM requires all applicants to have at least a minimum of 3.2 science and cumulative GPA. Applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher have a higher chance of acceptance.
2. Does CUSOM provide an opportunity to gain experience in a rural setting?
Yes, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at CUSOM allows all students to spend time in rural small and critical access hospitals and gain diverse, quality experiences during the third and fourth years.
3. What application process does CUSOM follow?
The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine uses the AACOMAS application system, which allows candidates to collect their application and documentation in one place and easily apply to multiple osteopathic programs.
4. What are the research areas available at CUSOM?
The Tracey F. Smith Hall focuses on research in cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, fluorescence microscopy, protein, DNA and RNA analysis, and small molecule separation. Bryan Hall includes cell culture and microscopy facilities. The Human Performance Lab is where students carry out clinical research. Additionally, the Free Radical Research Facility has an EMXplus Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectrometer for the direct detection of free radicals and paramagnetic species in biomedical research.
5. Can I practice osteopathic medicine in Canada after completing my DO degree at CUSOM?
Yes, you can practice osteopathic medicine in Canada with a DO degree from CUSOM. All 10 Canadian provinces recognize the qualifications of osteopathic graduates from American medical schools.
6. What is the average MCAT score accepted at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine?
The average MCAT score accepted at Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine is 505.
7. What is the annual tuition for the MSBS program at CUSOM?
The annual tuition for Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program at CUSOM is $25,040.
8. What are the requirements of the AACOMAS application process?
The requirements of the AACOMAS application process are GPA and transcripts, a minimum MCAT score, personal statement, extracurriculars, letter of reference, and clinical experience and shadowing (not mandatory).
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