How to Become a PNWU-COM Student

Currently, PNWU-COM accepts 75 students for each new class. The admission cycle is a 14 month period which begins June 1 for the following year's fall class start. The deadline for the primary AACOMAS application is February 15 of the current class-start year. The deadline for the PNWU supplimental application is March 15 of the current class-start year.  An applicant who wishes to matriculate, for example, in the fall of 2016 could submit an application as early as June 1, 2015. The deadline for the primary AACOMAS application for the fall 2016 class would be February 15, 2016. The deadline for the PNWU supplimental application for the fall 2016 class would be March 15, 2016.  Application submission as early as possible in the application cyle is advantageous. PNWU-COM does not accept applications beyond the next upcoming class start. Please see below for the complete PNWU-COM application process. 

If you have already submitted your Primary AACOMAS application and a PNWU-COM supplemental application, you can check your application status by clicking here.

How to Apply:

• Primary Application
• Supplemental Application
• Letters of Recommendation 
• Interview
• Deadlines
• Academic Requirements
• Minimal Technical Standards

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STEP 1: Primary Application

Applications to PNWU-COM are made by submitting a primary application through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Services (AACOMAS). You must designate PNWU-COM to receive your application. Your AACOMAS application must include your MCAT scores. PNWU currently accepts applications from US Citizens and Permanent Residents only.

AACOMAS Application Services
5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7231
Telephone: (301) 968-4190
http://www.aacom.org/

To go directly to the ACCOMAS website to apply, click here.

STEP 2: Supplemental Application

Once PNWU-COM has received and reviewed your AACOMAS application, we may invite you to submit a PNWU-COM supplemental application. This invitation will be sent via email. Please check your junk mail folder to ensure emails from PNWU-COM are being received.

A nonrefundable supplemental application fee of $85 is required. You may submit this fee online with an eCheck, credit or debit card. You will be instructed on how to do this as you complete your supplemental application. 

• A request for a fee waiver will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The applicant must already be approved by AACOMAS for a fee waiver. You will be required to submit a copy of the AACOMAS fee-waiver approval, a letter of request, and supporting documentation via email. Requests without this required information will not be granted. You can submit this request and all of the supporting documentation to admissions@pnwu.org.

STEP 3: Letters of Recommendation

A Letter of recommendation from each of the following sources:

• A physician (preferably a DO who is a member of the AOA);
• A science faculty member who is familiar with the applicant's undergraduate or current/recent academic work; and
• A pre-medical source (a pre-medical advisor or committee). If a pre-medical source is not available, then an additional science faculty or physician may be substituted.

Recommendations must be written within the two years prior to making application. Recommendations may be submitted electronically using Interfolio or VirtualEvals, the U.S. Postal Service, or fax.  PNWU-COM will not consider letters of recommendation from employers in lieu of the required sources listed above.

STEP 4: Interview

Preparation for your interview day is critical for acceptance to PNWU. It is your opportunity to communicate directly with members of the admissions committee, other faculty and staff members, and current students. The day is broken into four one-hour blocks: the interview, team building and writing, a campus and facilities tour, and a hands-on OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) presentation during lunch. Light snacks and drinks are available throughout the day and a full lunch is provided. The dress for this day is professional.

Your interview day can be very stressful. We therefore request that you not invite family and/or friends to accompany you on this day. If you are traveling to Yakima from out of town with family and/or friends and they would like to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the facilities, we can make arrangements for them to return to campus around 1:30 p.m. to do this. Please call 509-452-5100 prior to your scheduled interview day to arrange for a family tour. This will ensure someone will be available to provide this after interview day is completed. 

Currently, PNWU uses the Multiple Mini Interview format for conducting interviews. For more information about the Multiple Mini Interview model, google multiple mini interview.

Deadlines:

PNWU-COM may close the application cycle early if the class is full and an adequate wait list is available. AACOMAS primary application deadline is February 15. The deadline for the PNWU supplemental application, including all three required letters of recommendation, is March 15.

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Academic Requirements for Admission

1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

2. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Students must take the exam and have the official scores sent to AACOMAS. MCAT test scores are only valid for three years from the original test date.

3. Satisfactory completion of the following college courses, including laboratory work.

• English composition and literature: 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours
• General chemistry: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
• Organic chemistry: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours (4 hours of which can be biochemistry)
• Physics: 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
• Biological sciences: 12 semester hours/18 quarter hours

These basic requirements must be passed and taken for credit, with a grade of C or above, at an accredited college or university.