Admission Requirements
The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine uses a holistically driven Admissions process whereby applicants are assessed in several different areas, including academic and non-academic characteristics. The College’s Admissions process has been developed in an attempt to identify characteristics that are aligned with its mission. Application requirements are the same for both the New Mexico campus and Florida campus. Applicants from both in-state and out-of-state are encouraged to apply; at this time the College is unable to consider international applicants.
Prior to progressing in the Admissions process, applicants will be pre-screened for the following minimum requirements:
- Current U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
- Submission of a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Score
Applicants who meet the minimum pre-screening requirements will be invited to complete and submit a Supplemental Application. Applicants will register their preference for the New Mexico campus in Las Cruces, NM or the Florida campus in Melbourne, FL on the Supplemental Application. Applicants must submit the Supplemental Application to become eligible for further review.
Additional information concerning some of the further requirements and application directives:
Applicants will be asked to present proof of legal U.S. residency status. Applicants who are legal, permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card prior to progressing in the admission process. In the event that permanent residency status is revoked, abandoned or otherwise lost following matriculation, the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine shall not be held responsible nor liable in any way for claims, damages, losses, expenses or liabilities whatsoever, related to or arising from such student’s inability to complete, or any delay in completion of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program.
- Recommend a cumulative science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Recommend a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score of 496 or higher with no subsections lower than the 15th percentile and scores obtained within the three years prior to July of the year of matriculation.
While there are no set minimum requirements for an MCAT score, science GPA, non-science GPA or overall GPA, each will still be reviewed when evaluating an applicant’s academic record. The College will follow the calculated grade point averages submitted in the verified AACOMAS application. For detailed information on how AACOMAS calculates GPAs, please visit the AACOM website.
Prior to matriculation, applicants are required show completion of a baccalaureate degree, or equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Applicants are required complete the following prerequisite coursework with a minimum grade of “C” or higher:
- Biology with lab 8 semester hours (or equivalent*)
- General/Inorganic Chemistry with lab 8 semester hours** (or equivalent*)
- Organic Chemistry with lab 8 semester hours** (or equivalent*)
- Physics with lab 8 semester hours (or equivalent*)
- Science elective 3 semester hours***
*Or equivalent to one year with laboratory component.
**Biochemistry hours may count towards fulfilling hour requirements for General/Inorganic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry or the Science Elective.
***Recommended courses to meet Science Elective prerequisite include advanced courses in behavioral sciences, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, human anatomy, immunology, molecular biology, neurosciences, physiology.
Applicants are recommended to complete the following coursework with a minimum grade of “C” or higher:
- English courses 6 semester hours
Test credits (e.g., AP, IB) being used for prerequisite coursework must be verified with an official score report, institutional transcript, or other official documentation which can provide the specific course completed and number of credits received.
Admissions prerequisite coursework may be affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prerequisite coursework with a grade of “Pass” will be considered if completed while COVID-19 mandates are/were in place. The corresponding laboratory requirement for a requisite science course may be waived only for those applicants that were unable to complete the laboratory course/component, that was cancelled/not offered (documentation from the institution’s Registrar will suffice), for a specific course taken during Spring 2020 through Spring 2021.
- Required letters of recommendation include:
- One of the following:
- One pre-medical committee letter OR
- Two academic letters written by science professors, scientific research advisors, or equivalent
- Non-traditional students who, from the date their primary AACOMAS application is submitted, have not been enrolled in any science coursework for three (3) years or more may submit letters from employment supervisors
- One of the following:
- Recommended letters of recommendation include:
- A letter from a physician (DO or MD) OR
- A letter from an individual who has observed you in a volunteer, service, or care setting
The AACOMAS application allows for six total letters of recommendation to be submitted. Letters should be formatted on letterhead and include credentials. Letters from relatives will not satisfy the requirement. If an applicant is asked to provide an updated and/or new letter of recommendation, it can be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the following accepted methods:
- AACOMAS
- Virtual Evals
- Interfolio
- Directly by Referee to the Office of Admissions –
- Email: admissions@burrell.edu
- Mail: Office of Admissions
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
3501 Arrowhead Dr.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
The requirement below is only specific to applicants that have previously been enrolled in but did not fully complete another medical program:
- Applicants that previously attended but did not fully complete another medical program are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for information regarding a required Letter of Standing from their former institution that must also be submitted.
Applicants are encouraged to not only provide an account of academic merits, but to also provide details on any extracurricular, medical, non-medical, and/or community volunteer experience hours they have accumulated prior to applying.
The College also seeks to admit students who are committed to serving rural and medically underserved areas and who will contribute to the potential impact of the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and the osteopathic medical profession in these areas.
Applicants with transcripts submitted from institutions outside the United States of America (U.S.) or Canada are required to have those transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalence by one of the services listed below. An official report must be sent from the service directly to AACOMAS and the College. The applicant should retain a copy of the report to reference in completing the AACOMAS application. The report should contain a course-by-course evaluation, including a listing of courses, subject codes, semester hours and grades on the AACOMAS Academic Record or Professional School Academic Record as per the instructions. Unofficial copies of any equivalence evaluation report will not be accepted. The following is a list of foreign evaluation vendors. The College does not endorse nor recommend any particular vendor.
- World Education Services (WES), www.wes.org
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., www.ece.org
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., www.jsilny.org
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc., www.ierf.org
- Educational Perspectives, www.edperspective.org
If you are considering applying to become a student of the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, please make sure that you have carefully read the Minimal Technical Standards found in the Catalog. Should you have specific questions concerning Admission requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions by phone at (575) 674-2210, or by email at admissions@burrell.edu.
