Admissions

Go D.O. Early Scholars Program

Are you ready for a career in medicine? What if we told you that you could be accepted to medical school before your freshman year of College with no MCAT score required?

The “GO-D.O. Early Scholars Program” provides up to 10 incoming students a year with the opportunity to be accepted to medical school before they begin undergraduate studies. The unique private/public partnership between West Virginia Wesleyan College and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the first of its kind. The partnership was formed through Wesleyan’s successful placement of students to WVSOM and because of the institutions’ shared dedication to science, service, and holistic education. Students attend four years of undergraduate study at West Virginia Wesleyan College followed by four years of medical school study including in-class study, lab studies, and rotations and professional experiences. Three cohorts of students have already enrolled at WVWC  and you could be the next to join them!

  • Initial Requirements

    Students who meet all of the following requirements are qualified for acceptance into the Go D.O.! Early Scholars Program:

    • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.00 scale
    • Minimum composite ACT score of 30 from a single test date
    • Minimum composite SAT score of 1390 (Critical Reading and Math).
  • How to Apply

    The Go D.O.! Early Scholars Program is designed for highly motivated high school students who are interested in pursuing an osteopathic medical degree and complete the following admission requirements:

    • Apply for Admissions to West Virginia Wesleyan College. Applicants are encouraged to utilize the “Go D.O.” Application found here created uniquely for this program.
    • There is no cost to apply.
    • Priority deadline for consideration is December 15 though applications will be considered on a rolling basis thereafter.
    • Choose either the WVSOM Biology Major or WVSOM Biochemistry Major on the application and send a transcript of your high school work.
    • Submit a transcript through three years of study showing a cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale
    • Submit an ACT or SAT score report showing a minimum composite ACT of 30 or SAT 1390 (from critical reading and Math).
    • Submit letters of reference/recommendation from two of the following:
      • High school administrator (principal, assistant principal, or a guidance counselor).
      • Science or Math teacher whom can detail the students’ academic performance.
      • Physician

    Applicants will then be invited for an on-campus interview or virtual interview at WVSOM. Interviews will typically occur during the winter/spring prior to the applicants’ enrollment at WVWC. Applicants must have an acceptable interview for admittance into the Program. Up to 10 applicants will be selected to the Program per year.

  • Program Timeline
    • Application Open – August 1, 2023
    • Priority Deadline – December 15, 2023
    • WVSOM Interview – January 2024 and ongoing
    • First Candidates Informed -February 2024 and ongoing
    • Rolling Consideration – Through May 1, 2024
    • Begin Undergraduate Studies at WVWC – Fall 2024 Semester
  • Continuing Requirements
    • Students must complete the following prerequisites with a Biology or Biochemistry major:
      • English-6 hours
      • Behavioral Sciences-6 hours
      • Biology/Zoology-6 hours
      • Chemistry-12 hours (must include Biochemistry)
      • Physics-6 hours
      • Labs-6 hours (2 in Biology, other 4 in any combination of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
    • Students must achieve a cumulative Science GPA of a 3.50 at WVWC
    • Students must complete the following activities prior to West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) matriculation:
      • Attend one WVSOM enrichment event per year
      • Shadowing an Osteopathic Physician (25 hours)
      • Volunteer/health care (25 hours)
    • Students with professionalism issues at WVWC can be removed from the Program at the discretion of either party.