Tell a Friend

Your Name :
Your Email :
Email To :
Comments :

There are two non-refundable $1000.00 acceptance deposits required to secure a seat in the class following the admissions guidelines of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). For more information on the AACOM admissions guidelines, please follow the link below.
Admission Guidelines of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) currently enables students in six western states to enroll in out of state osteopathic programs, usually because those fields of study are not available at public institutions in their home states. Exchange students pay reduced levels of tuition: usually resident tuition in public institutions or reduced tuition at private schools. The home state pays a support fee to the admitting schools to help cover the cost of the students' education.

Each state determines the fields and number of students they will support. Currently Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming support osteopathic medicine. State support and program participation affecting students are subject to change by legislative or administrative action. For current information and application materials for the Professional Student Exchange Program, address your correspondence to your State Certifying Officer at:

• How do I determine if I can apply for this program?
  To determine your eligibility, contact the certifying office of the state of your residence. Each state determines residency based on legislative requirements.

• Is there a deadline for application?
  Yes. In most cases, the deadline is October 15 of the year preceding admissions (October 15, 2001, for Fall 2002 entry); but some states have earlier or later deadlines. Check with your certifying office directly.

• If I miss the deadline, can I apply anyway?
  Most states do not accept either late applications or applications from students who are already enrolled in a professional program. However, each state has its own regulations, so check with that office directly.

• Can I apply online for this program?
  No. Because most states require original signatures on application forms and a notary verification of signatures, you cannot apply for PSEP online at this time.

• Do I have to live in the state or attend pre-professional school in the state where I am a resident to apply for this program?
  No.

• How do I get an application packet?
  Contact your home state certifying office for an application packet.

• If my state does not have the osteopathic program, do they have to provide PSEP assistance?
  No. Each state determines which fields it wishes to support, usually using a combination of manpower studies and available funding. No state supports all fields.

• Can I apply to any school for admission?
  Yes - but you will only be considered for tuition assistance if you attend one of the PSEP cooperating institutions, and if your state has sufficient funds to support you. You can apply to non-PSEP schools as well as those participating in the program; you just won't receive PSEP support if you choose a non-PSEP school.

• If I am certified by my state and accepted to a cooperating institution, do I automatically receive assistance?
  No. Each state determines how many new students it can assist each year. You should notify your certifying office immediately when you receive acceptances and again when you determine which school you will attend.

• Can I apply for assistance to more than one program (i.e., medicine and osteopathic medicine) at the same time?
  Yes - but you must notify your certifying office that you will be doing so. Your name is forwarded to cooperating schools, and it must be on both lists.

• How does a state determine which of the accepted students receives assistance?
  Most states choose the "most qualified among the accepted students" and offer them assistance first. WICHE, asks cooperating schools to rank all accepted students for a given state; that information is compiled by WICHE, and the results are given to the student's home state.

• Can I get the results of this ranking?
  No. That information is strictly confidential for the benefit of all concerned.

• Am I required to repay the state for my support?
  Each state determines requirements for return obligation or payback. Contact your state certifying office for specific information.

• When will I know if I am going to receive assistance?
  You can expect to receive notification by mid to late spring. Support is determined when all cooperating schools have had the opportunity to place offers of admissions and any necessary raking requests have been completed. The dates vary, depending upon the program.

• Do I have to reapply each year for this assistance?
  Yes; if you are not accepted into a cooperating program or are not supported due to limited funding, you must reapply each year by the October 15 deadline. In most cases, once you receive support, you will continue to do so until you complete the degree program. However, there are limitations, and many states contact students annually regarding continued renewal. Make sure you keep your certifying office advised of any address or phone changes.

• If I receive support through this program and run into problems when I enroll, whom do I contact?
  Have your enrolling institution contact the main WICHE office in Boulder, CO at 303.541.0214.