Frequently asked questions

At Marian University, our vision is to provide an education that profoundly transforms lives, society, and the world. We welcome students of all faiths who seek an educational experience framed within the context of our Catholic and Franciscan values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship. The institution grew out of the dedication and vision of the Sisters of St. Francis. The university was founded in Oldenburg, Indiana in 1936 and moved to Indianapolis in 1937. On July 1, 2009, Marian College became Marian University. More than 2,500 full- and part-time students from the United States and eight other countries now attend Marian University.

Marian University is located in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana–one of America's largest and most vibrant metropolitan areas. Although only 10 minutes from downtown, the safe, beautiful campus is also perfect for people who enjoy peace and tranquility.

The United States Department of Education recognizes two schools of medicine to train physicians to provide health care to the public–colleges of osteopathic medicine leading to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) and colleges of medicine leading to Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.). Both types of schools develop completely-trained physicians by offering four years of undergraduate medical training followed by three to seven years of postdoctoral medical education (residency and fellowship training). Both DOs and M.D.s must pass examinations that qualify them for unrestricted licenses to practice all the specialties of medicine.

There is a projected overall national shortage of 160,000 physicians by 2020. Indiana remains one of the ten most physician-deficient states in the country, predicted to be short by 5,000 doctors. Also, there is a critical lack of primary-care physicians, with our nation needing forty percent more by 2020. By then, Indiana will be short 2,000 primary-care physicians.

“Over the past three years, Indiana University’s medical school has increased its class size to 330 from 280. Plans originally called for the class to grow by 40 more students, but cutbacks in state funds have forced the school to consider scaling back plans,” former Dean D. Craig Brater said. “We agonize every year that we have to say no to a number of students that we know will make good doctors. This means that there are going to be more opportunities for more of our kids to get into medical school.” 

1. “Indiana’s Health Professions Workforce Shortages & Maldistribution,” McKeag, et. al., Indiana University Healthcare Reform Study Group, October 2007.
2. “Marian will add medical school,” article by staff reporter Shari Rudavsky, published on front page of the Indianapolis Star, January 15, 2010.

The Indiana Osteopathic Association (IOA) has planned to support the start up of a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) for several years. In the summer 2009, Marian University responded to IOA’s call for proposals to help bring their plans to reality. The IOA selected Marian University as a partner to create a business plan that was submitted to the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for approval to move forward with plans to open a new COM. The Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) also offers some unique advantages. It is the only osteopathic medical school in Indiana and is the first DO school sponsored by a Catholic University in the United States.

MU-COM matriculated approximately 150 osteopathic medical students in the first class that entered in the fall 2013. Marian University recruits students whose philosophies and values are consistent with the COM’s mission.

Now that four classes have matriculated the total number of medical students enrolled at MU-COM is approximately 600.

There are over 60 different clinical partners, totaling over 10,000 available beds. Included in our clinical partners are Suburban Health Organization (SHO)*, St. Vincent Health, Community Health Network, Franciscan St. Francis Health, Reid Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Union Hospital, and many others. Many of our clinical partners have received/receive national recognition for their patient care.

* SHO institutional members include Hancock Regional Hospital, Hendricks Regional Health, Henry County Hospital, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Major Hospital, Riverview Hospital, Rush Memorial Hospital, St. Vincent Health, Community Westview Hospital, and Witham Health Services.

No medical school can exist without contributions from practicing physicians (DOs and M.D.s) in the communities served by the medical school. Physicians have been, and will continue to be, volunteers for the interviewing and admissions committee processes. Many physicians served as adjunct faculty members to teach in their specialties. The associate dean for clinical affairs approaches physicians to serve as preceptors for osteopathic medical students on their rotations. Those interested in serving as a preceptor should contact the clinical associate dean's administrative assistant.

MU-COM communicates frequently with physicians - by electronic communications, direct mail, and through partnership with the Indiana Osteopathic Association - to advise all DOs of opportunities for service to MU-COM.

MU-COM only accepts applications through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). For more information about AACOMAS visit www.aacom.org. This centralized applications service opens in May each year for students who wish to apply for the the class entering the following year.

Prospective students interested in the Osteopathic Medicine program can access the admission requirements online. You can also find more information about MU-COM in AACOM's Osteopathic College Information Book (CIB).

Prerequisites for the DO program are:

MU-COM does not accept substitutes for the required science courses. Courses with equivalent content will be reviewed. Most COM's follow the AACOMAS definition of science courses to determine science GPA and science hours. See the AACOMAS website for more information.

Based on a Comprehensive Survey (Site) Evaluation completed in February 2017, at its April 2017 meeting the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association, which is authorized to accredit colleges of osteopathic medicine by the U.S. Department of Education, granted ACCREDITATION to the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM).

Yes, visit the Special Programs section to learn about the requirements. Primary applications must be submitted to AACOMAS by July 15.

Yes. If an advisor or committee is not available, a letter from another science professor will be accepted as a substitute. Since biology is the most relevant of the sciences to medicine, assessment from a biology professor regarding your ability to handle medical school level work would be of great value.

No. you will submit your three letters of recommendation with your AACOMAS application: one from a pre-medical advisor or committee, one from a science faculty member, and one from a physician (DO or MD).

While MU-COM will accept a letter of recommendation from either a DO or MD physician, we strongly recommend that applicants spend time with an osteopathic physician to increase awareness of the osteopathic philosophy and practice. Submitting a letter from a DO is a way of demonstrating the applicant’s understanding of and commitment to the osteopathic medical profession.

The entering fall 2018 DO class had the following average quality metrics: total GPA average is 3.66, the science GPA is 3.59, and a MCAT of 504, which are all above the national average for entering DO students.

Keep in mind, while MCAT, GPA, and science GPA are important, MU-COM uses a holistic approach when reviewing applications. Personal characteristics, past accomplishments, how well your future goals align with MU-COM's mission, and other factors are also important in the application process.

Undergraduate coursework taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for United States institution equivalence. Foreign coursework must be evaluated by any one of several services designated by AACOMAS for this purpose.

Applicants who will require either an F-1 or J-1 Visa must contact the Office of Admissions for requirements at the time of application. Information also is available at www.immigrationdirect.com/visas/student/index.jsp

The requirements at a minimum will include official, first source transcripts from previous institutions attended; and scores from standardized tests as may be required by the educational institution such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), etc.

Most COMs will not accept transfer students from international schools.

MU-COM uses a rolling admissions cycle and schedules applicant interviews September through April of the application year. Applicants are invited to campus for a half-day of interviews. The schedule includes multiple mini-interviews with basic science faculty, clinical faculty, administrators, and/or community physicians. Prospective students receive information about the curriculum, financial aid resources and procedures, research opportunities, clinical rotation sites, and residency programs affiliated with MU-COM. Applicants will also receive a tour of the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences.

Yes, but it is not encouraged. Any additional letter(s) of recommendation (LOR) should touch on something not mentioned in previous LORs. Additional LORs that repeat the same information are not helpful to an application.

No. All application and deposit fees are non-refundable. MU-COM does waive the supplemental application fee for all those who have been approved for the AACOMAS fee waiver.