Montana Technological University, Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine to offer new early acceptance pathway to medical school

Students at Montana Technological University have a new early acceptance pathway to medical school through a recently signed agreement with the Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU-MCOM) in Billings.

 “This is an exciting opportunity for Montana Tech students, and we are a part of a growing number of schools in the state that has worked out this agreement with RVU,” said Dr. Katie Hailer, Interim Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. “The Biology and Chemistry departments at Montana Tech already do an excellent job preparing and helping our students gain admission to medical schools throughout the country. This new opportunity with RVU will streamline the application process and should enhance our ability to place even more students in to medical school while allowing them to remain in Montana for their education.”

The Early Acceptance Program will allow undergraduate Montana Tech students who have fulfilled the specified requirements to gain acceptance to RVU-MCOM without taking the MCAT. Students must maintain a science and overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 to be eligible.

“We are pleased to work with Montana Tech to increase the enrollment of local students in our medical school,” said Dr. David Park, Vice President and Founding Dean of RVU-MCOM. “We strive to serve the Mountain West region with the goal that our students will establish roots in our community and stay and practice in rural and underserved areas.”

Students will need to meet with their dedicated RVU academic advisor (Dr. Kate Mattern, Biology Department) each semester to remain eligible. They will still need to submit a personal statement, a list of clinical exposures/work experience, honors and achievements, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and any other required application materials to gain acceptance to RVU-MCOM.

Montana Tech students interested in going into the field of medicine, but who did not take the prerequisite courses at Montana Tech may also qualify to enter the Master of Medical Sciences (MMS) program at the Rocky Vista University campus in Billings. The MMS program is an immersive pathway program designed to allow students the opportunity for admission to the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine.

RVU-MCOM completed construction in January 2023, and the first class of 80 students started classes in July 2023. For the upcoming July 2024 academic year, the class size will be 120 students.

Students who want to learn more should contact: Kate Mattern at 406-496-4452 or kmattern@mtech.edu. If they are just interested in more information about RVU, they can reach out to the RVU-MCOM admissions team at admissionsMT@rvu.edu or 406-901-2761.