Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences 
Application Requirements

When is the deadline to apply?

This academic program operates on a rolling admissions basis. The application closes on Friday, August 2, 2024, but an early application is highly recommended.

How to apply

Prospective students may submit their application through PCOM's online application management system. Additional details, including application availability and instructions, are available at explore.pcom.edu/apply.

Where do I send my college transcripts?

Note that official college transcripts from all colleges/universities/schools attended must be sent directly to:

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

We will accept electronic transcripts via mail, eScript and/or Parchment Services and National Student Clearinghouse.

What are the next steps?

Applicants may apply to any of our three locations:

• PCOM (Philadelphia, PA)
• PCOM Georgia (Suwanee, GA)
• PCOM South Georgia (Moultrie, GA)

All biomedical sciences program candidates must:

• Check off each location they would like to be considered for on their initial application.

Although the requirements and the processes are the same, each application is evaluated for that particular location by the individual Faculty Committee on Admissions for each location.

Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted via email with a confirmation within 7 business days of its receipt including reminders of the appropriate steps to complete the application process.

As an applicant to PCOM's Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, you are responsible for ensuring that all admissions materials are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.

Does the committee require an interview?

Interviews are not conducted for admission into the biomedical sciences program.

Are there minimum GPA and standardized test scores to apply?

The Faculty Committee on Admissions conducts a holistic review of all completed applications. There are no minimum grade point averages or standardized test scores during the application review process. Following the completion of the review process, each applicant is notified of an Admissions decision by the Faculty Committee in writing, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment. The committee can accept candidates up until the first day of class in mid-August. Admissions decisions will be posted online and forwarded to your PCOM Application Portal when appropriate.

Completed applications and supporting documents will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Faculty Committee on Admissions beginning in September. Applicants will be assessed on the following factors:

• Baccalaureate degree
• Prerequisite coursework
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Standardized test score
• Essay
• Other considerations

Is there a baccalaureate degree requirement for the biomedical sciences program?

All applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university either online or on a college campus.

What are the coursework prerequisites for PCOM’s biomedical sciences program?

Courses Required	Credit Hours	Notes
General Biology I & II	8	Lab required
General Chemistry I & II	8	Lab required
Organic Chemistry I	4	Lab required
Other Chemistry coursework	4	Examples: Organic Chemistry II, Biochemistry
Physics	8	Lab required

• "General" coursework denotes the first two courses in the subject sequence for science majors.
• AP coursework will be accepted provided the course and credits appear on your official college transcript.
• All courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution.
• Credits may be completed at a community college.
• Credits may be completed online or on campus.
• The MS in Biomedical Sciences program will not accept prerequisite coursework completed as an audit or graded pass/fail with the exception of coursework completed during the spring, summer and fall 2020 terms which may be listed as Pass in a pass/fail grading scale.
• The MS in Biomedical Sciences program will not accept credits completed as CLEP courses.

Are you required to submit standardized test scores for the biomedical sciences program?

Submit official reports of standardized test scores: GRE, PCAT, DAT, OAT, or MCAT. This requirement will be automatically waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on their degree granting institution's transcript.

If you plan to submit an MCAT score you will need to forward to PCOM Admissions a full copy of your MCAT score report as a PDF attachment with your AAMC ID number as well as the verification code which can be obtained from AAMC. Self-reported scores are not considered official and will not complete an application. Please allow at least 15 business days to process the scores.

GRE scores are valid for five years within the desired date of matriculation. For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2019 will not be accepted to complete an application record.

Where do I find my MCAT verification code?

1. Visit the AAMC MCAT Scores webpage.
2. Click the "Get MCAT Test Scores" button on the right side.
3. Login to AAMC.
4. At the top, under "My Reports," choose "Print Score Report" from the dropdown menu.
5. Take a screenshot of the report and email it to admissions@pcom.edu.

GRE institutional codes

• The PCOM GRE institutional code is 2662.
• The PCOM Georgia GRE institutional code is 4281.
• The PCOM South Georgia GRE institutional code is 4281.

PCAT institutional code

The PCAT institutional code is 180. Please do not send the score report to PharmCAS.

Expiration dates of standardized test scores

• GRE - 5 years from matriculation date - For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2019 will not be accepted to complete an application record.
• PCAT - 5 years from matriculation date - For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2019 will not be accepted to complete an application record.
• DAT - 2 years from matriculation date - For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2022 will not be accepted to complete an application record.
• OAT - 2 years from matriculation date - For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2022 will not be accepted to complete an application record.
• MCAT - 3 years from matriculation date - For 2024 enrollment, exams taken before August 2021 will not be accepted to complete an application record.

What are the letter of recommendation requirements?

One letter of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant in a professional capacity and can comment on one's character, work ethic, academic history, scientific acumen, empathy, compassion, resilience, emotional intelligence and commitment.

Admissions prefers letters from the following sources:

• A pre-health or academic advisor/committee (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate or graduate programs)
• Undergraduate, graduate or post-baccalaureate faculty (preferably those who delivered a candidate’s completed science coursework), who can attest to academic performance and aptitude.

Candidates who may not have the ability to submit a letter from any of the above sources should select letter writers who know them in a professional capacity and can comment on the applicant's character, work ethic, academic history, scientific acumen, empathy, compassion, resilience, emotional intelligence and commitment to graduate education.

Letters of recommendation can be sent through the PCOM application portal or directly to PCOM Admissions in PDF format at recommend@pcom.edu. Recommenders can view our For Recommenders page for guidance.

Is there an essay requirement to apply for PCOM’s biomedical sciences program?

Applicants must write a general autobiographical statement (to be submitted through the application portal) explaining your interest in this academic program as it relates to your career goals (in 500 words or less).

Additional considerations

In an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the entire campus community, as well as to ensure that students accepted to PCOM will be permitted to perform clerkships/internships required to successfully complete their degree requirements, PCOM requires all students to complete a criminal background check prior to their first year of matriculation. All students must have their criminal background checks processed through a PCOM vendor of choice. The Office of Admissions will send notification of the process after confirmation of enrollment and must have this information on file prior to orientation; students will not be allowed to start classes without this information.

Prior to enrollment in the Biomedical Sciences program, all candidates are required to complete PCOM's Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation (PDF).

Biomedical sciences students enter the program as candidates for the MS degree and may declare a second-year degree concentration at any time after matriculation; however, they are not obligated to complete the second year or the degree unless they wish to do so. The process and requirements for declaring a concentration are presented to all students in the spring term and described in the program's student handbook.

Does PCOM offer a linkage between the biomedical sciences program and DO program?

Biomedical sciences students at all PCOM locations have the opportunity to apply for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at each location.

View details, admissions criteria and application advice on the DO/Biomedical Sciences Linkage Agreement.

4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Toll Free: 800-999-6998
Local: 215-871-6700
Fax: 215-871-6719
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM programs:

ASK PCOM ADMISSIONS

 

625 Old Peachtree Road
Suwanee, GA 30024

Toll Free: 866-282-4544
Local: 678-225-7500
Fax: 678-225-7526
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM Georgia programs:

ASK PCOM GEORGIA ADMISSIONS

 

For information about the Doctor of Pharmacy program: 

ASK PHARMACY ADMISSIONS

 

2050 Tallokas Road
Moultrie, GA 31768

Toll Free: 866-282-4544
Local: 229-668-3162
Fax: 678-225-7526
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM South Georgia programs:

ASK PCOM SOUTH GEORGIA ADMISSIONS