With its new first-year medical students, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) welcomed a class that includes the largest number of West Virginia residents in the school’s history.
WVSOM, the state’s largest medical school, achieved an admissions goal this year, with its 210-member Class of 2030. The class includes 79 students (38%) who call the Mountain State their home.
For comparison, in-state students comprise 46% of WVU School of Medicine’s new class. Marshall University School of Medicine has not yet released information for their new class, but in- state students typically make up well over 50% of incoming classes.
WVSOM officials attribute the upsurge to intentional admissions strategies to attract more West Virginians, including pipeline programs, tuition waivers for in-state students who meet selection criteria and the introduction of a master’s degree program to prepare students for the rigorous study required to pursue a medical degree.
