Accredited by the accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Specialized accreditation
Accredited by the Commission of Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program
School mascot
Mustangs
School setting
Setting
Small town-rural area (not within commuting distance of a large city)
The university trains students to become primary care doctors with a particular emphasis on preventative health care and serving rural and other underserved populations. Students spend their first two years at the Yakima campus and then do clinical rotations for the third and fourth years at regional sites in the Northwest states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The university operates on a semester system.
Student Body
Enrollment
Total number of male undergraduate and graduate students
295
Total number of female undergraduate and graduate students
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; satisfactory completion of the following college courses, including lab work: English composition and literature (6-semester or 9-quarter hours); general chemistry (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); organic chemistry (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); physics (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); and biological sciences (12-semester and 18-quarter hours)
Application dates
Admission is available
Fall term
Fall* application deadline
February 1 for primary AACOMAS application and March 1 for the PNWU - COM supplementary application
Notification date for fall admission applicants
Continuous
Fall transfer application deadline
n/a
Notification date for fall transfer applicants
n/a
* Application dates for winter, spring, or summer term admission are likely to be different.
Application requirements
Application fee
$85
Application fee waived
Applicants who receive AACOMAS application fee waiver.
Submit these items:
Application
Required for all students
Interview
Required for some students
Letters of recommendation
Three, required for all students
Written essay or personal statement
Required for all students
Factors considered by schools when evaluating applicants
High school GPA
Not considered
Difficulty of high school courses
Not considered
Standardized test scores
Very important
High school class rank
Not considered
Recommendations
Important
Application essay
Very important
Character/personal qualities
Very important
Interview
Very important
Talent or ability
Very important
Extracurricular activities
Very important
Level of applicant's interest
Very important
Work experience
Important
Transfer student admissions
Admission requirements
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences does not accept transfer students.
Number of student clubs and associations with open membership
36
Largest clubs and organizations on campus
PNWU-COM Student American Academy of Osteopathy, Student Osteopathic Medical Association, PNWU Student Association of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, PNWU-COM Student Chapter, PNWU Student Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA)
Students may be offered seminars or workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics such as study strategies, test-taking, preparing for boards, or becoming an effective tutor.
Health and legal services available on campus for all students
Psychological counseling
Students must have health insurance at the time of matriculation, but the plan and carrier is their choice. Contact the school for information on insurance plan options.
Other services for all students
Orientation
On-campus library provides reference service, group and individual bibliographic instruction, database searches, and general computer assistance.
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; satisfactory completion of the following college courses, including lab work: English composition and literature (6-semester or 9-quarter hours); general chemistry (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); organic chemistry (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); physics (8-semester or 12-quarter hours); and biological sciences (12-semester and 18-quarter hours). Submit completed application online to American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions Committee (AACOMAS) and completed supplementary application to Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, including Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores. Submit letters of recommendation from a physician, science faculty member, and a pre-medical advisor or committee.
Application deadline
Primary application deadline for fall is February 1; supplemental application deadline is March 1
Application fee
$85
Applicants must pay AACOMAS fee that is based on a graduated scale and varies. University supplemental application fee is $85. It is strongly recommended that students have a good working knowledge of common personal computer use and applications.
