On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) president Carrie L. Castille and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) president Dixie Tooke-Rawlins secured their partnership with a new Preferred Admission Track agreement.
The agreement provides a pathway of early support for highly qualified ULM students who demonstrate academic excellence and a desire to make a meaningful impact in their communities, offering a clear path to medical school at VCOM-Louisiana.
Under the agreement, qualified ULM students may apply for the Preferred Admission Track after completing their sophomore year. Students accepted into the program must demonstrate strong academic achievement, maintain rigorous academic standards throughout their undergraduate studies, and engage in community service and healthcare-related experiences.
To be eligible, students must meet all technical and general admission requirements, complete a set of required prerequisite courses, and maintain an overall science and cumulative GPA of 3.7. In addition, the new agreement allows ULM pre-med students who have achieved a 3.7 GPA in the appropriate courses at ULM to waive VCOM’s MCAT requirement. Students with a GPA above 3.4 who are recommended by the school will have the opportunity to interview, though the MCAT requirement remains.
“This agreement will strengthen the mission focus of VCOM to supply the needs of rural Louisiana and beyond. The pathway will continue to address Louisiana’s need for a strong physician workforce,” said Ray Morrison, DO, DFACOS, dean for the VCOM-Louisiana campus.
The Preferred Admission Track Agreement will take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. "We have already enjoyed a strong partnership with VCOM-Louisiana, and this agreement only makes it stronger. This new agreement provides a clear path for ULM students to follow their dreams of becoming doctors and get a world-class education without leaving Monroe. We are proud that this agreement is the next step in building our healthcare workforce and helping provide Louisiana's citizens with the care they need."Carrie L. Castille, PhD, ULM president.
