What are the benefits of the ECM program?
The major benefit is that after graduating from UTulsa, you may attend the OU College of Medicine (Tulsa or Oklahoma City campuses) without the need to apply or interview again. You will also receive personalized pre-medical advising from the ECM faculty director and join a tight-knit group of like-minded students on campus. Each month, ECM students meet over dinner with the faculty director to discuss current topics in healthcare and medicine.
If I’m accepted into the ECM program, am I committing myself to attending the OU College of Medicine in Tulsa or Oklahoma City?
No. ECM students are free to apply to any medical college they choose. However, there is no guaranteed acceptance to medical school outside of the OU College of Medicine.
What are the differences between the Tulsa and Oklahoma City programs?
Except geographically, there’s little difference between the two campuses. One hundred and fifty students enroll into the Oklahoma City program and approximately 35 students begin the Tulsa program each year. Tulsa does place additional emphasis on community medicine, but the curricula, board exam scores, and residency placement rates are identical between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Is my spot at the OU College of Medicine guaranteed when I graduate from TU? Could I lose my spot?
Remember that ECM is an early assurance program. To guarantee your spot at OU, you must achieve a Science-GPA that is equivalent to the average Science-GPA achieved by incoming enrollees into the OU College of Medicine. Over the past few years, that number has been ~3.75 on a 4-point scale. Additionally, all ECM students must take the MCAT exam – and achieve a score that matches the average result achieved by incoming enrollees into the OU College of Medicine. Over the past several years, that score has been ~510.
Am I required to major in Biology?
No, you can major in any subject on campus you like. If you love biology, then you should certainly major in that subject. However, feel free to major in English, Chemical Engineering, Music, etc. We encourage you to follow your passion! Increasingly, more pre-medical students are leaning away from the natural sciences – as long as they satisfy all requirements for medical school admission.
Must I have a minor at TU?
Yes, in addition to having a major, all ECM students must declare a minor as well. You may minor in any subject you like.
I’m not from Oklahoma. Will I become a resident of the state so I can pay cheaper in-state tuition rates at the OU College of Medicine?
Oklahoma has enacted strict laws on what determines residency in the state. Just attending a university in the state is not enough – you are expected to maintain a domicile, earn income and/or pay taxes to establish residency. You may click here for more information on Oklahoma residency requirements.
Can I complete my courses at UTulsa within 3 or 3 ½ years?
You may consider graduating early – but we caution against this. College is a time of academic, personal, and emotional growth. Caring for patients is an awesome responsibility that requires a scientific background and a well-developed, humanistic character. While you can complete your science requirements in a compressed timeframe, gaining emotional maturity often takes longer – which is what ultimately separates good doctors from mediocre ones. Plus, as a liberal arts university – UTulsa offers a rich variety of classes that you should take full advantage of, especially before enrolling into medical school where few elective opportunities will exist.
How will taking AP/IB courses bolster my chances for acceptance into the ECM program?
We always like to see ECM applicants challenge themselves by taking advanced courses while in high school. But a word of caution: some students wish to use their AP Chemistry, AP Physics, or equivalent IB credits to substitute for college courses. Because these classes are considered pre-medical requirements, most medical schools prefer completion of college-level inorganic chemistry and general physics – even if you have pre-existing credits. You can certainly apply your AB/BC calculus credits from high school, but we strongly urge you to take additional quantitative science classes (advanced math, statistics, etc.) during your undergraduate years to remain competitive for medical school – especially if you’re looking beyond OU.
What are my chances of securing a spot in the ECM program?
Each year we receive dozens of applications and interview approximately 20 candidates. Ultimately, we can only choose five applicants to matriculate into the ECM program.
When are ECM interviews held?
For the upcoming year, interviews will be held virtually on Monday, February 25, 2025. On the interview day, you will likely meet with three interviewers, made up of UTulsa and OU College of Medicine faculty.
I interviewed with the ECCM faculty and received word I was ‘waitlisted.’ What are my chances now?
It depends. Some years, we have had every candidate on the waitlist gain an ECM spot, and in other years, no one comes off the waitlist. So much depends on the qualifications of the candidates we interview, and who ultimately chooses to enroll at UTulsa.
What if I decide I don’t want to be a doctor after all?
That’s perfectly fine! You are not expected to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life as a young adult. Some students ultimately decide to pursue alternative careers – but your membership in the ECM program and access to specialized advising will persist during your four years at UTulsa, no matter what you decide.
