Medical Schools in Montana: How to Get In (2024)
/Learn admissions strategies for medical schools in Montana
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Part 1: Introduction
When you think of Montana, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is its expansive landscape full of mountains, valleys, and other landforms that earn it the nickname “Big Sky Country.” Or, perhaps you think of how Montana has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. Either way, there’s no denying that Montana is a unique state and would make a fantastic place for someone interested in practicing medicine.
In Montana, aspiring physicians have the choice between two schools of medicine. Rocky Vista University College of Medicine and Touro University College of Medicine offer students the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic (DO) degree. In addition, through a partnership with the University of Washington’s WWAMI program, Montana State University students have the chance to earn an MD.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey exploring each of the med schools in Montana and how they stack up against each other, including various rankings and admission statistics. We’ll also explore what the WWAMI program is like in Montana. Finally, we’ll look at tried and true admissions strategies you can use to get accepted into medical schools in Montana.
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Part 2: List of medical schools in Montana: Rankings & admissions statistics
Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
Located in Billings—the largest city in Montana—and boasting 138,000 square feet of space, the Montana campus for Rocky Vista University College of Medicine (RVU-MCOM) is home to over 200 medical school students! At this campus, students can earn either a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Master of Medical Sciences degree. Currently (2024), RVU-MCOM is unranked in US News.
Touro University College of Medicine
Touro University College of Medicine is relatively new (est’d in 2023) and is located in Great Falls. There, students have the option to earn either an MS in Interdisciplinary Sciences or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), but this guide will focus on its DO program. At this time, Touro is unranked.
Montana State University
Students in Montana have a third option for embarking on their medical careers (and the only MD option) through the WWAMI program. We’ll dive deeper into this below, but for now it’s important to understand that this is a joint program between University of Washington and several other schools in different states, one of which is Montana State University.
| Montana Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Vista University College of Medicine* | |||||||||
| Touro University College of Medicine* | |||||||||
| Montana State University* |
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Part 3: Montana medical school profiles
Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
Rocky Vista University College of Medicine (RVU-MCOM) is a school that greatly emphasizes educating the physicians of tomorrow. Through innovative techniques and inspirational methods, RVU-MCOM aims to prepare students to use their knowledge throughout their communities.
Degree programs at Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
RVU-COM offers the following degree programs in health sciences:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Master of Medical Sciences
Curriculum at Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program is a four-year, full-time academic and clinical program. While the programs vary slightly by location, you can be assured you’ll receive an engaging and well-rounded education at either. In Montana, the curriculum consists of an integrated mode of instruction for a top-notch osteopathic education.
The integrated curriculum allows students to apply what they learn rather than simply learn facts in isolation. It’s scheduled in blocks or phases. The first phase, CARES-I, focuses on Clinical, Academic, Reflection, Enrichment, Scholarly Activity, and Integration. In the first two years, students are exposed to clinical scenarios and simulation labs, while third and fourth-year students receive clinical training onsite at one of RVU’s clinical training locations. The dedicated staff at RVU-MCOM provides added support throughout the entire program.
Touro University College of Medicine
In 2022, Touro University College of Medicine in Great Falls received pre-accreditation status, and it began accepting students with the 2022-2023 application cycle. As a brand new school, students became a part of history as its inaugural class began in 2023!
Degree programs at Touro University College of Medicine
Touro University College of Medicine offers the following degree programs for health sciences:
Curriculum at Touro University College of Medicine
In the DO program, students will spend the first two years immersed in learning about basic biological sciences. This is where the foundation is laid for a more holistic approach to treating patients, as students learn that biological and environmental factors should be considered in patient care. Students will also participate in engaging simulation labs as they prepare for clinical rotations during this time.
Students will focus on hands-on patient care in the second half of the DO program. During this time, they’ll practice at one of the affiliate hospitals, enabling students to practice a specialty such as psychiatry or integrative medicine. Electives, such as international study, are also offered.
Montana State University
Montana residents have a third option for obtaining a medical degree, and it’s the only allopathic medicine (MD) degree option in the state. Through the University of Washington, students can attend Montana State University in the WWAMI program to earn this degree.
What is the WWAMI program for medical schools in Montana?
Participants in the WWAMI program enroll at the University of Washington and complete the Foundations Phase (first 18 months) of their program at the partner institution—in this case, Montana State University. Following the Foundations Phase, students enter the Patient Care Phase for their third year and part of their fourth year. They’ll complete this portion at different partner sites located in Billings, Bozeman, or Missoula. All three locations offer Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. Only Montana residents are eligible to participate in the WWAMI program.
Curriculum at Montana State University
The Foundations Phase is broken into various “blocks” and “threads.”
Block 1: Fundamentals of Medical Science & Research
Block 2: Infections & Immunity
Block 3: Cancer, Hormones, & Blood
Block 4: Muscles, Joints, Bones, & Skin
Block 5: Cardiovascular System
Block 6: Respiration & Regulation
Block 7: Head, Neck, & Gut
Block 8: Mind, Brain, & Behavior
Block 9: Lifecycle & Reproduction
After this, students complete five “threads” to round out the Foundations Phase. Once completed, they study for (and take) Step 1 of the Board Exams. From there, students move on to the Patient Care Phase.
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Part 4: Montana medical school admissions strategies
Whether you’re interested in enrolling in a DO or an MD program, there are some things you’ll need to strive for if you want to gain acceptance into medical schools in Montana.
Strategy 1: Demonstrate a strong commitment to underserved and rural communities
One goal of the WWAMI program is to train students to better serve underserved communities, often located in rural areas. To this end, it would behoove you to illustrate that you have a strong commitment to doing so.
One way to do this would be to volunteer with organizations that focus on exactly that. You could also participate in health education initiatives that are centered on informing healthcare workers in underserved areas how to better care for the patients in their care.
Regardless of your route, you’ll want to reflect on how those experiences have shaped your desire to serve in underserved communities and demonstrate this in your personal statement and/or secondary essays.
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Strategy 2: Build a strong academic foundation
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your med school application is to focus on developing and maintaining a strong academic foundation. You can do this by ensuring your GPA is as high as it can be—especially your science GPA.
You’ll also want to do your best to score very well on the MCAT. Typically, matriculants into DO programs have lower average MCAT scores and GPAs than those who enter MD programs, but this is no reason to aim lower.You’ll gain a major advantage if your GPA and MCAT score are higher than the average for the most recent class of matriculants.
Use the school’s resources and any other type of tutoring or academic consulting you can access. If self-study works well for you, consider using some of our premium resources, which provide loads of examples of personal statements and secondary essay responses! We also have MCAT Content Guides that cover every topic on the MCAT. If one-on-one tutoring is more your speed, consider our MCAT tutoring options.
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Strategy 3: Develop strong relationships with faculty and healthcare professionals
While it’s almost always a good idea to aim to develop relationships with your professors—by visiting them during office hours or talking with them outside of class in some other way—it’s even more important for premed students. Talk to your professors about your aspirations and desire to become a physician someday. Let them know your interests and how you see yourself practicing in the future. You may also lay the foundation for that professor to serve as a recommendation letter writer.
Additionally, you can make it a point to shadow healthcare professionals, especially those in rural areas. These experiences not only help shape your views but also provide you with the knowledge necessary to determine if a rural setting is where you want to spend the rest of your career life.
Final thoughts
Acceptance into medical schools in Montana is selective, and you’ll have three options for where you’d like to attend. If you’re willing to work hard, gain experience serving underserved communities, maintain a high GPA, and earn a high MCAT score, then it’s not out of reach. By implementing these strategies, you’ll better position yourself for applying to medical schools in Montana and achieving your dream of a career in medicine.
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Appendix A: Montana medical schools by degree type
Allopathic medical schools in Montana (MD)
Montana State University (WWAMI)
Osteopathic medical schools in Montana (DO)
Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
Touro University College of Medicine
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Appendix B: Montana medical schools by institution type
Public medical schools in Montana
Montana State University (WWAMI)
Private medical schools in Montana
Rocky Vista University College of Medicine
Touro University College of Medicine
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
