By Hannah Kremer, Editor-in-Chief  

Xavier University’s new Osteopathic College of Medicine has nearly reached 3,000 submitted applications, surpassing the expected 1,500.  

Xavier’s Osteopathic College of Medicine (COM), the nation’s first Jesuit osteopathic college institution, opened its application portal in June 2026 and saw more than 700 applicants in the first week alone. Now, the school is adding the finishing touches as its 130,000-square-foot building enters the final stages of construction.  

Osteopathic medicine, a distinct branch of medical practice, focuses on treating the entire person rather than isolated concerns. It factors in lifestyle, environment and mental well-being that its counterpart, allopathic medicine, does not. Treating the whole person aligns with the Jesuit principle “cura personalis,” a Latin phrase that translates to “care for the whole person.” 

“Both of those things align perfectly,” COM’s Director of Admissions Jessica Gendron said. “Osteopathic philosophy really speaks to the body being completely interconnected, one system affecting another.”  

Many of the school’s amenities reflect that interconnectedness, helping students learn the many ways to treat various medical concerns. These include a simulation hospital with 16 mock exam rooms and five flexible simulation suites, a teaching kitchen for instruction on nutrition and preventive health, an anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine lab, a 200-seat grand lecture hall and a chapel designated as a sanctuary for students.  

For Gendron, the high number of applicants reflects an interest in a meaningful medical education that aligns with their values. She also highlights that this younger generation of applicants have a desire to make a difference in their communities.  

“Gen Z are more focused on what impact they can make on the world and that application of service. I think that shows in our application numbers,” Gendron said. “Having a mission-aligned institution where you can talk about the injustice and social determinants of health and marginalized communities is really important.” 

Despite the overwhelming number of applications, the COM admissions office is committed to giving each candidate care, time and attention. Often, these applications are triple-screened before the applicant reaches the interview stage. As with any medical school, the application process is rigorous and searches for candidates who strive for excellence.  

“We also want students who care about their patients, peers and themselves,” Gendron said. “We are looking for candidates with a longitudinal history of service. That’s really important to our Jesuit values. We also want trailblazers, the people who not only align with our mission, but also want to take the step forward.” 

Promoting the school to future physicians has been an undertaking, as the COM looks to build a strong reputation despite being the first of its kind in uncharted territories. The college is currently in pre-accreditation status, meaning that it has passed a feasibility study and on-site evaluation. Passing often means the organization is expected to meet full-accreditation standards for quality, integrity and operational criteria.  

“Transparency is so important with prospective students because we don’t have that programmatic data,” Gendron said. “We’re trying to give students enough reassurance that Xavier has a history of excellence and we’re not going to be any different.”  

While the future of the Osteopathic College of Medicine remains uncertain as the inaugural cohort is yet to be determined, COM faculty and staff are optimistic about the future of an innovative new medical school.  

“I really want prospective students to understand that we are a mission-driven institution and that it really is their role as the first class to integrate that into the ways that we grow,” Gendron said. “I think it’s also really important that we have candidates from all different backgrounds because it creates such a rich cohort where they can learn from each other.”  

Admissions are conducted on a rolling basis for those interested in applying to this unique Jesuit D.O. program. Additionally, current Xavier students can secure conditional acceptance as early as their sophomore year through an academic advising program.