Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk Expands Guaranteed Interview Partnerships to Include Samuel Merritt University
Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) is proud to announce the expansion of its Guaranteed Interview Partnership initiative through new agreements with the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine’s Medical Sciences Pre-Professional Program and Samuel Merritt University’s Master of Biomedical Sciences Program. Additionally, LMU-DCOM has entered into a unique conditional guaranteed interview agreement with Special Operations Forces to School of Medicine (SOFtoSOM). SOFtoSOM is a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and active-duty service members pursuing careers in medicine.
These new collaborations reflect LMU-DCOM’s ongoing commitment to creating accessible pathways to osteopathic medical education for students across the country. They build upon previously announced partnerships with Barry University’s College of Health & Wellness Biomedical Sciences program, the University of Tennessee Chattanooga College of Arts and Sciences, Union Commonwealth University, Tusculum University, and Lee University. Through these agreements, LMU-DCOM works directly with academic institutions to support a mission-driven cohort of future physicians.
The Guaranteed Interview Partnerships are designed to offer a structured, conditional pathway for students who meet specific academic and program requirements. Students who maintain a strong academic record—typically with a competitive GPA and MCAT score—and who complete required coursework are eligible to receive a guaranteed interview with LMU-DCOM’s admissions committee. These students are also encouraged to engage in experiences that foster their understanding of and commitment to osteopathic medicine, such as mentorship programs and clinical exposure.
It is important to note that while these agreements guarantee an interview, they do not guarantee admission. Final decisions will be based on the applicant’s overall performance, including their interview and fulfillment of all program requirements. The partnerships aim to demystify the admissions process and provide students with a clear, supportive route toward a career in medicine.
The partnership with SOFtoSOM is significant as it marks LMU-DCOM’s first collaboration with a nonprofit organization rather than a traditional academic institution. SOFtoSOM’s mission to help U.S. Special Operations veterans and service members transition to the medical field aligns closely with LMU-DCOM’s values of service and leadership. By establishing this conditional interview agreement, LMU-DCOM recognizes the unique experiences and potential that military candidates bring to the medical profession.
Looking ahead, LMU-DCOM plans to maintain consistent criteria and expectations across all future Guaranteed Interview Partnerships, further streamlining the path to medical school for qualified candidates. This initiative reinforces the university’s dedication to producing compassionate, community-focused physicians who are ready to meet the health care needs of underserved populations, particularly throughout Appalachia and rural America.
