NSU-KPCOM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) is a well-established osteopathic medical program known for its mission-driven education and large, diverse student body. The program emphasizes a holistic, community-focused approach to medical training, reflecting its core values of inclusivity, compassion, and service to the underserved osteopathic.nova.edu. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of NSU-KPCOM’s interview process, the school’s mission and values, key program features, relevant healthcare policy topics, and the qualities and competencies the college seeks in applicants. Each section synthesizes essential information and relates it back to preparing for an interview at NSU-KPCOM, helping applicants understand what to expect and how the school’s priorities shape the interview experience.

NSU-KPCOM uses a traditional interview format rather than an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) system aacom.org. Interviews are typically conducted in a conversational style, often with a panel of two or more interviewers (usually faculty members) meeting with a single candidate studentdoctor.net. The interviewers have access to the applicant’s file (open-file format), meaning they may reference details from your application such as coursework or recommendation letters during the discussion studentdoctor.net. Most interviews are relatively short in duration – around 15–20 minutes in many cases studentdoctor.net – and focus on getting to know the candidate through key questions. Despite the brief one-on-one interview portion, the overall interview day is extensive: applicants participate in a full-day experience that includes meeting the admissions staff, an overview of the curriculum and facilities, a campus tour, an interactive lunch with students and faculty, and a Q&A session with the dean aacom.org. Following the interview, admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and NSU-KPCOM historically has a high acceptance rate for those who perform well in the interview (unofficial sources suggest post-interview acceptance may exceed 80%) forums.studentdoctor.net.

NSU-KPCOM’s mission centers on providing “equitable and inclusive learner-centered education” to train competent and compassionate osteopathic physicians osteopathic.nova.edu. The college is dedicated to a holistic philosophy – it not only teaches medical knowledge and skills but also instills in students the importance of empathy, integrity, and community engagement. A defining value for NSU-KPCOM is its commitment to serving diverse and medically underserved populations, as reflected in its advocacy for equitable health care and its requirement for students to engage in community service during their training osteopathic.nova.edu aacom.org. The school also strongly supports research and lifelong learning, aligning with its aim to produce physicians who continually grow and innovate in their field osteopathic.nova.edu. These mission-driven values are woven into the educational environment and may be echoed in interview conversations – for example, interviewers could be interested in hearing about an applicant’s dedication to service, cultural competency, or motivation to practice holistic care in alignment with osteopathic principles.

Founded in 1979 as the first osteopathic medical college in the southeastern United States, NSU-KPCOM is part of Nova Southeastern University’s expansive Health Professions Division aacom.org. The college operates on two campuses – the main campus in Fort Lauderdale and an additional regional campus in Clearwater (Tampa Bay) – offering the same curriculum at both locations aacom.org aacom.org. Together, these campuses train a large student body (over 1,600 D.O. students across all years), with incoming class sizes around 248 students in Fort Lauderdale and 162 in Clearwater aacom.org. Being housed in a major research university (classified as R1), NSU-KPCOM provides students access to extensive resources and an interprofessional learning environment where they interact with peers in other health disciplines aacom.org aacom.org. The school maintains affiliations with numerous hospitals and clinics throughout South Florida and the Tampa Bay area, ensuring a wide network of clinical rotation sites for students’ clerkship years aacom.org.

The program’s curriculum is innovative and geared toward producing well-rounded, primary care-oriented physicians aacom.org. A notable feature is the required three-month clinical rotation in a rural or urban underserved community, exposing third-year students to healthcare delivery in areas with limited access to care aacom.org. Students have the option to spend one of these months at an international site, adding a global health perspective to their training aacom.org. Beyond core rotations, NSU-KPCOM encourages involvement in research and osteopathic principles: interested students can pursue a Predoctoral Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) Fellowship, which extends the program by a year to focus on teaching and research in osteopathic manipulative medicine aacom.org, or an osteopathic medical research fellowship after the second year to deepen research skills aacom.org. Community service is not just encouraged but required – all D.O. students enroll in a Community Service course to engage in volunteer service, instilling a habit of altruism and stewardship toward their community aacom.org. In addition, NSU-KPCOM coordinates international medical outreach trips (typically 1–2 weeks) to countries such as Ecuador, India, Jamaica, and others, where students and faculty provide care in underserved global communities aacom.org. These experiences reflect the program’s strong emphasis on public health, cultural competency, and hands-on service learning.

NSU-KPCOM also offers several dual-degree programs that allow students to augment their D.O. training with expertise in complementary fields. Options include a D.O./Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) focusing on population health and disease prevention, a D.O./Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) through NSU’s business school, and specialized master’s degrees in areas like Nutrition, Biomedical Informatics, Disaster and Emergency Management, and Medical Education aacom.org aacom.org. These programs underscore the college’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and leadership development in healthcare. With such a breadth of opportunities – from international rotations to dual degrees – NSU-KPCOM encourages students to tailor their medical education to their interests. This breadth can provide rich material for discussion during interviews and can prompt applicants to inquire further about the program’s unique offerings.

• What are the differences in learning experience between the Fort Lauderdale main campus and the Tampa Bay (Clearwater) regional campus for D.O. students?
• How do students select and prepare for the mandatory three-month rotation in a rural or underserved community, and what support does the college provide during these rotations?
• Could you tell me more about the opportunities for student involvement in research or teaching (such as the OPP Fellowship or research year), and how those experiences fit into the overall medical curriculum?
• What kinds of international medical mission trips are available, and how do they enhance the educational experience for NSU-KPCOM students?
• How do the dual-degree programs (like the D.O./M.P.H. or D.O./M.B.A.) integrate with the D.O. curriculum, and what benefits have students gained from pursuing these combined degrees?

Because NSU-KPCOM places doctors in Florida and beyond, certain healthcare policy issues relevant to both the region and the nation may come up in discussion. In Florida, a significant topic is healthcare access: the state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which remains a point of debate and affects the coverage of low-income populations apnews.com. Interviewers might gauge an applicant’s awareness of how such policies impact patient care, especially since many NSU-KPCOM graduates serve in primary care roles where insurance coverage influences patient outcomes. Another current issue in Florida is public health policy – for example, the state’s leadership has moved to eliminate many vaccine mandates (including childhood immunization requirements), a controversial change that medical experts have criticized as “anti-science” and potentially harmful to public health investing.com. Being conversant with these kinds of local policy developments is useful, as they relate to the environment in which graduates may practice.

Nationally, broad healthcare themes such as the primary care physician shortage, health equity, and preventive medicine are highly relevant – and closely aligned with osteopathic medicine’s strengths. NSU-KPCOM’s mission and curriculum (with its focus on underserved communities and inclusion of public health training) reflect these national priorities. For instance, the program’s competency goals integrate public health and prevention alongside clinical skills aacom.org, echoing ongoing policy emphasis on preventative care and addressing social determinants of health. Additionally, the osteopathic profession recently underwent a unification of residency accreditation, meaning D.O. graduates now compete in a single residency match with M.D. graduates – a policy milestone that applicants may be aware of when discussing graduate medical education. Other timely topics like telemedicine expansion, mental health care access, or the opioid epidemic could also be pertinent; NSU-KPCOM’s curricular offerings (e.g. in informatics and community service) suggest that the school values physicians who stay informed on such issues and can adapt to policy changes. While there is no expectation for applicants to be policy experts, demonstrating an informed perspective on how healthcare policies impact patients and physicians – especially in the communities that NSU-KPCOM aims to serve – can resonate with the school’s values.

Like many medical schools, NSU-KPCOM evaluates applicants holistically, looking beyond academics for evidence of personal qualities and experiences that align with its mission. The Committee on Admissions actively considers factors such as an applicant’s service record, leadership experiences, and fit with osteopathic values when deciding whom to interview and admit aacom.org. Below are key non-academic attributes and experiences that NSU-KPCOM emphasizes in its selection process:

• Community service and clinical exposure: Significant volunteer work and healthcare experience (e.g. shadowing physicians or working in medical settings) are highly valued. The admissions committee looks for sustained, meaningful involvement in the community rather than just the number of hours, and notes that direct medical exposure such as shadowing a doctor or hospital volunteering is “highly favored” osteopathic.nova.edu.
• Leadership and initiative: Demonstrated leadership roles or initiatives (in student organizations, employment, research projects, etc.) are important indicators of an applicant’s potential. NSU-KPCOM’s admissions guidelines explicitly mention leadership as a quality sought in candidates aacom.org, reflecting the school’s aim to graduate physicians who can lead and collaborate within the healthcare team and community.
• Compassion and commitment to service: The college places a strong emphasis on compassion and altruism – traits that align with its osteopathic, patient-centered philosophy. Evidence that an applicant is empathetic and dedicated to helping others (for instance, through long-term volunteering, caregiving experiences, or community engagement) supports this key selection criterion aacom.org. An applicant’s alignment with NSU-KPCOM’s core value of serving the underserved can leave a positive impression in the admissions process.
• Interest in osteopathic medicine: A clear commitment to the osteopathic approach is crucial. NSU-KPCOM looks for candidates who have not only articulated why they want to be an osteopathic physician, but also have taken steps to explore osteopathic medicine – for example, by shadowing D.O.’s or involving themselves in osteopathic communities. An understanding of osteopathic principles and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) can demonstrate this commitment aacom.org.
• Research and other scholarly achievements: While not a strict requirement, engaging in research or other scholarly activities can strengthen an application. The school encourages applicants with weaker academic metrics to highlight any publications or research projects to bolster their file osteopathic.nova.edu. In general, initiative in research, especially in medically relevant fields, shows intellectual curiosity and drive – qualities that complement a strong application to NSU-KPCOM.

NSU-KPCOM’s curriculum and evaluation methods are built around established competency frameworks in medical education. As an osteopathic medical school, NSU-KPCOM adheres to the American Osteopathic Association’s core competencies for osteopathic physicians, which align with the standards expected for graduates entering residency training. These seven core competencies cover the key domains of a physician’s development arcom.achehealth.edu arcom.achehealth.edu:

• Osteopathic Philosophy & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
• Medical Knowledge
• Patient Care
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
• Systems-Based Practice meducalix.org

In practice, these competencies mean that NSU-KPCOM trains students not just to acquire medical knowledge, but also to apply osteopathic principles, communicate effectively, behave ethically, continually improve, and understand the healthcare system as a whole. The college’s emphasis on interprofessional education and public health in its mission further reflects extensions of these competencies – for example, Interpersonal and Communication Skills are fostered through teamwork with other health professions, and Systems-Based Practice is evident in learning about healthcare delivery and community health. In 2021, AACOM (along with the AAMC and ACGME) introduced a unified set of “Foundational Core Competencies for Undergraduate Medical Education” to guide all medical schools aacom.org. NSU-KPCOM’s program objectives have been updated in line with these comprehensive competencies, which include the osteopathic core areas above and integrate additional focuses like interprofessional collaboration and population health aacom.org. Overall, candidates interviewing at NSU-KPCOM aren’t expected to recite these frameworks, but understanding that the school values training physicians in these competency areas can help applicants appreciate the rationale behind certain interview questions or discussions (for instance, a question about teamwork might tie into communication skills, or a question about a healthcare challenge might relate to systems-based thinking).

Reviewing reports from past NSU-KPCOM interviews, several common themes emerge in the questions applicants are asked. These tend to align with the school’s interests in an applicant’s motivation, character, and awareness of healthcare issues. Notably, interviewers often cover:

• Motivation for osteopathic medicine and for NSU: Nearly every interview will include questions like “Why do you want to be an osteopathic physician?” or “Why NSU-KPCOM specifically?” studentdoctor.net. Interviewers want to hear what draws you to the D.O. path and what you find appealing about NSU’s program, mission, or learning environment.
• Personal background and strengths: Candidates frequently get open-ended prompts such as “Tell me about yourself” studentdoctor.net or “What makes you unique?” as well as questions about personal strengths and weaknesses. These allow you to highlight key aspects of your journey and character. For example, an interviewer might ask, “What is your biggest weakness?” or to describe a challenging academic experience and how you overcame it studentdoctor.net.
• Experiences and attributes in your application: Be prepared to discuss anything you’ve included in your application – interviewers often pick specific activities or experiences to probe further. You might be asked about your volunteer work, research, or a leadership role (“Describe your leadership in your community” was one reported question) studentdoctor.net. If there are any anomalies or trends in your academic record (like a lower grade or a gap year), an interviewer could ask you to explain those as well studentdoctor.net.
• Ethical or behavioral scenarios: While NSU-KPCOM’s interviews are typically conversational, you may still face questions that gauge your ethical reasoning or problem-solving. For example, interviewers have in the past asked how candidates would improve the U.S. healthcare system or to identify major problems in healthcare and discuss solutions studentdoctor.net. These questions assess your ability to think critically about healthcare challenges and articulate informed opinions. Additionally, situational questions (e.g., “How would you handle a conflict with a team member?” or “What would you do if…”) can appear, aiming to understand your professionalism and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of osteopathic philosophy: Occasionally, interviewers may check that you have a basic understanding of osteopathic medicine’s distinctiveness. In prior interviews, some candidates have even been asked factual prompts like “Who founded osteopathic medicine?” (Answer: Andrew Taylor Still) studentdoctor.net, or to discuss what osteopathic philosophy means to them. These inquiries ensure that you’ve done your homework about the D.O. profession and are genuinely interested in it.

Overall, past interviewees describe the tone of NSU’s interviews as friendly and conversational, though the range of questions can be broad. It’s wise to be ready for both personal and big-picture topics. The common thread in these themes is that the school is looking to understand your motivations, how you have dealt with life experiences, whether you are knowledgeable about the osteopathic path, and how you think about issues in healthcare. Keeping NSU-KPCOM’s values in mind (such as community service, empathy, and primary care) when formulating your thoughts can help ensure your answers resonate with what the interviewers are looking for – not in the sense of giving a “right” answer, but in demonstrating that your outlook aligns well with the college’s mission.

For those applying to NSU-KPCOM in the 2025–2026 admissions cycle (intended matriculation in fall 2026), it’s important to keep track of the key dates and the rolling nature of the process. Below is a timeline of the application cycle milestones and deadlines:

• May 5, 2025: AACOMAS primary application opens for the cycle aacom.org. (Applying early is advantageous, as NSU-KPCOM receives over 7,000 applications and reviews files on a rolling basis aacom.org.)
• June 1, 2025: NSU-KPCOM’s secondary application (supplemental) becomes available and can be submitted starting this date osteopathic.nova.edu aacom.org. All applicants who designate NSU-KPCOM in AACOMAS receive a secondary invitation automatically, given the school’s policy of sending the supplemental to all verified applicants aacom.org.
• January 15, 2026: Primary application deadline aacom.org. This is the last date to submit your AACOMAS application to NSU-KPCOM. It’s a firm deadline – applications cannot be submitted after this date, and AACOMAS will stop releasing new applications to the school shortly afterward.
• March 1, 2026: Secondary application deadline aacom.org. All supplemental materials (secondary application, letters of recommendation, MCAT scores, etc.) must be received by NSU by this date for your application to be considered complete and eligible for review osteopathic.nova.edu. It’s recommended not to wait until the deadline, as earlier completion gives you a better chance in the rolling admissions process.
• Interviews (July 2025 – April 2026): Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. Invitations typically start going out in mid-summer (after applications are reviewed) and can continue through winter; the admissions office has noted that some applicants may hear as late as March or early April regarding interview selection or final admissions status osteopathic.nova.edu. If invited, you will schedule an interview through an online system – be sure to respond promptly to an interview invite, as spots can fill quickly. NSU-KPCOM does not offer an Early Decision Program, so all admissions are handled in the regular pool aacom.org.
• Admissions Decisions: NSU-KPCOM follows AACOMAS traffic guidelines for acceptances. Offers of admission can be issued as early as the fall and then on a rolling basis thereafter. Accepted applicants have set response windows (e.g., 30 days if accepted in winter, 14 days if accepted after January 15) to confirm and submit seat deposits, per AACOMAS protocol aacom.org. Waitlist movement may occur in late spring and early summer of 2026 as the class is finalized. Orientation for the new class usually takes place in early August (the exact date will be provided with acceptance materials).

In summary, preparing for an NSU-KPCOM interview involves understanding both the logistical elements of the process and the underlying ethos of the school. The college’s interview format is straightforward and conversational, designed to get to know applicants in the context of the school’s mission to train compassionate, community-oriented physicians. By familiarizing yourself with NSU-KPCOM’s values (such as its focus on inclusive, service-driven education osteopathic.nova.edu), its program features (like the required rural rotation and dual-degree opportunities), and staying informed on relevant healthcare topics, you can approach the interview with confidence. Remember that the goal is to demonstrate who you are and how that aligns with what NSU-KPCOM is looking for in future osteopathic physicians – if you keep that alignment in mind, you’ll be well-equipped for a successful interview experience.