TUNCOM Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) is a leading osteopathic medical program in Henderson, NV, known for its mission-driven focus on primary care and holistic treatment tun.touro.edu. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help applicants prepare for the TUNCOM interview by understanding the process and context. It summarizes the interview format (a traditional, conversational interview approach), the school’s mission and values centered on community service and osteopathic philosophy, and key program features such as an innovative curriculum with early clinical exposure and advanced technology integration aacom.org. It also discusses relevant healthcare policy topics – from local physician shortages to national healthcare reforms – that candidates should be aware of, as well as the non-academic qualities (like leadership, service, and clinical experience) that TUNCOM values in applicants aacom.org. Additionally, the guide outlines the official competency frameworks underpinning TUNCOM’s curriculum, highlights common themes in past interview questions reported by previous candidates (ranging from motivations for osteopathic medicine to knowledge of healthcare issues), and details important timelines and deadlines for the 2025-2026 application cycle. Each section connects these findings to interview preparation, helping applicants understand what to expect and how to align themselves with TUNCOM’s expectations (without providing scripted answers or tips).

The TUNCOM interview is traditionally a one-on-one or two-on-one panel interview with faculty (and sometimes a student), rather than an MMI. In past years it has been described as a “traditional semi-closed file” interview mededits.com, meaning interviewers have access to parts of the applicant’s file (such as personal statements or experiences) but may not see academic metrics. The atmosphere is generally conversational and moderately low-stress, with interviewers often friendly and aiming to get to know the candidate forums.studentdoctor.net. Even during virtual interview sessions (e.g. via Zoom in 2020), the interview itself was kept around 20 minutes and felt personable forums.studentdoctor.net, though the overall interview day included several hours of tours and information sessions. TUNCOM has offered both virtual and in-person interviews in recent cycles, with the format subject to change tun.touro.edu tun.touro.edu, but as of recent feedback it remains a structured traditional interview rather than a series of stations. Notably, some candidates have mentioned being asked ethical or scenario-based questions within the interview (under a confidentiality agreement), indicating that while it’s not a formal MMI, you should be prepared for hypothetical situations or policy discussions studentdoctor.net.

The interview is conducted as part of TUNCOM’s rolling admissions process. Interviews typically begin in September and continue monthly through the spring until the class is filled tun.touro.edu. By policy, the school reportedly only schedules interviews when there are open seats in the incoming class, which means an invitation is a strong positive sign (rather than interviewing purely for a waitlist) forums.studentdoctor.net. While TUNCOM doesn’t publish an official post-interview acceptance rate, applicants can infer that reaching the interview stage confers a significant chance of admission, given the class size and the targeted nature of interview invites. The interview is usually closed-book for the applicant (no notes allowed during questioning) and the format is “semi-structured open conversation” – interviewers often have a predetermined set of questions but follow-up in a conversational manner. Overall, knowing the interview format helps candidates practice accordingly – for example, being ready to discuss anything in their application that interviewers may have seen, and preparing to think aloud through scenario questions calmly.

TUNCOM’s mission is grounded in the osteopathic philosophy and a commitment to serving community healthcare needs. The official mission statement emphasizes preparing students to become outstanding osteopathic physicians who uphold osteopathic values and a holistic approach to patients, with a strong commitment to primary care tun.touro.edu. In line with that, the college seeks to advance the osteopathic profession and serve society through innovative education, research, and community service tun.touro.edu. Touro University Nevada was originally established to help address critical healthcare shortages in the state of Nevada tun.touro.edu, reflecting a values-driven goal to improve local community health. This service-oriented ethos is part of the broader Touro University system’s heritage – founded on Judaic values of teaching, service, and learning, with a dedication to intellectual pursuit and humanity’s welfare tun.touro.edu tun.touro.edu.

These mission and values are important in the interview context because TUNCOM interviewers often probe how well an applicant’s outlook aligns with them. For instance, candidates may be asked about their understanding of holistic care or their interest in primary care for underserved communities, directly tying back to the school’s stated purpose. Demonstrating familiarity with TUNCOM’s mission – such as its emphasis on improving Nevada’s healthcare workforce and prioritizing compassionate, whole-person care – can show interviewers that you would be a mission-fit for the program. The school’s values of community service and lifelong learning might come up in conversation when discussing your experiences or goals, so understanding these core principles allows you to frame your answers in a way that resonates with what TUNCOM stands for.

Touro University Nevada COM offers a four-year osteopathic medical curriculum with several distinctive features. The campus is located in Henderson, Nevada (just outside Las Vegas), providing a unique setting that combines a safe, community-oriented city with access to a major urban center aacom.org. The program has grown since its founding in 2004 and currently enrolls around 160–170 students per class aacom.org, making it a mid-to-large size DO program. Despite the class size, TUNCOM emphasizes a supportive environment – students are “more than just a number” and benefit from resources like a dedicated student wellness center, an on-campus gym/dance studio, and even an eSports lounge aacom.org. The school fosters camaraderie and mentorship through a House system, sorting students into one of six Houses for social and professional activities, which builds community across all four years aacom.org.

Academically, TUNCOM’s curriculum is integrated and competency-based studentdoctor.net. The first two preclinical years are organized in a systems-based format that blends traditional lectures with interactive labs, small-group case discussions, and early clinical exposure. From day one, students engage in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) training – a hallmark of DO education – ensuring they develop hands-on skills in osteopathic techniques studentdoctor.net. Touro Nevada is notable for its use of advanced technology in training; for example, all incoming medical students receive their own point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) device to incorporate ultrasound imaging into their learning tun.touro.edu tun.touro.edu. The curriculum also weaves in emerging tools like artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education and assessment, reflecting a “High Tech – High Touch – High Transformation” philosophy aacom.org. Students practice clinical reasoning in a state-of-the-art simulation center, complete with high-fidelity manikins and mock clinical suites, to prepare for real-world patient care scenarios aacom.org. There is a strong emphasis on early clinical training, with standardized patient encounters beginning in the first year and extensive clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 that cover a broad spectrum of medicine aacom.org aacom.org.

TUNCOM also encourages scholarly development. Students have opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research and other scholarly activities to bolster their academic growth and residency applications aacom.org. In fact, the college recently achieved the highest level of accreditation (a full 10-year accreditation through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation) with commendations for its outcomes aacom.org. TUNCOM’s graduates have an excellent track record in board exams and residency placement – recent classes have had near-100% match rates into residency programs across a range of specialties aacom.org. Although the school’s mission emphasizes primary care, Touro Nevada’s graduates enter diverse fields, and the program provides strong preparation whether one pursues family medicine or a highly competitive specialty. For those interested in public health, there is an available DO/MPH dual-degree option through Touro University California’s distance-learning program, enabling students to earn a Master of Public Health alongside their medical degree tun.touro.edu.

Potential Questions to Ask at the Interview

• TUNCOM emphasizes technology in training (e.g. providing personal ultrasound devices and incorporating AI) – “How are tools like point-of-care ultrasound and artificial intelligence integrated into the curriculum, and how do they enhance student learning?” aacom.org
• The college reports near-100% residency match success – “What factors or support systems at TUNCOM do you think contribute to students’ strong board scores and residency match rates?” aacom.org
• Given the mission focus on primary care in Nevada – “How does TUNCOM encourage or support students who are interested in practicing in underserved or rural communities?” aacom.org apnews.com
• Student life is structured around a House system – “Can you tell me more about the House system and how it helps students build community or develop leadership skills during the program?” aacom.org
• Opportunities for dual degrees and research – “Are there options for pursuing additional interests, like research projects or the DO/MPH dual degree, and how can students get involved in those?” aacom.org tun.touro.edu

These are examples of thoughtful questions that not only show your genuine interest in TUNCOM’s unique offerings but also invite the interviewers to discuss aspects of the program they are proud of. Tailoring a few questions about the curriculum, student support, and opportunities (as illustrated above) can demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the school and are envisioning yourself as part of their community. Importantly, such questions also help you gather information that might be useful in deciding if TUNCOM is the right fit for you.

TUNCOM’s mission and location put it at the intersection of several important healthcare policy issues on the local, regional, and national level. Locally/Regionally, Nevada has long faced a significant physician shortage, particularly in primary care and rural areas. The establishment of Touro Nevada COM itself was a response to these workforce needs tun.touro.edu. Even today, Nevada’s government and healthcare leaders are actively seeking solutions to increase the number of providers; for example, the state’s governor recently highlighted that demand for care in Nevada will soon exceed supply and called for strategies to expand the healthcare workforce (especially in rural communities) apnews.com. Interviewers may be interested in an applicant’s awareness of this issue – for instance, you might be asked about the challenges of healthcare access in underserved areas or how you plan to contribute to addressing physician shortages. Showing understanding of policies like state incentive programs for rural physicians or the importance of training doctors to serve the local population ties directly into TUNCOM’s raison d’etre aacom.org.

On a national scale, broader healthcare policy topics are also relevant. Many osteopathic schools, including TUNCOM, encourage students to be informed about current healthcare reforms and debates. It’s not uncommon for interviewers to pose questions about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or subsequent healthcare policy changes; in fact, past TUNCOM interviewees have reported questions like “What do you think will happen as healthcare policy changes under the current administration?” studentdoctor.net or “Tell me what you know about President Obama’s healthcare policy” studentdoctor.net. This reflects an expectation that future physicians understand the healthcare system they will work in. Topics such as Medicaid expansion, health insurance coverage, cost of care, and changes in healthcare laws could all be fair game for discussion. Additionally, the osteopathic philosophy’s alignment with preventive care and holistic health ties into national conversations about improving outcomes and reducing costs – for example, focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and other social determinants of health. An interviewer might ask about your views on preventive medicine or how to handle issues like patient food insecurity or health disparities, given Touro’s emphasis on caring for the “whole patient” in context aacom.org.

Lastly, within medical education, one major policy change in recent years was the transition to a single graduate medical education (GME) accreditation system in 2020, which merged osteopathic and allopathic residency programs under one accreditation (ACGME). While this is more of an internal policy development, it underscores the increasing integration of DOs into the broader medical community. Being aware of such developments can be useful if discussing the future of osteopathic training or residency placements. Overall, candidates should be prepared to touch on policy issues ranging from workforce needs to healthcare reform. You don’t need to be an expert on every topic, but demonstrating a general awareness and an ability to think about how these issues affect patients and the profession will show that you are an informed, forward-thinking applicant.

Like many medical schools, TUNCOM uses a holistic admissions approach, looking beyond grades and test scores to find well-rounded future physicians. In the application review and interview, the admissions committee evaluates several non-academic criteria that are important to success as a doctor aacom.org. According to official admissions information, candidates are assessed on attributes such as:

• Physician shadowing and clinical experience – Applicants should have exposure to healthcare settings and patient care. TUNCOM specifically requires documented physician shadowing experience tun.touro.edu, reflecting the value placed on firsthand understanding of a doctor’s role.
• Leadership and personal achievements – Demonstrated leadership skills and notable personal or professional accomplishments are looked upon favorably aacom.org. This could include roles in student organizations, work responsibilities, or unique projects that show initiative and responsibility.
• Creative and extracurricular talents – TUNCOM mentions “creative abilities” as a selection factor aacom.org, which signals an appreciation for well-rounded individuals. Whether it’s artistry, athletics, or any creative pursuit, such experiences can illustrate qualities like discipline, teamwork, and perspective outside the classroom.
• Service orientation and commitment to the underserved – In line with its mission, TUNCOM values candidates with a likelihood of working in underserved or primary care settings aacom.org. Long-term volunteer work, community service, or any activities demonstrating a passion for helping disadvantaged communities will strengthen an application.
• Ethical and professional demeanor – While not explicitly listed in the snippet, qualities like professionalism, integrity, and good communication often come through in recommendation letters and interviews. The “personal and professional achievements” category aacom.org can encompass evidence of maturity, teamwork, and reliability which are all crucial for a future clinician.

During the interview, expect that the conversation will touch on these areas of your background. You might be asked to elaborate on leadership roles you’ve held, discuss what you learned from your clinical experiences, or reflect on service activities that are meaningful to you. The admissions team is gauging not just what you have done, but who you are – your character, motivation, and alignment with the school’s values. Therefore, highlighting these non-academic factors (through concrete examples and stories rather than just labels) can help demonstrate that you embody the qualities TUNCOM seeks in its students.

Modern medical education is organized around competency-based training, and TUNCOM is no exception. In fact, the curriculum explicitly mentions moving toward a competency-based active learning model studentdoctor.net. This means that beyond just taking courses and exams, students are expected to develop proficiency in key domains of physician capability. TUNCOM aligns its educational objectives with the core competencies defined for osteopathic medical students (which parallel the general competencies for all physicians). These frameworks guide what students must learn and demonstrate proficiency in by graduation. The major competency domains include:

• Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) – Mastery of osteopathic philosophy and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) skills. Students learn to integrate OMT into patient care and maintain the osteopathic tenet that the body is a unit capable of self-healing tourocom.touro.edu.
• Medical Knowledge – A strong foundation in biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences. TUNCOM students must understand established and evolving medical knowledge and be able to apply it to patient care tourocom.touro.edu.
• Patient Care – The ability to provide compassionate, appropriate, and effective care. In an osteopathic context, this means incorporating a holistic approach, preventive medicine, and considering the whole patient (mind, body, spirit) – with sensitivity to the needs of underserved communities tourocom.touro.edu.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills – Effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams. This includes building therapeutic relationships, demonstrating empathy, and collaborating well with others in a professional setting tourocom.touro.edu.
• Professionalism – A commitment to ethical practice, integrity, and accountability to patients. TUNCOM expects students to uphold the Osteopathic Oath, advocate for patients’ welfare, show respect for diversity, and commit to self-improvement and lifelong learning tourocom.touro.edu.
• Practice-Based Learning & Improvement – The skills to continually evaluate and improve one’s own practice. Students are trained to critique and assimilate scientific evidence, engage in quality improvement, and adapt based on feedback and outcomes to become better practitioners tourocom.touro.edu.
• Systems-Based Practice – An understanding of the healthcare system and the ability to effectively use system resources to provide optimal care. This includes knowledge of different healthcare delivery settings, cost-awareness, public health, and working in interprofessional teams to improve patient outcomes tourocom.touro.edu.

Applicants are not expected to recite these competencies, but being aware of them can be helpful. Interview questions often indirectly assess these areas. For example, a question about a teamwork experience assesses communication and professionalism; a question about dealing with a mistake ties into practice-based improvement and ethics. TUNCOM’s emphasis on a holistic, humanistic medical education comes through in its competency framework (notice the integration of OPP and focus on underserved communities in patient care). Demonstrating that you appreciate a broad view of a physician’s role – not just scientific knowledge, but also communication, ethics, systems thinking, etc. – will resonate well. Essentially, the interview evaluates whether you have the foundation to grow in all these competency areas during your time at TUNCOM.

While every interview is different, applicants who have gone through TUNCOM’s interview have reported a number of common question topics. Being aware of these themes can help you prepare relevant anecdotes and talking points. Frequent themes include:

• Motivation for osteopathic medicine and TUNCOM – Nearly every candidate is asked some form of “Why do you want to be a DO?” and “Why Touro Nevada?” studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. Interviewers want to see genuine understanding of osteopathic philosophy and a specific interest in their program.
• Commitment to the physician path – Interviewers might probe whether you have had any doubts about pursuing medicine or why you chose to become a doctor over other healthcare roles. For example: “Have you ever had any doubts about going into medicine?” studentdoctor.net or “Why not a nurse or PA – why a physician?” studentdoctor.net. This helps them gauge your dedication and clarity of purpose.
• Understanding of osteopathy and OMM – Many candidates have been asked about their knowledge of osteopathic practices or the differences they’ve observed between DO and MD physicians. You might encounter questions like “What does osteopathy mean to you?” or “What differences have you seen between DOs and MDs you’ve shadowed?” studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. This theme evaluates whether you’ve done your homework on the DO profession and truly appreciate its unique approach (such as OMM and holistic care).
• Healthcare and policy awareness – As noted earlier, questions about current events and policies are common. Past examples include queries on the Affordable Care Act or anticipated changes in healthcare under different administrations studentdoctor.net studentdoctor.net. You might also be asked broader questions like “What do you think is the biggest issue in healthcare today?”. The key is to show you stay informed and can articulate a thoughtful view on health systems or policies that affect patient care.
• Personal experiences and attributes – Interviewers often delve into your extracurriculars and experiences. Be prepared for prompts such as “Tell me about your research and how it will benefit society” studentdoctor.net or “Which of your service experiences best reflects your priorities and why?” studentdoctor.net. They may also ask about leadership roles (e.g., “How will your experience as [position] help you as a physician?” studentdoctor.net). These questions are opportunities to highlight qualities like teamwork, empathy, and leadership through real examples from your life.
• Challenges or weaknesses – It’s common to be asked to discuss a weaker part of your application or a past difficulty. TUNCOM interviewees have reported questions like “What is the weakest part of your application?” studentdoctor.net, “Explain the circumstances around this grade (or MCAT score)” studentdoctor.net, or “Do you think you’re prepared for the rigors of medical school coursework?” studentdoctor.net. The interviewers aren’t trying to intimidate you; rather, they want to see self-awareness, honesty, and resilience. They are gauging how you handle discussing a challenge and what you learned from it.
• General get-to-know-you questions – Open-ended prompts like “Tell me about yourself.” are almost guaranteed at the start of the interview studentdoctor.net. This isn’t a trick; it’s a chance for you to set the tone and highlight key aspects of your background. Other miscellaneous questions can arise from your application—since the interview is semi-open-file, expect specific queries about anything you mentioned (hobbies, unique experiences, etc.). The tone tends to remain conversational, so you may also get follow-up questions building on your responses.

It’s important to approach these themes by reflecting on your own experiences and views. Rather than memorizing answers, think of stories or examples that illustrate each area (motivation, experiences, ethical viewpoint, etc.). The trends above show that TUNCOM wants to assess not just your preparedness for medical school, but also your alignment with osteopathic values, your awareness of the medical context you’ll practice in, and your personal qualities. Being ready for these kinds of questions will help you feel more confident and engage in a genuine conversation with your interviewers.

The application process for TUNCOM follows the typical osteopathic medical school cycle, with some school-specific dates to note. For the 2025-2026 cycle, the AACOMAS (primary) application opens in early May 2025 – specifically, Touro Nevada will start receiving applications on May 5, 2025 aacom.org. TUNCOM uses a rolling admissions system, so it’s advantageous to submit your primary application as early as possible. The primary application deadline is June 13, 2026 aacom.org, but waiting until the deadline is not recommended because interviews may be filled long before then. In fact, the admissions office advises applicants to submit at least four weeks before the deadline for best consideration aacom.org (earlier than that is even better, given rolling admissions).

After submitting a primary application, selected applicants will receive a secondary application invitation. TUNCOM typically begins sending out secondaries in early August tun.touro.edu of the application year (so early August 2025 for this cycle). There isn’t a public secondary submission deadline posted, as usually you are expected to turn it around promptly (often within 2–4 weeks of receiving it). Interview invitations tend to start going out by late August or early September tun.touro.edu, shortly after secondaries, and then continue on a rolling basis thereafter. TUNCOM starts conducting interviews in September 2025, and will hold them through the fall, winter, and into spring 2026 (interviews generally run until around April or May, or until the class seats are filled) tun.touro.edu. Earlier interviewees have the advantage of more open seats, but even later in the cycle, interviews may be offered if spots remain open or to build a waitlist.

Admission decisions at TUNCOM are often made relatively quickly after the interview. In some cases, candidates have reported hearing back (acceptance or otherwise) within a few weeks. On interview day, the staff will usually inform you when to expect a decision notification tun.touro.edu. If accepted, you will need to secure your seat with a deposit – TUNCOM requires a $2,000 non-refundable deposit by a specified deadline (they will provide this date in your acceptance letter) tun.touro.edu. The deposit is sizable, as is common for private medical schools, and it counts toward your tuition. Additionally, accepted students must fulfill other post-acceptance requirements like immunizations and background checks before matriculation tun.touro.edu.

It’s worth noting that TUNCOM adheres to AACOM’s traffic guidelines for offers and acceptances. This means that if you hold multiple acceptances, there will be defined dates by which you should narrow your choices (for instance, by mid-May 2026, you should commit to one school). However, the specifics of those guidelines will be communicated to you by admissions if applicable. In summary, to maximize your chances: apply early (summer 2025), turn around your secondary promptly, and be ready for interviews in the fall. Keep track of the emails and portal updates from Touro Nevada, as they will contain exact deadlines and any changes in timeline. By staying on top of these dates and responding in a timely manner, you’ll navigate the 2025-2026 application cycle smoothly.

Preparing for a TUNCOM interview involves more than just practicing questions – it’s about understanding the school and how you fit with its mission. In this guide, we reviewed how Touro Nevada’s interview process operates (a friendly, traditional format in a rolling admissions setting), and we explored the values and features that define the program, from its primary care focus and cutting-edge educational tools to its community-centered ethos tun.touro.edu aacom.org. We also discussed the broader healthcare context – like workforce shortages and health policy issues – that you should be mindful of when entering conversations with interviewers. Ultimately, successful interview preparation means reflecting on the qualities TUNCOM seeks (such as leadership, compassion, and commitment to service aacom.org) and being ready to convey your experiences and motivations in light of those. By absorbing the insights in each section of this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to present yourself as a knowledgeable, passionate, and mission-aligned candidate for the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. Good luck!