William Carey University has announced a collaboration with a nonprofit to help retired military special operations forces members to go to medical school.
Special Operations Forces to School of Medicine (SOFtoSOM), which fosters the transition of highly skilled veterans to post-military careers in medicine, is partnering with the private higher institution learning center out of Hattiesburg. Under the partnership, SOFtoSOM retirees who meet specific criteria — including an MCAT score of 500 and a science GPA of 3.60 — are guaranteed an interview when they apply to William Carey’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to serving those who have served us,” William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Dr. Italo Subbarao. “By creating clear pathways for veterans to enter the field of medicine, we are not only enhancing the diversity of our future healthcare providers but also strengthening the healthcare system as a whole.”
Special operations forces service members receive more advanced medical training than their counterparts in conventional military units. Medical preparedness is a critical skill set for these military members, as their units often function in environments where immediate medical support may not be available.
“This represents an incredible opportunity to cultivate the next generation of combat-proven physicians,” SOFtoSOM Director of Partnership Brentyn Jones said.
“SOFtoSOM Scholars bring exceptional qualities, including leadership, decisiveness, mental resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence — traits honed through their experiences in special operations forces. These attributes translate seamlessly into the medical field, where maintaining composure in high-pressure situations is invaluable.”
Per a release, the new agreement also ensures guaranteed acceptance for qualified applicants into William Carey’s one-year Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science program. SOFtoSOM scholars who complete this master’s program with a grade point average of at least 3.50 will be guaranteed an interview with the osteopathic medicine school.
SOFtoSOM students can also apply for scholarships to attend an in-person summer course to help them prepare for the MCAT, further enhancing their chances of acceptance. The agreement between the two entities is effective for three years.
