BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine formally welcomed three new students into the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program recently. 

The Go D.O. Early Scholars Program allows qualifying students to receive guaranteed acceptance into the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements and interview as well as a waived MCAT. The program represents the first of its kind partnership between WVSOM and another institution of higher learning. 

“Congratulations to the exceptional students who are in the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program,” said Dr. James Moore, interim president of West Virginia Wesleyan College. “Your dedication this early on in your collegiate career I know will pay dividends down the road. We continue to be honored that West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine thought of Wesleyan to partner in this program.”

This year’s class includes Ravenna Navalgund ’26, of Irvin, Pennsylvania; Tessa Sleeth ’26, of Salem, West Virginia; and Srikiran Nandigama ‘26, of Salt Point, New York.

Navalgund said, “I was attracted to the various opportunities that WVWC was able to provide for me, as well as being a part of a combined program with WVSOM. I am able to play Division II in the sport I love (lacrosse), while still participating in the 8-year combined medical program.”

The Go D.O. Early Scholar added, “I am interested in medicine because I feel like there is so much more to discover that can benefit society for this generation and beyond. Both of my parents are physicians, so I am fully aware of certain pros of the medical field and things that may need revisiting to fix.”

Sleeth also grew up with a parent in the medical field – her mom is a physical therapist. 

“When I was growing up, she would always take time to explain certain injuries or illnesses, or she would tell me how a certain medicine achieved its purpose,” Sleeth recalled. “After hearing about the human body for all of these years, I knew I wanted to continue to learn and apply it in a clinical setting.”

Sleeth already planned to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College, but learned about the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program and started researching WVSOM and osteopathic medicine. 

“I learned a lot about holistic medicine and WVSOM’s commitment to rural healthcare, and I knew that this was exactly what I was looking for,” she said.

Nandigama is interested in medicine for several reasons.

“The problem-solving and critical thinking aspect of medicine, the science surrounding medicine and the human body, the interpersonal relationships with patients, and the gratifying ability to help others are a few of the qualities unique to medicine that have pushed me to pursue this career path,” he said. “WVWC’s Go D.O. Early Scholars Program gives me an opportunity to really concentrate on my academics at WVWC, and with the many faculty and advisors who provide mentorship and guidance to students here I’m able to enter medical school and pursue my ambition of becoming a doctor through this facilitated track.”
Bryer Ketterman ‘25, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; Kaef Rehman ’25, of Daniels, West Virginia; Matthew Hambrecht ’25, of Frederick, Maryland; and Abigail Patterson ’25, of Charleston, West Virginia comprise the first class of Go D.O. Scholars.

Applications are now being accepted for 2023 admission. Priority deadline is December 1.  In-state and out-of-state students who score at least a 1390 on the SAT or at least a 30 on the ACT and have at least a 3.75 grade point average qualify for the Go D.O. Early Scholars Program. Click here to find out more. 

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 40 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, and nursing; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 70 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.