Yes, you can apply when applications open up in June AND join the program. It's a linkage. So you need to meet the MCAT and GPA PLUS a positive interview evaluation to get your acceptance. You need to treat this program as a year-long interview and always be professional and not complain too much. Stay away from drama. Complaining about exams or how hard the test was is a great way to lose your positive evaluation. Also, things like don't show up late to class because professors notice this.
Additionally, even if you meet the gpa, MCAT, and positive valuation, and get acceptance into VCOM, you can still lose your positive evaluation if you don't meet the 3.6 GPA requirement in the spring or miss more than 16 days of class per semester.
Once you get accepted, you're still gonna have to work hard to get the 3.6 in spring. or you will lose your seat. But if you put in the work, you will do great.