(PMSS) 2021
Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors
Pre-Medical Summer Scholars (PMSS)
UAMS Division for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion, Pre-Medical Summer Scholars (PMSS) is a non-residential program designed to provide premedical students from disadvantaged backgrounds with a means of strengthening their ability and readiness to study medicine. As a result of full participation in the UAMS PMSS program, participants should have enhanced their chances of being accepted to medical school and succeeding once there.
Program Dates: June 14 to July 23, 2021
Important Dates for PMSS 2021:
- February 15, 2021 – Online Application Opens
- April 16, 2021 – Application Closes
- June 14, 2021 – Program Starts
- July 23, 2021 – Program Ends
*The online application & supplemental materials (including Letter of Recommendations) needs to be received by this date to be considered for screening.
Student Eligibility
Students are eligible for UAMS PMSS as long as they have not previously applied to medical school. We accept community college, out-of-state and post-baccalaureate students. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Come from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background.
- Applicants must be a U.S citizen or hold a permanent resident visa, or documentation of approved eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the State of Arkansas
- Minimum 2.8 science GPA for juniors and seniors
- One year of biology or chemistry completed by the beginning of the program
- Semester System: 2 courses
- Quarter System: 3 courses
- One letter of recommendation from a science professor or a counselor/premedical advisor or employer/internship recommending participation in the PMSS program.
- Demonstrated interest in addressing issues affecting underserved populations in healthcare.
- Compelling personal statement
- Must have computer and Wi-Fi
Program Information
Academic Component
Students will work at a rigorous pace with a highly focused scope to prepare for the MCAT. Participants will engage in an extensive and lively classroom review of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Behavioral Sciences. Beyond learning and reinforcing scientific facts, participants learn to manipulate and integrate the information through analytical thinking. To further enhance the classroom experience, participants are assigned to small study groups led by medical students. Also, students are introduced to problem-based intensive workshops covering reading, writing, and critical thinking. These skills, which are improved during the summer, have considerable value throughout their academic and professional lives.
You can view a sample from our PMSS 2020 schedule here:
Career Guidance and Personal Development
Participants will have individual counseling, guest speaker, and personal development workshops, including topics such as; Study Skills and Time Management, Financial Planning, Application Procedures & Strategies, Interviewing Skills, Networking, complementary medicine, and Issues of Modern Medicine. Participants can more realistically prepare themselves to reach their goals successfully. The most critical of these is the “Life Management” series and the constant values clarification sessions called “A Winner…You”, which provide a safe venue for participants to explore their inner calling and motivation.
Clinical Preceptorships
Participants are encouraged to virtually observe practicing physicians and medical researchers performing the typical functions of their profession. The clinical settings range from any of the UAMS affiliated hospitals and clinics to private practice settings, community clinics, and health maintenance organizations. This invaluable experience allows PMSS students to interact with established practitioners addressing modern medicine’s continually changing problems. Students can project themselves into various roles and make more realistic self-evaluations of their motivation and intentions surrounding their career choice. Also, many mentorship relationships grow from these experiences.
Fees the total cost of the program is $125
- Application fee: non-refundable $25 will be due and payable upon the submission of your application. The best way to pay is to send this amount as a Money order or Cashier Check made payable to UAMS and mail it to the address listed at the bottom of this page.
- Registration fee: non-refundable $100 will be required upon acceptance to hold the seat. The best way to pay is to send this amount as a cashier’s check or money order payable to UAMS and mail it to the address listed at the bottom of this page.
Make Cashier Check or Money Order Payable to UAMS
Memo – Pre Medical Summer Scholar Program
Address:
Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Attn: Kinberlyn Blann
4301 W. Markham, Slot 625
Little Rock, AR 72205
Helpful Links
Kimberlyn Blann, M.Ed.
Director, Outreach Programs