Pre-Medical Summer Scholars (Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors)

Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors

Pre-Medical Summer Scholars (PMSS)

The UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships’ Pre-Medical Summer Scholars (PMSS) is a nonresidential program designed to provide premedical students 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.

Important Dates for PMSS 2025:

• January 15th 2025– Online Application Opens
• May 22 2025– Online Application Closes
• April 19 2025– Program Starts
• July 26th 2025– Program Ends

*The online application & supplemental materials (including a Letter of  Recommendation) 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
• Accepted applicants must have successfully completed or be in enrolled for the following courses prior to becoming a cohort in the program
  • Two semesters of Biology
  • Three semesters of Chemistry (to include Organic Chemistry with lab, and Biochemistry).
  • Two semesters of Physics
  • Two Semesters of Social Sciences
• Participants will engage in an extensive and lively classroom review of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Behavioral Sciences.
• One letter of recommendation from a science professor or a counselor/premedical advisor or employer/internship recommending participation in the PMSS program.
• Must have computer and Wi-Fi
• Participants must register for the MCAT before the program begins.

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.

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.

Location

• Little Rock
• Pine Bluff

Questions or Additional Info? Contact: PMSS@uams.edu