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Oh dang didn't know about that. Definitely post it if you get that info.
All of that is true. The current policy is that 70% of the first 150 enrolled students must be equally distributed between the 4 congressional districts (ignoring that 105 isn't divisible by 4...*sigh*). The other spots, including the 151-174th spots, can basically be anyone the school wants, as long as the OOS enrollment doesn't break a certain percentage of the class - 20%, if I recall. As the centers of education and educated people in Arkansas, the districts containing Fayetteville and Little Rock are always the most competitive. The others are...uh...not as competitive.Thanks for the info, but I have heard about seats given out on the basis of quota for congressional districts. So I was just worried about that, I just became a resident of Arkansas, and the fact that I am in the Little Rock surrounding area scares me (people say that the highest stats are from this area).
I definitely would not do that. To me, the only way the Rural Practice Program is of any use to you is if you (think you) are dead-set on primary care of some kind AND are on the waitlist. They move the Rural Practice people to the head of the list, so you're basically guaranteed to get accepted. The scholarship/loan forgiveness sounds enticing, but if you're going to practice primary care, you'll have hospitals tripping over themselves to pay your loans in exchange for service, especially if you really do want to practice in rural Arkansas. Basically, the benefit the program offers is available to you anyway, and you can easily get it without the risk that you'll fall in love with dermatology and/or want to get the hell out of the state. Most people change their minds on specialties several times, so don't feel like your opinions now are going to hold throughout school. They might, but they probably won't.does anyone know if its helpful to sign up for the rural prog. that UAMS has?
I definitely would not do that. To me, the only way the Rural Practice Program is of any use to you is if you (think you) are dead-set on primary care of some kind AND are on the waitlist. They move the Rural Practice people to the head of the list, so you're basically guaranteed to get accepted. The scholarship/loan forgiveness sounds enticing, but if you're going to practice primary care, you'll have hospitals tripping over themselves to pay your loans in exchange for service, especially if you really do want to practice in rural Arkansas. Basically, the benefit the program offers is available to you anyway, and you can easily get it without the risk that you'll fall in love with dermatology and/or want to get the hell out of the state. Most people change their minds on specialties several times, so don't feel like your opinions now are going to hold throughout school. They might, but they probably won't.
I don't think that you really get to meet more people in the community when doing rural practice, just a larger percentage. In fact, you'd probably have considerably more patients working in a city. I do understand the appeal of being a known figure in the town you live in, however. I'm just a city slicker and couldn't stand living anywhere that small.ALso I am more inclined towards rural practice in teh first place, less traffic, you get to meet more people in the community, and low living costs. so it works out good for me.
I'd say you're in good shape to get one, but UAMS, like most schools, isn't really all that generous. There just aren't as many people with stats as high as yours applying to go to school in Arkansas. Keep in mind, though, that it's going to be tough to keep/renew that scholarship. Lots of people do decently or well but don't crush the MCAT and go on to obliterate med school. I think you'll find there's very little correlation between undergrad performance and med school performance, both in class and on Step exams. Consequently, there are a lot of sleepers vying for that scholarship money.How generous would yall say UAMS is with merit scholarships, and how competitive must one be to receive a merit scholarship? I'm currently sitting on a 3.9 and 35Q.
I don't think that you really get to meet more people in the community when doing rural practice, just a larger percentage. In fact, you'd probably have considerably more patients working in a city. I do understand the appeal of being a known figure in the town you live in, however. I'm just a city slicker and couldn't stand living anywhere that small.
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submitted amcas yesterday. Its good that they interview all in states, meaning I can explain my poor undergrad performance, and hopefully wow them in the interview. UAMS is just 3 of the MD schools that I am applying to this year, and is obviously the top preference for me.
The school is really nice, the lib is almost always quiet, and I have now realized that people in Little Rock are nice. Not as nice and friendly as people in New Orleans, but way friendlier than from Texas.
Also I saw some of the new classes for med schools during my late night strolls across campus, and they are quite modern and really nicely built.
Keeping fingers crossed for this year, though I believe I dont have more than 10% chance to get in.. But will start a new bachelors to increase cGPA and sGPA in fall and apply earlier next year like (jun 1st)haha for a better chance.
This is from 2011-2012. It's a letter to the Arkansas state legislature from the dean. It breaks down the average MCAT and GPA by congressional district. I thought this might be useful to post.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assem...ollege of Medicine Additional Information.pdf
Both are right. There are <400 in-state applicants. The rest of the applicants are from out of state.
From District 4 last year, 62 people applied and 27 were accepted. This comprises a 43.5% acceptance rate for that district. The cumulative GPA for applicants is a 3.5 while the MCAT is a 23.6.
Basically, if you're above a 25 and a 3.5, you stand a pretty decent chance being from district 4.
Here is a chart that I made using data from the link.
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Map of congressional districts in Arkansas
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This thread needs more lovin'

We are getting closer... I would love to go here Ahh...
I thought the website said you had to be verified and submitted?
Wow that map kinda makes me wish I was from district 4 instead of district 3... How much is MCAT weighted at UAMS, does good a GPA, travel, research, and extracurricular make up for a poorer MCAT? Still waiting on my MCAT scores but Im optimistic on everything else!
What other medical schools are you all applying for?
My AAMC was verified in early June. I hope Arkansas sends out the secondary soon. Snail mail??
LSU NO reapplicant here. Only school I applied to last round and last minute. Interviewed, rejected mid-May, spoke with the dean and he said I'm a great applicant....no reccommendations (OOS). Frustrating
what address do we use to send supplemental?
(in-state student) So I'm hoping I'm not drastically late but I'm taking the MCAT this Friday and hoping to submit my AMCAS by the following week. It's my understanding I can submit it for verification before I get my scores back and before all my LOR are in correct? Also once I submit it can I call UAMS for the secondary and interview date or what's the procedure there?
Thanks for your time and help!
i look at this thread... And all i can think is hunger games! Lol!
I look at this thread... and all I can think is Hunger Games! LoL!
That is exactly what I was thinking!
Can't decide if I want to apply here or not. I submitted my primary last cycle, but never submitted the secondary. If I recall, it was because they they wanted 3 additional "personal" letters.
The three personal letters are not required, but they are allowed.. and you submit them via AMCAS. It has nothing to do with the supplemental application.
That being said, who wouldn't want 3 more people singing their praises? 😉