A-State students interested in the medical field will soon have a broader field of options. The university finalized two agreements with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) that will allow A-State students an earlier chance for acceptance as medical students.

The affiliation and articulation agreements between A-State and NYITCOM will provide students with two ways to gain early admittance.

The first agreement, will allow students to complete three years of pre-professional courses before applying for early admittance into NYIT. The articulation agreement for the Admissions Early Assurance Program offers a similar opportunity, allowing students to apply for early admittance by Aug. 1, following their junior year.

As per the affiliation agreement, accepted students will then substitute their senior year for year one in the medical school, which, if successfully completed, will earn them an ASU bachelor of science degree in biological sciences with an emphasis in pre-professional studies.

“This is not a unique degree option for us other than the osteopathic medical part of it is,” said Lynita Cooksey, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, told the Jonesboro Sun. “Through the years students may get accepted into a professional program early — pharmacy is a really good example. Most times students complete a bachelor’s degree here because it’s become so competitive.”

Students entering the STEM fields may already be acquainted with A-State’s pre-professional studies programs. Through the College of Sciences and Mathematics, courses are offered in the pre-chiropractic, pre-dental, pre-dental hygiene, pre-medical, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant and pre-veterinary paths.

According to Cooksey, the university has structured the agreements with NYIT to expedite the process for those in the pre-professional fields. Students must maintain a 3.5 overall GPA, complete the minimum academic and MCAT score requirements, receive an A-State premedical committee recommendation and pass a personal interview with NYITCOM faculty.

Academic progress and standing will then be monitored on a semester-by-semester basis.

If a student does not meet the requirements in place for early admittance, they will be wait listed. If a seat does not become available, students will complete their regularly scheduled senior year at A-State before completing a traditional application to NYIT. All applications are submitted through the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application System.

A-State students who must submit a traditional application still will receive early notice of admittance.

NYITCOM is one of only two medical schools in Arkansas, the other is the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, site dean for NYITCOM at A-State, said the college sent 122 admittance letters, with 106 committing to attending this fall.

Arkansas currently ranks 48 out of 50 for the number of practicing doctors and 49 out of 50 for overall health. In an interview with KATV (Little Rock) RossLee cited this as a major driving force behind NYIT’s programming. According to Ross-Lee, Arkansas has a critical need for physicians.

“We are focusing on the needs of Arkansas, and we want to attract students from Arkansas to stay and train in Arkansas so they’ll practice in Arkansas,” Ross-Lee said.

The new college will be centrally located on campus in historic Wilson Hall, which is expected to be fully renovated and operational in June. NYITCOM is slated to open its doors Aug. 8 to 115 students, of whom 35 are Arkansas natives.