Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Arkansas State University and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) are announcing the first six students in the newly established Freshman to Physician (F2P) pathway for students to secure early admission to medical school in the first year of college.  

“We are focused on getting more students from Arkansas into medical school,” said Dr. Shane Speights, dean at NYITCOM at A-State. “To that, we want to remove some of the challenges of getting in while also ensuring that those students who matriculate are prepared for the rigor of our curriculum. This program does both.” 

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The first cohort of six students includes Thomas McMellon of Jonesboro, Haydyn Friend of Salem, Blaine Bryant of Jonesboro, Lynnlee Presley of Heber Springs, Andrea Pillow of Paragould, and Ty Duncan of Marion. 

“As one of the largest undergraduate cohorts in the Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics, premedical students benefit greatly from the F2P program,” said Dr. Jennifer Bouldin, dean of the Beck College. “Beginning in their freshman year, students gain early access to NYITCOM on the A-State campus while building meaningful connections with faculty and peers.” 

To be part of this cohort, students applied last fall to be part of the F2P program.  

“At Arkansas State, we are intentional about creating an environment where aspiration is matched with access and where possibility is transformed into achievement,” said Dr. Calvin White Jr., provost and executive vice chancellor. “From the moment students step onto our campus, they are immersed in opportunities that distinguish us as a destination university.”

“Whether through direct pathways to medical or veterinary school, access to high-impact research, or collaboration with faculty who are deeply invested in their success, our students are positioned to move with purpose and to realize goals that once may have seemed beyond reach,” he added.

Students selected for this cohort must have a combined SAT score of at least 1100 or an ACT composite score of at least 26, a high school grade point average in the top 10% of their class, and a successful interview with the admissions committee for the program.  

“The F2P pathway creates a seamless bridge from undergraduate studies to medical school for aspiring physicians. With personalized co-mentorship from A-State and NYITCOM faculty, students benefit from expert guidance every step of the way — from their undergraduate experience through the transition into medical training,” Bouldin added.  

“We have the ‘recipe’ for success in medical school,” added Speights. “Being able to partner with Arkansas State University so that we can give feedback on where students struggle in our curriculum will allow the A-State faculty to design their courses to better prepare students attending any medical school.” 

Students must also be Arkansas residents to qualify. 

“We get students from all over the country,” Speights continued. “With so much variety in undergraduate education, we are forced to use the MCAT as a national benchmark. This pathway program ensures that we are getting a student who is ready for medical school. In this case, there is no need for a MCAT so we don’t require it of students in this program.“ 

“Together, A-State and NYITCOM will shape the next generation of physicians committed to serving communities throughout Arkansas,” Bouldin continued. 

Students who complete the Freshman to Physician pathway and meet all of the required prerequisites are eligible for direct admission into NYITCOM. 

The next cohort of the Freshman to Physician program will be selected in spring 2027.