Rules

Eligibility 

Applicants must be:

1. African American, Native American, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian, mainland Puerto Rican or Hispanic American as directed per the Sherry Arnstein Trust.  AACOM cannot adjust these criteria and the Arnstein family has firmly stated they wish to keep the existing criteria unaltered.  
2. In good academic standing and either:
   • currently enrolled in the first, second or third year at an AACOM member COM
   • OR a student who has been accepted and is planning to matriculate at an AACOM member COM 

Previous Arnstein applicants are eligible to reapply; previous recipients are ineligible.

Application 

1. Completed application* based on your student status of either 'new' or 'continuing.' 
2. Responses to the provided essay prompts.*  

*Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools used to generate essay content is prohibited and applicants will be disqualified if the Arnstein Scholarship Committee believes AI tools have been used to generate any essay content.

Deadline 

Application deadline: August 12, 2024, 11:59PM EST. Awardees will be notified within 90 days. 

Completed entries must include the required documentation with all appropriate signatures and the required essay. Incomplete entries will not be considered. 

If selected as an Arnstein recipient, the academic standing for both newly accepted and continuing students will be verified with each COM.

Prompt Questions:

1. How and why were you drawn to osteopathic medicine? (2,000 character limit, including spaces)
   • Discuss how you were first introduced to osteopathic medicine and why you are passionate about pursuing this career path. 
2. Describe a significant challenge you have experienced as an aspiring or a current medical student from a group that has been historically underrepresented in medicine (URiM).  Tell us your ideas that could help others overcome similar challenges. (2,000 character limit, including spaces)
   • You may discuss situations where you joined or developed a group or an organization for support or activism to influence change; worked with your institution's resources to improve or implement an initiative; a situation where you voiced your concern on behalf of your peers; or simple daily routines that encourage mental, physical and/or emotional well-being.)
3. Do you think medical schools should require different strategies to recruit students from groups that have been historically URiM? If so, what could osteopathic medical schools do to recruit more students who have been historically URiM? (4,000 character limit, including spaces)
   • We are looking for unique ideas and innovative solutions. 
4. Now, what could osteopathic medical schools do to retain more students that have been historically URiM? (4,000 character limit, including spaces)
   • Once again, we are looking for unique ideas and innovative solutions. 

Judging Criteria:

1. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)
2. Community Service and Activism (i.e., clubs/organizations, campus involvement, etc.)
3. Leadership
4. Financial Need
5. Passion for the Osteopathic Medical Profession
6. Clarity and Conciseness
7. Grammar
8. Originality and Innovativeness
9. Practicality
10. Overcoming Challenges and Adversity as a Student from a Group Historically Underrepresented in Medicine

Questions?  

Contact staff co-liaisons of AACOM's Council on Diversity and Equity, Aisha Ali, MHRM, AACOM Research Analyst or Erik Guercio, MA, AACOM Senior Director of Research at arnsteinscholarship@aacom.org.