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JAMES SCHOLAR PROGRAM
The College of Medicine at Rockford provides the opportunity
for selected students to participate in the James Scholar
Program, an Honors program in research. This program allows
highly qualified students to individualize their medical education
in order to fit their unique talents and interests. The program
recruits outstanding students, encourages their intellectual
curiosity, fosters their self-direction in learning, and supports
their pursuit of a research project in an area of interest
in medicine. James Scholars must meet stringent entrance criteria,
demonstrate increased academic rigor and complete a research
project. In return, they enjoy certain privileges to facilitate
their individualized program of medical education including
flexibility and priority in scheduling, a budget for project
expenses, travel awards, special seminars, and a partnership
with a faculty research mentor. Graduation as a James Scholar
is a significant achievement that is recognized at graduation
and noted on both the transcript and diploma.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION
Academic Excellence – Applicants must be in the upper
third of the entering M2 class.
Independence – Applicants must have special talents
and a high level of maturity. They must demonstrate a strong
desire to pursue a research program within the guidelines
of the James Scholar Program.
Research Project – Applicants must present the outline
of a research study that illustrates the applicant’s
intellectual curiosity as well as the applicant’s ability
to synthesize and present a project. Their projects must be
original work that can be accomplished by the middle of their
fourth year of study. The applicants may have to possess specialized
technical expertise for certain projects.
Application Timeline – Qualified students are identified
early in the M2 year and invited to submit a ‘notice
of intent’ to participate early in the fall. A full
application (including a proposal for a research project)
is due in the fall/winter of the M2 year. Applicants are interviewed
and evaluated by the James Scholar Committee which may grant
conditional acceptance into the program. Full acceptance is
awarded at the end of the M2 year dependent on continued academic
excellence and project progress. A very limited number of
M3 students may be admitted to the program.
MEDICAL CURRICULUM
James Scholars must satisfactorily complete all aspects of
the M1 and M2 curriculum including passage of USMLE Step 1.
James Scholars design their own clinical curriculum in collaboration
with their advisors in order to maximize opportunities for
self-directed learning and to optimize their individual schedules
for their research study. They may select any type of educational
experience as well as the timing and location of their experiences.
All James Scholar schedules and adjustments must be approved
by the James Scholar Committee. Graduation requirements for
James Scholars include satisfactory completion of the core
clinical rotations within the College of Medicine. James Scholars
must take all NBME Clinical Subject examinations and must
pass USMLE Step 2 prior to graduation. In addition, the James
Scholars must have their research project accepted by the
James Scholar Committee and must present their findings at
the annual Research Day in Rockford.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Students eligible
for the program will receive a letter of invitation during
the first week of classes at Rockford. Students interested
in participating in the James Scholar Program may attend the
formal meeting describing the program or may contact the Chair
of the James Scholar Committee (Nelson Gurney, M.D., 399-0599)
to discuss preliminary ideas, concerns, and questions. The
Chair will recommend faculty who might serve as the James
Scholar Advisor for your project or others who may be helpful.
Further information can be obtained from the Office of Research
Support Services, Room S-200, 815 395-5756 or contact Andrea
Doughty, PhD
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