Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
Bentonville, AR
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School Detail
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School Overview
- Degrees
- MD
- Ownership
- Public Non-Profit
- Program Length
- 4 years
- Total Enrollment
- N/A
- Accreditation Status
- Preliminary
- Founding Year
- 2021
- Accreditation Year
- 2024
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SDN Insights
Cost of Living: Below national average cost of living
Bentonville, AR is about 0.91x the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment lowers the living allowance from $3,000 to about $2,730 per month. Local rent and commuting choices can still move your actual budget meaningfully.
Environment: Urban
The area surrounding AWSOM is best navigated by car, with few amenities within walking or biking distance. While this quieter environment may offer fewer distractions, it requires a bit more planning for everyday errands or exploring local offerings.
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Secondary Essays for AWSOM
1. Motivation and Fit
Describe how AWSOM’s mission and values align with your personal and professional goals. Please include how you believe AWSOM will help you develop into the kind of person and physician you hope to...
2. Community, Diversity, and Equity
Describe your experiences engaging in the community, and how those experiences have prepared you for a future as a physician.
3. Personal Attributes and Characteristics
The Admissions Committee holistically evaluates a range of student qualities and life experiences that complement demonstrated academic excellence. What unique qualities or individual lived...
4. Understanding and Commitment to Medicine
Trust and rapport are essential in your day-to-day interactions with people. How do you cultivate a relationship with a person who may be very different from you? (1500 Characters)
5. Personal Experiences and Challenges
Whole health considers the needs of the whole person with the goal of preventing disease, improving health outcomes, and sustaining wellness. How do you practice whole health in your personal life,...
About the School
The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded in 2021 by philanthropist Alice Walton, is a nonprofit institution located in Bentonville, Arkansas. Pending accreditation, AWSOM plans to offer a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program that integrates traditional medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The school has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and anticipates welcoming its inaugural class in the summer of 2025.
Curriculum
AWSOM's curriculum, known as ARCHES, is designed to enhance conventional medical education through a whole-person approach to care. This innovative program interweaves six core elements: Art of Healing, Research, Clinical Care, Health Systems Science, Embracing Whole Health, and Science of Medicine. The curriculum employs diverse teaching methods, including simulations, case-based learning, and small group activities, to prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of modern healthcare.
Facilities
The school's campus features a four-story, 154,000-square-foot building that includes learning halls, clinical teaching spaces, and wellness areas. Notably, the facility boasts a public two-acre rooftop park with an amphitheater and gardens, reflecting AWSOM's commitment to integrating art and wellness into the educational environment. The campus is situated on a 130+ acre site connected to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art via native woodland trails, providing a serene and inspiring setting for medical education.
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2026