More students are entering medicine than ever before, and diversity among students continues to rise, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
A record-breaking 20,630 students enrolled in medical school for the first time this year, contributing to a 25 percent increase in medical school enrollment since 2002.
How this class is more diverse
Medical school classes are diversifying across ethnic and racial groups, as data shows:
- A 6.9 percent increase in Hispanic and Latino enrollees, from 1,859 in 2014 to 1,988 in 2015
- A 11.6 percent increase in African-American enrollees, from 1,412 to 1,576
- A 6.9 percent increase in Asian enrollees, from 4,320 to 4,617
The gender breakdown of students in 2015 mirrors that of last year’s class, with male enrollees accounting for roughly 52 percent of students, while females accounted for nearly 48 percent. Among African-Americans, male enrollees increased 9.2 percent over the previous year, from 597 to 652. This increase marks a glimmer of progress for black men, who have historically been among the smallest group of minorities to apply to medical school.
“It is very encouraging to see consistent increases in the number and diversity of students in medical school,” AAMC President and CEO Darrell Kirch, MD, said in a news release. “We are hopeful that this becomes a long-term trend as medical schools continue working in their communities to diversify the applicant pool through pipeline programs, outreach efforts and holistic review initiatives.”
A broader picture of students
In addition, white students make up 57 percent of enrollees at 11,767. Students identifying as Native Americans or Alaskan Natives number 195, another 69 are students identifying as Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander. A total of 1,655 students identified as other or unknown ethnicity.
Osteopathic enrollment rises
Medical student enrollment in U.S. osteopathic medical schools also increased by 3.5 percent over 2014 enrollment, with 7,025 students enrolling this year, according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Most of this growth is attributed to the creation of two new accredited teaching locations, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn and the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Cleveland campus, enrolling their first classes this fall.
The tightening GME bottleneck
The number of applicants to medical school for 2015 rose by 6.2 percent since last year to 52,550, which AAMC says is exactly double the percentage increase from the previous year.
While this record-breaking spike in applicants “shows that medical schools are doing their part to prepare the next generation of health care professionals,” Dr. Kirch said these numbers underscore a dire need for Congress to increase funding for graduate medical education, so students can continue to succeed in training and meet demands.
“To ensure that we have enough physicians to care for our growing, aging population in the face of a real and significant doctor shortage in the coming decade, Congress also must increase federal support for residency training,” he said. “Unless lawmakers act without delay, patients may not have access to the care they need in the future.”
The AMA continues to advocate that Congress maintain current funding for GME, remove the existing cap on residency positions and support innovative solutions as part of its Save GME campaign. Learn how you can help expand GME.
