Here’s what this year’s medical class looks like

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 th...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news