Women drive rebound in U.S. medical school applications

The number of applicants to U.S. medical schools for 2003-2004 increased 3.4% to 34,785, reversing a six-year decline, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported today. The association expects the rebound to continue in the 2004-2005 school year, noting that applications submitted to its centralized application service to date are up about 5%. The main reason for this year's increase is a nearly 7% rise in applications from women to 17,672, the first time women applicants have outnumber men, AAMC said. While the number of African American and Hispanic applicants increased by about 5% and 2%, respectively, the number who were accepted and went on to attend medical school declined by about 6% and 4%, respectively. AAMC President Jordan Cohen called the increase in total and first-time applicants "a reaffirming sign," but said the decrease in minorities entering medical school "underscores the need for redoubled efforts to attract a critical mass of students from diverse backgrounds."