Medical schools see drop in applicants

By Jessica Chung
Daily Bruin Contributor

Medical schools nationwide observed a 25.8 percent decrease in
the number of applications they’ve received over the past
five years, according to the Association of American Medical
Colleges.

While this decrease has affected most schools in the nation, the
UCLA School of Medicine has experienced no such decline, according
to the school’s admissions office.

With one month remaining until application deadlines, the UCLA
School of Medicine has received 5,200 applications so far, compared
to last year’s 5,400.

In recent years, the number of applicants to medical schools has
remained fairly constant in the UC system, according to UC medical
schools.

“I am not under the impression that the UC system has had
a major drop in applicants,” said Lili Fobert, an admissions
officer for the School of Medicine. “This might be because
the cost of education is not as expensive as those of other
schools.”

According to the AAMC, the high cost of attending medical school
is only one of the explanations for the decline in number of
applicants.

Other deterrents are the lengthy education period, the
increasing belief that managed care has made a physician’s
job less independent than in the past, and the view that respect
for professions in medicine is diminishing.

Regardless of these hindrances, many continue to pursue medical
careers.

“Despite all the barriers and challenges that I may face
along the way, the end result will prove that it was all
worthwhile. To have great accomplishments in life, you need to take
great risks,” said aspiring medical school student Pantea
Ahmadi, a first-year biology student.

Certain groups in the applicant pool are decreasing more than
others. This year, the number of female and male applicants
declined by 3.2 and 8.4 percent, respectively. Though colleges saw
a higher percentage drop in male applicants, 1,425 more men than
women still applied overall, according to the AAMC.

“The increase in the number of women in medicine is a
reflection of the opening of the profession to women,” said
Robert L. Beran, AAMC vice president for student affairs and
education services.

The number of minority applicants ““ which includes blacks,
Native Americans, Latinos and mainland Puerto Ricans ““ has
also decreased. Despite this drop, the number of minorities
accepted into medical schools increased by 2.6 percent over last
year, according to the AAMC.

“Medical schools continue to seek individuals from all
ethnicities who possess the personal qualities, academic background
and necessary dedication to provide care to the public. I do not
believe that any particular group has an advantage in the selection
process if they possess these prerequisites,” Beran said.

While the number of applications from last year alone has
decreased by 6 percent, this decline has not greatly impacted
medical schools, the AAMC said.

“The ratio of applicants to available positions in the
U.S. is 2 to 1. The AAMC is not aware of any concerns in the
medical schools regarding a decreased quality in the credentials of
applicants,” Beran said.