This episode features Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA, Dean of Ross University School of Medicine and Head of Adtalem Global Education’s Academic Council. Here, she discusses the current US & international medical school admissions season.
Summary
Medical School Admissions Season During COVID-19
As medical school admissions season approaches, prospective students are eager to learn about the current state of the application process amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent episode of Healthcare Insider, Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA, Dean of Ross University School of Medicine and Head of Adtalem Global Education’s Academic Council, sheds light on the current situation for medical school applicants.
Applications for Medical School are Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to Dr. Chumley, applications for medical school are back to pre-pandemic levels this year. This means that it will be easier to get in than it was in 2021, but about the same as last year. While this may be a relief for many students, Dr. Chumley adds that for international schools, people tend to apply 6-12 months before they are ready to attend.
Black Applicants are Admitted at a Lower Rate Than Other Ethnicities
Unfortunately, the playing field is not quite equal when it comes to medical school admissions. Due to socioeconomic status, black applicants are admitted at a lower rate than their white, Asian, or Latinx counterparts. Dr. Chumley spoke about the difficulty for prospective medical school students of color to get accepted into allopathic medical schools. She said that many people will apply to osteopathic schools, international medical schools, do a post-back program, or give up on medicine if they are not accepted into allopathic medical schools.
Transparency into the Admissions Process is Limited
One of the challenges applicants face is the lack of transparency into the admissions process. Dr. Chumley stated that there is little transparency into the admissions process until April when students are asked to give up multiple offers. This can be a frustrating experience for applicants, making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their future.
Conclusion
As the medical school admissions season kicks off, it is important for prospective students to understand the current state of the application process. Despite the challenges that applicants face, there is hope as applications are back to pre-pandemic levels. However, it is crucial for institutions to work towards ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic status. As for transparency into the admissions process, it is important for institutions to be more open and provide applicants with more information to aid them in their decision-making process.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 11/02/2022 and can be listened here.
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