Medical Schools See Rise in Enrollment, Application Rates

Medical school applications reached a record high in 2011, increasing by 2.6% to 32,654 first-time applicants, according to an annual report from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The report also found that total enrollment in medical schools increased by 3% -- to 19,230 -- between 2010 and 2011. Since 2002, enrollment in medical schools has increased by more than 16%. However, the increased enrollment might not be enough to offset an expected shortage of physicians. AAMC in 2006 said that medical schools should increase enrollment levels by 30% to combat anticipated shortages.

• "Medical School Enrollment on the Rise" (Helfand, "Money & Company," Los Angeles Times, 10/24).
• "Medical School Applications Hit New Record, Enrollment Up 3%, AAMC Finds" (Selvam, Modern Healthcare, 10/24).
• "First-Time Med School Applicants Hits Record" (Walker, MedPage Today, 10/24).