February 3 is National Women’s Physicians Day, established to celebrate Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, who defied industry and societal norms to become the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US in 1849. After 29 rejections, Blackwell finally received an acceptance letter from the Geneva Medical College in western New York State – only …
Continue reading “Surge in Female Medical Students a Boon for Patients, Studies Show”
The arrival and subsequent spread of the COVID-19 outbreak throughout the US has forced multiple changes in medical school application, testing and admissions. Among those changes was a suspension of the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills exam (Step 2 CS), first in March, then extended for another 18 months, an important and understandable effort to …
Continue reading “The Step 2 CS Exam is Coming Back with Changes – But When?”
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on medical school processes and culture in 2020. Canceled MCATs, rescheduled and limited COMLEX and USMLE sessions, online lectures and coursework, virtual interviews and countless resrictions on in-person shadowing all became the new normal – “normal” being a loosely-used and not-quite-fitting term. Going forward, applicants and matriculants can expect multiple …
Continue reading “Three Post-Pandemic Predictions for Medical School Admissions”
Despite the unprecedented disruption courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of first-year medical students grew, hitting a two-decade high in 2020, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. It’s welcome news as the nation’s looming physician shortage continues to be a source of angst for medical centers and educators. Even …
Continue reading “Medical School Enrollment Hits 2-Decade High – Underrepresented Groups Make Gains”
Residency application season is open and medical students and graduates nationwide are vying for and always limited number of positions that may be moreso this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the stakes are perhaps higher than ever, making it imperative that your application stands out from your competition. To that end, here are …
Despite efforts to boost diversity among medical students, one group remains woefully underrepresented. Nationwide, fewer than half of one percent of US physicians are Native American. A new school seeks to help change that – and it’s off to a promising start. The Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation is …
Continue reading “First Native American Tribally Affiliated Med School Opens”
In a recent blog post, we shared with you multiple reasons that a liberal arts major can make a successful switch to medical school. Among them, highly practiced writing and communications skills; a deep understanding of ethics and morality; and the ability to effectively take on complex issues. In fact, having an insight into the …
Continue reading “12 Medical Schools for Liberal Arts Majors”
For most medical students, the logical path includes a premed major. But did you know that it’s not a requirement? Truth is, you can major in most any subject you want and still land a spot in medical school so long as you take all premed requirements. And though a liberal arts major and medical …
Continue reading “Why Liberal Arts Undergrads Make Great Medical Students”
As the world continues to battle the deadly spread of COVID-19 and the coronavirus, there may be one positive outcome: a surge in interest in medical school at a time when trained physicians are needed more than ever. On May 6, when the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) opened up MCAT registration, 62,000 people …
With medical schools across the country shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of current and would-be students are feeling in limbo. Thankfully, progress is under way, according to announcements made at a recent press conference by officials with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). In mid-March, heeding recommendations of the US Centers …
