In 2018, medical schools in the U.S. made strides in diversifying their applicant database. The Association of American Medical Colleges reported increases in the number of women and those from some racial and ethnic groups that applied to and enrolled in medical school this fall.

For the first time since 2004, more women applied to U.S. medical schools than men, making up 50.9 percent. They were also the majority of new enrollees for the second year in a row.

The data also found that the number of African American applicants increased by 4 percent and matriculants rose by 4.6 percent. For African American men specifically, applicants went up 4.4% and matriculants rose to 7.3 percent. American Indian or Alaska Native applicants rose by 10 percent and matriculants increased by 6.3 percent.

The total number of applicants to medical schools rose by 2.1 percent to 52,777 after a 2.6 percent decline in 2017.

Are you are interested in adding diversity to the U.S. medical healthcare field by becoming a U.S. physician? If so, securing a clinical rotation in the U.S. is a good first step. Apply with AMO today!

Read more at the Association of American Medical Colleges.