Medical school applicant trends 2024-2025

With ongoing concerns regarding the physician shortage in the United States, all eyes are on the next generation of health care professionals. The latest data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) revealed a mix of promising and concerning trends among medical school applicants and matriculants in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Despite an increase in first-time applicants, the number of total applicants reached the lowest point since 2017-2018. There were also significant declines in matriculants from groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine, posing challenges to diversity and inclusion efforts in the field.

Although, 74.3% of medical school applicants were first-time applicants, which is a 2.3% increase over 2023.

"We are encouraged by the increase in first-time applicants to medical school," said David J. Skorton, MD, president and CEO, AAMC. "The AAMC and its member medical schools are committed to continuing our efforts to increase the supply of physicians and to increase the range of backgrounds and experiences in the applicant and matriculant pools that are critical to the future physician workforce."