Applications to US medical colleges have fallen by a fifth in tour year’s, as the internet and other new industries bring new career opportunities to young and upwardly mobile people. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents the 125 accredited medical schools, at total of 37137 students competed for 16 303 places this year. This is a 3.6% decline in the number of applications last year and is 21% lower than the record 46 968 students who applied to US medical schools in 1996.

Applicants from underrepresented minority groups this year totalled 4267 (1.9% more than in 1999). Of these, 2571 were women, an increase of 0.5% over 1999. The Association of American Medical Colleges classifies underrepresented minorities as black, native American, Mexican American/Chicano, and mainland Puerto Rican.

“In spite of the ever expanding list of career options available to young people today, especially in the burgeoning internet economy, medical schools continue to attract large numbers of gifted individuals who are interested in becoming doctors,” said the association’s president, Dr Jordan Cohen.

The association thinks that several factors may be contributing to the decline in applicants–for example, the relatively strong economy and the increasing variety of exciting and intellectually challenging professional opportunities outside the traditional career choices.

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