Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Diversity in US Medical Schools: The Role of Holistic Admissions

Abstract

In recent years, US medical schools have experienced a changing demographic and administrative environment. On one hand, there has been a rising number of applicants who identify as Black, Hispanic, NHPI, or women, suggesting increased access to education for groups that are historically underrepresented. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the number of legal challenges to standard education practices, including the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in education institutions. To tackle these issues, many schools have adopted holistic admissions practices, evaluating applicants based on a wider range of attributes and experiences. This approach has yielded positive outcomes, including enhanced diversity of both medical school and residency programs. As the health education space continues to change, education stakeholders must continue to pursue new strategies to increase diversity in the workforce to better treat the population that they serve.