APPLYING TO MED SCHOOL

The number of applications toUS medical school has been slippingfor the past 6 years, but thattrend may be changing. Based onthe more than 57,500 people whotook the Medical College AdmissionTest (MCAT) last year and thenumber of applications to date,2003 should show a 4% to 6% risein applicants. Seven years ago, therewere 47,000 applicants to medicalschools; since then, the number hasfallen every year, dropping to a lowof 33,500 in 2002. The figures alsoshow a continuing decrease in thenumber of male applicants. Womenaccounted for 49% of those enteringmedical school last year, comparedwith 40% a decade ago.Despite the decline in applicants,admissions have stayed level, ataround 17,000 for 2 decades.