For the first time in the nation's history, more women enrolled in U.S. medical schools than men in 2017, according to data released Dec. 18 by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Here are five report insights.
1. Females represented 50.7 percent of the 21,338 new enrollees in 2017. Last year, females represented 49.8 percent of new enrollees.
"We are very encouraged by the growing number of women enrolling in U.S. medical schools," said AAMC President and CEO Darrell Kirch, MD. "This year's matriculating class demonstrates that medicine is an increasingly attractive career for women and that medical schools are creating an inclusive environment. While we have much more work to do to attain broader diversity among our students, faculty, and leadership, this is a notable milestone."
2. The number of female enrollees increased by 3.2 percent in 2017, while male matriculants declined by 0.3 percent.
3. From 2015 to 2017, the number of female enrollees increased by 9.6 percent.
4. There are 89,904 people enrolled in U.S. medical schools as of 2017.
5. The total number of applicants to medical schools declined by 2.6 percent from 2016, which represents the largest decrease in 15 years.