I always hear that most medical school applicants are usually affluent or from upper-middle-class backgrounds. How true is this? Is there any data/statistics backing this up, or is it based on what people see when they're interviewing? Is there any data on how many students apply as disadvantaged? I definitely believe it, but I was just wondering.
Economic Upbringing of Applicants
- Thread starter futuregyn
- Start date
D
deleted980662
i don't know of any statistics on this issue. i doubt the AAMC is rushing to publish applicant socioeconomic data – but please correct me if i'm wrong.
the idea that affluence helps medical school applicants is a conclusion based on the strict requirements of medical school admissions. when you have to work your way through college, it becomes more difficult to shadow, perform research, volunteer, study for the MCAT, and excel in your classes. hence, many successful applicants come from wealthy or upper middle class backgrounds, because their opportunities aren't limited by financial constraints. not to mention that some of them have physician family members who can facilitate shadowing, provide guidance, et cetera.
but to answer your question, i think this is more of a logical inference supported by evidence on the interview trail, as opposed to something that has robust statistical support.
the idea that affluence helps medical school applicants is a conclusion based on the strict requirements of medical school admissions. when you have to work your way through college, it becomes more difficult to shadow, perform research, volunteer, study for the MCAT, and excel in your classes. hence, many successful applicants come from wealthy or upper middle class backgrounds, because their opportunities aren't limited by financial constraints. not to mention that some of them have physician family members who can facilitate shadowing, provide guidance, et cetera.
but to answer your question, i think this is more of a logical inference supported by evidence on the interview trail, as opposed to something that has robust statistical support.
9
907914
They actually did ou publish statistics on this. I cannot find the page, however the median family income for incoming medical student is 120,000 and the average is around 200,000. Additionally, something that may speak to the Socio economic conditions of students is that only about 14% of new medical students are first generation college students.
Last edited by a moderator:
D
deleted980662
wow. over 50% of first-year medical students are in the top 80th percentile of family incomes. sounds about right.
9
907914
I will attest that the word choice should be FROM the top 80%. not IN the top 80&
D
deleted980662
excuse me. does "above" the 80th percentile work?
also, when you look up incomes at the 80th-90th percentiles, it's only $120k-165k. shared between both parents, that puts medical students closer to the middle class than i imagined. still, the stereotype holds true – medical students tend to come from wealthier-than-average backgrounds.
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2018
- Messages
- 3,605
- Reaction score
- 8,994
Average american income is what? Around 55 to 60k? Both parents working puts family income at 120k. No real surprise for over 50% of med students come from families like this
9
907914
That is the average - but the median income (what this uses and what should be used when talking about income distribution) is around $35,000. But, due to single home/single worker households, the median US household income is only $61K according to the 2017 US census.
9
907914
So, it should hopefully, be surprising and appalling that 80% of USMD students are made up of only the top 20% of the income distribution.
9
907914
Sorry to go all Hermione on you lol What my intent was is that there are students who come from that high income parentage but do not directly continue to benefit from parental wealth (ie. My household income was $125K growing up, but I see no money from parents and still have to work during school to support a family)
Edit: Not complaining, their money they do what they want.
Thank you!
And I know, the medical school application requirements most definitely are suited to people with more affluent upbringings.
