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I'm super stressed about money this week because my summer research stipend has not come through yet, so lets talk briefly about income inequality in medical school admissions...
@jbcarmody @EthicalStudents
@jbcarmody @EthicalStudents
Let's begin with a quick check on the United States.
The median household income in the US sits at around 60,000.
But, of course, we have a huge income inequality problem in this country.
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The median household income in the US sits at around 60,000.
But, of course, we have a huge income inequality problem in this country.
2/
The median income of parents of matriculating medical students in 2019 was 130,000.
THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE UNITED STATES.
2x.
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THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE UNITED STATES.
2x.
3/
The income on the matriculating student questionnaire is reported in ranges, which means the next statistic is an estimate.
> 80% of medical students come from families that make greater than the median household income in the US.
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> 80% of medical students come from families that make greater than the median household income in the US.
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Only about 15% of matriculating medical students in 2019 came from families that make less than the median household income.
FIFTEEN PERCENT!
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FIFTEEN PERCENT!
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Call to action: We need to do a better job of discussing income inequality when we talk about improving equity in medical school admissions ESPECIALLY because of the systematic way this country has prevented Black families from building wealth. 6/
I wrote about this exact subject for @sheMDTweets a year ago when I was going through the process of applying.
https://www.shemd.org/post/the-cost-of-applying-to-medical-school
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https://www.shemd.org/post/the-cost-of-applying-to-medical-school
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Here are my suggestions:
1. The AAMC's fee assistance program needs to not systematically exclude students who are financially independent from their parents.
By forcing financially independent students to share their income AND that of their parents, they don't qualify.
1. The AAMC's fee assistance program needs to not systematically exclude students who are financially independent from their parents.
By forcing financially independent students to share their income AND that of their parents, they don't qualify.
2. Those who qualify for application and MCAT fee assistance programs should receive stipends or financial support with travel.
The more interviews you go on, the better shot you have to get in to a school. If you can't afford every interview, you're at a disadvatange.
The more interviews you go on, the better shot you have to get in to a school. If you can't afford every interview, you're at a disadvatange.
3. The @AAMC_MCAT needs to stop requiring a unique psychoeducational assessment for MCAT testers with disabilities who already have accommodations through school.
These cost thousands - the cost is prohibitive to students getting accommodations they need. An unreasonable ask.
These cost thousands - the cost is prohibitive to students getting accommodations they need. An unreasonable ask.
4. The @AAMC_MCAT needs to commit to improving the representation of low AND middle income students AND needs to release statistics about both applicants AND matriculants for accountability.
5. The @AAMCtoday needs to offer financial assistance for residency applications.
The # of medical students graduating with debt is SHRINKING but the average indebtedness is RISING.
The only solution for low income students should NOT be "take out more loans."
The # of medical students graduating with debt is SHRINKING but the average indebtedness is RISING.
The only solution for low income students should NOT be "take out more loans."
6. Medical schools should waive secondary applications fees for students that qualify for the fee assistance program through AAMC AND financially independent students who did not qualify.
They should also offer interview travel sponsorships for low income URM students.
They should also offer interview travel sponsorships for low income URM students.
7. The @AAMCtoday should offer MCAT tutoring to URM students for FREE.
Khan Academy, while lovely, is NOT a substitution for tutoring or classes.
Khan Academy, while lovely, is NOT a substitution for tutoring or classes.
8. The @AAMCtoday and all medical schools should release statement stating the will consider the impact FAMILY WEALTH has on an applicant's ability to build their resume.
Shadowing, volunteering, voluntourism*, all of these disadvantage non-wealthy students.
*problematic too
Shadowing, volunteering, voluntourism*, all of these disadvantage non-wealthy students.
*problematic too
9. Students from wealthy families can apply to medical school as many times as they want.
Primary application fees should be a ONE-TIME EXPENSE. Whatever is spent on the first application should be able to be credited on subsequent cycles.
Primary application fees should be a ONE-TIME EXPENSE. Whatever is spent on the first application should be able to be credited on subsequent cycles.
Absolutely agree. There is significant overlap between family wealth and family members who are doctors, that lifetime of mentorship and guidance is invaluable. https://twitter.com/DrJLozada/status/1285957094827536386?s=20
