The University of Texas is ranked fifth in the nation for the highest number of undergraduates who apply to medical school every year, according to a Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions survey.
The survey contacted 131 U.S. medical schools approved by the Association of American Medical Colleges between July and August 2009 by telephone, and 82 schools responded. The survey showed 618 UT students applied to those medical schools last year.
“UT, in general, is a school that is sought after by so many people, regardless of medical school,” said premed biology sophomore Jessica Bucheler. “Looking at the requirements to get into some of the med schools in Texas, UT isn’t the toughest but is still up there and a desired place to go.”
Kaplan spokesman Russell Schaffer said that while the recent economy has had a slight effect on institutions with average tuition costs of $40,000, only 20 percent of medical school admissions officers who responded said more applicants declined admissions for financial reasons in 2009 compared to 2008.
“Generally, medical school applicants are far less affected by economic trends because many premed students have been preparing for this since their teen years.” Schaffer said.
The survey also studied school admissions and its connection to social networking.
Schaffer said that social media has become a part of daily college life and there has been an increase in business and law students friend-requesting admissions counselors on Facebook.
“According to our survey, only 30 percent of medical school admissions [counselors] received friend requests from applicants,” he said. “[Premed students] are perhaps a lot more cautious, and a vast majority of students tend to be a lot more traditional."
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