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Medical school enrollment is hitting a new high for the 2025-2026 academic year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. For the first time, total enrollment has topped 100,000 students, and the total number of medical school applicants rose by 5.3%, reversing a 3-year decline. Except for a 1-year increase in 2021-2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the new figures represent the largest gain in a decade, the association says. First-time applicants comprised 76.5% of all medical school applicants, representing an 8.4% increase.
Who’s who: For this academic year, women comprised 57.2% of applicants, 55.0% of first-year enrollees, and 55.0% of total enrollment. Enrollees range in age from 18 to 60 years old (including 2.6% who are over age 30).