Minority admissions to medical schools: problems and opportunities

The Congress and the Association of American Medical Colleges have the common objective of ensuring that all Americans will enjoy a high level of medical care. In furtherance of that objective, an AAMC task force in 1970 recommended that representation of minority groups in M.D. programs be increased from 2.8 percent (the level at that time) to 12 percent by 1975--76. While the goal was not realized, substantial progress has been made. Yet formidable barriers remain for many minority students who want to enter the health professions. Perhaps the greatest barrier consists of the subtle discriminatory pressures that manifest themselves in all institutions of the country. Today the phrase "reverse discrimination" poses a new political obstacle to the elimination of such pressures. And a series of court decisions has begun to erode the special admissions programs that are attempting to open up professional schools to members of minority groups.