Black Medical Students Face More Failure in Medical School

GRADUATION RATES FOR BLACKS ARE LOWER

The graduation rate of Black students at most U.S. medical schools is lower than that of the nation’s top-ranked institutions. Across the country, Black medical students are twice as likely to leave medical school without a degree as White students. Black male medical students have the highest rate of dismissal.

T

hese disproportional derailments continue into residency, where young Black medical residents continue to see a higher dismissal rate, and the highest in Black males again.

In sharp contrast, the graduation rates for Black medical students at many top US medical schools are notably high. Reports indicate that the matriculation rate for Black medical students is highest at highly ranked medical schools such as Mayo Medical School, Vanderbilt University, University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and University of Texas.

More accessible medical schools, which comprise the majority, have a significantly lower matriculation rate, reflecting the disparate challenges faced by Black medical students.  Some institutions, such as the University of Iowa, NEOMED, the University of Michigan, and Emory University, report significantly lower Black graduation rates compared to the majority of students, highlighting disparities that still exist.

BLACK ENROLLMENT IS DOWN TOO

Since the reversal of affirmative action, the enrollment of Black medical students has decreased by nearly 12%, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Combine this decline in Black students being admitted to medical schools with those who are prevented from graduating, and the future of Black physicians is seriously threatened. Remember that African Americans make up 13% of the US population, yet only 4% of the working physicians.

NIAAH CAN HELP

NIAAH serves as a resource for Black medical students, and when they reach out, the stories they share reveal undeniable bias and quick judgments that lead to academic probation, delayed graduation, or even career loss, hundreds of thousands in tuition loans without a professional salary, and significant mental distress for the students and their families.

Many Black students are surprised by the open disregard shown at these medical schools and their respected faculty members, with many falsely believing these institutions also supported their path in medicine, only to realize they are met with indifference towards them and their circumstances.

One option for these negatively-impacted students was the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at their schools, but due to new federal administration mandates, those offices had to be shut down to qualify for federal funding.

A 2023 study looking at what influences success in medical school found the following:

“Statistically significant findings that minority students who had adequate mentorship had higher odds of graduating in 4 years compared to minority students who did not have adequate mentorship.”

“Mentorship being important for graduating in 4 years for minority medical students is similar to our findings of having emotional support from faculty/staff being important for persistence while in medical school. Minority students who reported having a strong support system also had higher odds of graduating in 4 years compared to those without a strong support system.” (Mincey KD et al. Understanding the factors that influence matriculation and persistence in Black medical students. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 May 18;10:1189666)

These findings highlight why NIAAH’s core mission is to provide mentorship to all its members. NIAAH remains committed and wants to help.

WHAT CAN PRE-MED STUDENTS DO?

Research schools carefully:

• Look for institutions with strong support systems and a track record of graduating Black students.

• Connect with affinity groups and mentors for academic and emotional support. Become a NIAAH Scholar! It’s FREE.

• Ask about medical school retention programs and resources during the admissions process.

What you perceive as the “best medical school” on your list may not actually be the best for a Black medical student seeking to graduate. Look for African Americans in leadership roles because they will likely be who you reach out to for advice, counsel, and protection. 

INSTITUTION TYPE MATTERS

Black students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) medical schools report greater belonging and higher confidence in their abilities compared to those at predominantly White institutions. This sense of belonging has a positive influence on persistence and graduation rates.