HISTORY
SEA was formed in the summer of 2020 in response to concerns about the medical school admissions cycle. Our initial 3 goals were reflected in the following hashtag campaigns.
3 FIRST STEPS TO EQUITY
Gaining acceptance to medical school is difficult in a normal year, but the challenges posted by the COVID-19 pandemic have created new barriers that make it even more difficult on applicants. To ensure that the medical school class of 2025 is as diverse, talented, and outstanding as possible, we are asking for the academic medicine community to advocate for 3 initial goals.
#WAIVETHEMCAT
We are encouraging medical school admissions committees to join several excellent institutions around the nation in the decision to make the MCAT exam optional this admissions cycle, and mask previous scores of applicants (if they request) who were planning on retaking the exam this Spring.
#DELAYTHEAPP
We request that medical schools give equal consideration to students whose applications were delayed at the verification phase (particularly those affected by university-level closures).
#COMMITTOCHANGE
We ask AdComs to work directly with premedical students and the AAMC to ensure clearer communication and transparency in future admissions cycles, as outlined by the Students for Ethical Admissions.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MED SCHOOL ADMISSIONS?
The 2020-2021 medical school admissions cycle has been marked by the coronavirus pandemic and massive social change. Existing inequities in the admissions process have only been amplified, and students who identify as being part of groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine are being prevented from pursuing careers in medicine. Below, you will find links to our original document of concerns, our additional open letters and emails sent since then, and our spreadsheet tracker for med school admissions policies.
After surveying over 200 of our peers, we developed 3 short-term goals that will make this admissions cycle safer and more equitable to premedical students. These were initially emailed to medical schools, deans, and the AAMC on June 28, 2020. Though some of our direct goals and aims have changed over time, our original thoughts still guide us. These are:
1) #WaiveTheMCAT: Join several other excellent medical schools in the decision to make the MCAT exam optional this admissions cycle, and mask previous scores of applicants (if they request) who were planning on retaking the exam this Spring/Summer.
2) #DelayTheApp: Delay application review/interview invitations until the AAMC addresses its verification backlog.
3) #CommitToChange: Work directly with premedical students and the AAMC to ensure clearer communication and transparency in future admissions cycles, as outlined by the Students for Ethical Admissions.
WAYS TO HELP
For medical schools seeking to make their admissions process more equitable
Looking for other ways to help? Have an idea? Email us!