James P. Denk

Attitudes of underrepresented minority students and medical school admissions officials regarding preparation for medical school

Measuring attitudes related to the academic preparation of groups underrepresented in medicine creates special challenges. In this study, we explore the perceptions of 365 minority undergraduate students interested in careers in medicine. The students were attending a special 6‐week summer program at six medical schools throughout the country. Their perceptions are compared with the perceptions of medical school admissions officials, collected using the same instrument in a previous study. Results include comparative views of admissions officials and Mexican American and African American students regarding the educational preparation process, as well as differences inperceptions regarding barriers to medical school confronted by various ethnic groups.