The MD Admissions Office received 4,578 applications for 120 spots in the entering MD class – an increase of 138 applicants over 2008 and an increase of 1,623 applications from five years ago – and the highest in the history of the School of Medicine. Applications from Oregonians were slightly up this year – about 9% of the total applicant pool (about 400).

Over the last few months, staff in the Office of the Dean have conducted or facilitated about 1,110 individual interviews for 555 applicants.

"This number would be impossible without the help of about 65 of our faculty members who evaluate each applicant. We are grateful for this engagement in the application process, it is this involvement that ensures the School of Medicine makes the best selection possible," said Cynthia Morris, PhD, Assistant Dean for Admissions.

 Director of Admissions Debbie Melton said: “We continue to see an increase in the diversity and enrichment of the applicants’ experiences – more applicants who have exceptional experiences in such programs as Peace Corps and Teach for America.”

Applications to the Physician Assistant program remained consistent from last year, with 726 applicants applying for 36 positions. The seven men and twenty-nine women began their 26-month education on June 17. The Graduate Studies program will admit 29 new PhD candidates in 2009-2010, 14 of whom are female. Candidates for Masters Degrees are still being finalized.

Pictured: Debbie Melton and the MD Admissions staff from the Office of the Dean