Date of Conferral
5-13-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
School
Education
Advisor
Cathryn Walker
Abstract
The problem addressed in this study was that the application and enrollment rates for African Americans pursuing a medical education/degree are lower than those of other ethnicities in the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate the perspectives of admissions committee members regarding the low application and enrollment of African American students in medical school and to investigate their recommendations for improvement. Using critical race theory as the conceptual framework, semistructured interviews were conducted with seven experienced medical school admissions professionals. Qualitative content analysis was used, employing deductive and inductive coding. Seven themes emerged: (a) systemic barriers, (b) administrator and faculty support related to proactive pipelines, (c) academic readiness and the absence of support systems, (d) admission committee composition and complexity, (e) admission committee policies, (f) institutional equity, and (g) structured pathways and mentorship. Participants recommended structural reforms, such as bias reduction in admissions policies, stronger institutional commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the development of holistic support systems, including mentorship, financial aid, and mental health resources. These findings offer insights into practices and supports needed to strengthen the medical school pipeline, application process, and institutional support systems, contributing to positive social change by improving access for African American students pursuing a medical education/degree in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Pittman, Kirsten, "The Low Application and Enrollment Rates of African Americans Applying to Medical School" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17764.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17764
