ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) — Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine welcomed its newest class to the Star City this week.
“This is one of my favorite weeks in medical school as we welcome our next class of students. This is our 13th grade, we are now entering our teens in medical school,” said Lee Learman, Dean of VTCSOM.
VTCSOM chose 49 students from 6,916 applicants, a record number of applicants for the school. Another record VTCSOM has set is that 31 out of 49 students are female.
“There is a nationwide trend for an increasing number of female applicants for medical training. In the past few years, we’ve actually been a little bit more than that trend of having more female than male students; we are about 60.63% this year.”
VTCSOM is proud of what it has to offer these students as they progress in their education.
“A very important part of being here at this medical school is recognizing the importance of getting involved in our community. In addition, we take advantage of our parents, Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic, to provide an excellent education. In this way we get the best of both worlds for students and they have a great time here.”
Read the press release below to learn more about VTCSOM’s class of 2026:
“The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) officially welcomed members of its Class of 2026 this week to begin their medical education. The 49 high-performing students were selected from a record 6,916 applicants as VTCSOM remains one of the most selective medical schools in the country. The number of applicants was an increase of more than 500 from the previous year.
VTCSOM enrolled a record 31 female students, accounting for 63 percent of the class. About 55 percent of the class that entered last year were women. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the percentage of female students nationally has steadily increased over the past decade from 46.4 percent in 2012-13 to 55.5 percent in 2021-22.
“I warmly welcome our newest class of students to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the Roanoke area. Over the next four years, their professional identities will be developed with the core values of collaboration and excellence; innovation and discovery; humanism and compassion; and diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Lee Learman, Dean of VTCSOM. “Our innovative curriculum will prepare them with a complex understanding of how care is delivered, how health professionals work together to deliver that care, and how the health system can improve patient care and healthcare. I look forward to getting to know these students as they develop preparing to become the opinion leaders of tomorrow.”
The Class of 2026 includes five students considered underrepresented in medicine, which the American Association of Medical Colleges defines as those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their number in the general population. In addition, eight students come from a socio-economically disadvantaged background and one is from the first generation.
“We continue to be inspired by the number of candidates who can contribute to the school’s mission,” said Melanie Prusakowski, associate dean of Admissions at VTCSOM. “I am confident that the learning environment will be further enhanced by this interesting combination of unique individuals who all spoke or wrote about their passion to serve others.”
Students in the class represent 16 states, with one each from Washington, DC, and Quebec. Ten are from Virginia and two reside in their hometown of Roanoke. The students come from 37 undergraduate institutions, three of which have attended Virginia Tech.
VTCSOM has a rigorous curriculum in which all students must complete an original, hypothesis-driven research project and longitudinal curriculum in health systems science and interprofessional practice. These requirements ensure that students develop the knowledge and skills to become scientific doctors and system citizens who can lead improvements in health and healthcare. The Class of 2026 is well prepared for these aspects of VTCSOM, with an average of 2,957 research hours and 2,903 clinical hours each.
Among other highlights of the class:
- Average student age: 25.
- Number of students who have obtained a master’s degree: 17.
- Average undergraduate GPA: 3.6.
- Average MCAT score: 512.
- Number of students who reapplied: 13.
After the introduction week, the class will start with the regular academic schedule. Students will have a White Coat Ceremony on October 14, shortly after completing the first block of studies, to officially welcome them to the profession of medicine and to give them their important roles and responsibilities.
Recruitment for the Class of 2027 has begun and the first round of applications is expected to take place in person in August. Prospective students can learn more about VTCSOM admissions and the application process on the school website.”
Copyright 2022 WDBJ. All rights reserved.