Purpose: This paper discusses the current admissions process and common challenges for DACA-students at U.S. medical schools.
Background: Organized medicine has been a strong and growing supporter of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program since the program was first established in 2012. As of 2020, 75 of the 160 accredited institutions registered with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) are described as \"DACA-friendly\" and welcome undocumented students to apply. However, there is wide variation in DACA policies among medical schools, complicating an already demanding medical school application process.
Methods: From September 2018 to July 2019, a three-item survey was emailed to admissions representatives at DACA-accepting institutions reported by the AAMC.
Results: Thirty-one of the 75 universities identified for this study participated in the survey. One third of these schools had enrolled DACA students. While all were familiar with the DACA program, only 58% of representatives were aware of their institutional DACA policies. Less than 10% of schools reserved funds for DACA recipients, and a portion require applicants to provide proof of payment for all 4 years of enrollment prior to matriculation.
Discussions: Evidence suggests there is a growing interest in medical education among DACA students, and while many schools are described as DACA-friendly on the AAMC website, we found that the number of institutions having actually enrolled DACA students was limited. Open promotion of DACA policies and practices among US medical schools may potentially increase the number of DACA students that successfully complete their medical training in the US.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Resident, Faculty, Patient Care, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, GME, Public Health,
Sara Carranco, BS, University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine; Sonjia Kenya, EdD, MS, MA; BreAnne Young, MSPH; Olveen Carrasquillo, MD, MPH