ABSTRACT
Medical schools have been under attack for a number of years for continuing to select their students from particular groups whilst appearing to disadvantage others. McManus’ influential report (1997), in which UCAS data released by the Council of Heads of Medical Schools (CHMS) were formally analysed, did not indicate that medical schools were, on the whole, disadvantaging applicants from lower social classes.1 Male applicants and those from ethnic minorities were more likely to be disadvantaged during the selection process and this was indicated by the difference between the percentage of these groups applying and the percentage being given a place. Following McManus’ article, CHMS requested all medical schools to look at equal opportunity issues in their selection process and draw up action plans to cover these. Medical schools are now required to monitor their applications and offers to identify any possible bias in the selection process.
