Class bias of medical schools is a reflection of society, not of application procedures

Editor - Being a medical student at Glas. gow University and being from a social class 5 background, I read with interest the article on "recruiting the wrong students."¹

I feel that this article takes a very naive approach to the problem of fewer medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds being recruited by medical schools. The situation in medical schools and in universities is, I feel, a reflection of society's attitudes and beliefs in general, rather than a problem isolated to the selection processes of medical schools.

Even though we now have a Labour government, the gap between middle and working classes is still widening. I am in the incredibly lucky position of being eligible for a maintenance grant and also have my fees paid by my award agency; otherwise I would almost certainly not be doing this course.

My experience of applying to medical school was perhaps tainted by my own attitudes. I would not suggest that interview. ers are biased toward those from middle class families, but that those from more privileged upbringings and private education are, I feel, able to present themselves far better during application, even though they may not be better candidates. I feel that private schools are geared towards getting their pupils into university; state schools are more often concerned with getting their pupils some kind of education.

To even out the balance in medical schools I think that the basic inequalities in society in general must first be tackled.

Ross Carruthers, third year medical student, Glasgow University, Glasgow
Email: 9702625c@student.gla.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2000;08:217-258 July ISSN 0966-6494

1. O'Neale Roach J. Recruiting the wrong students. studentBMJ 2000;8:178.9.