The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) published an amicus brief on July 29, 2022, for the trials Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admission v. University of North Carolina. These trials, which have examined the constitutionality of the consideration of racial and ethnic identities in the higher education admissions process, are due to appear before the Supreme Court this upcoming cycle. 

National APAMSA has joined the AAMC in submitting its amicus brief, upholding the importance of affirmative action in these admissions processes. As affirmed in our policy compendium (Resolution 40.003) and in a 2019 joint statement with several other medical student organizations, APAMSA believes it is integral to the health of our communities and the welfare of the medical profession that there is racial and ethnic diversity within the physician workforce. 

Health disparities are rampant along racial and ethnic lines, and a diverse healthcare workforce helps our communities receive the care they need. As the amicus brief notes, the overruling of Supreme Court precedent defending affirmative action will likely dramatically decrease the number of racial and ethnic minorities in medical schools across the country. In light of the broader nuances surrounding each applicant and their experiences, a failure to consider these factors would undoubtedly hinder efforts to recruit capable and meritorious applicants of diverse backgrounds to medical schools. 

National APAMSA urges the Supreme Court to uphold its longstanding precedent of defending affirmative action. We believe that it is vital toward the well-being of our diverse communities and equity of our admissions processes.

Click here to read the amicus brief in full.