The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Effect on the Premedical Student

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant restrictions on premedical students trying to meet medical school entrance requirements. Has the pandemic served to inspire or deter pre-medical students from pursuing a career as a physician? To find out, we surveyed members of the Pre-medical Division of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). Those respondents note that COVID-19 restricted clinical shadowing and research opportunities, delayed medical school applications, limited accessibility to academic resources, and in some cases, severely impacted mental health. Our findings show that premedical students are determined to become physicians and take on the challenge of providing care even under the demanding conditions of a pandemic.