Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- The University of Utah School of Medicine apologized for mistakenly emailing admissions offers to many applicants.
- The error caused significant stress, with one applicant describing the experience as "devastating."
- The school has a 6.2% acceptance rate and is Utah's only MD-granting institution.
SALT LAKE CITY — Officials at the University of Utah School of Medicine are apologizing for an erroneous email sent earlier this week to a large number of applicants that apparently indicated they were being offered admittance to the highly competitive medical program.
An automated email was sent out mistakenly to a "large group" of medical school applicants, according to University of Utah Health spokesperson Kathy Wilets.
"It was intended to go to a small number of students who had been accepted," noted Wilets. "We're trying to figure out exactly what triggered the email and do all that we can to prevent it from ever happening again."
Wilets acknowledged that the school recognizes that the medical school application and acceptance process is stressful for students and their loved ones.
"We are so sorry to have created additional stress or confusion," she said.
An email correction was sent Thursday to all who had received the original email.
"If students have any questions, they should call the medical school," added Wilets.
Medical school admission: A brutal 'waiting game'
A University of Utah medical school applicant who requested not to be identified told the Deseret News that it was "devastating" to learn that the email announcing his acceptance was sent by mistake.
The applicant interviewed for a spot last October but had not heard anything from the admissions office until receiving the erroneous message.
"The medical school admission 'waiting game' is brutal," the applicant wrote in an email. "It's even more brutal when you are sent an email suggesting your acceptance — only to be informed that it was an error."
The applicant called the University of Utah School of Medicine his "dream school" — and feels that dream was "yanked away."
"Mistakes happen — but this situation struck me as unprofessional," he wrote. "I sincerely hope whatever went wrong will be improved."
A single-digit admission rate to Utah's med school
Securing admission to the University of Utah's medical school is tough.
U.S. News & World Report notes that the University of Utah's medical school has only a 6.2% acceptance rate.
The report adds that Utah's medical school is in the "Tier 2" category in Best Medical Schools: Research — earning a ranking alongside renowned medical schools such as University of Southern California, North Carolina and Dartmouth.
Utah is classified as "Tier 3" in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care.
The University of Utah School of Medicine is the only institution in the state that currently grants medical doctors.
In a recent presentation to lawmakers, University of Utah President Taylor Randall highlighted the medical school's upcoming partnership with Utah Tech University in St. George designed to increase the number of primary care physicians serving rural communities.
Provo's Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Washington County are private medical schools.
Last July, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build a medical school at the flagship school it sponsors, Brigham Young University.
The medical school will be located on BYU's Provo campus and will offer Doctor of Medicine degrees.
A key focus of the new medical school will be international health and aid.
Most recent Education stories
Jason Swensen
