New York University made a surprise announcement offering free tuition for all of its medical students. Now NYU will be the only top-10 ranked medical school in the U.S. to do so. The news was announced at the annual White Coat Ceremony, where each new student is presented with a white lab coat, marking the beginning of their medical education.
The average debt racked up by members of the class of 2017 at NYU’s School of Medicine was $184,000. Dr. Rafael Rivera, the associate dean for admissions and financial aid, says there’s a “moral imperative” to reduce debt. The medical students will still need to pay for room and board, as well as other living expenses, but free tuition will definitely help lighten their load.
“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our trustees, alumni, and friends, our hope—and expectation—is that by making medical school accessible to a broader range of applicants, we will be a catalyst for transforming medical education nationwide,” says Kenneth G. Langone, chair of the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone Health.
Source: NBC New York
