Despite increasing interest on the part of minority undergraduates and a potentially expanded applicant pool, minority admissions to most health professional schools have remained static or fallen since 1974-75. Although women are being admitted to medical schools in increasing numbers, they still constitute less than thirty percent of the student population. Federal financial aid policy plays a role in perpetuating a bias against women and minorities by focusing funding on service commitment scholarships that are awarded without regard to financial need, race, or sex. The most affluent students receive, on the average, fourteen percent more than the poorest students. Affirmative action for minorities appears to succeed where affirmative action has also succeeded for women. However, a pattern of discrimination against women seems to be evident in southeastern medical and dental schools. The most important component of a successful affirmative action program is involvement of minority students and faculty in admissions and retention programs. Yet the percentage of minority faculty has not changed since 1971-72. Numbers of black and Puerto Rican faculty in medical schools have declined. (Author/APM)