The entrance rate of medical schools of the US in 2001 was ______.

In the United States, those people who want to become doctors must attend four years of college or university. They usually study biology, chemistry and other sciences. There are 125 medical colleges in the United States, but it is difficult to gain entrance m them. In 2001, about 35 000 students applied to medical schools in the United States, but only about 17 000 were accepted. A medical education is also very costly and it costs as much as 30 000 dollars for each year.
     After entering medical school, students spend the next four years studying only medical sciences. The first two years of medical school are spent mainly in class. The students learn about the body and all its systems. They learn about chemistry and medicines. And they begin studying diseases and how to recognize and treat them. Many students say the first year of medical school is the most difficult. They must re- member a great deal of information for example, many schools require that students remember the names of every bone in the body.
     By the third year of medical school, students are ready to use their knowledge to begin helping sick people in a hospital. These students work trader the guidance of experienced doctors. Students observe the treatment of patients. They also examine patients and advise treatment. As the students watch and learn, they think about the kind of medicine they would like to practice when they become doctors.
     During the fourth year of medical school, students begin seeking to enter a medical training program in a hospital. This training program is called a medical residency. Medical school graduates face strong com- petition to gain a resident position at the hospitals they want most. Hospitals want the top medical school graduates.