Records of all the medical students who left the Northwestern University Medical School during the 5-year period 1955-1960 were studied. Their average pre-medical grades and medical college aptitude test scores when compared to the same averages of the entire entering freshman classes for those years showed no statistically significant differences. Psychiatric interviews were available in 18 of the 43 students who left and did not return to school. The significance of a student leaving school whether by academic failure or voluntary resignation is discussed. It is suggested that students leave medical school, no matter by what route, as a way of coping with anxiety engendered by their presence in school.Abstract Teaser