More first-time medical students enrolled in the nation's 125 medical schools this fall than ever as enrollment increased 2.1%, the Association of American Medical Colleges said, although it warned that a physician shortage may be looming nevertheless. The AAMC said the 17,004 new students represent the largest class on record in the association's 129-year history. The total number of applicants rose 4.6% to 37,364, boosted by a 6.4% increase in Hispanics and an 8.1% increase in Asians. While about as many blacks applied in 2005 as in the year before, their total enrollment in medical school dropped to 1,068 from 1,086 in 2004. For the first time in two years, men made up the majority of applicants at 50.1%. They continued to make up the majority of first-year enrollees at 51.5%. The enrollment increase is important because the number of new doctors is "barely keeping pace" with the number retiring, AAMC President and Chief Executive Officer Jordan Cohen said.