Medical students in France are growing increasingly concerned about the fairness of the internship competition, known as ECOS, after allegations of cheating have emerged. The competition determines which medical specialty each student will enter and where they will be placed, based on their performance in both written and oral exams. Thibault, a 25-year-old medical student from Paris, is one of those affected. He ranked around 3200th in the 2026 competition, which limited his options to specialties and locations that were not his first choices. He expressed frustration over the widespread suspicion of cheating, noting that his ranking dropped by 1,700 places between the written and oral exams. The oral exams, which have been held annually since 2024, take place several months after the written exams and are crucial in determining a student’s final ranking. Certain prestigious specialties, such as surgery or neurology, are only available to those with high rankings. The organizers of the competition have denied the allegations, stating that the documents presented were obtained after the exams and that there was no "abnormal behavior" during the ECOS 2026. Damien Roux, a representative of the organizing body, assured BFM, a French news channel, that the rankings are valid and free from bias. Despite these assurances, many students remain unconvinced. Thibault argued that even a small number of cheaters—such as 150—could have significantly impacted his ranking, potentially allowing him to pursue his preferred specialty. Erwann Raissac, a 24-year-old student set to become a clinical immunology intern, shared similar concerns. He criticized the oral exam process as "flimsy" and noted confusion about the scoring criteria. He said the rumors of unfair evaluation have created a "large sense of injustice" among students, undermining their confidence in the system. The controversy has raised broader concerns about the credibility of medical training and the trust students place in the institutions overseeing the process. Erwann expressed worry that the negative perception could affect the public’s already existing distrust of doctors. Antoine, a 25-year-old student preparing for the upcoming exams, added that the uncertainty about cheating has increased his psychological stress, as he questions whether his hard work will be overshadowed by others who may have had access to the exam material. In response to the growing concerns, the ministers of Health and Higher Education have announced a "joint flash inspection mission" to be carried out by two independent oversight bodies. The findings of this mission are expected by October 15. As of now, no evidence has been found to confirm widespread cheating or fraud, and the results of the 2026-2027 intake are not under question. However, the controversy has highlighted the need for greater transparency and confidence in the selection process.