Applicants to Medical School: If at First They Don't Succeed, Who Tries Again and Are They Successful?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Applicants to Medical School: If at First They Don't Succeed, Who Tries Again and Are They Successful?
Language: English
Authors: Griffin, Barbara (ORCID 0000-0002-3597-7351), Auton, Jaime, Duvivier, Robbert, Shulruf, Boaz, Hu, Wendy
Source: Advances in Health Sciences Education. Mar 2019 24(1):33-43.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2019
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: College Applicants, Undergraduate Study, Medical Schools, Probability, Cognitive Ability, Place of Residence, Selective Admission, Student Characteristics, Academic Achievement, High School Students, Socioeconomic Status, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1007/s10459-018-9847-9
ISSN: 1382-4996
Abstract: This study compared the profile of those who, after initial failure to be selected, choose to reapply to study medicine with those who did not reapply. It also evaluates the chance of a successful outcome for re-applicants. In 2013, 4007 applicants to undergraduate medical schools in the largest state in Australia were unsuccessful. Those who chose to reapply (n = 665) were compared to those who did not reapply (n = 3342). Results showed that the odds of re-applying to medicine were 55% less for those from rural areas, and 39% more for those from academically-selective schools. Those who had higher cognitive ability and high school academic performance scores in 2013 were also more likely to re-apply. Socioeconomic status was not related to re-application choice. Re-applicants' showed significant improvements in selection test scores and had a 34% greater probability of selection than first-time applicants who were also interviewed in the same selection round. The findings of this study indicate that re-testing and re-application improves one's chance of selection into an undergraduate medical degree, but may further reduce the diversity of medical student cohorts in terms of rural background and educational background.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1205717
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:This study compared the profile of those who, after initial failure to be selected, choose to reapply to study medicine with those who did not reapply. It also evaluates the chance of a successful outcome for re-applicants. In 2013, 4007 applicants to undergraduate medical schools in the largest state in Australia were unsuccessful. Those who chose to reapply (n = 665) were compared to those who did not reapply (n = 3342). Results showed that the odds of re-applying to medicine were 55% less for those from rural areas, and 39% more for those from academically-selective schools. Those who had higher cognitive ability and high school academic performance scores in 2013 were also more likely to re-apply. Socioeconomic status was not related to re-application choice. Re-applicants' showed significant improvements in selection test scores and had a 34% greater probability of selection than first-time applicants who were also interviewed in the same selection round. The findings of this study indicate that re-testing and re-application improves one's chance of selection into an undergraduate medical degree, but may further reduce the diversity of medical student cohorts in terms of rural background and educational background.
ISSN:1382-4996
DOI:10.1007/s10459-018-9847-9