A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE WITH MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS AT UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • 1 January 1963
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 88  (14) , 693-+
Abstract
During the decade 1952-1961, 2060 students applied for admission to the University of British Columbia (B. C.) medical school. Only 1664 fulfilled the pre-medical requirements. This cluster of eligible applicants changed in size and characteristics as the medical school grew older; in general, the academic caliber of applicant cohorts improved as mean age fell and length of pre-medical training increased. A decline in the number of British Columbia applicants was to some extent balanced by an increase in other applicants. Forty-three per cent of eligible applicants were accepted by the screening committee. In contrast to the applicant cluster, freshman classes contained a disproportionate number of B. C. residents. Acceptance, however, was strongly correlated with good pre-medical academic performance and all M. C. A. T. scores except those for "Understanding Modern Society". Unfortunately, one-quarter of all accepted students withdrew before registration and had to be replaced. These observations are interpreted in terms of student recruitment and the efficiency of the screening committee.