Characteristics Top Performing Medical Students Display in the Medical School Admission Process
Abstract
Introduction: Identifying characteristics of top performing medical students when they apply to medical school can be challenging. Because success in medical school is typically defined by academic achievement (e.g. exam scores, grades), undergraduate grade point averages and medical college admission test scores are often stressed by medical school admission committees as key discriminators. However, with a movement towards a holistic approach of applicants that de-emphasizes grades and exams, an argument can be made for using exceptional student performance characteristics to inform admissions policies and procedures. Methods: The purpose of this thesis was to discern a set characteristics displayed by a cohort of exceptional performing medical students. To achieve this, we explored the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application for themes that could illuminate the characteristics of exceptional performing medical students at the time they applied for medical school admission. We defined exceptional performance as selection to both the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Results: The authors constructed seven themes from the AMCAS applications of exceptional performing medical students: success in a practiced activity, altruism, entrepreneurship, passion, perseverance, teamwork, and wisdom. Conclusion: This thesis lays the foundation for further research into the characteristics displayed by top performing medical students at the time they apply to medical school. Admission committees could eventually consider using such characteristics to inform their decisions on whom to accept to medical school.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 02, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1186128
Entities
People
- Matthew C. Pflipsen
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences