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Relationship of ACT and MCAT scores from minority, first generation university students and medical school graduation
Author(s) -
Nelson Ben S,
Greene Ernest R
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a433-a
Subject(s) - graduation (instrument) , mentorship , matriculation , medical school , medical education , internship , underrepresented minority , psychology , medicine , family medicine , mathematics , geometry
Medical school graduates generally have ACT and MCAT scores in the upper 25 percentile. It is often assumed that students with low ACT and MCAT levels are not candidates for matriculation in, or graduation from, medical school. Furthermore, first generation, rural, minority students tend to score lower on ACT and MCAT tests. These students may be discouraged from applying, or denied entry, to medical schools. During 1995–2004 we tracked premedical students at New Mexico Highlands University. NMHU is a rural, minority serving (80% Hispanic and Native American), comprehensive university of ~ 1200 undergraduates with 4–5 premedical graduates per year. Twenty‐five students applied to medical schools with 12 (48% > national average) gaining acceptance. Due to family obligations, 2 did not accept admission. In the remaining 10, composite ACT scores ranged from 17–28 (X=21+/− 3; ~ national average). After 4–6 years, composite MCAT scores ranged from 20–26 (X= 23+/−2; < national average). There was a significant correlation (r=0.69; p<0.05) between ACT and MCAT scores. In spite of their modest ACT and MCAT scores, all 10 students graduated in the top 50% of their medical school class and gained priority residencies. Although all students came from low income families, all had strong undergraduate mentorship and portfolios of GPA, community service, extracurricular activity, and research and summer internships. These data suggest that, with solid commitment and mentorship, rural, economically and academically limited minority students with relatively low ACT and MCAT scores can successfully enter and complete medical school. Clearly, a larger comprehensive study with similar students is required to confirm these preliminary findings.