The influence of college environmental variables on premedical and medical school performance

Choosing an undergraduate institution is a complicated process especially for those aspiring to eventually attend medical school and an ensuing career in medicine. The type of institution, the cost of the institution and the most suitable degree are major decisions that must be made. This study was conducted to compare undergraduate institution characteristics and student characteristics and performance on postgraduate standardized tests. This study compared applicants to the University of Illinois College of Medicine class of 2000 on their performance on the MCAT. This study also compared matriculating students of the University of Illinois College of Medicine class of 2000 on their performance on the USMLE Step I examination. Multiple regression techniques were utilized in the study.;Two dependant variables were identified to facilitate the comparisons. The first measure of student performance was the applicants score on the MCAT. The second dependant variable was matriculating student performance on the USMLE Step I examination. The applicant pool to the University of Illinois Medical School was comprised of 3,926 applicants with 48.2% being underrepresented minorities and 51.8% being non underrepresented minorities. The matriculating medical students in this study totaled 296 with complete records. This study found that students from privately controlled institutions scored higher on the MCAT than their public institution counterparts, 9.26 ± 1.74 versus 8.87 ± 1.78 which was significant at P < .05. Males in the study scored far better than female applicants on the MCAT 9.38 ± 1.72 compared to 8.64 + 1.77 which was significant at P < .05. The performance difference between applicants holding undergraduate science degrees versus those with non science degrees was slim and not significant, 9.06 ± 1.79 and 9.02 ± 1.78 respectively. The 296 complete records of the matriculating medical students revealed that students having science degree backgrounds scored higher on the USMLE Step I examination than those with non science degrees 215.73 ± 24.14 versus 206.69 ± 26.91. The difference between public and private institution was marginal and was not significant. The URM students in the study scored much worse than their private institution counterparts 208.28 ± 25.80 versus 220.13 ± 23.38 which was significant at the P < .05 level of significance.;Thirty-four point three percent (34.3%) of the variance in MCAT scores among applicants was explained by a six variable regression models anchored by undergraduate science GPA and significant at P < .05. Among the matriculating medical students 27.3% of the variance in USMLE Step I scores was explained by a five variable regression model anchored core science courses required for admission to college of medicine and was significant at P < .05.;Recommendations include factors potential college students should consider when planning for preparation for medical school. Similarly, recommendations are made regarding future directions for institutional outcomes assessment.